Pedrosa’s Misano win & the Rossi/Lorenzo spat

Article photo: MotoGP/Dorna Sports TV

Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix had a familiar looking front row to it, with Jorge Lorenzo starting from Pole Position for the third year running at Misano. It was about time too, with Jorge severely lacking confidence in the last 5 races, and underperforming in comparison to his teammate. Joining him on the front row was the man himself, Valentino Rossi, the home crowds favourite, and basically the only man they’ve come to see. Man on fire and 2017 Factory Yamaha signing, Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales completed the front row.

Two things were clear, Lorenzo was trying to escape very early, and Rossi was doing his upmost not to let him go. But Jorge never got close to gapping the Italian, and on the second lap Rossi pulled off a move which was unexpected considering how far back it came from, with Lorenzo having to sit the bike up to avoid the two crashing. More on that further down the article.

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Just when we thought it might be game over for the Doctor’s opponents, one man stood apart from the pack. Double 250cc World Champion and the man who’s in his 11th season with Repsol Honda, Dani Pedrosa was on a big charge in 4th. Constantly lapping quicker than anyone else, Dani sooner dispensed with Marquez, then Lorenzo, and it really didn’t take long for him to catch Valentino. With 7 laps left the little Spaniard dived under Rossi at turn 4 with a near identical move to that of Rossi’s on Lorenzo. The 9 times World Champion’s usual tactic of fighting back straight away to keep the fight alive couldn’t be fulfilled on Sunday. He even said himself in the post race interviews ‘I couldn’t keep up with Dani, no way, he was too fast.’ 

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Dani took his first win of the year after having a horrible season so far, the worst results of his career since his first season in 125cc, way back in 2001. For me it was one of the most deserving victories of 2016, not just because of how hard he’s had it this year, but because his performance was sublime and he was so clearly, visually quicker than anyone else. Lorenzo also praised Dani’s win, and was gracious in defeat, admitting in parc ferme that Pedrosa and Rossi were just faster on the day. However, it only took one question from a journalist in the official press conference to squeeze out the true opinions from Jorge and Valentino regarding the tough overtake at the start. 

Repsol Honda Team

You can find the discussion between Vale and Jorge video on the official MotoGP Twitter account (@motogp ) or their Facebook page. So without ‘commentating’ on the whole thing, I will say that both riders raise great points. I completely agree with Jorge in regards to when he says Valentino didn’t need to make such a move there, and that Rossi was that much faster already he could have executed the move when he got closer to Lorenzo. The pass would have been cleaner, and with less risk. It’s just puzzling for viewers as he only mentioned it because the overtake was brought up by a journo, and if it angered him that much perhaps he’d of said it regardless in a post race interview. Valentino makes a very clear point in stating that himself and Marquez ‘pass ten times like this in Silverstone, so what you say is not true…not too aggressive’ this is exactly right, given the extremely hard fought battle with Marc in Britain. On top of this, Pedrosa’s hard move on Rossi later in the race, was, as I wrote earlier, almost identical to the Rossi move on Lorenzo, and Valentino had no complaints on this move at all. 

Pedrosa’s win in Misano means for the first time in Grand Prix history, the Premier class has had 8 different winners in succession. And there’s still no win for Andrea Dovizioso for example, who has shown great form this year, and not won a single race, so it could be 9 successive different winners yet! The next port of call for the MotoGP paddock is Aragon in Spain, in just under a fortnights time. 

Bradley Smith’s replacement, the impressive Alex Lowes didn’t manage to finish on Sunday, after crashing at turn 1, but gets a third outing at the next round in Spain. Andrea Iannone didn’t race on Sunday due to his vertebrae injury sustained in practice, it’s unknown if he’ll be ready for Aragon. 

