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Tag: Marc Marquez
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`Every race is different’…but will that prove true at the Red Bull Ring?
Riders pose for a photo during the Press Conference ahead of the MotoGP race on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring. A MotoGP image Spielberg, 9 Aug 2018: Ahead of the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, the 11th round of the MotoGP World Motorcycle Racing Championship, it was pre-event Press Conference time after a quick turnaround from the Czech GP and Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was joined by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Brno winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Moto2 Championship leader Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as they geared up for another weekend of action.
Lorenzo Marquez was the first to talk, and the weekend began to take shape as another possible Ducati vs Marquez showdown: “One of the main goals in Brno we achieved: try to increase the lead in the Championship and we did it. I was happy, right after the race I was a bit bitter because of both Ducatis but then I analysed the race in the motorhome. It was a great race and a great result for us, then the Monday test was very busy with a lot of things to try. Some of them we will introduce here step by step because we found some interesting things. Both Ducati riders, like we saw in Brno, are on a really high level so we’ll try and find the best way to fight with them until the end. It will be tough, but you have to start the weekend positively, we’ll try to be there and find the step. The main aim is to be on the podium. If we can fight for victory we’ll try but you don’t know before you try the tyres and asphalt and everything.”
Rossi, meanwhile, will be wringing the neck of the weekend to get the most out of what could be a tougher track. “It’s always a difficult track, especially last year I didn’t enjoy it a lot because it was one of the most difficult races for me. I’ve never been on the podium here although in 2016 it wasn’t bad, me and Jorge were strong and not so far from the podium but it wasn’t enough. We have to try to do everything at the maximum and look after the details to be as strong as possible. On paper maybe it’s not the best track for us so we’ll have to suffer a bit. I wanted to be on the podium in Brno but the other three were faster, but then it wasn’t a bad race because I wasn’t so far. On Monday we worked a lot but didn’t find anything better so I think our level will be like in Brno. And the weather forecast isn’t fantastic, we’ll have to be ready for all conditions!”
Andrea Dovizioso Then the man on the roll, however, is Dovizioso: the 2017 Austrian GP winner after the stunning duel with Marquez and the winner last time out as we arrive back at the venue. “After the victory in Brno, you arrive at the next round with good confidence and even more to this track because on paper our bike works well here. But last year it wasn’t easy! We struggled but then in the race, our speed was really good and I was able to fight with Marc. But I expect this season our competitors will be stronger because they’ve increased their power and aero – maybe they will be closer. Marc last year already arrived at the end with me. So I don’t think it will be easy but Brno was important for us. The victory comes from hard work, we changed a few things from me and the bike and I think we have a small margin to improve so let’s see how this weekend will go – and the weather.”
The weather – as also pointed out by Marquez and Rossi – could be an interesting factor. And so could a Lorenzo so close to being back on top in Brno.
“The improvement compared to the first races has been huge,” said five-time World Champion Lorenzo. “We were a bit unlucky in Qatar, even if I would probably have finished fifth or fourth but I had to crash. It was difficult for me, then new pieces arrived and at Mugello, I got my first victory and from then on we could see a different Jorge riding, especially over race distance. It was a great race last time out and in the test we improved some more details, I’ve been more competitive especially on older tyres so I think we arrive in the best way possible to Austria.”
Best way possible? The number 99 says he hopes to fight for the win.
“Every race is different and in every race, you have to see how the performance of each rider is. But obviously, this track is where you are on the throttle the most, for our bike it should be good. We have great acceleration, great top speed, power, stability in braking so it should be a good track. But like Andrea said Honda improved the power of their engine and it should be close. But I think we’ll have a chance to fight for the win.”
Next, the spotlight was turned on KTM, the home manufacturer. After a bad run of luck of late that sees Pol Espargaro and Mika Kallio side-lined, Bradley Smith faces down the weekend alone in the premier class.
“It’s a big disappointment not to have my other team members here and I wish a speedy recovery to Pol and Mika. In another way, it’s a positive for me in that everyone in the garage is focused on me, and I’m all ok after the crash, fortunately. Lucky to walk away uninjured and ready for this weekend, and the expectation of all the KTM fans and our bosses.”
In terms of development, for Smith, it’s feeling positive in terms of input and they’re just missing another step to break into the top ten. “I feel like I’m steering the bike in a good direction at the moment and the factory is working very hard to bridge the gap. We seem to be stuck in around P12 or 13 and we want to be more inside the top ten and we want to see better results later in the year.”
Although Smith is the sole Austrian machine on the MotoGP™ grid, there are plenty KTMs throughout the field for the fans to cheer – and that includes Miguel Oliveira, the points leader and Brno winner in the intermediate class. He’s exactly where he wants to be.
“The race in Brno was quite exciting, a lot of overtaking…and I feel good to be coming to the home GP of the team in the lead. It means we’re going in a good direction. Usually, my second halves of seasons are quite strong so I hope I can stay in the lead until the end of the year.”
In terms of improvements? Qualifying. Which was something they managed at Brno. “Qualifying is one of the biggest points we need to improve at the moment. We know our bike is competitive overall race distance but qualifying is kind of an issue for us. In Brno it went well so I hope now we’ve changed strategy and we can qualify a bit more in front so I don’t have to pass 10 riders in half a lap! That would make my life easier for sure.”
