Jorge Lorenzo kept the title race open with victory today at Aragon. This was widely expected as his pace all weekend was incredible. As I pointed out in my post this morning ~ MotoGP warm up~ I felt Marc Marquez was the man to beat. Marquez started well as he overtook Ducati's Iannone and began chasing down Lorenzo.
Lorenzo had a gap of 0.487 back to Marquez in second by lap 2, but disaster struck for Marquez as he crashed out at turn 12 losing the front end of his Repsol Honda. That is 5 DNF's for the reigning world champion this season. I had only said in my earlier post that it looked like Marquez's problems were behind him this weekend...I guess I spoke too soon.
After Marquez crashed out it was cruise control for Lorenzo out front as he extended his lead to 2.6 seconds over Dani Pedrosa by lap 4. Lorenzo had a trouble free race and won convincingly, thus lowering Rossi's points advantage in the championship to just 14 points with four rounds remaining and 100 points up for grabs.
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| Lorenzo celebrates his victory at Aragon today |
Iannone was soon caught by a chasing Pedrosa and Rossi who quickly dispatched of the Italian. This lead us to a race long battle for second position between Rossi and Pedrosa. When I was watching this I guessed it would be the usual outcome...Rossi stalks...he overtakes...race over. I took into account Pedrosa's past battles also...but that only made me more certain that Rossi had this one. My god I was wrong. I had highlighted Dani as one to watch in this morning's post but I wasn't expecting a display like that!
Dani Pedrosa produced a racing display that I have not seen from him since 2012. The fight that was in him today was unbelievable. With five laps remaining Rossi overtook Pedrosa but Pedrosa bit back straight away forcing Rossi out to the edge of the track. Again the Italian tried to go up the inside of Dani at turn 4 but Dani snapped straight back at him. I was amazed and delighted! It was great to see the Dani Pedrosa of old return to the track.
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| Showed us the Dani Pedrosa of old today! |
On the final lap Rossi overtook and held the position with a block pass on Pedrosa forcing him to slow. Now I thought that's that Rossi has second position secured. NO! Dani comes back again up the inside pushing Valentino to the limit and over the white line {legally}. This was a great battle and probably the biggest highlight of an other wise poor enough race. "The Doctor" cut up on the inside one more time on the turn before the back straight. It was a daring move but one that cost him all his acceleration down the back straight and Pedrosa just pulled away on his Repsol Honda. Valentino was close up the finish line but never threatened to pass.
This was a great podium finish for Pedrosa but I think that battle with Rossi holds more significance. It shows Dani has still got that race pace, aggression and sheer heart to compete with the best in the world. He was flying the Repsol Honda flag solo today as his team mate hit the dirt early on and I think he delivered in style. Well done Dani Pedrosa!
Andrea Dovizioso rode from 17th to 5th in a great display of racing. Karel Abraham had to retire injured during the race, it looked like a foot injury. Danilo Petrucci crashed out from 9th position with 14 laps to go at turn 14.
The title race is really heating up now and the next four races will be some of the best races we have seen in a few years I think.
MotoGP Final Race Standings
1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 44.933s
2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 47.616s
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 47.706s
4. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 52.791s
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 42m 9.255s
6. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 42m 9.762s
7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 42m 10.300s
8. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 42m 10.436s
9. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 42m 11.385s
10. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 42m 28.822s
11. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 29.188s
12. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 42m 33.109s
13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 34.688s
14. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 42m 35.204s
15. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 42m 35.297s
16. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 35.655s
17. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 42m 36.930s
18. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 38.339s
19. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 42m 41.792s
20. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 42m 44.540s
21. Toni Elias SPA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 43m 0.170s
Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) DNF
Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) DNF
Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) DNF
Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) DNF
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