Race Results:
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 43.524s 
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 46.361s 

3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 47.883s 

4. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 53.093s 

5. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 43m 58.991s 

6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 44m 3.200s 

7. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 44m 6.460s 

8. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 44m 9.226s 

9. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 44m 10.679s 

10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44m 17.492s 

11. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 22.730s 

12. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44m 23.491s 

13. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 26.521s 

14. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 32.974s 

15. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 38.403s 

16. Yonny Hernandez COL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 48.596s 

17. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V)* 5 laps 

Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) DNF 

Javier Fores ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNF 

Alex Lowes GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) DNF 

The Race that MotoGP Needed 🇬🇧🇬🇧

Article Photo: CormacGP

My Full British Grand Prix, MotoGP Race Recap

This year’s British Grand Prix had arguably the most dramatic build up in recent memory. And with Cal becoming victorious in Brno two weeks ago, taking a gamble on hard tyres in damp and tricky conditions, beating the likes of Rossi and Marquez fair and square, record crowds were expected yesterday. Cal is the first British winner in the Premier class since Barry Sheene in 1981, and I still didn’t think I’d be saying that so soon! On top of that win, which he said still did not top becoming a Father a month ago, he managed yet again to out perform everyone in Qualifying on Saturday in the pouring rain, setting a very brave, cracking lap in the wet to take pole position! Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales joined him on the front row. Marc Marquez was down in fifth on the grid, so another classic British GP was on the cards.
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After the absolutely horrible accident in the first start, (riders involved Pol Espargaro and Loris Baz are now thankfully on the mend) the second start frankly shocked us after Vinales rocketed into the lead at Abbey on lap 1, to then produce a small gap to Crutchlow, Rossi and Marquez. Maverick had shown how fast his nimble, user friendly Suzuki race pace can be throughout the year but it has mostly been too little to late with slowish starts, but Sunday was a great exception. 

As the race progressed, Maverick’s impeccable pace just got better and better, and once Valentino had got passed the battling Honda’s of Cal and Marc, even he could not reel in the 2013 Moto3 World Champion. This soon turned most people’s attention to the race long battle for 2nd and 3rd between Rossi, Marquez, Crutchlow, with Iannone joining the party with his following plus one, Dani Pedrosa on the second Repsol Honda. As more laps tumbled, Iannone would find himself I front of this pack, only to be relegated to third, and then losing the front end at Luffied with a handful of laps left, ending his race. 

After yet another personal looking, nearly fairing bashing battle between Rossi and Marquez, which Marquez soon won, the Spaniard was riding the wheels of his Factory Honda, and with three laps left was attempting to pass Crutchlow who had retained second while the battle royale was taking place. The two exchanged places until the penultimate lap where Cal was ahead on the Hangar straight, and Marc’s ambitious attempt of out breaking Cal back fired when he out braked himself into Stowe, going wide onto the Tarmac run off and rejoining behind Pedrosa in 5th.

But the man of the race was the ultra cool Maverick Vinales, who didn’t lose any of his lead to Britons Cal Crutchlow, and took a well deserved debut win in the MotoGP class. Crutchlow fended off Rossi to take his first ever British Grand Prix podium at Silverstone, after many injuries and various different portions of bad luck at Silverstone since his first race there in 2011. Marquez was able to overcome his teammate Pedrosa to finish fourth, so his title lead is still very substantial with a 50 point advantage over Rossi.

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Another lacklustre performance from Jorge Lorenzo makes one wonder when his form will return, and if he’s lost his motivation and confidence with Yamaha given his Ducati move next year. Along with the extremely disappointing moment for British fans when Johann Zarco took out a flying Sam Lowes in the Moto2 race, Scott Redding crashed twice in the MotoGP race, while running inside the top 10 and looking fast. This to me was really frustrating because it didn’t show how fast Scott was at Silverstone this weekend and how far he could of got on Sunday. 

Bradley Smith’s replacement, due to an injury sustained in an Endurance race crash, Alex Lowes from the Yamaha World Superbike Team,  finished in 13th place, scoring 3 points in his first ever Grand Prix, not bad at all considering he’d only done four laps on the machine before Friday’s practice. 

With Marquez, Miller and Crutchlow winning races this year for Honda, Rossi and Lorenzo for Yamaha, Iannone winning in Austria for Ducati, and with Vinales’ win at Silverstone for Suzuki…I’m failing to remember a season that felt like a golden era of a motorcycle racing as much as the current, the racing is great, weekend, week out, regardless of the 50 point lead Marquez has. The Sport is on the up and up, growing in popularity and attracting many fresh sponsors. Days like Sunday don’t get much better.