It was a spectacular weekend of action in Czechia and now Austria steps up to try and repeat the feat. Watch track action from Friday morning as FP1s begin from 9:00 (GMT +2), before the lights go out at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday.
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As MotoGP returns to Red Bull Ring, can Spielberg serve up another thriller?
Spielberg, 7 Aug 2018: Only a few days after the Czech GP it’s already action stations for Austria as MotoGP returns to the Styrian Alps and the stunning Red Bull Ring – Spielberg. Altitude and acceleration are the buzzwords and Ducati are the reigning kings of the mountain. Winners in 2016 and 2017 at the track that plays into the hands of the Borgo Panigale factory’s machinery perfectly, the omens are good for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and teammate Jorge Lorenzo as they arrive in Austria in the wake of their 1-2 at Brno. ‘DesmoDovi’ won the duel for the win last season, and Lorenzo is now a serious threat on the other side of the garage. Can anyone depose the Ducatis from the top step?Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) is the man who came so close to ending their rule at the Red Bull Ring last season. The number 93 stayed with Dovizioso to the end and the two men staged the first of a series of duels: first came Spielberg, then came Motegi, then Qatar…but it wasn’t quite the same at Brno. Marquez was right on the tail of the red machines ahead of him, but the reigning Champion couldn’t make a move against Lorenzo stick. Revenge at the Red Bull Ring would be sweet – but would a bigger Championship lead be even sweeter? To get that it’s a Yamaha Marquez would likely need to beat: Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP).Yamaha remain on the hunt for that next win. Rossi put up a good fight at Brno until the final stages – nevertheless still able to beat Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) to the line – but Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was involved in an early incident that sent him into the gravel, ending a run of 19 races in the points and meaning no rider has scored in every race this season. It also ruled him out of the Brno test, so can Yamaha field their A game in Austria and push forward at what’s traditionally a more difficult venue for the Iwata marque?
The fight for top Independent Team rider is hotting up now too: Crutchlow, Brno’s top Independent, is now only seven points off the lead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in the chase for that title – and Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) is between the two. Will Ducati power and acceleration see him strike back? And what of the rookies? Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) remains ahead of Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) by just two points, but that hangs in the balance every weekend.
Meanwhile, Team Suzuki Ecstar want more from Austria and Andrea Iannone is a former winner at the venue, but for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, despite good progress cutting the gap to the front, it’s not quite the fairytale return to their home venue in the hills they were planning. Test rider and oft-racing wildcard Mika Kallio is out after a crash in the German GP and the bad luck kept rolling in Brno: Pol Espargaro will now also be sidelined after his crash there. So for KTM, home hopes are pinned on Bradley Smith. The Brit was on good form in Czechia as he qualified P15, before he was involved in a multi-rider crash and wasn’t able to race to the end. A bounce back will be on the cards in Spielberg.
Last year, Crutchlow finished the Austrian GP in fifteenth just 28.096 seconds behind race winner Dovizioso – the closest premier class top 15 at the time. It’s now sixth on the list as competition continues to amaze but Brno is the closest top ten, and that incredibly tight finish to decide the podium? The third closest in the MotoGP™ era.
So how will Austria play out? The battle lines were drawn at Brno and Spielberg has been Ducati territory too. Will there be a new king of the Red Bull Ring? Find out on Sunday 12th August at 14:00 (GMT +2) for another shot of Austrian adrenaline.
Championship Standings
1 – Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 181 points
2 – Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA 132
3 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI 113
4 – Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA 109
5 – Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) DUCATI 105. -
Marquez, Rossi, Viñales and more sit down before the second half – and Zarco & co head for the surf
BRNO (Czech Republic) 3 Aug 2018: The second half of the season is ready to kick off at the Automotodrom Brno for the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, but before track action on Friday it was time to talk…and surf?
First on the Thursday agenda it was a chance for some of the paddock to go JetSurfing – fast becoming a Brno classic of sorts. This time it was the turn of Redox Pruestel GP’s Jakub Kornfeil – a former World Champion in the discipline – to take on Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt Intact GP), Fabio Quartararo (Boost-Speed Up Racing) and John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) on a Brno layout on the water.
Then it was time for the traditional pre-event Press Conference, with Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – who’s starting his 100th MotoGP™ race – joined by closest challenger Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), his teammate Maverick Viñales, Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci and Angel Nieto Team riders Alvaro Bautista and Karel Abraham, local hero. As is to be expected after the break, talk centered on the second half of the season just before kick off.
“Summer break has been good like always,” begins Marquez. “Time to relax and analyse the first part of the season, which has been good but there are a few mistakes we can improve. Now it’s time to get back to the office and find that same mentality again because it was the right one. I hope we can start in a good way, get the feeling and achieve the same results.”
Those same results have given him a 46-point lead, but as well as wanting to keep them coming, Marquez reiterated the importance of keeping his mentality.
“It’s good we start the second half on top with the advantage but the season is long and we need to keep the same mentality, they’re improving every race. We need the same speed and concentration, there will be some circuits that are more difficult but we’ll try to manage it – what we did in the first half.”
