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! 

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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 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 

Going to the British MotoGP at Silverstone this weekend? Here’s a little Guide if you’ve never been…

If you’ve decided to attend the British GP this weekend, you’ve made a cracking decision. Not only could we be seeing our dominant Danny Kent win on home soil in Moto3, but the top two in the MotoGP class, Valentino & Jorge, are now level on points. The fact that Rossi is, to many, the ‘symbol’ of the Sport, has 3 wins to his name this year, and hasn’t been on this kind of form in 5 years is something very special indeed. Especially when you consider the MotoGP class now oozes youth, with current World Champion Marc Marquez at 22, getting beaten by the 36 year old Italian throughout most of this season. 

This awesome combination of British success, and a tensely close MotoGP Championship, will almost certainly make the weekends atmosphere the best it’s been since MotoGP moved to Silverstone back in 2010. 

Take a look at the circuit Map… 

 Unlike Formula One, which use the ‘Silverstone Wing’, the modern Pit & Paddock building which was finished in 2011, and lies between Club Corner and Abbey, MotoGP use the old Pits. This of course is on the now named ‘National Pits Straight’ which is between Woodcote and Copse. MotoGP did use the ‘Wing’ in 2011 and 2012 but reverted back to the old Paddock in 2013, as getting everything and everyone around that end of the track was a logistical pain in the neck. 

‘Where do I watch? I’ve never been!’
If you’re spending the entire weekend at Silverstone, I’d seriously consider watching at the exit of Luffield Corner & Woodcote, perhaps Maggots, and definitely watch a few sessions at Club corner’s Grandstand, if you can find a seat, the atmosphere there is brilliant! For me it’s all about Luffield/Woodcote and Club.

I love to stand at the exit of Luffield, about 150 yards before Woodcote, you see the bikes screaming down into Brooklands, under heavy braking, then flipping over for Luffield, then hard on the power on towards Woodcote, which is a full on corner for bikes, you’re bound to see Marc and Cal go through sideways on more than one occasion! It’s also very interesting to see the difference in riding styles. You’ll see Lorenzo’s effortlessly smooth change of direction here, and Marquez showing of his ridiculously late braking, into Brooklands. Here’s a video I made of the Moto3 Race there. 

As for Club Corner, in the stand it’s superb because obviously you’re quite high up and you see the bikes for quite a long time. You can hear them on the Hangar straight before you see them for the first time at Stowe, then breaking hard for the Vale chicane, a left and a right, plenty of overtaking takes place here! Then the long Club corner, with an edge of tire right kink at the apex, this section is quite technical but by no means boring, some riders use the kerb on the inside of club which can unsettle the bike. Take a look at a clip I made there last year, MotoGP Qualifying.

Aside from the racing, you’ll be glad to know that Silverstone is littered with great facilities, places to eat and things to do! Make sure you attend the Day of Champions, and see the worlds best riders on stage auctioning off racing gear almost anything related to the sport! Also If you’re camping at Silverstone’s own Campsite, Woodlands, (like me) then don’t worry about facilities. They have got it covered, from permanent Toilets & Showers, to Cash Points & Places to eat. There’s a stage with entertainment on every evening, phone charging booths, the Petrol Head pub, and much more!

If you want to attend the race and fancy making a real weekend of it, then check out Sam Lowes’s hospitality experience with Pole Position Travel. Meet Sam, get lunch every day, With Beer and Wine being served by Sam’s Mum and Dad! Click Here , and on the PPT website select British GP, VIP Hospitality, Sam’s Place! As I’m typing this, there is only a few left so act fast!  

Here’s some Silverstone MotoGP stats:

Circuit Length: 3.67 Miles with 18 Corners

Circuit Lap Record: 2’01:941 | Dani Pedrosa | 2013

Best Pole Lap: 2’00:691 | Marc Marquez | 2013

Highest Top Speed: 204.1 MPH | Andrea Dovizioso | 2014

Most Wins: Jorge Lorenzo, 3 wins, 2010, 2012, 2013.

Enjoy your weekend, my reports will be constant on Twitter, expect many Interviews and Session Reports!

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Lorenzo too fast for Marquez, wins Czech Grand Prix

First of all, after attending Brno last year, I’m gutted I’m not writing this on location! 

