Nuvola azzurra: Bagnaia reigns as Bastianini charges past Martin and Marquez at Mugello

Nuvola azzurra: Bagnaia reigns as Bastianini charges past Martin and Marquez at Mugello Ducati Lenovo paint Mugello blue as the reigning Champion lays down the gauntlet and the Beast has his Sprint revenge Sunday, 02 June 2024 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed a near-perfect weekend on home turf with a masterclass victory in the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo. The Italian stormed to the lead from lights out and then kept it on perfect rails to stay a tantalising distance ahead of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) for much of the race, with the gap going up and down but never quite in range for an attack. That instead came from Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the #23 put together an almighty final charge. 

The Beast duelled Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and then put in a late burst of lightning speed to catch Martin, that enough to put him within striking distance at the final corner. And strike he did. Slicing up the inside and keeping it clean as anything, the #23 served his Tissot Sprint revenge to make it a Ducati Lenovo 1-2, with Martin forced to settle for third. 

As the lights went out, Bagnaia went full Bagnaia. Second around San Donato as he threaded the needle from the second row, he immediately then lined up and pickpocketed Martin to go into the lead. 

From there, the hammer was down as Martin dug in to hold on, with Bastianini third ahead of Marc Marquez and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). The chess game was on from there on out. Three tenths, six tenths, eight tenths, five tenths; Martin wasn’t getting dropped but he wasn’t consistently able to stay close enough to attack the #1 in the lead. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was on the march. Marquez made a move on Bastianini into San Donato and headed wide, with the #23 hitting back immediately, and that put the rookie superstar right on Marquez’ tail. The GASGAS shadowed him round the lap but couldn’t find a way through, then heading wide at the final corner and forced to watch the Gresini disappear out of striking distance. 

At the front, the chess match rolled on. Bagnaia led Martin led Bastianini, with Marquez then starting to harry the #23. Acosta was a few tenths further back, with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) starting to come under pressure from Viñales with 12 to go. It was tense holding stations, with the one small ripple in the calm coming as Martin went deep into San Donato with 10 laps to go, but he gathered it back up. 

By six laps to go, it wasn’t check mate but it was starting to heat up into a grandstand finish. Marc Marquez finally made a move on Bastianini, attacking into San Donato with a clean move that gave the #23 no right of reply. His mission seemed then to catch Martin, but Martin was starting to cut the gap to the front once again. By three laps to go, it had been halved from the eight or nine tenth maximum Bagnaia had had at any point. Game on? 

Very much so, but not for the #89. Instead, Bagnaia threw down the gauntlet and disappeared again as Bastianini stole the spotlight. Through on Marc Marquez at Scarperia, the exact same style of move the #93 had pulled on him, the Beast was on a charge and his next target was the other half of the Sprint tangle that had sent him into the gravel. Locked on and flying, as Bagnaia crossed the line to take his third Italian GP win in a row as part of his second Mugello double, Bastianini was homing in. Into the very final corner the Ducati Lenovo Team rider found space on the inside to complete the fairtytale 1-2 for the team, and in some serious style as pandemonium erupted in the grandstands. Over the line with time in hand over Martin, Bastianini followed Bagnaia home – and Martin’s lead is cut to just 18 points.

Still, it was another podium finish and a good haul of points, and it was ahead of fellow frontrunner Marc Marquez, who was forced to settle for fourth. Acosta ended up in a lonelier ride for fifth after he’d lost touch with the front group.

Photo : Gianfranco Avallone ©

Photo : Marco Avallone © 

Martin denies Bagnaia by hundredths as Marquez crashes in Q2

 

Saturday, 01 June 2024

The #89 takes pole by 0.043 from the reigning Champion, with Viñales third for Aprilia and Marquez fourth after crashing out of his chance at pole

 Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) set a new lap record to deny Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pole position at the Gran Premio d'Italia Brembo, with the two split by just 0.043 at the top. Bagnaia has a three-place grid penalty for Sunday, but not Saturday, so he'll line up second for the Tissot Sprint. Completing the front row on Aprilia Racing's home turf is Maverick Viñales, with Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) forced to settle for fourth after a crash at Scarperia on what could have been a pole-threatening lap.

Q1: LAP RECORD SMASHED The big names and home heroes were raring to make their mark on Q1. After a flurry of early activity it was Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) leading the way from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46), but the second runs saw it all change again - at first at least. 

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) put in a fast one and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), but a final push from Morbidelli saw the Pramac rider set a new lap record to take back to the top. He moved through along with Raul Fernandez, with Binder left P13 on the grid.

Q2: LAP RECORD SMASHED & #93 CRASH Martin came out swinging in Q2 to set the first real benchmark, 0.043 ahead of Bagnaia, but the #1 was looking to hit back quickly. Up in the first sector, absolutely equal to Martin with +0.000 in the second and then just over  tenth up in the third, it looked like he was on course to take over but over the line, it was just 0.068s off, leaving his previous effort as his best.

Next to try and look for an answer was Marc Marquez. The #93 was setting red sectors before it then suddenly all came apart and the front folded – leaving him fourth on the grid at best.

The final serious attack came from Viñales. The Aprilia was up right round the lap until the final sector, then just coming up short and unable to challenge Bagnaia and Martin. Bagnaia couldn't find another challenge for the #89 either, with a lap gone for yellow flags too. Martin, gearing up for a final push, then encountered Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) at San Donato after the #73 had shot past him on the straight, and that was that. Still, for the Championship leader, the job was already done – and with a new lap record to boot.

THE GRID(S) Martin takes pole as he looks to spoil the home turf party for his rivals but make it even better for his Prima Pramac Racing team, with Bagnaia second on the grid for the Sprint but then set to take that three-place penalty on Sunday, dropping him to fifth on the grid. That changes the grids for a few riders. On Saturday it's Martin, Bagnaia, Viñales, Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) in that order in the top five, but on Sunday it will be Martin, Viñales, Marc Marquez, Bastianini and then Bagnaia in P5. All of them broke the old lap record in Q2.

Behind them comes Q1 record setter Morbidelli as he completes Row 2 in P6, the first of those unaffected by the Bagnaia penalty. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) is next up as the superstar rookie takes P7, but that's one record now out of reach as he loses the chance to take the record of youngest ever premier class polesitter from Quartararo.

