Just 27 points behind Daniel Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo could still pull off an incredible third race provided results go his way in the last two events. Other debutants, Alex de Angelis and James Toseland, who only rode 8 times this year, have been left in their wake as the two look strong at the top.
50 points are up for grabs in the remaining two races of the 2008 season while 37 separate Dovizioso from Lorenzo. After two consecutive seasons where Dovizioso’s 250cc titles were snatched away by Lorenzo, things threaten to turn into a hat trick of sorts. The duo have had a splendid season since the first day of the season and never looked out of their depth. Lorenzo notched up four podium finishes in the first 5 rounds that included his first ever win at Portugal. But Lorenzo’s season has been anything but smooth sailing. Marred by injuries, Lorenzo was forced to ride in some events while not completely fit, something that didn’t stop him from a second place finish at France.
A massive crash at Shanghai, during the free practice, resulted in injuries that lasted almost an entire season, as well as left a deep mark on his confidence. Despite the setback, Lorenzo came back and took fourth place. After that point, Lorenzo spent a considerable amount of time on the tarmac, and subsequently the hospital bed, with crashes in Italy and Spain, the latter resulting in a concussion & an eventual rest on race-day. Summer was spent in hospital following which, he was on the track looking to gain confidence for the second half of the season. In only the second race after the restart, he was back on the podium at Misano behind now-World Champion, Valentino Rossi. Lorenzo fought back with two consecutive fourth places and another podium finish and with two races to go, looks to be the favourite for the Rookie of the Year title.
Compared to Lorenzo, Dovizioso has had a sober season. Although not as flashy and success ridden as Lorenzo’s, Dovizioso has been rather quietly getting the job done, and impressively too. With a relatively less than competitive bike, Dovizioso has managed to stay up there, a performance that is dedicated to his skill on the motorbike. With JiR Team Scot, Dovizioso has only finished outside of the top-ten, twice; and outside of the points, once. Although he has had 3 fourth-place and 4 fifth-place finishes, he has yet to get onto the podium this season.
Things might change in 2009 when, with Repsol Honda’s factory machines, Dovizioso will have much improved weaponry to tackle the likes of Lorenzo.
With Malaysia and Valencia being the last two events of the 2008 season, both riders will be looking to gain a moral victory over the other and with the Rookie of the Year title giving them bragging rights for another year, both riders will surely look forward to grab it with both hands.