‘They’ is referring to the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team of Rossi and Viñales, who sit second and third in the standings. For his part, Rossi debriefed the first part of the season and spoke of the work that remains ahead – as well as recognising the great memories that Brno brings, having staged – amongst others – the rider from Tavullia’s first ever GP win, in 1996 in the 125 World Championship.
“I’m happy in some ways,” says Rossi of the season so far. “Five times on the podium in nine races isn’t bad, and second in the Championship is quite good. But the problem is that I wasn’t strong enough in the first half to try to win. The disadvantage to Marc is already big so we need to work. In the first half of the season the entire team have been able to improve the balance and we’re a bit more competitive but we still need to understand the way to go faster.
And for Monday’s test? “We have something but not a lot, they are still working a lot at Yamaha but maybe we need a bit more time. We have something for Monday but we have to concentrate on the weekend. Last year it was a good weekend apart from the final result because I was strong in qualifying and the race but with the flag to flag I stopped a lap late and lost the chance at the podium. But I can fight, this track is fantastic with great memories in my career.”
Teammate Viñales agrees there’s work to do, but he also agrees there has been progress. In addition, the Spaniard says he thinks both he and Rossi are riding the Yamaha at the maximum.
“It’s important to understand the bike, race by race I feel better every time. And I can start pushing on the limit. There’s a lot to still improve but we have a good bike and if we manage it we can be very competitive.
“We’re riding our bike at the best level, we just need to make another step. I’m very happy with the last two races and in the box, and we need to continue like that.”
For Danilo Petrucci it’s a bit different coming into Brno – with a lot less experience of the track in the dry. And this season is also different in a good way, and his best so far.
“I had no expectations at the beginning of the Championship, I just always hope the next one is the best one,” says the Italian, before looking back a little. “In Assen we lost some points, the only 0 of my season at the moment. At the Sachsenring I recovered some points but I lost the podium with two laps to go…and it’s the second time that’s happened this year. It’s not a good feeling! But we’ve showed our speed and that’s good. We have to continue and to finish the Championship in the top five and be top Independent Team rider could be good. We’re close to Zarco.
“I don’t know what to expect from this track because for the last two years it’s been half wet and half dry, but I think the target is just to constantly be with the top guys and try to score points.”
Next up was Alvaro Bautista, who had a very tough start to the year – but is now on a top ten roll and took his best result of the season so far just before the summer break with a top five in Germany. He explained their struggles.
“In winter we started to work with a setup other Ducati riders used last season but for me it was no good,” says the Spaniard. “So in Jerez we decided to radically change the set up. I started to feel better and race y by race we’ve made small adjustments and I feel much better with the bike, although we’ve not reached our full level yet.”
There could be more to come, then. And his teammate Karel Abraham will be hoping for a little more this weekend after a difficult year – but he’s got the thrill of racing at home to buoy spirits.
“I’m a bit confused,” says Abraham of their season, “because last year everything went so well and we were scoring points in almost every Grand Prix, even some top tens. Then this year it’s the other way around and I don’t feel comfortable and we’re not scoring. It feels like there’s some gap we can’t breach at the moment. It’s always nice to have fans and ride at home, so hopefully that helps a bit and I’m looking forward to it. But the technical side is the technical side and it could be tough…”
The competition will certainly prove so in Brno, with more races this season having broken the record for closest finishes and the Championship a long, long way from over. How will the second half go? Find out when track action starts on Friday 3rd August, before the race on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT +2).
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Marquez takes ninth Sachsenring win in style; Rossi storms to 2nd from P6: MotoGP Round 9
Marc Marquez after winning the German GP at Sachsenring on Sunday. A MotoGP image Chemnitz (Germany), 15 July 2018: A tactical masterclass saw the reigning World Champion Marc Marquez, the number 93, to be able to pull clear to take an incredible ninth German GP win in a row – from his ninth pole in the MotoGP World Championship Round 9 at Sachsenring, 8 km from here on Sunday.
Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has re-written another piece of history in the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, storming from a ninth pole in a row to take his ninth win in a row across all classes. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoG) took second and maintains his second place in the standings after an impressive bounce back after a tough Friday at the track, with the podium completed by teammate Maverick Viñales.
At lights out it was Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) who got the holeshot from pole, moving from third into the lead as Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) slotted into second – with Marquez shuffled back into third. Rossi made a good start from sixth to move into fourth ahead of teammate Viñales, with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) the key man to lose out from fifth.
Once at the front, Lorenzo set about putting the hammer down, making it the sixth race in succession the Mallorcan has led. It didn’t take too long for Marquez to make his way through to be the man behind his compatriot, however, and a game of cat and mouse began at the front as Marquez reeled in the rhythm ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Rossi attacked Petrucci for third and moved through, as Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) then crashed out at Turn 12, the Brit’s say in the podium fight over early. Lorenzo was holding firm at the front, but Marquez then chose his moment and struck – taking over in the lead and leaving Lorenzo to be reeled in by Rossi.
That the Italian did, and the rider from Tavullia got his own hammer down once past to try and claw back some time to Marquez, but it wasn’t to be. The number 93 pulled the pin with perfect timing, with enough grip left to see him make a gap and keep it until crossing the line for the stunning ninth win in a row at the Sachsenring – and all from pole.
