Photo: motogp.com
Road racing history in the making this weekend at Le Mans in France, with the defending Champion Marc Marquez winning his 5th victory in a row, and from pole position, too, one of the rather rare things to be seen on the iconic French circuit.
The race was a truly crazy one, with intense traffic and plenty of attacks across the historic turns of Le Mans, and providing a great show for the 88,000+ attendance. With the weather remaining fair throughout the weekend, it was expected that Marquez made a holeshot run and disappearing away into the distance, as Jorge Lorenzo got use used to on so many occasions last season.
Still, the start favored more his rivals, with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso having a glorious start and leading the pack early into the race. Stefan Bradl also started exceedingly well, just like Pedrosa, who was 9th on the grid and managed to finish 5th at Le Mans.
Jorge Lorenzo has a rather dull race, despite the fact that he visibly fought for every place on the French track. He ran wide in Lap 1 taking Marc Marquez with him, on the exterior of the turn, causing the reigning champion to fall back into the pack. However, it looks like this was not enough to demotivate the Repsol Honda rider who charged on and managed to pass the new leader, Rossi after he made a slight mistake, and run a bit wider in a place where he did not expect Marquez to attack.
Rossi finished the race in the second position, for the third time this year, while the podium was complete with the rather surprising presence of Alvaro Bautista, on his GO&FUN Honda Gresini bike. Pol Espargaro had a very, very good race and fought valiantly for his 4th place, ahead of Dani Pedrosa, who was feeling uncomfortable after his arm pump surgery. Lorenzo was 6th, followed by Stefan Bradl, Andrea Dovizioso, Aleix Epsargaro and Bradley Smith for the top 10.
The first man outside the top 10 was Cal Crutchlow, who experienced several run-offs this weekend. Andrea Iannone had some problems with his bike and crashed, just like Hector Barbera. Nicky Hayden went down in the first lap, battling Pramac Ducati’s Iannone in the heavy traffic in the early race. None of the three have sustained serious injuries.
Besides all the new achievements we told you Marquez could accomplish if he won at Le Mans, he has also reset the track records, with the Best Pole, Fastest Lap, Circuit Record Lap and Best Lap now under his name.
The current 2014 MotoGP world standing sees Marquez in the lead, with the maximum points possible, 125, still followed by Dani Pedrosa with 83, and Valentino Ross with 81 points. Andrea Dovizioso sits in the 4th place with 53 points, leading Lorenzo in the 5th position by 8 points. The next MotoGP race is in Italy on June 1st, at the Mugello circuit, the home round for Rossi.
Will the Doctor be able to beat the Honda rider and stop Marquez’ triumphant charge in front of the home crowd? We’ll find out in less than a fortnight.
Still, the start favored more his rivals, with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso having a glorious start and leading the pack early into the race. Stefan Bradl also started exceedingly well, just like Pedrosa, who was 9th on the grid and managed to finish 5th at Le Mans.
Jorge Lorenzo has a rather dull race, despite the fact that he visibly fought for every place on the French track. He ran wide in Lap 1 taking Marc Marquez with him, on the exterior of the turn, causing the reigning champion to fall back into the pack. However, it looks like this was not enough to demotivate the Repsol Honda rider who charged on and managed to pass the new leader, Rossi after he made a slight mistake, and run a bit wider in a place where he did not expect Marquez to attack.
Rossi finished the race in the second position, for the third time this year, while the podium was complete with the rather surprising presence of Alvaro Bautista, on his GO&FUN Honda Gresini bike. Pol Espargaro had a very, very good race and fought valiantly for his 4th place, ahead of Dani Pedrosa, who was feeling uncomfortable after his arm pump surgery. Lorenzo was 6th, followed by Stefan Bradl, Andrea Dovizioso, Aleix Epsargaro and Bradley Smith for the top 10.
The first man outside the top 10 was Cal Crutchlow, who experienced several run-offs this weekend. Andrea Iannone had some problems with his bike and crashed, just like Hector Barbera. Nicky Hayden went down in the first lap, battling Pramac Ducati’s Iannone in the heavy traffic in the early race. None of the three have sustained serious injuries.
Besides all the new achievements we told you Marquez could accomplish if he won at Le Mans, he has also reset the track records, with the Best Pole, Fastest Lap, Circuit Record Lap and Best Lap now under his name.
The current 2014 MotoGP world standing sees Marquez in the lead, with the maximum points possible, 125, still followed by Dani Pedrosa with 83, and Valentino Ross with 81 points. Andrea Dovizioso sits in the 4th place with 53 points, leading Lorenzo in the 5th position by 8 points. The next MotoGP race is in Italy on June 1st, at the Mugello circuit, the home round for Rossi.
Will the Doctor be able to beat the Honda rider and stop Marquez’ triumphant charge in front of the home crowd? We’ll find out in less than a fortnight.
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