Anyway, what did we know before the race started? We knew that it had the potential to be seriously close, with the first 5 in qualifying setting times under the lap record, and impressive rides from Smith in 5th, and Vinales in 7th for Suzuki. Lorenzo on pole then, with Marc and Valentino joining him on the front row. The weather was perfect, attendance at 138,000, the ingredients were spot on…

At the start Lorenzo led Marquez and straight away the pair tried to gap the field, Smith and Dovizioso had  cracking starts, but after a bad start, Rossi soon passed them both. 

Lorenzo couldn’t quite drop Marquez early on, although it appeared Marc had to seriously work hard to stay with the 26 year old Majorcan. With 14 laps to go it finally looked like Jorge was too strong for Marc, and started lapping nearly half a second quicker. Rossi was alone in third for the entire race, again picking up vital podium points. Briton’s Cal Crutchlow crashed out of the race with 7 laps remaining, but was unhurt. Maverick Vinales crashed at the exact same corner, also unhurt.

   
 MotoGP Dorna Sports TV Stills.

Before the end of the race, there was a brilliant duel between Dovizioso and Pedrosa, with Dovi retaking 4th up the Brno hills on the extremely powerful Ducati GP16. But Dani’s overtake on the last lap was just enough to secure 4th place.

Jorge Lorenzo eased to a beautiful Czech Grand Prix win, and is now sharing the lead of the Championship with Valentino Rossi, on 211 points. 

  
With Silverstone up next, the battle of top Brit should be intriguing to say the least. Smith is easily the fastest Brit on the grid at the moment, but Cal is always up there, and now with Honda power he could be challenging Bradley. Scott is always stronger at his home race, the home crowd, he says, makes a big difference. 

Race Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 42m 53.042s 

2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 42m 57.504s 

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 3.439s 

4. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 43m 6.113s 

5. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 8.692s 

6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 43m 8.767s 

7. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 43m 14.863s 

8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 43m 16.282s 

9. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 43m 36.826s 

10. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 43m 38.303s 

11. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 43m 43.015s 

12. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 43m 43.216s 

13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 43m 47.479s 

14. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 43m 47.666s 

15. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 43m 53.358s 

16. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 43m 54.637s 

17. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 43m 55.430s

18. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 43m 58.986s 

19. Jack Miller AUS CWM LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 44m 4.449s 

20. Claudio Corti ITA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 44m 43.075s 

21. Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) 44m 55.697s 

Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* DNF 

Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF 

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

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

The British MotoGP is almost a sell out for hospitality, but not for tickets and Sam Lowes’s hospitality! Click here to see what is still available with Pole Position Travel

Marquez finally returns to winning ways in Germany

The German MotoGP round, has, for the last 5 years been home to a Honda victory. Yesterday’s qualifying session  suggested it would be no different, with Marquez and Pedrosa first and second on the Sachsenring front row. Lorenzo started 3rd, Championship leader Valentino Rossi could only qualify 6th. 

But when the lights went out it was Jorge who got the whole shot riding around the outside of the Repsol Honda pair. Rossi, Iannone and the ever impressing Hernandez were following the 3 Spaniards out at the front early on. Britain’s Scott Redding crashed out at the end of lap 1, was ok, ending his frustrating, up and down weekend. After nearly high siding out of the race, Rossi soon recovered, caught and passed Pedrosa to join the battle for the lead. After his immense pace over the weekend, Marquez soon ran off to a 2 second lead after taking Lorenzo, with Rossi also passing Lorenzo a few laps after, in an attempt to stop Marc getting too far away. 

With less than ten laps left, the race had settled down. Marquez maintaining his huge lead over teammate Pedrosa and Rossi right behind, Lorenzo couldn’t keep with their pace and like in Holland he had a lonely race, as did Iannone in 5th place. Further back Britain’s Bradley Smith was chipping away at Iannone, with Crutchlow another couple of seconds back. 

Marc Marquez took a faultless, dominant win in the Sachsenring, and it’s hard to believe at the half way stage in this Championship, it was only his second win of the year. 

