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SPEED - Best Move: Rossi Vs. Lorenzo - MotoGP
Valentino Rossi's showdown with Jorge Lorenzo at Motegi has been nominated for 'Best Move' in this year's SPEED Performance Awards.
Chris Martin  |  Posted November 26, 2010   West Union, IA
Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi do battle at Motegi (Photo: Yamaha Racing)

Valentino Rossi and the world of motorcycle sport in general were delivered some harsh evidence in 2010 suggesting that the living legend might actually be mortal.

For the first time in his record-breaking career Rossi missed significant time due to injury, and perhaps even more damaging, even when healthy he was simply outclassed by his younger teammate armed with identical machinery, Jorge Lorenzo.

While Lorenzo ultimately walked away with the title and Rossi simply walked away after issuing a 'him or me' ultimatum in which Yamaha selected 'him', Rossi proved he wasn't completely without teeth in 2010.

For when his health and pace put him in a position to attack near the end of a race, 'the Doctor' once again demonstrated that there is no man his equal on two wheels when it comes to a late-race surgical strike.

The Italian almost never loses a duel with the checkered flag in sight. The reasons for that are multiple.

His legion of fans will tell you it's simply due to his supreme racecraft that comes about as result of a calculating mind coupled with pristine bike control.

His growing list of rivals who have suffered defeat at his hands -- riders the likes of Max Biaggi, Sete Gibernau, Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, and now Lorenzo -- might be more likely to tell you it comes down to sheer ruthlessness and a willingness to push beyond the limits of fair play and sanity in order to secure a position.

Either way, Valentino Rossi has the 'best moves' when it comes to two wheels, a fact proven yet again in his Motegi duel with Lorenzo, in which he stole third away from the champ-in-waiting in a manner that may have left Lorenzo and his Yamaha bosses fuming but also one that ultimately placed Rossi on the podium.

But does Rossi boast the best move in 2010 in all of motorsport? That's for you to decide…

To vote for this entry or any of the other nominees, click here: www.speedperformanceawards.com/category/best_move.

Fans can vote on nine categories, including the RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year. The remaining categories for fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards include Best Move, Biggest Hit, Best Rivalry, Oops, Best Finish, Best Comeback, Temper Temper and Biggest Upset.

For more info, check out www.speedperformanceawards.com.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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