I have often had the opportunity to express myself on the lack of personality of today's drivers. Today, in the era of social networks, many are preening themselves, and it is a phenomenon that, unfortunately, affects our society. However, this has not always been the case, and today we are going to look back on a charismatic year of a driver who was very much so: Jorge Lorenzo's 2012 season. Arriving in Doha, Qatar, the #99 is not the favorite. A monster stands in his way.
His name: Casey Stoner. The Australian had an extraordinary 2011, crushing all forms of competition in his path. On top of that, "Por Fuera" was not at its best. At Phillip Island, The 2010 world champion was injured and lost part of his finger during the warm-up.
New season, same competitors. Dani Pedrosa and Stoner are, as usual, formidable. At Yamaha, Ben Spies had a great 2011 season marked by a victory at Assen; the Blues are hoping for the American prodigy to explode. Valentino Rossi, after having had his worst season in his career, hopes to make an impression and finally succeed with Ducati. Let's remember that the engine size has changed: we have gone from the violent and treacherous 800cc to the 1000cc that we know today. This year also marks the introduction of CRT machines in order to fill a very empty grid in 2011.
Qatar race sets the tone. Jorge Lorenzo, overexcited, literally outwitted the two Honda officials by circling them like a fly. He took the victory ahead of Pedrosa and Stoner. The Australian followed up with two victories, notably at Estoril, Jorge's favorite circuit. Spies, who was supposed to at least "help" Lorenzo, had a catastrophic start to the season. Observers quickly agreed that he didn't have the shoulders for this official handlebar, perhaps rightly so. The rest of the year proved them right.
A Yamaha against two Hondas. No one will give up, and woe betide the one who makes the first mistake. Arriving in Assen, "Por Fuera" is the only one who has never come down from the podium, but the gap is not significant. Once the start is given, disaster strikes: Álvaro Bautista attempts an uncontrolled maneuver and causes Jorge Lorenzo to fall. Stoner didn't ask for much; the latter imposes himself and sets the record straight. Perfect equality. Pedrosa and a surprising Cal Crutchlow, at Yamaha Tech3, follow.
The psychological advantage, which is decisive in a title race, is in favor of the "Aussie". At the Sachsenring (a circuit that considerably disadvantages the Yamaha), the joust seems over. However, this is a turning point in the championship.
Pedrosa, in Olympic form, pushes like a devil in front. Stoner keeps a good distance, ready to pounce. Behind, Lorenzo rides alone, with no hope of victory. In the era before race orders, Stoner wants the 25 points at all costs. On the last lap, the Honda with the number 27 is closer than ever. At the exit of the Waterfall, a few centimeters separate the two men; the next turn, a left, requires a perfect trajectory, accompanied by surgical management of the front brake. Stoner wants too much. The Australian falls, two bends from the finish line.
This event changed the course of the season. As a reminder, Casey had already announced his retirement for 2013, but it was Germany that ended his reign, at the " big stoner » that we all knew. True, he concluded the year with two more victories (including Phillip Island for the sixth consecutive time), but looked pale at Mugello or Motegi. In addition, he was forced to miss three races following a huge volume suffered on the asphalt of Indianapolis.
Pedrosa VS Lorenzo. In reality, the two rivals had never been able to cross swords in MotoGP, face to face, for a world crown. This German round galvanized Dani, transformed into a war machine. Victory in Indianapolis then in Brno, in an explanation entered the pantheon, perhaps exaggeratedly moreover. The official Repsol Honda arrives in full confidence in Misano. From the start given, Lorenzo flies away on one of his favorite tracks, while Dani is strangely stuck in the peloton. It was the mistake not to make. In the first round, Héctor Barberá impales him and ends his hopes of a hat-trick. Jorge triumphs and now has a 38-point lead.
Pedrosa then took three more wins in a row. The only problem was that Lorenzo was always second and never let him out of his sight. At Phillip Island, what had to happen happened. Dani falls, and gives the championship to his long-time enemy.
Lorenzo, second, celebrates a legendary burn on the lands of Casey Stoner, eclipsed winner and ultimately loser of the day. The Honda n°26 nevertheless pockets the victory in Valencia, without consequences for the general. The wet track promotes Katsuyuki Nakasuga to second place while "Por Fuera" falls heavily.
This version of Lorenzo was not the best. Indeed, he had one victory less than his runner-up, but 10 second places – without ever finishing third – for two retirements. His consistency made him a lethal weapon, recalling his masterstroke in 2010. While we were watching the birth of a monster one category lower, Lorenzo sat on the roof of the world, ready to dominate MotoGP for years to come. And yet ...
Did you have this crazy season in mind? Tell us in the comments!