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Slightly off the subject of MotoGP, may I apologise for the lack of articles in the last two to three months on this site, I have finally got used to living alone after flying the nest late last year which I found a lot harder than I thought, I’ve now (Finally! 🙄) got used to living independantly and my posts will be as frequent as ever. Thanks to the motivational vibes I’ve had from a few people recently, especially on Sunday in the paddock and via messages, it makes all the difference! 

Race Results 

1. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 39m 3.559s 
2. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 39m 7.039s 

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 39m 7.622s 

4. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 39m 9.551s 

5. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 39m 9.940s 

6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 39m 15.862s 

7. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 39m 20.231s 

8. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 39m 22.991s 

9. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 39m 29.177s 

10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 39m 35.643s 

11. Yonny Hernandez COL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 39m 39.690s 

12. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 39m 42.689s 

13. Alex Lowes GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 39m 43.702s 

14. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 39m 44.915s 

15. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V)* 39m 45.502s 

16. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 39m 51.169s 

17. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 40m 59.736s 

Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) DNF 

Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) DNF 

Loris Baz FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNS 

Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) DNS 

Race Results layout courtesy of crash.net

The article cover photo, the Cal Crutchlow photo at Woodcote corner from Saturday’s qualifying, and Race start photos are courtesy of Cormac Ryan Meenan ‘CormacGP’ on all Social Media sites and apps!

Thanks to Pole Position Travel for the last minute Paddock Pass on Sunday, it was incredibly appreciated! 

✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼

Rossi wins another battle with Marquez in Catalan GP

Title photo: MotoGP.com

After a traumatic Friday in Catalunya, when we lost Spanish Moto2 rider, and the near Moto3 Champion of 2013, Luis Salom, raceday was always going to be different to say the least. 

Jorge Navarro in Moto3, and Johann Zarco in Moto2, both payed tribute to Luis, and the podium for the Intermediate class even had me in tears as the top three wore t shirts reading ‘Always on our Hearts’.

Moving on to the MotoGP class, and given the predicament of the circuit changing to the Formula One layout, with the nasty  stop and start chicane at the end of the lap, the Yamaha’s were now at a disadvantage to Honda in qualifying.

 But in the race it was a different story, and whatever Valentino’s team did to his machine this morning, his deficit to Marquez was gone. A race long battle with the double MotoGP champion took place, while Jorge Lorenzo siverely struggled with grip. So much so that he fell behind Pedrosa and Vinales, and then Andrea Iannone. The Italian would pursue him for a few laps, until he wiped out the Majorcan into turn 10, from about 15 bike lengths, taking them both out he race, albeit unhurt, it was yet another reckless move from Iannone.

Rossi and Marc exchanged places in the closing laps many times, but at the very end Marc ran too wide at turn 6 and lost valuable time to Valentino, who took a perfect win in Marc’s backyard. Dani managed to fend of a race-long keen Maverick Vinales, who was diving underneath Dani and Jorge at any given opportunity! 

Some words for Luis Salom, a brilliant rider who all but won that Moto3 title some years ago. It’s hard to believe he’s gone, and after his great finish in Qatar, perhaps great form was only just around the corner. Unfortunately, we will never know. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved with his life and career. Rest in Piece.

Photos from Dorna Sports TV

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 44m 37.589s 
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 44m 40.241s 

3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 44m 43.902s 

4. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 45m 1.977s 

5. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 45m 7.135s 

6. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 45m 13.833s 

7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 45m 19.053s 

8. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 45m 20.564s 

9. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 45m 22.926s 

10. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 45m 24.258s 

11. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 45m 27.103s 

12. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 45m 32.722s 

13. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 45m 35.563s 

14. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V)* 45m 37.730s 

15. Michele Pirro ITA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 45m 38.018s 

16. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 45m 53.858s 

17. Yonny Hernandez COL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) +1 lap 

Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) DNF 

Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) DNF 

Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) DNF 

Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) DNF 

Rossi too fast for Lorenzo, wins Spanish Grand Prix

The Stunning, Jerez de la Frontera racetrack, in Southern Spain, in many peoples eyes is one of the most complete and ideal circuits for motorcycle racing. With high speed long sweeping corners, and a massive selection of overtaking opportunities, there isn’t one section of the track that could be labelled as ‘boring’ . It’s worth mentioning it’s in my top five favourites of tracks too. 