Rossi was then safe in second for another podium finish, but teammate Viñales left it late to complete the rostrum. First Petrucci was the man pushing to pass a Lorenzo struggling with grip, before Viñales arrived on the scene and attacked the Mallorcan and then the Italian to take third and a second successive podium.
That made Petrucci top Independent Team rider in a well-fought fourth, just ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team)’s stunning ride to fifth. Bautista was the fastest man on track for a good number of laps and kept that incredible form to the end, the final man able to muscle past Lorenzo by the flag.
Lorenzo took P6 ahead of a tough day for teammate Andrea Dovizioso, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) putting in a solid ride to eighth. Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) improved from his worst qualifying of the season so far to take ninth despite the difficult weekend, with an incredible ride from Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) putting the Brit in the tenth to take KTM’s first top ten of the season.
Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was top rookie in eleventh and takes over at the top of the Rookie of the Year standings, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who was caught in an early incident that saw Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) make contact with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and both go down; also affecting Iannone and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing). Miller finished P14, with Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) between him and Iannone. Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the points.
Now summer awaits but it’s not too long until we’re back at Brno for the Czech GP – where the second half of the Championship will hit top gear straightaway as the pressure starts to ramp up towards the season finale…
MotoGP™ Race Results
1 – Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 41’05.019
2 – Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA +2.196
3 – Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA +2.776
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First Independent Team Rider
4 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA) DUCATI +3.376eom/db -
Marquez edges Petrucci by just 0.025 to take pole: MotoGP Round 9
Independent team rider and Friday’s second-fastest Petrucci was denied his first pole on Saturday. A MotoGP image After the first runs in the session, it was Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) on the provisional pole as the Spaniard was the first to break Marquez’ previous pole lap record from 2015, before the first charge on the second exit saw Lorenzo threaten that – with Petrucci in close pursuit. Over the line, the two took over at the top, with Petrucci just ahead, as Marquez began his third run – later crediting the two-stop strategy as a key to his ninth pole at the venue.
On that last dash with the clock counting down, the number 93 was just off in the first sector, put in a personal best second sector and then a red third one – meaning he was up on the previous best overall. But it was mere hundredths and it went right down to the wire, with a solid final sector seeing Marquez just maintain the advantage and pip Petrucci by the tiniest of margins. That means it’s exactly the top two from last season, except then, it was over a tenth and a half, and this year it’s half a tenth covering the front row.
Viñales wasn’t able to improve and stayed fourth, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) moved up to fifth after coming from Q1 and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) found some more pace on Saturday to complete the superstar-studded second row – with every one of them keen to get the launch of their lives and move forward at lights out. With Lorenzo ahead of them on the front row, that could be a task. The front row riders share 11 titles between them – but so do the second.
On the third row, the former podium finisher at the venue Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) took P7, ahead of practice pacesetter Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and the on-form Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team), with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) rounding out the top ten. The number 26 has an impeccable record at the track – it’s the venue at which he’s had the most success, along with Valencia – and could be one to watch when the lights go out.
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) starts P11 and Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) starts P12, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) hot on their heels in thirteenth. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) complete the top fifteen on the grid after Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), who just missed out on a place in Q2, received a six-place grid penalty for the race following ‘irresponsible riding’ in FP3; now starting P19.
Think you know what’s going to happen in the German GP? You might be the only one…From 14:00 (GMT +2) the grid will be back out to race and see who will take the momentum into the summer break.
MotoGP™ Qualifying Results
1 – Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 1’20.270
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First Independent Team Rider:
2 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA) DUCATI +0.025
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3 – Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) DUCATI +0.057 -
Marquez wins a true clash of the titans at the ‘Cathedral’; tightest ever top-15 finish in MotoGP
The tightest ever top-15 in MotoGP history at the Assen on Sunday as Marquez wins as eight riders fight it out for the top spot. Photo: MotoGP Assen, 1 July 2018: Few races are written immediately into the history books as the flag flies at the finish line, but the 2018 Dutch GP will be one of them. It was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) who emerged from the melee to take the win on the MotoGP World Championship’s 70th visit to the track, but the headlines were stolen somewhat as the TT Circuit Assen hosted a showcase of the best of MotoGP starring Marquez, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), teammate Maverick Viñales, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). And those on the podium at the end – Marquez, Rins and Viñales – fought to the top in the closest top fifteen of all time.Marquez took the holeshot from pole, with Crutchlow initially on his tail from second on the grid until Lorenzo sliced through from tenth to P2 after another awe-inspiring launch. The Italian and Catalan GP winner didn’t wait long to strike for the lead either, attacking Marquez and the two side-by-side in a war of wills until Lorenzo edged ahead. Marquez hit back a lap later at Turn 15 before Lorenzo repaid the favour once more. The duel was the first of many; an early taste of what was to come.
Rossi then made his first attack of the race at the final chicane, a first rehearsal, and set off after Lorenzo – with the Spaniard then suffering a moment soon after and Rossi smashing into the rear of the Ducati, unable to avoid him. But both stayed on and both stayed ahead, with Marquez, Dovizioso, Rins, Crutchlow and Viñales forming a train of riders fighting at the front.