Alex Marquez improved on the lap he was starting when just ahead of Martin, taking P8, ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). The Trackhouse duo complete the Q2 runners, with Miguel Oliveira 0.081 off Rins and Raul Fernandez the exact same 0.081 off Oliveira. 

Binder starts P13 ahead of Diggia, with the two joined on that row by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) in 15th. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is at the head of Row 6 as a tougher season continues on home turf so far.

The stage is set for a stunning set of showdowns at the Gran Premio d'Italia Brembo, with the reining Champion and winner of the last two at Mugello starting from two different grid positions after that – in his words – "clown penalty". Join us for both from the stunning Tuscan venue!

Photo: Gianfranco Avallone @

Photo: Marco Avallone ©

MotoGp 2023, Bagnaia vince il Gp d’Italia. Al Mugello podio tutto Ducati.

Il pilota italiano domina la gara, sesto appuntamento del Motomondiale 2023. Dietro di lui si piazzano lo spagnolo Jorge Martin e il francese Johann Zarco. Quarto Luca Marini. Ritiro per Marc Marquez, che è caduto durante il sesto giro. Nella classifica generale Bagnaia è sempre in testa e ha un vantaggio di 21 punti su Marco Bezzecchi. “È stato un weekend perfetto", ha commentato il campione del mondo in carica

Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, su Ducati ufficiale, vince il Gran premio d'Italia classe Motogp, sesto appuntamento del Motomondiale 2023. Al Mugello il podio è tutto Ducati: dietro all’italiano si piazzano lo spagnolo Jorge Martin e il francese Johann Zarco (Pramac). Quarto posto per un altro pilota della casa di Borgo Panigale, Luca Marini (VR46). Ritiro per Marc Marquez (Honda), che è caduto durante il sesto giro. Nella classifica generale Bagnaia è sempre in testa, a quota 131, e ha un vantaggio di 21 punti su Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati VR46, oggi ottavo).

Bagnaia domina il Gp d’Italia Bagnaia ha comandato durante tutto il weekend al Mugello: ha dominato le prove libere, conquistato la pole position con annesso nuovo giro record della pista, vinto la sprint race del sabato, trionfato nella gara mantenendo la testa della corsa dalla prima all’ultima curva. Il pilota italiano aveva vinto il Gp d’Italia anche nel 2022. “È stato un weekend perfetto", ha commentato Bagnaia, campione del mondo in carica e leader del Mondiale 2023. "Non mi aspettavo una gara così: ero sicuro che la gomma posteriore media sarebbe stata più costante, invece negli ultimi giri era totalmente distrutta. Ma sono molto contento del lavoro enorme che è stato fatto. Ora pensiamo alla settimana prossima al Sachsenring. Ma prima godiamoci questo momento, è uno dei migliori della mia vita", ha aggiunto.

L’ordine d’arrivo al Mugello 

Dietro a Bagnaia, al Mugello si sono piazzati Jorge Martin e Johann Zarco. Quarto posto per Luca Marini. Poi Brad Binder (Ktm), Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), Jack Miller (Ktm) e Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati). A completare la top ten, l’altro ducatista Enea Bastianini e Franco Morbidelli su Yamaha. Marc Marquez (Honda) fuori a causa di una scivolata alla curva Bucine nel corso del sesto giro. Caduta e ritiro anche per il fratello Alex (Ducati). Non ha preso parte alla gara Alex Rins: il pilota Honda Lrc è caduto ieri alla curva Arrabbiata 1 durante il secondo giro della gara sprint e ha riportato la frattura di tibia e perone.

Mugello 2019 - Moto GP Race - Vince Petrucci

Strepitosa gara al Mugello: prima vittoria in carriera per Danilo Petrucci in MotoGP dopo una battaglia a tre con Marquez (alla fine secondo) e Dovizioso (3°). Ritirato Valentino Rossi che cade durante l'ottavo giro all'Arrabbiata 2. Fuori anche Bagnaia. In classifica Marquez ha 115 punti: 12 di vantaggio su Dovizioso, 27 su Rins, 33 su Petrucci, 43 su Rossi

L'attesa è stata lunga - 124 gare - ma alla fine ne è valsa la pena. Danilo Petrucci è l'eroe del Mugello. Salire sul gradino più alto del podio per la prima volta nel Gran Premio di casa è meraviglioso. Una vittoria così emozionante che è impossibile trattenere le lacrime dopo la bandiera a scacchi. Il sorpasso decisivo è stato una manovra calibrata alla perfezione, che lo colloca - senza più alcun dubbio - tra i migliori piloti in griglia. Alle sue spalle Marc Marquez con una Honda costruita intorno a lui.

Botta e risposta Marquez-Lorenzo

Tema quest'ultimo che ha suscitato non poche polemiche, non tanto per Lorenzo che ha detto di voler avere una Honda non guidabile solo da Marquez, quanto per la risposta arrivata proprio da Marquez nel post gara. Intanto Lorenzo è atteso in Giappone alla Honda per trovare una soluzione tecnica che si addica di più al suo stile. Terzo gradino del podio per Andrea Dovizioso, che da un lato si è goduto il podio del Mugello, unico, dall'altro sperava in qualcosa di più. Perchè adesso in campionato sono 12 i punti che lo separano da Marquez.

Rossi fuori in anticipo 

Disastro Yamaha: Valentino Rossi ha sofferto dal venerdì alla domenica, quando, scattato dalla 18esima casella, si è ritrovato dopo pochi giri nella ghiaia per un contatto con la Suzuki di Mir. Cose che capitano quando parti dalle retrovie. Il problema, ha detto il Dottore, è stato non trovare il giro perfetto nelle FP3 quando, infatti, è andato lungo all'ultima curva. Certo è che alla M1 manca potenza e in generale sembra mlto distante dalle più performanti Honda e Ducati.