The qualifying session was absolutely stunning, with the Spaniards of Lorenzo and Marquez trying to come out on top but it was a spoiler from Rossi that stole the show, pipping teammate Lorenzo after the chequered fell. With the three of them all showing promising race pace in practice, an intriguing Spanish Grand Prix was on the cards.

At the start, Rossi converted his pole to lead Jorge into the first corner, with Marc following suit only to get overtaken by teammate Pedrosa at the end of the lap. With only one lap complete, the race was already getting everyone on the edge of their seats, with Lorenzo diving underneath the Italian only to get it taken back off him immediately. Rossi started to ease away ever so slightly, setting the fastest lap of the race, as Marc retook Dani for 3rd. 

Another impressive showing was from Eugene Laverty in 8th, on a two year old Ducati for the Asapar Team, and after a 4th place back in Argentina we would love to get used to the Irishman permanently inside the top ten. 

The Doctor, Valentino Rossi was now a good second in front of Lorenzo and Marquez, and with just over ten laps left, was still managing to lap faster than both of them. Jorge chipped away at Rossi’s lead but every time that happened it would re stabilise to 3 seconds. 

But Lorenzo never got close enough, Rossi truly was in another class today, and it must be stated that it wasn’t expected for him to clear off, perhaps many thought it was more likely for Lorenzo to escape early on. 

Race Results

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 45m 28.834s 
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 45m 31.220s 

3. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 45m 35.921s 

4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 45m 39.185s 

5. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 45m 42.977s 

6. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 45m 45.606s 

7. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 45m 55.111s 

8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 45m 59.584s 

9. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 1.159s 

10. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 1.458s 

11. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 46m 7.331s 

12. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 46m 8.503s 

13. Loris Baz FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 14.061s 

14. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 46m 16.720s 

15. Yonny Hernandez COL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 16.822s 

16. Michele Pirro ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 18.248s 

17. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 46m 18.347s 

18. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V)* 46m 22.168s 

19. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 34.389s 

Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) DNF 

Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) DNF 

Marquez makes it 4 wins in Texas as Rossi crashes out

Photo: Crash.net

With no articles regarding pre season testing, and the first two Grand Prix of the year, for reasons I will explain in another article, today it was finally time to get back to writing! 

The Circuit of the Americas, a place that Marc Marquez has never lost at since the series started going there, was again looking like it would see Marc dominate the 21 lap race. Marquez, also being the pole man, got balked slightly in the opening laps by Dovizioso, Lorenzo and Rossi attempting some overtakes that turned out to be fairly clumsy, and non of which stuck, as Marc started ease away. Crash crazed drama was to follow however, as Rossi lost the front end at turn 2, a rare mistake from arguably the Greatest of all time, and for him to crash on his own accord his almost unheard of. Dani Pedrosa wiped out Andrea Dovizioso under braking for turn one, the Spaniard misjudged how far away the corner was plowed into Dovizioso. Which was sadly another DNF for the Italian through no fault of his own. Pedrosa would carry on only to retire due to a broken screen. 

Brits Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith both crashed at the pre back straight hairpin, on the very same lap! Bradley’s bike nearly hit Cal as he stood up, but fortunately both were uninjured and remounted, albeit in the last places.

The most entertaining battle on track was that of the two Suzuki’s of Vinales and Espargaro, but they still missed out on the podium, but with the bike being one of the most competitive of the year so far, it must be just around the corner.

  
Photo: Stephen English

Marquez took a massively dominant victory, and was pulling away from Lorenzo all the way to the flag, it’s almost a cliche to say Marc was in a lead of his own, but today the man truly was. 

Jack Miller was declared unfit to race due to his leg injury, and says he will be back at Jerez.