Marquez took Rossi, Viñales took Crutchlow, Dovizioso took Rossi, Dovizioso took Marquez, Marquez struck back, Rins took Rossi and then Dovizioso…but Lorenzo held firm at the front. With eight riders within a second, from Lorenzo down to Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) at the back of the train, the touch paper was well and truly lit on an absolute classic.
The war continued before another bout of bigger drama with 15 laps to go as Rins attacked Marquez and the two were only a hair’s breadth apart – minimal contact, but the reigning Champion suffered a big moment as he got back on the gas. That dropped him back off the lead, with Lorenzo chased by Rins and Dovizioso.
The Italian dueled his teammate for the lead soon after and Lorenzo began to drop back slightly, with Viñales then taking the lead for the first time with eight to go. Next time around Marquez had sliced back through into the lead before the next lap saw both almost throw it all away as they dueled and both headed wide. Then Rossi took over – another stunner from the ‘Doctor’ at the final chicane – but ‘DesmoDovi’ took him back.
Four wide at times, Marquez then made his way back into P1…and that was all she wrote, for the lead at least. After one of the closest, most spectacular races in the history of the world’s oldest motorsport Championship, the reigning Champion was able to pull clear to take a stunning fourth win of the year – and increase his points lead.
The battle behind wasn’t over, however, and Viñales had pushed through to second before the last lap attack from Rins – with the Suzuki rider taking his second ever premier class rostrum. Viñales was forced to settle for third but back on the podium for the first time since Texas…and the fight for fourth showed why Rossi had been rehearsing.
The ‘Doctor’ left it late but lunged up the inside of Dovizioso into the famous Geert Timmer chicane on the final lap, and he was ahead – but ‘DesmoDovi’ took him back on the exit, getting such a good exit that the number 04 was almost on a par with Viñales over the line.
Marquez, Rins, Viñales, Dovizioso, and Rossi were followed home by Crutchlow and Lorenzo, with Zarco, Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) completing the top ten in one of the greatest races contested on two wheels.
Sadly, that’s now it from the TT Circuit Assen for another year. Can anything top the Dutch GP? After one of the best races of all time, the first to try will be the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring on the 15th July…and then, there are 10 more chances to showcase more of the stunning class of 2018.
MotoGP Results
1 – Marc Márquez (SPA) Honda 41’13.863
2 – Alex Rins (SPA) Suzuki +2.269
3 – Maverick Viñales (SPA) Yamaha +2.308First Independent Team Rider:
P6- Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Honda +3.876 -
Dutch Grand Prix: Assen, where myth and magic collide at the ‘Cathedral’
The iconic Assen TT cirdcuit. Photo: MotoGP Assen, 26 June 2018: Since the beginnings of the Dutch TT way back, much has changed, but not the heart and soul of one of the most iconic races on the calendar. Amongst the green fields of the picturesque Drenthe province nestles a true classic, now an 18-apex racetrack made of equal parts courage and precision. It has been a hundred years since motorcycles first raced near the town of Assen, and the track we know today began to appear half a century ago with the finish line the very same today, unchanged since the 1950s. The only track to have remained on the calendar since 1949, the TT Circuit Assen is drenched in magic and myth, and this is the 70th time the event has counted towards the World Championship; a year to remember.
Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP In 2018, the MotoGP™ grid arrive in the Netherlands in the shadow of one man: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team). After two dominant victories in which the ‘Spartan’ was uncatchable and unmatchable, he’s now ahead of teammate Andrea Dovizioso in the Championship for the first time since he joined the Borgo Panigale factory. If he wins at Assen, he will become only the second Ducati rider to win three races in a row, after Casey Stoner. But the Circuit van Drenthe hasn’t always been kind to the number 99 with Lorenzo having taken only one premier class win at the track, in 2010, but for every bad memory, such as a broken collarbone sustained at the track in 2013, there’s a counterpoint, such as the Spaniard’s ride through the pain barrier that same weekend, taking a superhuman fifth place.
Valentino Rossi. Photo: MotoGP His teammate Andrea Dovizioso will be wanting to reverse the swing of momentum within the garage, however. The number 04 doesn’t have the most impressive record at the track, but he may have an ace card if it rains, having always been one of the best in difficult conditions.
But that’s often been true of the master of Assen, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who has made the magic happen no less than ten times. Pencilled in as a threat at the Dutch track even before the season begins, the rider from Tavullia will be looking to paint the stands yellow. In addition, as well as contributing ten wins to the ‘Doctor’’s stunning record, the TT Circuit Assen was also the stage of his most recent victory, taken in 2017. That’s the last time a Yamaha stood on the top step, and the Iwata marque – and Rossi – will be keen to update the season on that stat. With three podiums in a row, the stage is set.
His teammate Maverick Viñales will also, like Dovizioso, want to strike back against the other side of the garage. And Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) will want to take his first podium of the season after a run of bad luck. But Assen hasn’t been the best for either – something not true of reigning Champion and points leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Marc Marquez. Photo: Honda Racing Will Marquez be racing to win? With a considerable lead in the Championship, the number 93 just needs to keep bagging the points. But with Assen ‘Rossi territory’ in a way and already having staged a showdown between the two in 2015, will that be the blueprint? Or will it be 2016, when Marquez rode to a safe second behind a stunning maiden win for Jack Miller?