Race Results:

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 1.087s 

2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 3.313s 

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 6.695s 

4. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 11.015s 

5. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 21.872s 

6. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 24.302s 

7. Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) 41m 30.968s 

8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 36.040s 

9. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 41m 36.962s 

10. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 41m 38.340s 

11. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 41m 38.361s 

12. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 41m 43.168s 

13. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 41m 49.698s 

14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 51.774s 

15. Jack Miller AUS CWM LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 41m 54.856s 

16. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 42m 0.008s 

17. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 42m 3.825s 

18. Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) 42m 4.209s 

19. Loris Baz FRA Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 42m 12.249s 

20. Michael Laverty GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 16.997s 

Claudio Corti ITA Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) DNF 

Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) DNF 

Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Cardion AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) DNF 

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

Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) DNF

Rossi wins scintillating Dutch GP after clashing with Marquez yet Again

The Nine Times World Champion, Valentino Rossi, achieves pole position once in a blue moon these days, and that’s why he’s struggled to get up to the front in Races. But on Saturday, he surprised everyone, and smashed the pole position record, and put it on P1. It was as if he’d done a swap with teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who started today’s Dutch TT from 8th place. Suzuki’s Espargaro started second, and Marc Marquez third.

Qualifying back in 8th made no difference to Lorenzo as he ended he first lap in 3rd place behind Rossi and Marquez.

Early retirements were Jack Miller and Hector Barbera who collided at the final chicane on the first lap. 

The first half of the race saw Marquez simply stalk Rossi, not showing his hand but keeping Valentino honest, but it did look like he had the pace to pass Rossi whenever he wanted. Lorenzo was having the loneliest ride of his career in 3rd, with a huge gap in front and behind him. Ducati’s Andrea Iannone was also riding around like Billy no mates in fourth, with the battle of old teammates Crutchlow and Dovizioso. 

With 7 laps to go, Marquez finally made his move on the Urbino born MotoGP Legend, but he didn’t pull away, Valentino was easily able to stay with him. And inevitably, Rossi made a brilliant move on Marquez with 3 laps to go, with Marc making an error out of the last corner, which gave Rossi a nice little gap with one lap left. This gap meant absolutely nothing to Marquez who rode a breathtaking last lap to get within striking distance of Rossi, and of course, Marc took a huge hunge underneath Rossi at the final chicane, only to push Rossi wide into the gravel and back onto the track to confirm the Italians victory. Marc went slightly wide through the chicane but took second place. 

Valentino did cut the chicane but Honda did not appeal as the television footage clearly showed Valentino had nowhere else to go. Lorenzo took a quiet but solid 3rd place, after starting 8th. Iannone, Espargaro, Crutchlow, Smith followed suit.   

 Photos: MotoGP.com, Dorna MotoGP TV stills.

Race Results:

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 40m 54.037s 
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 40m 55.279s 

3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 8.613s 

4. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 13.146s 

5. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 18.305s 

6. Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) 41m 18.410s 

7. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 18.479s 

8. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 18.693s 

9. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 41m 20.762s 

10. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 41m 21.275s 

11. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 41m 23.075s 

12. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 23.455s 

13. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 41m 40.700s 

14. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 41m 43.342s 

15. Loris Baz FRA Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 41m 46.433s 

16. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 41m 50.042s 

17. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 53.894s 

18. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 8.550s 

19. Marco Melandri ITA Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) +1 lap 

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

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

Stefan Bradl GER Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) DNF 

Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) DNF 

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

Lorenzo in a class of his own with victory in Italy, as Marquez crashes out

Photo: Crash.net

The Italian Grand Prix Qualifying sessions gave us plenty of surprises yesterday, with both Marquez and Redding failing to get into the final part of qualifying, Q2. It was a Red day in Italy, as Ducati’s filled up 3 of the first four grid slots. ‘The Maniac Joe’ Andrea Iannone secured his first ever pole position as a blistering lap time, the fastest ever of the Mugello Circuit. The hero of the locals, Mr Rossi…qualified in 8th…the same position he started in Qatar and Argentina, of which he won both.

When the lights went out in the scorching heat, it looked like Iannone had jumped the start, and straight away Dovizioso and Lorenzo took over. By the end of lap 1, Marquez had battled his way to 3rd place, a heroic start. Meanwhile Valentino was stuck in 9th. Aleix Espargaro and Nicky Hayden were the early retirements, both unhurt after crashing out. 