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 57.945s 

2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 44m 4.052s 

3. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) 44m 8.892s 

4. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 16.367s 

5. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 18.656s 

6. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 26.906s 

7. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 44m 30.057s 

8. Michele Pirro ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 30.702s 

9. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 32.537s 

10. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44m 38.156s 

11. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44m 43.368s 

12. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 45.072s 

13. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V)* 44m 45.371s 

14. Yonny Hernandez COL Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 49.135s 

15. Loris Baz FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 45m 10.874s 

16. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 45m 17.197s 

17. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 45m 25.981s 

Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) DNF 

Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP) DNF 

Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) DNF 

Lorenzo wins Title & Race, as Rossi rides from last to 4th

Photo: crash.net

I’ve been writing about my favourite sport, the greatest sport, the most entertaining sport, the most drama filled sport, MotoGP, for a year and a half now, I’ve been lucky enough to be treated to the greatest season in my lifetime, this year’s 2015 . The icon of the Sport, Valentino Rossi found winning form this year, leading the championship throughout, with Marc Marquez and Jorg Lorenzo pushing him hard, and recently a bit too hard. The rest is history, we all know what happened in Sepang, and Rossi’s actions meant he started from 26th on the grid, dead last, as Lorenzo started from 1st.

Lorenzo got a perfect start, and predictably, Marquez and Pedrosa went with him. If Lorenzo won, Rossi had to finish 2nd to be champion, and if the two Honda’s finished ahead of Lorenzo, Rossi could be champion by finishing 6th. 

Naturally Rossi’s start was utterly phenomenal, better than I thought, passing the Open Class riders as if they were standing still. By the end of the first lap, Rossi had overtaken more than ten riders. By the time there was 18 laps left, incredibly, Valentino Rossi was in 4th place after a series of hard but fair overtakes on the some of the worlds best riders. Only Aleix Espargaro retaliated, and Rossi was back past him immediately. Rossi, now in 4th, spent the race not improving his lap times, and the gap between himself and third place Pedrosa never went below 11 seconds. Marquez stalked Lorenzo throughout the race, getting very close to striking distance, until Lorenzo opened up the gap again. 

The last two laps were the most tense they’ve been all year. Dani had caught Marc and Jorge, but Dani messed up a move on Marc, and this gave Jorge and advantage into the last lap. The advantage was too much for Marquez and Pedrosa, and Lorenzo overcame massive pressure to win a brilliant, and fair race.

Rossi’s ride was nothing short of pure class, he did everything he could, I genuinely believe that is the very best he could possibly have done. You could also say if Dani made a cleaner attempt on overtaking Marc, it could have stuck and he’d of also got Lorenzo. Regardless, the points say it all, Lorenzo won more races, and has more points. 

What a season! With the return of Michelin tyres next year, and an electronics package everyone must have, Valentino Rossi has every chance to still get that tenth title.

Today was also 2006 MotoGP World Champion, Nicky Hayden’s last race in MotoGP. He will ride for Honda in World Superbikes next year.

   
 Dorna TV stills.

Race Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 45m 59.364s 
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 45m 59.627s 

3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 46m 0.018s 

4. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 46m 19.153s 

5. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 46m 25.368s 

6. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 46m 28.199s 

7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 28.250s 

8. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 46m 33.586s 

9. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 46m 35.288s 

10. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 38.943s 

11. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 46m 39.110s 

12. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 46.417s 

13. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 46m 53.445s 

14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 46m 56.010s 

15. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 46m 56.642s 

16. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 46m 56.727s 

17. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 46m 58.106s 

18. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 46m 58.450s 

19. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 47m 3.703s 

20. Toni Elias SPA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 47m 3.777s 

21. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 47m 4.576s 

22. Anthony West AUS AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) 47m 26.645s 

Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) DNF 

Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* DNF 

Broc Parkes AUS E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) DNF 

Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) DNF 

Marquez beats Lorenzo, Rossi & Iannone in Australian dog fight

There’s been some astonishingly close races in the MotoGP class this year, and today’s race at Phillip Island was one of the best, if not the best of the lot, with a four way battle for victory, down under.

A dazzling performance from Ducati’s Andrea Iannone, his best yet as he fended off Valentino Rossi to take a classy 3rd place in Australia, showing off his true talent. The race win looked like it was Jorge Lorenzo’s, that was until Marc Marquez put in a stonking last lap to catch Lorenzo and pass him on the exit of Lukey Heights corner. At the same time, Rossi tried passing Iannone for 3rd, but went wide and Iannone made him settle for 4th. 

