MotoGP Misano: Another day at the races

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When the lights went out today at Misano, it really appeared to be anybody's race to win. While it wasn't the most exciting or dramatic race this season in the premier class, it had its moments. Ultimately Rossi, who grew up only five kilometers from the San Marino track, took home a somewhat disappointing second place. Rossi lead the vast majority of the race, making the fight for second and third place the battle to watch.

On a side note (but an important note for anyone as into riding gear as I am) AGV and Dainese each released a new top of the line product today as Misano. With AGV unveiling their new AGV Pista GP R helmet. An all carbon helmet in the same mold as the Pista and Corsa (I've owned a Corsa for about a year and love it) only with new winglets that sit just below the intake vents, better directing airflow through the helmet. They look pretty awesome too. In addition a new hydration system has been added to the helmet as well, I'll give further details as they become available. Dainese released their new Mugello R D-Air (high tech airbag race leathers). This time the airbag covers an even greater area, the additional details are many and somewhat uninteresting I feel, so if you're still curious go ahead and google it.

In the final laps, Dani Pedrosa over took Valentino Rossi with a pretty daring and pretty non-typical-Pedrosalike fashion type of overtake inwhich a small amount of paint appeared to be traded. Rossi, who was unable to steal back the position atop the podium. Anyone who's experienced in watching "The Doctor" knows that if he can fight back after being overtaken, he always will, sometimes even to a fault. While this move is clearly well thought out and allows him to retake his position, it also gets inside the head of the rider infringement of him, making them nervous, expecting an overtake attempt and on occasions leading to errors that Rossi can than capitalize on.

Marquez made several riveting passes on other riders throughout today's race but was still unable to finish where he would have wanted, narrowing his lead in the standings and finishing in fourth place behind Jorge Lorzeno who took second, and ahead of Maverick Vinales who finished fifth.

While today's race wasn't the most noteworthy in contrast to the other races in MotoGP so far this season, history was made with Pedrosa being the eighth individual person to take home a first place finish in the premier class. All things considered number 26's win seemed well deserved. The two time 125cc and one time 250cc world champion had been seen as less and less of a top contender this season, struggling at first with the new Michelin tyres. However in today's race something clearly clicked for the Spaniard who opted for a soft front tyre choice that he managed to nurse conservatively throughout the race which was an impressive feat especially in today's hot weather.

Pedrosa is the smallest (lightest) racer in the premier class, a fact that is often forgotten, as it makes his ability to wrestle his 250HP, 1000cc, V4 Repsol beast all the more impressive.

While Rossi was likely disappointed not to take home first place at his home track, in front of one hundred thousand adoring, yellow clad fans, he nonetheless parked his Movistar Yamaha along side his fans section and took a moment to seemingly thank them for their loyalty and support.

So what's to be taken away from today's race? Did the stars just properly align for Pedorsa? Or are these two guys named Jorge and Dani still world class contenders who happen to be in a bit of a rut. (Obviously Pedrosa not so much after today) Is Ducati loosing ground they've fought to win this season? With both Borgo Panigale riders finishing within the top ten but outside of the top five. Rossi clearly continues to be a real threat to everyone else he shares the grid with. Marquez is getting better and better at using proper judgement, knowing when to push the envelope and ride on the edge, and when to simply accept his position and take home the points. While Vinales finish fifth today, he still shows incredible promise, making his move to MoviStar Yamaha next year seem increasingly logical. So now that we've gotten just passed the halfway point of the season it's anybody's championship still.

For full results check out the MotoGP website, and for those of you without premium cable services, full versions of the races are available on YouTube. Ride safe people, until next week.