L'ordine di arrivo

1 Danilo PETRUCCI 41'33.794
2 Marc MARQUEZ +0.043
3 Andrea DOVIZIOSO +0.338
4 Alex RINS +0.535
5 Takaaki NAKAGAMI 6.535
6 Maverick VINALES 7.481
7 Michele PIRRO 13.288
8 Cal CRUTCHLOW 13.937
9 Pol ESPARGARO' 16.533
10 Fabio QUARTARARO 17.994
11 Aleix ESPARGARO' 20.523
12 Joan MIR 20.544
13 Jorge LORENZO 20.813
14 Karel ABRAHAM 27.298
15 Andrea IANNONE 28.051
16 Miguel OLIVEIRA 30.101
17 Johann ZARCO 41.857
Non classificati

Jack MILLER 8 Giri
Francesco BAGNAIA 12 Giri
Hafizh SYAHRIN 14 Giri
Valentino ROSSI 16 Giri
Franco MORBIDELLI 18 Giri

Mugello 2019 - Moto GP - Marquez conquista la Pole Position

Marquez conquista la pole al Mugello in 1:45.519. Secondo tempo per Quartararo davanti a Petrucci. Dovizioso, "disturbato" da Marc nelle qualifiche, partirà 9°. Rossi scatterà dalla 18^ casella. In Moto2 pole di Schrotter, in Moto3 il più veloce è Arbolino

Sfrontato o solo molto intelligente? Il giudizio è soggettivo, certo è che la strategia di Marc Marquez nella seconda parte delle qualifiche del Mugello è stata letale per tutti gli altri top rider. Lo spagnolo ha conquistato la 56esima pole in motoGP, Dovizioso è stato il primo a rimetterci con Marquez che inizialmente lo ha rallentato mettendo anche un po' di pressione e poi ha sfruttato la scia della Ducati per fare il giro della pole. In casa Ducati non hanno gradito: parole dure, come la rimonta che dalla nona casella dovrà affrontare Andrea Dovizioso in gara. Una qualifica che dall'altro lato del box, alla Ducati, ha però regalato anche delle soddisfazioni con Petrucci che scatterà dalla prima fila dietro al rookie della Yamaha Petronas Quartararo. Le Yamaha ufficiali restano indietro con Vinales e Rossi che scatteranno rispettivamente dalla settima e dalla 18esima casella. Una delusione per il Dottore, che ha ancora il warmp up per riuscire a trovare una quadra, scegliere le gomme giuste e preparare una rimonta come solo lui sa fare.

Fossano - 38° Motoraduno di Primavera - Super Sic #58

Ci sarà anche la mostra fotografica Super Sic #58 Oltre il Limite tra i protagonisti della 38° edizione del Motoraduno di Primavera a Fossano in programma sabato 23 e domenica 24 marzo. Raduno Nazionale fra i più importanti della Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, l'evento è organizzato dal Motoclub Fossano e offrirà ai visitatori anche la possibilità di ascese in mongolfiera per il gemellaggio tra Fossano e la città di Mondovì, Città delle Mongolfiere. All'interno del  ricco programma della Monifestazione esporrò nel castello della cittadina cuneese la mia mostra ftografica "Super Sic #58 - Oltre il Limite" dedicata a Marco Simoncelli e realizzata in una sorta di collaborazione con la Fondazione Marco Simoncelli Onlus. La mostra è un'omaggio al grande Campione dello sport e alla sua immensa simpatia, è sempre un'emozione rispolverare ed esporre le foto in cui Marco sbalordiva tutti in sella ai suoi bolidi ed incontrare i suoi splenditi genitori Paolo e Rossella.

Motogp Mugello 2018, trionfa Lorenzo.

Mugello (Firenze), 3 giugno 2018 - Festa Ducati al Mugello. Jorge Lorenzo trionfa nel Gp d'Italia 2018, sesto appuntamento del mondiale di Motogp (rivivi qui la gara giro per giro). Un dominio, quello dello spagnolo, dal primo all'ultimo giro: alle sue spalle il compagno di scuderia Andrea Dovizioso, terzo Valentino Rossi che era partito in pole position sulla griglia di partenza. Quarto Andrea Iannone su Suzuki, davanti al compagno di squadra Rins, poi Crutchlow e Petrucci. Ottavo lo spagnolo Maverick Vinales, chiudono la top ten l'altro spagnolo Alvaro Bautista su Ducati e il francese Johann Zarco su Yamaha. Cade sulla ghiaia al quarto giro Marc Maquez, dopo esserearrivato lungo alla staccata della curva Correntaio. Riparte, ma chiude in sedicesima posizione, fuori dalla zona punti. Il campione del mondo - protagonista di un contatto al limite al primo giro con Petrucci - vede riavvicinarsi pericolosamente gli avversari in classifica piloti. Marquez guida con 95 punti, Rossi sale in seconda posizione a 72, terzo Vinales a 67, quarto Dovizioso a 66, poi Zarco a 64. Entra nella top ten della generale Lorenzo, decimo a 41 punti.

LE VOCI A CALDO - Jorge Lorenzo in lacrime al termine della gara "Vincere qui con Ducati è come un sogno. Non ho mai mollato, annche se ho vissuto momenti duri. Ho sempre pensato che avrei potuto vincere con questa moto. Ci voleva tempo, è un peccato che la scuderia non mi abbia dato questo nuovo serbatoio prima, sono sicuro che la vittoria sarebbe già arrivata". E' possibile una permanenza in Ducati? "Troppo tardi, fra 7 giorni vi dirò dove vado". Rossi: "Sono contento, sapevamo che con la gomma dura avremmo fatto fatica. Volevo salire sul podio, ho centrato il mio obiettivo". E ancora: "Finire qui fra i primi tre è veramente speciale, vale la pena correre tutto l'anno per salire sul podio del Mugello". Dovizioso: "Weekend difficile, andiamo a casa con 20 punti e sono contento. Non sono felice al 100% perché abbiamo montato la gomma dura all'anteriore, come Valentino. Forse è stata una scelta sbagliata".

