To mark the end of the 2010 decade, let's look back together at the ten notable moments that made us vibrate, cry or laugh. These ten moments can be turning points in a season, transfers or even Dantesque battles. Obviously, the moments from the first years of the past decade are more significant, because we have the benefit of hindsight to better appreciate their importance in history. Today, let's look at the first part of this series: Valentino Rossi's injury during the 2010 Italian Grand Prix.
It's a legend. Valentino Rossi, the darling of MotoGP fans around the world, is at the top of his game as he begins the 2010 season. Twice, in 2008 and 2009, he managed to subdue his young teammate Jorge Lorenzo, a young wolf with (very) long teeth. Quickly, and almost naturally, tensions appear as both drivers have a desire to win and great pride. A wall between the two boxes was even erected: nothing is going well at Yamaha.
Except on the track. The two men are absolutely monstrous once the lights go out and offer us legendary battles, as witnessed by the spectators present in Barcelona in 2009.
2010 is here, and “Vale” puts his title back on the line, appearing as the favorite like every year. On Ducati, the very formidable Casey Stoner is never very far away: the winner of the 2007 world championship has absolutely crazy natural speed, just like Lorenzo, who is getting higher and higher. Dani Pedrosa and his Honda are hanging around, of course.
The start of the new season is given via the Qatar Grand Prix. Shoya Tomizawa wins the very first Moto2 race, and in the premier category, no surprises. Rossi showed up straight away, winning the battle while Stoner committed the first misstep of the season by falling at the end of the second lap while holding the lead. “The Doctor” sticks a full second to Jorge Lorenzo, while an in-form Andrea Dovizioso took third place.
The appointment is set for Jerez, for the second round. “Por Fuera” is clearly on top, and manages to get rid of Pedrosa and Rossi a few laps from the end. In France, same winner, but not quite in the same way. The number 99 made a “Lorenzo-style” race by crossing the line 5.6 seconds ahead of Valentino after the latter had taken a few laps in the lead. Dovizioso confirms his good form by finishing third once again.
Then comes Mugello, an unmissable round. Rossi is at home, absolutely everyone supports him: he needs it, because he is then second in the championship, not far from an already hot Lorenzo. What was supposed to be a festive weekend turns into a nightmare for fans.
In free practice, the worst happens. Probably because the tires were too cold, Vale went highside and fell badly. The diagnosis is quickly established: open fracture of the right tibia. Following a two and a half hour operation, the doctor says the nine-time world champion will be unavailable for a long time. No Rossi at the start of the next four races. This injury, in addition to being the worst of Valentino's career, comes at the worst time.
Out of four Grand Prix missed, Lorenzo has three victories, a second place and flies to the championship. The latter will simply be uncatchable, crushing the record for the number of points scored in a season (with 383 units); record which will only fall in 2019 by Marc Marquez.
This moment is a turning point of the decade, as well as in the career of the person concerned. Rossi left for Ducati the following year, leaving Yamaha after seven years of loyal service. He came back strong from this injury, but found it difficult to win. It still takes a significant victory in Malaysia. Ironically, Lorenzo was crowned world champion for the very first time by finishing third in this Asian contest.
This open fracture changes many factors. “Por Fuera” begins his reign, while Rossi has not won a title since. The hunt for the famous “tenth coronation” is still open, but the rifle has changed shoulders. But that will be for the next episode.
