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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Top Ten Races Of 2011
The unfancied 800s provided a surprising amount of unpredictable and intense racing in 2011 for their swan song. Counting down the year's ten best Grands Prix…
(Dorna Communications)
2011 marked the end of an era as the unloved 800cc MotoGP racers have finally been put out to pasture. However, while frequently derided for creating relatively stale racing, the season's individual Grands Prix contested by the lame-duck 800s were generally quite compelling this past season.
And these were the best of the year:
10. Qatar
While not particularly exciting up front, the season opener was an accurate sign of what was to come in 2011. Casey Stoner kicked off his career as a factory Honda pilot with a dominating victory, the first of ten he would go on to rack up in an epic title campaign.
9. Portugal
Dani Pedrosa put to rest concerns about his lingering injuries and late-race endurance with a studied stalking and subsequent acing of rival Jorge Lorenzo. The weekend was also memorable for the QP press conference war of words waged by reigning champ Lorenzo and rising star Marco Simoncelli. After refusing to back down and in fact throwing a few verbal barbs back at Lorenzo, Simoncelli provided his rival with added ammunition by crashing out on the race's opening lap.
8. Mugello
Lorenzo notched up a statement win at Mugello, tracking down and beating the seemingly invincible Stoner in a straight fight. Lorenzo's triumph added a bit of midseason drama to the championship race before Stoner stepped up his steamroller act.
7. Laguna
Coming into Laguna Seca, early season favorite Stoner was starting to look a bit vulnerable, fading late in the his subsequent two races. However, after downplaying his chances leading up the race, Stoner patiently bid his time before ultimately striking and leaving Lorenzo and Pedrosa in his wake. Stoner took the lead with a bold blind-crest maneuver, blastig past Lorenzo to open lap 27 of 32 before storming to the checkered flag.
6. Indy
Stoner took a second impressive victory on American soil but the reason this one ranks so high is the remarkable tear up through the pack performed by home favorite Ben Spies. Looking like a 50/50 threat to Stoner as the lined up for the start, the anticipated showdown would not materialize, as Spies suffered a nightmarish opening lap, quickly dropping to ninth. However, the Texan continued to fight, displaying an extensive overtaking repertoire en route to an eventual podium placing.
And these were the best of the year:
10. Qatar
While not particularly exciting up front, the season opener was an accurate sign of what was to come in 2011. Casey Stoner kicked off his career as a factory Honda pilot with a dominating victory, the first of ten he would go on to rack up in an epic title campaign.
9. Portugal
Dani Pedrosa put to rest concerns about his lingering injuries and late-race endurance with a studied stalking and subsequent acing of rival Jorge Lorenzo. The weekend was also memorable for the QP press conference war of words waged by reigning champ Lorenzo and rising star Marco Simoncelli. After refusing to back down and in fact throwing a few verbal barbs back at Lorenzo, Simoncelli provided his rival with added ammunition by crashing out on the race's opening lap.
8. Mugello
Lorenzo notched up a statement win at Mugello, tracking down and beating the seemingly invincible Stoner in a straight fight. Lorenzo's triumph added a bit of midseason drama to the championship race before Stoner stepped up his steamroller act.
7. Laguna
Coming into Laguna Seca, early season favorite Stoner was starting to look a bit vulnerable, fading late in the his subsequent two races. However, after downplaying his chances leading up the race, Stoner patiently bid his time before ultimately striking and leaving Lorenzo and Pedrosa in his wake. Stoner took the lead with a bold blind-crest maneuver, blastig past Lorenzo to open lap 27 of 32 before storming to the checkered flag.
6. Indy
Stoner took a second impressive victory on American soil but the reason this one ranks so high is the remarkable tear up through the pack performed by home favorite Ben Spies. Looking like a 50/50 threat to Stoner as the lined up for the start, the anticipated showdown would not materialize, as Spies suffered a nightmarish opening lap, quickly dropping to ninth. However, the Texan continued to fight, displaying an extensive overtaking repertoire en route to an eventual podium placing.
Grand Prix of The France
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