Alma Pramac Racing rider Miller will be hoping for history to repeat itself. After two tougher rounds coming off the back of eight consecutive top ten finishes, the Queenslander will be pushing hard to get back in the mix. But the race for top Independent Team rider will be hard fought once again – former Assen podium finishers, teammate Danilo Petrucci and LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow, will be tough to beat – as will Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).
Then, finally, there’s that all-important battle for Rookie of the Year. Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) leads as it stands, but Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) is close behind – can he take over at the TT Circuit Assen? Especially if fortunes favours the Malaysian rainmaster with the weather?
Watch magic and myth collide at the ‘Cathedral’ from Friday 29th June, with race day now Sunday 1st July. Gone are the days of racing on a Saturday and gone are the tree-lined lanes that formed the track – but the TT Circuit Assen remains drenched in history.
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Jorge Lorenzo hammers home his pace with sublime win in Barcelona
Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) puts the hammer down in Barcelona. Photo: MotoGP Barcelona, 17 June 2018: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) hammered home the race victory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in flawless style, taking victory by over four seconds to secure his second consecutive win. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crossed the line second at his home Grand Prix to extend his Championship lead, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) securing third place for the third race in a row.
Just like it was in Mugello, Sunday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was all about Lorenzo. However, the number 99 didn’t get the perfect launch from pole position, with Marquez out-dragging the Ducati into the first corner. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) also made a great start, slotting into second place on the opening laps, with Lorenzo sitting tightly in third.
Marc Marquez. Photo: Honda Racing The Spaniard wasn’t there for long though, keeping his composure to get past Iannone and Marquez to lead into Turn 1 on the second lap and from there, it was hammer time. By now, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was tucked up behind the number 93 in third, before the Italian crashed out at Turn 5 on lap 9 – his third DNF of the season and another massive dent in his title aspirations.
Back on track, Lorenzo and Marquez had pulled the pin, with Rossi picking up third position, 3.2 seconds back. The gap between the two Spaniards at the front flirted at just under a second, with Lorenzo looking imperious, setting 1:40.0s lap after lap. In the end, the Championship leader had no answer, and eventually finished 4.479 seconds back from the number 99 – who now draws level on points with teammate Dovizioso in the overall standings.
Valentino Rossi. Photo: Yamaha MotoGP Rossi was a lonely third at the checkered flag, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) enjoying a fantastic ride to finish as top Independent Team rider in fourth. The Brit was locked in a battle with Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa in the latter stages of the race before getting the better of the Spaniard down into Turn 4 – Pedrosa rounded out the top five.
Maverick Viñales’ (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) opening lap woes continued, finishing the first lap down in P10 after starting fourth. The home rider managed to salvage 6th at the flag, holding off Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), with the two locked together throughout the race. Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) crossed the line eighth, with fellow Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) seven seconds further back in ninth.
Iannone slipped right back after a fantastic start, the Italian rounded out the top ten. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) picking up his fourth straight P11 finish, with Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) the only other riders to finish the race in P12 and P13 respectively.
‘Fabulous’ Fabio Quartararo ….maiden Moto2 success. Photo: MotoGP Fabulous Fabio takes flawless first Grand Prix win
Fabio Quartararo (HDR – Speed Up Racing) stormed to a stunning first Grand Prix victory to take his first podium finish since Assen 2015 in Moto2™. The Frenchman finished 2.492 seconds ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who came through from P17 on the grid, with home rider and last year’s race winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) taking the final step on the podium in third.
It wasn’t the start the Frenchman would have wanted from pole position, dropping down to fourth on the opening lap as Marquez grabbed the hole shot going down into Turn 1, with Marcel Schroetter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) slotting in behind. Oliveira again produced a lightning start to get into the top six on the first lap after starting 17th, and by lap 6 the Portuguese rider was shadowing Marquez in second.
The number 44 hit the front a lap later, but Quatararo was on the move. The double Junior Moto3™ World Champion passed Marquez into Turn 10, and set his sights on Oliveira, making his move at Turn 4 on lap 9 after the KTM rider ran slightly wide.
From there, it was an exhibition job for the 19-year-old. Quartararo was consistently the only rider to dip into the 1:43s, setting new lap records lap after lap to create a 2.2 second gap to Oliveira by lap 18. Meanwhile, the second-place man had pulled away from Marquez, with the Spaniard holding off the chasing Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) and the recovering teammate Schroetter, who ran wide at Turn 1 on lap 6 after setting the fastest lap of the race.
Quartararo took the checkered flag 2.492 seconds ahead, getting himself onto the top step of the podium for the first time since 2014. Oliveria crossed the line second, but was then involved in a scary looking incident with Simone Corsi (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) down into Turn 1 on the cool down lap – riders ok. Marquez held off Schroetter to earn a home turf podium, he now sits 20 points behind Bagnaia heading to Assen.
Vierge was a solid fifth at his home GP, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) holding off a late charge from Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) to finish 6th, the Italian 0.087 behind in 7th. Championship leader Bagnaia had a disappointing day in eighth, seeing his overall standings lead cut to just one point over Oliveira.