Marquez winning this breathtaking race helped Rossi, yet Iannone finishing 3rd helped Lorenzo, and the points gap in this scintillating championship between the two top riders is now just 11 points heading into the Malaysian Grand Prix.

 
  Andrea Iannone spent most of the race with a fairing that was damaged by a seagul hitting the front end of the GP16. 

All photos are TV Stills from Dorna Sports.

Race Results:

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 40m 33.849s 

2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 40m 34.098s 

3. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 40m 34.779s 

4. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 40m 34.907s 

5. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 40m 38.911s 

6. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 40m 40.649s 

7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 40m 43.224s 

8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 40m 52.250s 

9. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 40m 53.888s 

10. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 40m 54.506s

11. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 40m 55.695s 

12. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 40m 56.689s 

13. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 3.017s 

14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 11.093s 

15. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 41m 14.041s 

16. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 41m 22.112s 

17. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 41m 22.421s 

18. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 41m 22.526s 

19. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 41m 24.050s 

20. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 41m 24.111s 

21. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 24.126s 

22. Toni Elias SPA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 41m 54.791s 

23. Anthony West AUS AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) 41m 57.303s 

Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) DNF 

Damian Cudlin AUS E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) DNF 

Lorenzo wins in Aragon while Pedrosa & Rossi have Battle Royale

Photo: crash.net

After Lorenzo and Marquez took turns to lead practice sessions, it was hard to predict who would win on Sunday. Marc may have smashed his own pole lap record, but after his slow start he had to get past Iannone to make sure Lorenzo didn’t get too far away. Marquez was catching him. Fairly quickly, and his mesmerising late breaking skills were being seriously exposed in the process. Just when he’d caught Jorge, he lost the front under braking, ending his race. Marc was very angry at himself obviously feeling as if it was his race to lose.

Lorenzo took a dominant victory today, but that wasn’t the talking point at all. The scrap for 2nd between Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi was breathtaking and to many of us quite uncharacteristic of Dani. Rossi spent most of the race simply tailing him, but with 6 laps left, Rossi made his first attempt to overtake the Spaniard, but Dani went straight back underneath him. This continued all the way to the end, with Dani muscling his way past the Italian on the last lap. 

This result means that Lorenzo is only 14 points behind Rossi…

Race Results:

1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 44.933s 
2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 47.616s 

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 47.706s 

4. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 52.791s 

5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 42m 9.255s 

6. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 42m 9.762s 

7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 42m 10.300s 

8. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 42m 10.436s 

9. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 42m 11.385s 

10. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 42m 28.822s 

11. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 29.188s 

12. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 42m 33.109s 

13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 34.688s 

14. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 42m 35.204s 

15. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 42m 35.297s 

16. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 35.655s 

17. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 42m 36.930s 

18. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 38.339s 

19. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 42m 41.792s 

20. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 44.540s 

21. Toni Elias SPA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 43m 0.170s 

Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) DNF 

Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNF 

Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) DNF 

Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) DNF 

A Marquez Win, Rain & 2 Brits on the Podium is just the start of it…

Article Photo: Cormac Ryan Meenan

The God of Motorcycle Racing, Valentino Rossi qualified 3rd on the gird at his home race in Misano. The Doctor lives roughly 5 miles from the circuit, and therefore the attendance on Sunday was uncredible, an absolute sell out at 92,000. But it was Lorenzo and Marquez who started ahead of the local hero. 

As the race started the tiny drops of rain that had been tinkling around before the race started, got heavier as the race went through its opening laps with Lorenzo leading Marc and Valentino. 

Most thought it would pass over, then it rained just a little too much, and just like Silverstone, it brought a buffet of drama to the party. Most of the field below tenth place dived into the pits after 4 laps, then a lap later the front group did too. After a temporary order shuffle, the front three was again. But the track quickly dried again, and before we knew it, Rossi and Lorenzo’s wet weather tyres were shredding, yet both riders stayed out as Marquez changed to dry tyres.

This crazy race was made crazier by the fact that Bradley Smith had never even changed his tyres to wets, and stayed out for the duration of the race on slicks. On top of that, Scott Redding who crashed early on dry tyres when it was starting to rain, was down in 21st, changed to wet tyres, but they didn’t work for him. So he changed back to dry tyres. It was still relatively early in the race, so like Smith, this payed off and he found himself in a good place for a podium. This for Loris Baz, on the Open Classed Forward Yamaha who’s early change back to slicks resulted in some easy passes on slower riders.

