Michael Scott column
I have always deplored Dorna’s dumbing-down of MotoGP. It’s beneath the dignity of the premier class to have standard electronics, limited engine numbers and control tyres. But even an old curmudgeon like me has to admit that in terms of their aims, it’s really worked. Three different winners, indeed, three different podiums, in the first three races proves that levelling the playing field has at least made the racing less predictable.
You could put it another way. It has given the mediocre the chance to be exceptional. And made the exceptional more mediocre.
To be called mediocre in MotoGP is far from an insult. The guys coming 18th or 23rd are still exceptionally talented. The margins are very small. Just look at Tito Rabat: a real no-hoper for two years on a Honda. Now on a Ducati, something has clicked and he’s a serious top-ten charger. Second Ducati, forsooth, in Texas, beating Jack Miller, which is not something he did very often when they were Honda team-mates. And look at Suzuki and their rider Andrea Iannone. Last year: hopeless. This year: blimey.
Not very much has changed for The Maniac: perhaps a little tweak or two to the power delivery; and the rider being just that tiny bit less maniacal than previously.
But small changes have made a huge difference. Last year rival firms agreed to return Suzuki’s ‘concession’ status, with extra engines and much more freedom to test for no-hope manufacturers. Three races later they have cause to regret their generosity, while with two podiums Suzuki are in danger of losing these privileges.
So which is better? High-level technical competition, with exciting (albeit expensive) progress, important developments for technology, and top results reserved for three or four factory riders?
Or a more mundane but closer brawl, with the bikes increasingly falling behind even road bikes? For example, the nifty twin-clutch transmissions covered in last week’s MCN are banned in MotoGP. Personally, I miss the clever stuff. But I’m enjoying the racing, happy to see the likes of Cal Crutchlow in a position to win races, and the battle for all the points much closer than when the factories had a free hand. In any case, generally, the same people still win. Nowadays, not by nearly as much. But don’t let the dumb-down go much further.
‘I miss the clever stuff but the racing is great’