Enea Bastianini celebrates after scoring a dramatic win. Photo: MotoGP Bastianini wins breathless Moto3™ race
Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) took his first victory since Motegi 2016 in a dramatic Moto3™ race with Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PrustelGP) taking second by 0.003 from Gabriel Rodirigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider), who secured his first Grand Prix podium and Argentina’s first GP podium since Sebastian Porto in 2005.
The lightweight class race in Barcelona was full of drama for two World Championship protagonists. Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) crashed out of the lead on lap 9 at Turn 9, with fellow-Championship rival Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) involved in a huge crash at Turn 5 on lap 16, with Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team) and Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) also involved in the incident – Canet was stretchered away.
Then, on lap 18 of 21, there was more drama as Jaume Masia (Besta Capital Dubai) collided with Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team) down into Turn 1 with both in the hunt for victory – both riders were taken to the medical centre for a check-up.
An almighty battle at the front developed, with John McPhee (CIP Green Power) Bastianini, Bezzecchi, Rodrigo and Suzuki the five riders left at the front in the final three laps after the two huge crashes. McPhee led over the line onto the final lap, but it was ‘The Beast’ who expertly slipstreamed his way to the front, with Rodrigo and Bezzecchi also getting past McPhee. The Italian rode a flawless last lap to take a much-needed victory, as Championship leader Bezzecchi pipped Rodrigo on the line to grab second place – McPhee had to settle for fourth, his best result of the season.
Suzuki was an excellent fifth in the end, with reigning Junior Moto3™ World Champion Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) grabbing sixth, 5.961 back from the top five.
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Jorge Lorenzo pulls the trigger for pole in Barcelona; Marquez, Dovi complete front row
Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP Barcelona, 16 June 2018: Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) secured a tantalising first pole position since Valencia 2016 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in a spectacular Q2 session, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) within a whisker of the fellow-Spaniard in second and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) grabbing his first front row start of the season in third.
Under blistering Barcelona skies, it was all about the battle of the Spaniards for pole position on home soil. Lorenzo was the first man to set a time, before Marquez crossed the line to set the fastest lap of the weekend – a magnificent 1:38.886, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) firing in a 1:39.392 to put himself between the two after the first set of hot laps.
Marc Marquez. Photo: Official website It was bubbling up beautifully in Barcelona ahead of the second runs to say the least, with Lorenzo coming out of the box to launch himself to the top of the timesheets, a slender 0.066 the difference between him and future team-mate Marquez. The number 93 was on the ragged edge, and he was right on the pace of his compatriot before hitting traffic at Turn 13 – handing Lorenzo his first Ducati pole and his tenth straight front row start at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Dovizioso threatened to take pole on his final run, the Italian was up by a whisker in the first half of the lap before losing time in Sector 3. Nonetheless, the number 04 launches from P3 and looks confident ahead of Sunday. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was the man who ‘DesmoDovi’ was shadowing on his final run, the Spaniard will start fourth and top Yamaha at his home Grand Prix, a huge improvement from his P9 start this time last year.
FP4’s quickest man Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was just 0.003 behind Viñales’ time, the Italian starting from the second row for a third consecutive race as he puts himself in a strong position to once again challenge for a podium. Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was able to get himself onto the outside of row two, a good session for the Ducati rider, who starts P6.
Andrea Dovizioso. Photo: Ducati Rossi, who was second after the first runs, pulled out of a potential front row lap at Turn 10 after a message from the Yamaha box told him a certain number 93 was following him. ‘The Doctor’ will start seventh for Sunday’s race, ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), with the Frenchman having to take avoiding action down into Turn 1 when tucked behind Marquez – P8 for Zarco after a difficult weekend. Rounding out the third row was Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) after he was able to earn an automatic Q2 spot, the Spaniard securing his best dry qualifying result of the season in P9.
Behind Rabat on the grid is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who had a disappointing end to the session, crashing at the newly modified Turn 13 while on a personal best lap – the British rider will start tenth. Dani Pedrosa’s (Repsol Honda Team) quiet weekend continued in qualifying, the Spaniard will line up in 11th for his home race, with Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) having a fantastic afternoon in Barcelona, setting a lap time less than two tenths slower than Pedrosa to start a personal best P12.
So, is it Lorenzo vs Marquez for the victory on home soil? The hammer has been well and truly slammed down by the number 99, but the shockwaves didn’t seem to faze the number 93 too much on Saturday. However, will Lorenzo’s race pace prove too much come Sunday afternoon?
Quartararo takes stunning Moto2™ pole
Fabio Quartararo (HRD – Speed Up Racing) will start tomorrow’s Moto2™ race from pole position, setting a blistering 1:43.474 to beat 2017 race winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Marcel Schroetter (Dynavolt Intact GP) to secure his first ever intermediate class pole.
It was Schroetter who was the man to beat for the majority of the session, jumping to the top of the timesheets from the off, setting a benchmark of 1:43.619 – the fastest lap of the weekend. The German’s time wouldn’t be beaten until home rider Marquez, on his 14th flying lap, went 0.029 quicker.
Quartararo, who has been up the sharp end throughout the weekend, then stepped up to the mark. The Speed Up rider was looking comfortable in P3, until the 19-year-old increased the pace with just three minutes remaining – a 1:43.474 topping Marquez by over a tenth, with no one having an answer before the checkered flag was waved.
