When people look back on the 2013 Australian Grand Prix in years to come, many will remember it as the weekend where tyres dominated the headlines. Bridgestone and Dunlop will not look back on their latest visit to Phillip Island with any great fondness but amid the shortened races and enforced bike changes, the three Grands Prix produced performances of supreme skill and the TCF Power Five looks at the best of all.
5. Jordi Torres (Moto2)
Moto2 wasn’t exactly a class bursting with good news stories this weekend with tyres overheating before getting anywhere a race distance plus heavy accidents for Thitipong Warokorn and Scott Redding in qualifying which ruled both out the race, but an excellent ride from one of the paddock’s most popular characters will have certainly brought smiles to a few faces.
Jordi Torres was the nearest challenger to the Pons Kalex duo in qualifying, taking the final place on the front row alongside Pol Espargaro and Esteve Rabat and the Aspar rider would excel in the race, prevailing in a battle with Phillip Island specialist Alex de Angelis to finish on the podium in third, less than a second behind the winner.
The fact that his former 125cc title-winning teammate Nicolas Terol was ten seconds behind in ninth put Torres’ performance in perspective and if truth be told, his ‘kneeground’ celebration is worth a place in the Power Five all on its own.
(Photo Credit: MotoGP.com)