Motogp Mugello 2018, Valentino Rossi in pole

Mugello (Firenze), 2 giugno 2018 - Valentino Rossi in pole position al Mugello. Il pilota della Yamaha partirà davanti a tutti sulla griglia di partenza, dopo aver fatto segnare il miglior tempo in 1'46"208 nelle qualifiche, record della pista. Per il Dottore è la 65esima pole in carriera, la prima da Motegi 2016 e la settima al Mugello. Tripudio sul circuito toscano, con migliaia di tifosi in festa e bandiere gialle col numero 46 al vento. Alle spalle di Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo e Maverick Vinales, staccati rispettivamente di soli 35 e 96 millesimi, che partiranno dalla prima fila. Poi Andrea Iannone, dominatore delle prove libere, quarto davanti a Danilo Petrucci e Marc Marquez, solo sesto. Settimo Andrea Dovizioso. Completano la top ten Cal Crutchlow, ottavo, Johann Zarco, nono, e Alex Rins, decimo. Domenica il Gran Premio d'Italia, sesto appuntamento stagionale in Motogp

"Sono contentissimo, è una sorpresa", Valentino si gode, dopo quasi due anni, il ritorno in pole, con un gusto particolare perché arriva nel 'suo' circuito, con tanto di record della pista. Il Dottore, 39 anni, al termine delle qualifiche del Mugello confessa: "Nelle ultime libere abbiamo provato le gomme più dure, da gara, ma rimettendo le morbide la moto si guidava bene, con un buon bilanciamento. Già nel primo giro ero veloce, poi ho visto 1'46"2... Una grande emozione, mi sono goduto il pubblico, tutto il tifo. Domani sarà un po' più dura ma mi godo il momento".

Il compagno di team Maverick Vinales, terzo dietro Lorenzo: "Questa mattina abbiamo sbagliato direzione, abbiamo cercato di avere una moto più aggressiva, più veloce nel cambio di direzione ma mi davano mezzo secondo nel terzo settore. Siamo migliorati e domani possiamo fare una bella gara".

Sorridente Jorge Lorenzo che ha spinto la sua Ducati alle spalle del Dottore: "Sono molto contento, finalmente un po' di soddisfazione. Aspettiamo domani per fare una bella gara". Lo spagnolo ha spiegato la svolta: "Ieri mi sono trovato con quel pneumatico che non era buono e ho fatto decimo. Oggi sono andato più forte, la modifica del serbatoio mi fa avere più supporto nel centrocurva e avere un passo più costante".

Moto GP 2017: Dovizioso takes magnifcent win at Mugello

Ride of his life: Dovizioso takes magni cent win at Mugello

Mugello may never sleep, but that didn't prevent a dream Italian GP for the Borgo Panigale factory rider

Italian rider, Italian bike, Italian GP…and the tricolore ew high over the podium at Mugello, as Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso took a magni cent win battling rivals on track and illness o it to cross the line over a second clear of Maverick Viñales(Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and an impressive home podium for second Italian Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing).
Home hero Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) shot o the line for the lead from P2 on the grid, denying teammate and polesitter Viñales as Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) stormed up from seventh to ght o Dovizioso for third.
With the leaders in-line, over the line saw Lorenzo use the incredible speed of the Ducati to take the lead for the rst time in red, dueling with old nemesis Rossi before the Italian took him back – and the next lap proved almost a replay as two of the
men to have dominated the sport this decade found themselves sharing the front of the race for the rst time this season.
Then it was ‘DesmoDovi’ on the move past his teammate after Viñales had gone through on Rossi, the Championship leader taking the ‘Doctor’ as the trio began to break away from Lorenzo - with Petrucci on the chase.
Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had an incredible start from P16 after having su ered with illness throughout the weekend, moving up into seventh, as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) su ered a di erent fate and got a ride through for a jump start.
Petrucci caught the group before too long as Dovizioso took over at the front, and the Pramac rider then pounced on Viñales after a small mistake to follow ‘DesmoDovi’. Then it was holding station as the gaps grew and then shrunk, before the factory
Ducati in the lead gained a small gap - and every member of the Borgo Panigale team held their breath as Viñales took over in second, only a few laps remaining and the Championship leader with his head down. Closing in and then falling back, the pendulum swung between the two men until the last lap dawned – and ‘DesmoDovi’ kept it inch-perfect around every corner to take his third ever Grand Prix victory, and the rst for a red machine at Mugello
since Casey Stoner won in 2009.
Viñales took second to increase his Championship lead once again, with Petrucci putting in the dry-weather ride of his life to complete the podium after staying clear of Rossi over the last couple of laps. The ‘Doctor’, who su ered a motocross crash in training the week before the event, pushed hard through the pain barrier at home and just missed the podium but took good points – as always, putting on a great show.
Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) took a big scalp as he caught and passed reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to complete the top ve, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) coming home in P7 behind Marquez.
Lorenzo, after his early duel for the lead, su ered grip issues later in the race and crossed the line in eighth, beating Ducati test rider Michele Pirro over the line. Iannone’s heroics following his illness saw him complete the top ten at home.
The late drama a little further o the front saw a tough day for Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) conclude in a crash as the ‘Baby Samurai’ slid out, unfortunately collecting LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow on the nal lap.
Tito Rabat (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) took P11, with the top fteen completed by Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing), Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).
Now the paddock packs up and heads for Barcelona, as the Catalan GP turns the home tables for many on the grid – sure to result in another spectacular, spectacular.

MotoGP Race Results

1 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA - Ducati) 41'32.126

2 - Maverick Viñales (SPA - Yamaha) +1.281

1st Independent Team Rider:

Pos 3 - Danilo Petrucci (ITA - Ducati) +2.334

MotoGP Mugello 2017: tutte le moto di Hayden in esposizione!

Questo fine settimana andrà in scena il Gran Premio d'Italia del Motomondiale, previsto sul tracciato toscano del Mugello. A più di una settimana dalla morte di Nicky Hayden la MotoGP ha preparato una bella iniziativa proprio per la gara italiana, con l'intento di ricordare nel migliore dei modi il 35enne campione del mondo 2006 della classe regina delle due ruote. Honda, Ducati e Aspar porteranno le moto usate da Nicky nell'arco della sua carriera nella MotoGP e saranno esposte sul tracciato italiano il prossimo fine settimana. Oltre alle 1000 di MotoGP, saranno esposte anche le due Honda utilizzate da "Kentucky Kid" in World Superbike nel corso delle ultime due stagioni, dunque la CBR1000RR SP Fireblade e la nuova CBR1000RR SP2 Fireblade con cui ha corso sino all'appuntamento di Imola, svolto poco prima del fatale incidente mentre si allenava in bicicletta nei pressi dell'Autodromo Marco Simoncelli di Misano Adriatico. Ricordiamo che Hayden ha perso la vita il 22 maggio in seguito alle gravi lesioni al cervello riportate nell'incidente avvenuto il 17 maggio, quando è stato investito da un automobilista all'incrocio tra via Ca' Raffaelli e via Tavoleto riportando gravissime conseguenze al cervello (ma anche altre ferite a livello osseo). La salma di Hayden è stata rimpatriata nel fine della settimana scorsa tramite un volo privato organizzato dalla famiglia e il funerale del campione sarà celebrato il 29 maggio alle ore 19:00 italiane nella città natale di Nicky, Owensboro. 