When Rossi and Lorenzo rejoined after finally switching tyres, Lorenzo crashed at the penultimate corner, as his tyres weren’t yet up to temperature, to the delight of the yellow army behind the fences. This now meant Rossi leads the standings by over 20 points to Lorenzo. He could have acquired a hand injury. MotoGP.com will no doubt update us on his condition.

Marquez took a win that was, let’s say unexpected, with Rossi having the race in his hands at one point. Smith and Redding took 2nd and 3rd, the first time two Brits have been on the rostrum in the top class since 1979 with Tom Heron and Barry Sheene. Loris Baz took a barely believable 4th place!

Make sure you see the race on Monday night on ITV 4   
    
 
Dorna TV stills.

Race Results:

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 48m 23.819s 

2. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 48m 31.107s 

3. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 48m 42.612s 

4. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 48m 50.246s 

5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 48m 57.015s 

6. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 48m 58.906s 

7. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 49m 0.346s 

8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 49m 1.253s 

9. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 49m 3.335s 

10. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 49m 3.511s 

11. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 49m 5.814s 

12. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 49m 9.894s 

13. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 49m 12.200s 

14. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 49m 16.144s 

15. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 49m 17.167s 

16. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 49m 22.647s 

17. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 49m 26.468s

18. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 49m 28.587s 

19. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 49m 29.496s 

20. Claudio Corti ITA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) +1 lap 

21. Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) +1 lap 

Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) DNF 

Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) DNF 

Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNF 

Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) DNF 

Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) DNF 

Rossi wins dramatic & incident filled British GP thriller

Marc Marquez smashed his own pole record on Saturday, but Jorge Lorenzo showed us that his long runs could prove great race pace, and the Brits of Smith, Crutchlow and Redding all qualified inside the top ten. But on Sunday, after the Moto2 Race…it had started to rain again. This made it clear on the warm up that many riders would come in and start the race on wet tyres, from pit lane. Bradley Smith, who has impressed all year and this weekend too, nearly crashed into brooklands, so he went straight into pitlane. Everyone came in after the warm up lap. 

This meant 25 riders were about to start the British Grand Prix from pitlane. Race Direction intervened at the pitlane exit and stopped the race from even starting. The restart was declared a wet race, and would still be the full race distance of 20 laps. 

Utter drama in the opening laps as Jorge, Marc, Valentino, Cal and teammate Jack Miller all scrapped it out in the rain. Cal took third from Lorenzo but it was short lived, as Jack crashed into him at the Vale chicane. A massive blow for the British fans.

As the race progressed, we saw the incredible pace of Petrucci storming through to third, loving the wet conditions, passing the likes of Lorenzo, Espargaro and Pedrosa. Rossi and Marquez had a huge gap, and it looked like Marquez was just sitting pretty. That was until Marc crashed out with 9 laps to go, giving Rossi a big lead but it was getting smaller as Petrucci and Dovizioso started closing in rapidly to The Doctor. 

As Valentino started the last 2 laps, it became clear that Petrucci had settled for 2nd place, which was still his first ever podium. Rossi took his first ever win at Silverstone, to the delight of the British crowd, who also got to see Scott Redding take 6th ahead of Smith in 7th.

Rossi now leads the championship by 12 points from Jorge Lorenzo.

Race Results:

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 46m 15.617s 

2. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 46m 18.627s 

3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 19.734s 

4. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 46m 21.343s 

5. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 46m 26.749s 

6. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 46m 41.084s 

7. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 46m 42.334s 

8. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 46m 45.010s 

9. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 46m 54.432s 

10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 46m 57.329s 

11. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 47m 0.393s 

12. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 47m 8.106s 

13. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 47m 26.828s 

14. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 47m 30.909s 

15. Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) 47m 33.480s 

16. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 47m 34.927s 

17. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 47m 35.352s 

18. Claudio Corti ITA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 48m 13.703s 

19. Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) +1 lap 

Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) DNF 

Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) DNF 

Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) DNF 

Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF 

Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* DNF 

Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNF