MotoGP crash still rankles with Lorenzo
● The top riders in MotoGP have paid tribute to the victims of Indonesia’s devastating earthquake and tsunami ahead of the sport’s maiden race in Thailand.
World champion Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi were among the riders who posed with a sign reading “Indonesia in our hearts” in Buriram.
The gesture comes after more than 1,500 died when the city of Palu was rocked by the one-two punch of a 7.5 magnitude quake and a powerful cascade of water last week.
International aid is just starting to arrive and about 200,000 people are in need of assistance, according to the UN.
Southeast Asia is seen as a growth region for MotoGP and the sport has a significant following in Indonesia, one of the world’s most populous countries.
After practice sessions late this week, a group of fans from the country waited outside Marquez’s trailer, hoping to catch a glimpse of the star or an autograph.
“A lot of people love MotoGP [back home],” said Cindy, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. She travelled to the race and bought a 2,000 baht (R884) side stand pass. She likes Marquez because of how hard he works to win.
“He tries his best to be the champion.” Meanwhile, Jorge Lorenzo says he still blames Honda’s Marquez for the Aragon crash that left him injured, despite praising his rival for getting in touch after the incident.
Lorenzo crashed out on the opening lap of the Aragon race after a dive down the inside at turn one from Marquez forced him off the racing line.
The Ducati rider, who dislocated his big toe and fractured the second metatarsal on his right foot in the crash, criticised Marquez in the immediate aftermath of the race.
Asked about the incident ahead of today’s Thailand race, Lorenzo said: “Whatever I say now will create a polemic.”