MotoGp 2017: Vinales davanti a Rossi, doppietta Yamaha in Argentina

Maverick Vinales, dopo aver vinto in Qatar, si conferma in Argentina ed è già in fuga nella classifica del mondiale MotoGp. Sul podio di Termas de Rio Hondo è salito anche l'eterno Valentino Rossi. A 38 anni il campione pesarese ha festeggiato la gara numero 350 in carriera, con il 223/o piazzamento tra i migliori. Ancora una volta il Dottore si è trasformato in gara, riemergendo dalle difficoltà che lo avevano appesantito durante le qualifiche di venerdì e sabato. E' così arrivata la doppietta Yamaha nel giorno della debacle dei team ufficiali di Honda e Ducati. Terzo il britannico Cal Crutchlow, con la LCR Honda, dopo un bel corpo a corpo con Rossi che lo ha scavalcato quando mancavano sei giri al traguardo.

Gara da dimenticare per molti 'big', a cominciare da Marc Marquez. Il campione del mondo in carica - partito dalla pole - ha subito ha cercato di scappare. Ma al quarto giro ha improvvisamente perso l'anteriore, finendo irrimediabilmente in terra. Senza capire perché: "Mi sentivo a mio agio, andava tutto bene. Devo aver fatto un errore, voltiamo pagina". Ancora peggio era andata a Jorge Lorenzo, caduto con la Ducati alla prima curva, dopo un contatto con il posteriore della Suzuki di Andrea Iannone (16/o all'arrivo, causa una penalità per partenza anticipata). Cose che succedono quando si parte nelle retrovie e si resta imbottigliati nel traffico. Sorte non migliore è toccata a Dani Pedrosa, con la seconda Honda ufficiale. Anche lui tradito dall'anteriore al 13/o giro, mentre era quarto e stava recuperando sui primi. Ma il premio della sfortuna se l'è aggiudicato ancora Andrea Dovizioso, 'falciato' dall'Aprilia di Aleix Espargaro. Il pilota di Forlinpopoli aveva concluso la gara nello stesso modo in Argentina l'anno scorso, 'abbattuto' dall'irruenza dell'allora compagno di team, Iannone.

Super Sic 58 "Oltre il Limite" a Cuneo fino al 1° maggio 2017

Sabato 8 aprile alle 16, a Palazzo Samone, l'associazione Cuneofotografia presenta Oltre il limite, la mostra fotografica dedicata al compianto fuoriclasse Super Sic 58, ovvero Marco Simoncelli, Campione Europeo Classe 125 nel 2002, Campione del Mondo Classe 250 nel 2008 e dal 2010 pilota della MotoGP in Honda nel team di Fausto Gresini.

La mostra è una affascinante galleria di immagini di gara immortalate da Gianfranco Avallone, fotografo sportivo professionista e grande appassionato di motori che dal 2000 segue il mondo delle corse a tutto tondo.

Gli scatti di questa antologia, in vario formato dal 50×70 al 100×70 cm, sono una selezione dei moltissimi che Avallone ha raccolto seguendo il pilota Marco Simoncelli nel Mondiale 250, nella MotoGP, durante il Rally di Monza Show e la Superbike.

Velocità, brivido, passione sono il fil-rouge di questo percorso espositivo davvero emozionante nel quale l’autore è riuscito a trasferire la forza e il virtuosismo del gesto tecnico di Simoncelli in sella alla moto, l’intensità del suo sguardo nella concentrazione pre-gara e la freschezza della gioia di Sic per i risultati ottenuti. La mostra è già stata esposta in diverse Gallerie d’Arte contemporanea; tra queste nel 2014 quella del Mirafiori Motor Village a Torino nel cuore della FIAT, visitata da oltre 20.000 persone e dal papà e la mamma del Sic, Paolo e Rossella Simoncelli, e nel 2015 al Mugello, in occasione del Motomondiale “Gran Premio di Moto Gp”.

Alcuni tra gli scatti esposti sono stati scelti da Nikon e da una giuria tecnica della Dorna e Piloti ed esposte nel 2016 agli International Photo Awards in occasione del “Gran Premio di Misano” .

Oltre il limite | Mostra

Palazzo Samone, via Amedeo Rossi 4, Cuneo 

8 aprile - 1 maggio

Inaugurazione: sabato 8 aprile alle 16

Aperture:

Martedì’, mercoledì’, giovedì’ dalle 17 alle 19

Venerdì’, sabato, domenica e festivi dalle 16 alle 19

Ingresso libero

Per informazioni:

Associazione CuneoFotografia 349 1338752

Moto Gp Mugello 2016 - Valentino Rossi may have been unable to score, but the fans in Mugello were treated to a do or die duel between Lorenzo and Marquez.

