Re: Moto GP 2010 : Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:07 am  

bramleyrhino wrote:

Tragic news from Misano today.

Looking at it, Tomizawa seems to over-run the corner hits the astro-turf at the side of the apex. If that is the case, then it wouldn't surprise me if the tyre completely lost grip. I'm not sure that there's any mechanical problem in there, these types of low-sides are common in motorcycle racing and are usually down to a combination of rider error, cold tyres (unlikely in this instance as the race was 11 laps old) or badly tuned suspension (not necessarily a fault in itself - the forks in these bikes are very highly strung for every track, tyre and temperature).

The accident itself is eerily similar to one that took the life of Craig Jones at Brands Hatch in World Supersport two years ago. Jones came off his bike in a low-side just like this and was unavoidably struck by another rider.

I imagine that questions will be asked of the track medical teams as well. They appeared to just throw Scott Redding (another rider involved) onto a stretcher and they apparently dropped the stretcher carrying Tomizawa. Given that poor first aid was a factor in the death of Darijio Kato in 2003, there could be big implications here as well.

It's also worth remembering that this is the second death at a MotoGP event in the space of two weeks. Last week at Indianapolis, 13-year-old Peter Lenzi died whilst riding in an AMA event that happened to be on the MotoGP under-card.

Absolutely awful to see, especially as his body was spiralling down the track

One of the marshalls that was carrying Tomi tripped up and dropped the stretcher, ridiculous that the race wasn't stopped and IMHO an absolute pathetic excuse that they came out with as to why it wasn't stopped

I agree the way they put Scott Redding on to the stretcher was stupid, what if he had a broken spine? they could have potentially made it worse that what it was

There was nothing Redding nor De Angelis could do to avoid hitting him, unfotunately they were in the wrong place at the wrong time

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:51 am  

I was very surprised at the rationale behind the decision not to red-flag the race. I've seen red flags for much less than that.

The marshall response seriously needs to be looked at. If you look at the care and attention that is given to RL players in situations where there is even a hint at any sort of head, neck or spinal injury (think Luke Burgess at Castleford three weeks ago), this was extremely poor. I appreciate that many these marshalls are often volunteers but this is basic first aid we are talking about here.

Hopefully in my view, we might also see a curbing of this trend for astro-turf being used to extend apexes at corners instead of grass or gravel. I understand the rationale behind them, in that they allow F1 drivers to "rescue" an overshot corner but I've never liked them on bike circuits. All it has done in some respects is encourage riders to push that little bit harder. Hit a patch of astro-turf with your only two wheels at a 50-60 degree lean however and you've got a hell of a job staying in the saddle.

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:10 pm  

Scott Redding has avoided serious injury, having 10 stitches for lacerations on his back. Cal Crutchlow has also been confirmed at Tech 3 Yamaha next season, so we'll have a British rider in MotoGP next year.

Scott Redding has avoided serious injury, having 10 stitches for lacerations on his back. Cal Crutchlow has also been confirmed at Tech 3 Yamaha next season, so we'll have a British rider in MotoGP next year.

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:05 pm  

Good to see a British rider for next year

Hope Cal does better than James did

Melandri going the other way to WSBK

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:42 pm  

2011 looking good

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:43 pm  

Looks short doesn't it

Re: Moto GP 2010 : Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:14 pm  

Two Wheeled Saint wrote:

2011 looking good

It's not showing.