Here are five things to watch during the Valencia GP:
Valentino Rossi:
Widely regarded as the GOAT - Greatest of All Time - can Valentino Rossi add to his aura by winning an eighth MotoGP premiere class world championship? If he does so from his rear-of-grid start in Valencia, it would be an unmatched feat in the history of the sport. At his best when cornered, Rossi has shown over 20 years that nothing is beyond him, but is this a leap too far? He is supremely motivated and admits his situation is "desperate." But make no mistake: Rossi is set for the race of his life and it will be motorcycle magic watching his bid for glory in the Valencia GP.
Jorge Lorenzo:
With a stupendous pole position qualifying lap, Jorge Lorenzo took a big step towards winning a third world championship against his Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi. No rider is better at leading at the front than Lorenzo and he is perfectly positioned to control the pace and go for victory at Valencia. Lorenzo says that his qualifying lap was the best of his career and that if he had "100 times" he could not repeat. Anything can still happen but Lorenzo will have only himself to blame if he does not win the title from here.
Help me Honda:
In an ironic twist, Valentino Rossi now needs the help of Honda factory riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa if he is to salvage his world title campaign. Just two weeks ago Rossi picked a fight with Marquez in Sepang and their race clash resulted in Rossi's rear-of-grid penalty for the Valencia GP. What a twist that Rossi's championship chances would be massively boosted if the Honda riders can finish 1-2 thus pushing Jorge Lorenzo back to third. In this case, Rossi needs to finish only sixth to claim the title. Both Marquez and Pedrosa will be going for the win and Rossi hopes they can pull it off.
Nicky Hayden:
American bike hero Nicky Hayden will say farewell to MotoGP in the 30-lapper at Valencia, although he will not be lost to racing. In 2016 Hayden will head to the World Superbike championship but admits the slow down lap on Sunday will be an emotional moment. This will be the 216th MotoGP start across 13 years for the 2006 World Champion who is one of the most respected riders ever to grace the sport. He starts 16th on grid giving him a great chance at scoring points in his final GP.
Lap one:
How many riders can Valentino Rossi overtake on what will be a chaotic first lap on the narrow, stadium layout at Valencia? This will be crucial to his glory or bust bid for the world title and Rossi's moves from the rear of the grid will be worth the price of admission alone for the capacity 110,000 spectators. Rossi admits that starting last "is lot more risk than normal" and that it will be "very important" not to lose too much time in the manic opening lap. He starts 26th and at minimum must finish sixth to have a realistic chance at the title - but then only if Jorge Lorenzo is third or worse.
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