Valentino Rossi may have been unable to score, but the fans in Mugello were treated to a do or die duel between Lorenzo and Marquez. For the first time since 2008, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) lined up for the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM in pole. The last time he started from pole in Mugello he won, having not returned to the top step of the podium since 2008. Over 100,000 people lined the hillside stands of Mugello to see if ‘The Doctor’ could win once more. But it wasn’t going to be easy with Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) right alongside him on the front row. Riders filtered through clouds of yellow smoke on their warm up lap, getting a final pre-race taste of what the Mugello circuit was like. There was little time to think as the lights went out, Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) making an incredible start to lead into Turn 1 from fifth on the grid. It was a disastrous start for Viñales who dropped down to 11th. Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS), Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Loris Baz (Avintia Racing) all came together at the first corner and fell. The trio retired from the race, Baz heading to the medical center for checks. The French rider was diagnosed with a fracture of the third metatarsal and will undergo surgery in Switzerland. Every lap Rossi attempted to pass Lorenzo into Turn 1, but Lorenzo remained in charge thanks to his incredible performance under braking. Their battle had allowed Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to close down the Yamaha pair, the trio separated by under half a second. Lorenzo closed every door that Rossi tried to open, defending at every corner. Further down the field Iannone and Viñales recovered from their poor starts as they blasted past Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) down the end of the straight to move into seventh and eighth. On lap eight Mugello fell silent as Rossi encountered a technical problem. The Italian dropped down to ninth and continued to drop back, his race over. His head hung low as he pulled off to the side of the track and returned to the pits on a scooter. The fans were silent as their hero trudged into the pits, hardly lifting his visor. Soon after Redding also retired from the race due to a technical issue. Rossi may have retired but the race was by no means over, Marquez right behind Lorenzo as they crossed mid-race distance. Their battle wasn’t the only one, as Iannone’s comeback from a poor start continued, finding himself behind his teammate and battling for third. Iannone would eventually gain the upper hand, moving to third on the 17th lap but Dovizioso responded soon after, all the while Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) closed in. A mistake from Dovizioso ended his chances of a podium. On lap 20 Marquez launched his first attack but ran wide, Lorenzo hanging onto the lead. The attacks didn’t stop and Marquez passed Lorenzo at the start of the final lap but Lorenzo responded again. Marquez looked to have the race won as they exited the final corner but his front wheel lifted ever so slightly, Lorenzo able to grab an incredible photo finish victory. 0.019s is all that separated them across the line, the closest finish of the year. Pedrosa and Iannone’s battle also went down to the final lap with Iannone able to win out by 0.168s and return to the podium once again. Seventh place saw Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) finish as the top Independent Team rider. Lorenzo leaves Mugello with a ten point lead over Marc Marquez in the World Championship standings, Rossi holding onto third overall but now 37 points behind his teammate. During the race Andrea Iannone hit 354.9km/h, setting a new top speed record in the MotoGP™ World Championship. Full race results can be seen here.

Moto Gp Mugello 2016 - The hills of Mugello exploded as Valentino Rossi took pole position for the Italian GP

The hills of Mugello exploded as Valentino Rossi took pole position for the Italian GP, holding off Viñales and Iannone in a gripping session. The last eight races have seen the pole setter go on to take victory, the stat looming in the back of all the MotoGP™ riders’ minds as they headed out for Q2. Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) was the man of the moment having topped both Free Practice 3 and 4, the Italian immediately sliding in behind Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) for a tow. He was straight into the 1’46s with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also getting under the 1’47s barrier immediately. Iannone remained locked to Lorenzo and improved to a 1’46.607 but the times were just starting to drop. Seemingly out of nowhere Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) produced a 1’46.504 and moved into provisional pole. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy but there were still hot laps to come. Both Marquez and Viñales were rapid in their final runs but neither could best ‘The Doctor’. For the first time since 2008, Rossi will line up on pole position in Mugello. 2008 was the last time he won at the Italian track and with the winner of the last eight races coming from pole, it certainly seems like the planets are aligning for Rossi. For the first time since 2009, Rossi has managed two poles in a single season. Right with Rossi for most of his laps was Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar), the future teammates each taking turns to lead and follow, to teach and learn. The lessons clearly paid off for Viñales as the Spaniard set a 1’46.598 to end 0.094 behind Rossi and begin Sunday's race in second. Viñales continues to ride a wave of confidence after taking his first MotoGP™ World Championship podium and securing his future for the next two years. This is just Viñales’ third front row start since joining the class in 2015. Favourite before the session, Iannone was unable to quite deliver on his potential as he was only able to take third position. A front row still puts him in prime position to battle for victory, he and Rossi having shown incredible race pace in Free Practice 4. Returning Ducati to the top step of the podium in Mugello would be a dream come true for both Iannone and Ducati. There were four different bikes in the top four as Marquez set a 1’46.759 to lock down fourth and head the second row of the grid for the race. Marquez’s fastest lap was hindered somewhat but a small mistake towards the end. For the first time since the Catalan GP back in 2015, Marquez will start off the front row of the grid. Before the weekend had even started, everyone was expecting Jorge Lorenzo to fly in Mugello. But the Majorcan has so far had a quiet weekend, rarely able to challenge for the top spot during practice. For the first time in 2016 he will start off the front row, fifth his worst grid position in 16 races. All of the top five were able to produce 1’46s in Q2. Lorenzo swapped front tyres just before his final run on track, an uncommon sight in Q2. Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) and Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) completed the top ten. As is becoming increasingly common, under a second divided all of the top 12 riders in the Q2 session. Everything is in place for a legendary Italian GP on Sunday. Could Rossi break Spain's domination of his home track and claw back even more championship points? Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) did not participate in the session and will not race after breaking his left collarbone in FP3. Racing begins at 14:00 Local Time on Sunday with the premier class first hitting the track at 09:40 for 20 minutes of Warm Up.

Mugello Moto Gp - Iannone, Lorenzo and Pirro ending Friday as the three quickest riders.

With only 14 riders having set times in Free Practice 1, the second session of the day was actually the first time on track at Mugello for several riders. The start of the Gran Premio d'Italia TIM had been hit by rain, but there were no such issues in Free Practice 2. Yonny Hernandez (Aspar Team MotoGP) had been the fastest rider in FP1 but his 1’54.199 was quickly demolished.  All the MotoGP™ World Championship riders were able to improve their times considerably in the session. Quickest of them all was Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) who set a 1’47.696 to end 0.461s ahead of second place. He might be off to Team Suzuki Ecstar in 2017, but Ducati and Iannone still have business to finish in 2016. Mugello in 2015 was the scene of Iannone’s first MotoGP™ World Championship pole position and he could easily achieve a second premier class pole if his form continues.  Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was immediately up to speed after sitting out Free Practice 1. He set a 1’48.157 to edge within half a second of Iannone. Lorenzo once again tried a new version of his helmet with an extended rear section.  Wildcard Michele Pirro (Ducati Team) was again up towards the sharp end, ending as the third fastest rider of the day. A slipstream behind Lorenzo assisted his time, but Pirro often produces his best results in front of the hoards of Italians who fill the hills of Mugello.  Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) concluded Friday as the fourth fastest rider, just over a tenth off Jorge Lorenzo. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was the leading Honda in fifth. Starting somewhat down the order is not unusual for Marquez who has often struggled at the circuit, having won just once in the premier class.  The distance from second to sixth was nail bitingly close, never more than a tenth of a second splitting two riders. 0.644s off Iannone’s time, but only two tenths from second, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) started his home round well and is already up to speed with his rivals.  Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) were all inside the top ten. Despite Iannone’s considerable lead, they all managed to end within a second of his time.  Having just announced his contract extension with Honda, Dani Pedrosa’s (Repsol Honda Team) weekend got off to a less than ideal start as he finished 11th. The Italian GP is also Pedrosa's 250th Grand Prix start, the Spaniard aiming to celebrate the achievement with a bang. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) also had a rough start to the weekend with the 13th fastest time. Fortunately conditions are looking good for Saturday and Sunday, giving both a chance to improve.  Mugello will again be filled with the terrific sound of the 1000cc MotoGP™ bikes at 09:55 Local Time when Free Practice 3 begins.

