I Watch MotoGP With Middle Aged Indonesian Uncles and Auntie

Two weeks in a row I've been braving the mosquitoes in my hostel lobby to watch MotoGP. Both times I've been accompanied by a small group of Indonesian uncles and one auntie who seem to share my enthusiasm for the sport. Apparently MotoGP is pretty big around here and they all love Valentino Rossi. They even know that his nickname is "The Doctor". This is like the first time in a long while I've actually felt useful because I translate the English commentory for everyone. And throughout the race I have exchanges with this uncle in my very poor bahasa Indonesia, enthusiastic hand gestures and shouts of "YAAAA! Rossiii!" whenever Rossi overtakes someone. It's good fun.

Saturday's was a "crrACKing race" as the brit commentator guy likes to say. And poor Colin Edwards. He started in pole and had huge headstart from the pack. Quite possibly his only chance to win a race in MotoGP this season or at least finish on the podium. He leads throughout the race with Nicky Hayden juuuust out of overtaking range. Then, on one of the last laps, Nicky gets the lead but Edwards manages to wrestle it back from him. And then, like maybe 100m from the finish line, Nicky tries an overtaking move again and destabilises Edwards, who promptly crashes. When Edwards gets up, he's like 5m away from the finish line. But of course, about ten bikes have zoomed past him. Imagine. All that hard work, and wrenching the lead back from Hayden, only to crash out and finish like what? Fourth from the back? Ouch.

Rossi rode a brave race having fractured one of the bones in his right hand in an earlier practice session. He started right at the end but fought his way up to finish 8. I'm happy. I hope he is too.

MotoGP is also helping me to improve my bahasa Indonesia. Like after Edwards wiped out and the bikes all went past him, the uncle says "Rossi juga masuk ya?" Which, after some gesticulating, I realised meant "Rossi's placing got bumped up too because Edwards crashed out right?". I was like "oooooh ya". Bahasa Indonesia. Such an economical language.

Poor Colin Edwards. Life sucks.