After leading FP3 by over three tenths of a second, Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) had to settle for fourth quickest in qualifying. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was the leading KTM rider in Catalunya, he picked up his equal best qualifying finish of the season in fifth after spending much of the session battling for a top six place. The South African is in an Italian sandwich in the middle of row two, with Italtrans Racing Team rider Mattia Pasini in sixth – 0.038 back from Binder.
Beast in Barcelona: Bastianini blasts to Moto3™ pole
Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) will start the Moto3™ race from pole position as he took top spot in qualifying for the first time since Aragon 2016. Despite a second crash of the weekend, Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) starts second, with Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) on the outside of the front row in third.
‘The Beast’ was the rider to beat throughout the session, setting a 1:48.806 – the quickest lap of the weekend – just ten minutes into the session to set a benchmark that wouldn’t be beaten.
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MotoGP pre-race Press Conference: Riders talk of Barcelona and beyond
Riders pose before the pre-race Press Conference in Barcelona. Photo: MotoGP Barcelona, 14 June 2018: Selected quotes from riders who attended the Press Conference ahead of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya:
Marc Marquez. Photo: MotoGP Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team): “Mugello was a difficult weekend for us, but it normally is a bit. We were struggling a lot with the front tyre there, and I wasn’t able to manage it well or in the right way in the race. Here in the test, I felt good and confident. I know it’s not one of the best tracks for me, but still I’ve finished on the podium a few times from 125 to MotoGP.
It will be a big change inside Honda (when Lorenzo moves to Repsol Honda from Ducati next season), a new team-mate and new riding style. I’ve learned a lot from Dani (Pedrosa) when I arrived, he was riding the Honda so well. But Jorge is a strong team-mate and we’ll try to learn from him because he’s a completely different riding style. But I’m happy I’m INSIDE the team, although he’ll be tough to beat!
Valentino Rossi. Photo: MotoGP Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP): This is a track that I love, but in the last years I’ve had very different results. 2016 it was a victory and then last year it was one of the most difficult races of the season and I struggled a lot, and we didn’t expect it after the year before.
After Assen as well we started to have a lot of problem in the second half of the year. But it’s important, and the track has changed a lot with the new layout and new track surface without the bumps, and that could help us and our performance,. It will be important to understand our level.
Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team): My goal and my first priority was to stay at Ducati, until Le Mans, where I realised that maybe they wanted to swap me…then we started to plan another future. Until then, I wanted to win with Ducati. Races, the Championship if possible. Now, everybody is looking at me…I entered the Championship when I was 16, I know how fast I can be on different bikes. I won with Derbi, I rode for Honda, Aprilia, Yamaha…Ducati. I work a lot of hours, millions of hours and I have this capacity. I know what I want to do with the bike and for sure it will be a challenge, but that’s the future. I am a person of the now and I still have a lot to do with Ducati. Like I did with Yamaha – until the last race I tried to win and do the best for the team.
We are in a sweet moment with Ducati, it’s a good package and we try and improve it every month. It’s good for all riders, on our side we got some pieces that helped me keep a constant pace and we arrive at a good track after a good test a month ago here.
Andrea Dovizioso. Photo: MotoGP Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team): For sure this is one of the best tracks in our Championship. It’s nice to ride the bike here and we won last year, but this year is a different story with new asphalt and less bumps. I think we have to work very well during the weekend to understand the tyres – a bit more because of the new asphalt. I expect a lot of fast riders with different bikes but I’m confident, in the last two races I’ve fought for the podium and the victory but every weekend it’s a different story so we have to keep calm and work in the right way like we have been doing. I’m happy, because I have a good relationship with Danilo and he knows a lot about our bike. That’s positive because we can work together to try and improve the bike. There are some big changes next year and I think that’s good for our Championship.
Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing): Mugello was a very difficult race. After Le Mans, where I was on the podium, and at Mugello, last year I was on the podium, so everyone expected it…we worked very hard, in qualifying made a small mistake but then in the race my start was good but then I had contact with Marc, went wide and tried to recover, but my rear tyre was tired with four or five laps to go. I pushed at my best and my target was to save the tyre but I was back in ninth…anyway, I did my best and I was happy about that. But for sure I dreamt of an all Ducati podium until five laps to go! I have no regrets and now we’re focused on this race.
Cal Crutchlow. Photo: MotoGP Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol): Mugello wasn’t too bad. I aimed for the podium at the start of the weekend and I didn’t get it but we have to be happy because it was a very difficult race and tough to manage. We tested there and felt fantastic but in the race weekend it seemed more difficult for us. It was tough in the battle at the time and I couldn’t pass because I didn’t want to risk not finishing. I settled for getting some good points. But Mugello was a step in the right direction for here.
Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Moto2™ rookie and reigning Moto3™ World Champion who will move to MotoGP™ next season with Team Suzuki Ecstar: I’m really happy to join MotoGP next year. It’s like a dream for me. If you said to me three years ago that I would be racing in MotoGP next year I would have said you were crazy! But I’m really happy about the progress so far, we’re growing quickly and I just hope to keep going on this line and I hope to improve more in Moto2. That’s my priority, and then in MotoGP to keep learning. Now we’re scoring points and podiums, but we need the victory. But we’re working well!