Moto GP : Rossi rocks Jerez

The Gran Premio Red Bull de España saw Valentino Rossi lead from start to finish, winning from Lorenzo and Marquez with ease.   All weekend the leading three were in a league of their own. Rossi, Lorenzo and Marquez had filled the top three spots of almost every practice session and lined up next to each other on the front row of the grid. The three biggest names in MotoGP™ were alongside each other once more and everything in practice had indicated that there was almost nothing to choose between them. As is typical of the Spanish GP, the grid was packed with mechanics, guests and officials but the riders did their best to block it out and run through their race plans.  With all three on the same hard front and medium rear tyres, managing tyre life could very well decide the race but those concerns would come later. The sun beat down on the grid and getting into, and out of, Turn 1 quickly and safety was all any of the MotoGP™ riders were worrying about. Races can’t be won in the first corner, but they can certainly be lost. Right hands gripped throttles; riders leaned forward and tensed as the lights came on. Off the lights went, the crowd erupting into applause and cheers as Valentino Rossi made a great start to lead into Turn 1. But he wasn’t alone Jorge Lorenzo right behind with Repsol Honda Team duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa within touching distance.  Perhaps the best start of the race was from Pedrosa who quickly put his RC213V into third midway through the first lap. Across the line they went as the second lap began as the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP pair stretched their lead. Marquez attacked Pedrosa into Turn 6, running wide as his line was blocked. Through Turn 9 Lorenzo launched a similar attack on Rossi, the Italian holding off his teammate as the Hondas clawed back the gap with Marquez now in third.  Fans were transfixed on the leading four, few noticing the incredible start of Eugene Laverty (Aspar Team MotoGP) who was in eighth as the third lap began and the leading Independent Team rider. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) chased Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) for fifth with Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the tail of his Ducati. Dovizioso’s teammate, Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) was having a terrible race, dropping like a stone down to 14th in the opening laps.  All of the leaders lapped in the mid 1’40s, Rossi trying to escape as Marquez looked for a way through on Lorenzo. His lead would soon be over half a second, Rossi upped his pace lap after lap and drew out hundredths of a second at each corner. Before long the gap was at a second, Valentino Rossi seemingly doing as his teammate had done so many times before and breaking the field early in the race. No matter what Lorenzo did he was unable to close in on Rossi nor shake off Marquez.  Disaster struck for Dovizioso on the tenth lap as yet again, through no fault of his own, his race came to an end. The factory Ducati rider was forced to sit up as his Desmosedici GP encountered a terminal issue, forcing him to ride back into the pits and once again make the long walk across the garage to spectate the race.  Rossi and his team had focused on race setting throughout the weekend, ‘The Doctor’s’ work paying off as the gap soon grew to over two seconds as no one was able to match his lap times. Behind him Lorenzo had his hands full fending off Marquez, the Repsol Honda rider not quite close enough to attack but able to apply ample pressure.  Overtakes were scarce at the front but the battle for seventh place produced some thrilling racing, Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) leading the group ahead of Laverty. Just behind them Andrea Iannone and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) pushed each other hard for 10th position, not what either rider wanted before the race. In front, Pedrosa had Aleix Espargaro to contend with, Pedrosa working hard to hold off the Suzuki man. Since his fifth in Austin, Espargaro has been in some of the best form of his career after a setup breakthrough.  With over half race distance gone, Lorenzo broke Marquez and opened up a one second lead on his fellow Spaniard. Marquez had chosen to run winglets on his Honda, which assisted with keeping the front end down but also ran the risk of overheating the front tyre over the race. With ten laps to go, Lorenzo hadn’t just broken Marquez but he also began to close in on Rossi. A gap that was once three seconds quickly dropped to two and that gap continued to fall by a couple of tenths a lap, would it be enough with eight laps remaining?  His chances of victory would fade as Rossi responded to Lorenzo’s increased pace and once again dropped into the low 1’41s. The gap would grow to over three seconds, Lorenzo unable to push any harder and settling to take valuable championship points. Marquez also continued to drop back, his chances of a home victory long gone as he found himself over five second behind Lorenzo.  After a terrible start to the race, Iannone set about making up for lost time and quickly got past Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and ran away with seventh place. This would be one of the last battles of the race as the field stretched out, only a handful of riders within a second of each other.  For the 113th time in his career and the 87th time in the premier class, Valentino Rossi pulled a wheelie across the line to celebrate victory. After the disappointment of Austin, the result is exactly what ‘The Doctor’ needed. Behind him Jorge Lorenzo took his 100th premier class podium finish and Marquez was able to keep the lead of the Championship, his lead reduced slightly to 17 points.  Pedrosa withstood Espargaro’s challenge to end in fourth ahead of the Spaniard.  Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team), Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Eugene Laverty (Aspar Team MotoGP) and Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing) completed the top ten.  Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) crashed out of the race at Turn 11 after battling with Cal Crutchlow in the opening stages.  The Monster Energy Grand Prix de France will seem them do it all again for round five of the 2016 World Championship.