The race started to form a pattern, and settled down with Lorenzo, Marquez, Dovizisoso, Iannone and Pedrosa out in front.  With 11 laps to go, and Lorenzo 6 seconds in the lead, Rossi finally caught the group following Jorge. He past Dovizioso at Savelli, and a lap later Dovi retired from the race with mechanical problems. Iannone and Marquez were scrapping out for a while, until Marquez dramatically crashed with 7 laps to go, but was unhurt. Rossi then took Pedrosa for 3rd, and the Tuscan hills were filled with defeaning cheers from the Italian fans. Cal Crutchlow was riding brilliantly in 5th until he lost the front of his CWM LCR Honda at Arrabiata 1, and it was later announced he’d dislocated his ankle. This promoted Smith to 5th. 

Lorenzo took a classy, and dominant victory from Iannone and Rossi.

Rossi still leads the championship, but now only by 6 points from Lorenzo.

Race Results:

1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 39.173s 

2. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 44.736s 

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 45.834s 

4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 49.151s 

5. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 54.457s 

6. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 41m 54.838s 

7. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 2.978s 

8. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 42m 8.325s 

9. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 42m 11.181s 

10. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 42m 13.744s 

11. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 42m 17.726s 

12. Loris Baz FRA Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 42m 21.331s 

13. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 23.974s 

14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 29.608s 

15. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 42m 32.233s 

16. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 54.438s 

17. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) 42m 54.554s 

18. Marco Melandri ITA Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 43m 21.013s 

Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF 

Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) DNF 

Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) DNF 

Stefan Bradl GER Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) DNF 

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

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

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

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

Today i witnessed everything from inside the MotoGP paddock, and pitlane, you can as well, at a Grand Prix of your choice. Click here.

Lorenzo untouchable at Le Mans in Yamaha One-Two

Cover photo, Dorna TV Still.

The Bugatti circuit at Le Mans is quite a difficult one to interpret. Historically, it has favoured the Yamaha’s, and this weekend, Jorge Lorenzo has indeed been strong in practice. So has Bradley Smith, but Honda’s Marc Marquez was still able to steal pole position from Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso. In morning warm up, Marquez was able to lap half a second quicker than Lorenzo, indicating that perhaps Marquez has the race pace too. 

At the start, Marquez got taken by Doviziosoa and Lorenzo, and had a little collision with Iannone, with Marc nearly taking the front group at the Dunlop chicane. Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl crashed out on the 2nd lap, separate incidents, both unhurt. Two laps later Scott Redding crashed at turn 6, ending a tough weekend for the Gloustereshire rider. In the first ten laps, the order was Lorenzo, Dovizioso, Iannone and Rossi. Marquez was now down in 6th behind Smith after going wide on lap 4. Chasing Marquez was Crutchlow who later crashed, like Scott, at turn 6. 

Valentino was now in second place, with Dovizioso trying to tag along, leaving Iannone behind to be eaten up by the closing Bradley Smith. The gap between Majorcan Lorenzo and Italian’s chosen one Rossi, was now stabililising. Taking place further back was the absolutely stunning battle for fourth, between Iannone and Marquez, who swapped positions at practically every corner for two laps, with Bradley Smith watching it unfold right behind. 

  Dorna TV still.

At the end it was another sublime performance from Jorge Lorenzo, who beat Rossi by just over two seconds. Dovizioso took another podium in third, with Marquez beating Iannone for fourth, and Smith finished 6th. 

Race Results:

1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 44.143s
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 47.963s
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 43m 56.523s
4. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 44m 4.033s
5. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 4.380s
6. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 44m 5.288s
7. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 44m 19.636s
8. Yonny Hernandez COL Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 44m 23.744s
9. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 44m 25.714s
10. Danilo Petrucci ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.1) 44m 26.932s
11. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 44m 37.779s
12. Loris Baz FRA Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 44m 44.760s
13. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 44m 48.415s
14. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 44m 49.402s
15. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 44m 49.658s
16. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 45m 5.050s
17. Alex De Angelis RSM Octo IodaRacing (ART) 45m 5.806s
18. Marco Melandri ITA Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) +1 lap
Jack Miller AUS CWM LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* DNF
Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) DNF
Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF
Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) DNF
Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) DNF
Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) DNF
Stefan Bradl GER Athina Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) DNF
For the next MotoGP round in Mugello, Italy, I will be there, reporting from inside the Grand Prix Paddock. This is still made possible for me by Pole Position Travel. You can have access to the MotoGP Paddock too, with a team experience package. Click here to see what they do