I think he was running soft/soft if I recall. Was expecting him to start drifting back in the last 10.
In the first third of the race when Mir was really up putting pressure, and even looking at this picture, he even looks like he is carrying more lean and body language than MM93. I remember there was an onboard early on from whoever was behind Mir at the time, and it totally floored me as he leaned over his elbow got down and then he had to pull it in to lean even more. Was like watching us mortals get our knee down and pull it in a bit.
It was a condition of the contract to make sure your head spins like an owl. Since the bike struggles to hold it's line, you have no choice but to turn your head that much if you want to continue to look where you WANT to go
With a 4th and 8th, and actually leading the race a couple times at mid-distance, the bike's problems are not mid-turn. In fact, the bike's "problems" seem fairly manageable. I think, all things considering, 'Toe should be pretty happy.
I like (and race one) Suzukis. S In fact, I "like" all the makes. Just like I "like" all the riders. YMMV.
I see Rins doing the same as last year and burning his tires up by three quarters in. In his defense it looks like the Zook is still severely lacking rear grip. He was blazing the tire out of corners. I think the power is not so bad in retrospect.
I wonder if Rins got up to third/fourth and then just camped it, if that would preserve his tires a bit more than trying to go for (and taking) the lead.
Kinda like Rossi back in his 'stalking' days pressuring the leader into a mistake then overtaking within the last half dozen laps, if even that early. Was thinking a bit of both, possibly more lack of electronics?
Yes but his education is priceless ... I would wager that does not happen again. What better time to get that out of the way than your first GP race.
I'm in awe of these guys, but it doesn't sit well with me when rookies are running at the front in the first race of the season. I don't think it reflects very well on the others, especially with such limited testing rules in place.
This weekend rookies finished 8th, 11th, 17th and DNF. In 2006, rookies finished 2, 6, 16th in the first race. In 2008, rookies finished 2, 4, 6th and DNF. In 2010, rookies finished 6, 8, and 12th through 15th. In 2013 rookies finished 3, 9, and 16th. I see no problem, and want to see all four of these kids do well.