MotoGP™ Race Results 

1 - Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA 45'28.834 

2 - Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) YAMAHA +2.386 

3 - Marc Marquez    (SPA)    HONDA    +7.087  

1st Independent Team Rider 

8- Pol Espargaró (SPA)   YAMAHA + 30.750

Moto GP - Magic Marquez remains calm in dramatic MotoGP race

A faultless flag-to-flag race by Marc Marquez saw him dominate the Argentina GP, running away with victory from Rossi and Pedrosa.   Issues with the rear tyre of Scott Redding’s (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) Ducati during Free Practice 4 on Saturday saw a raft of changes brought in. Michelin and Race Direction were unsure about the safety of rear tyres brought to the Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina, and came to the decision to reduce the race from 25 laps to 20. As Warm Up had been held in wet conditions and the race started dry, riders were required to come in on their ninth, tenth or 11th lap of the race and change to their second bike. There were therefore no concerns about fuel or tyre life, riders able to give it their all on both stints.   Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was the only rider to opt for the harder rear tyre. The entire front row started with hard fronts and medium rears. With dark clouds looming overhead the race got underway, Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) getting the holeshot into Turn 1. Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) got a great start but came into contact with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), forcing them both wide and dropping Pedrosa outside the top ten.   Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) used the power of the Ducati to hit the lead early with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) behind. The factory Ducati would head the field across the line on lap one with Rossi just behind, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) an ever-present threat. Meanwhile, Lorenzo plummeted down the field and soon found himself in sixth.   As the first lap came to a close, Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Aleix Espargaro fell, both able to re-join the race. Carving his way through field, Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) was up to seventh as the second lap began, slotting in behind Lorenzo and then passing him soon after.   The leading trio continually tightened, Valentino Rossi sniffing up the inside of Dovizioso at every chance he got. This opened the door for Marquez, the Spaniard sliding through on both Rossi and Dovizioso to begin lap four in the lead of the race.  Miller’s charge would be unfortunately short lived as the Australian rider fell on lap four at Turn 3. All the while, Marquez pushed ahead and attempted to open a gap, the top three divided evenly by half a second. Dovizioso then found himself with teammate Iannone for company, Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) eagerly waiting to pick up the pieces of the Ducati battle.   Riders frantically glanced at their pit boards as they roared down the straight, their teams doing all they could to keep them up to date with bike change strategy. Lorenzo’s race would get even worse as with 15 laps to go he suffered yet another fall at Turn 1, ending his race. After the perfect weekend in Qatar, few imagined the World Champion would fail to finish in Argentina.   Marquez and Rossi continued to sprint away at the front, Marquez 0.8s ahead with Rossi two and a half second in front of the all-Ducati battle for third. The gap wouldn’t stand as a distinct hint of déjà vu began to appear, Rossi rapidly closing in on Marquez. On lap nine of the race, Rossi took the lead down the back straight but Marquez responded straight away to cut back ahead.   It wasn’t only Marquez who made movements, while eyes were fixed on the leaders, Viñales was able to get ahead of the Ducati factory pair for third. Iannone and Viñales were the first riders to enter the pits on lap nine to change their bikes, Pedrosa, Baz, Barbera, Laverty and Bradl following suit as Marquez and Rossi tussled in the lead. With 11 laps to go, the pair came into the pits, Marquez just ahead as they were both forced to respect the 60km/h limit in pit lane.   Marquez would re-join the race in first position with Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) in second, as he had not yet pitted. With Rabat as a buffer, Marquez pushed as hard as he could to break away from Rossi and opened up a lead of over two seconds. The gap would open to a massive three seconds as the final nine laps of the race began, Viñales two seconds back on Rossi as the Suzuki rider was able to retain third after the bike changes.   As the leading three settled into their rhythm, Redding used the power of the Ducati GP15 to blast past Pedrosa and move into six behind the Ducati factory pair.   Rossi’s pace soon settled in the 1’41s, not fast enough to catch Marquez and ‘The Doctor’ quickly found himself fending off Maverick Viñales. The Ducati factory pair continued to swap positions behind them, all four riders in the fight for second as Marquez’s lead grew with each lap. Rossi was able to up his pace as soon as Viñales was with him, the young up and comer giving as good as he got with the old master.   Redding encountered a technical problem with five laps to go and was forced to retire, the Brit on course for a top six finish.   Viñales came under pressure from Iannone at Turn 1 as the 18th lap of the race began, unfortunately crashing out of the race. This gave Rossi a small amount of breathing room, Iannone over half a second behind his compatriot. But the cushion wouldn’t last for long, Iannone blasting up the inside of Rossi and opening the door for ‘Demso Dovi’ to come up the inside of them both.   The last lap began with Dovizioso in second as Iannone held onto the final step of the podium, Rossi hunting for a way past the powerful Ducati. Every time they ran across a straight the Ducati was able to stretch its legs, Rossi trying all he could on the brakes. Iannone did not defend; instead he began to attack his teammate Dovizioso, the pair crashing out together at Turn 12 after an overly enthusiastic move from Iannone. This pass was seen as overly optimistic by Race Direction and Iannone was handed a three place grid penalty for the race in Austin and a penalty point. Iannone, appealed the decision at the MotoGP Court of Appeal, which will meet within the next 4 following days.    Their incident promoted Rossi to second and saw Dani Pedrosa take a surprise third place finish. Determined to finish, Dovizioso showed true grit and determination to push his Ducati across the line for 13th place.   Just off the podium was Eugene Laverty (Aspar Team MotoGP), the Irish rider ending fourth and as the top Independent Team rider. This is by far Laverty’s best result in MotoGP™, besting Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing) by 0.169s.   Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) secured a solid sixth ahead of Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), who secured Aprilia’s best race result since returning with a factory entry. Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), completed the top ten.   Aleix Espargaro finished 11th after his early fall.   There were also crashes for Yonny Hernandez (Aspar Team MotoGP) and Michele Pirro (Octo Pramac Yakhnich). Both were unharmed and Pirro remounted to finish 12th. Cal Crutchlow and Loris Baz also failed to finish the race.

MotoGP™ Race Results 

1 - Marc Marquez    (SPA)    HONDA    34'13.628 

2 - Valentino Rossi (ITA)    YAMAHA  + 7.679 

3 - Dani Pedrosa    (SPA)    HONDA + 28.100

1st Independent Team Rider 

4 - Eugene Laverty (IRL)   DUCATI    + 1.113