MotoGP ; Márquez triomphe au terme d’une course à couper le souffle ! / Showtime: Marquez wins stunning eight-rider battle at Assen

La lutte aura fait rage aux avant-postes mais Marc Márquez aura réussi à tirer son épingle du jeu dans les trois derniers tours pour gagner.

Les pilotes nous avaient promis une course de groupe, le public aura été servi ! Difficile d’ailleurs de recenser le nombre de dépassements aux avant-postes tant la bataille aura fait rage pour la victoire… et tout commença dès le premier tour, avec cette superbe envolée de Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) !

L’Espagnol, qui occupait la 10e place sur la grille, venait en effet se positionner dans la roue de son compatriote et poleman Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team), tandis que Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) se voyait repoussé au troisième rang. Et le Britannique allait perdre deux positions supplémentaires, ne pouvant résister à Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) et Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team).

Au quatrième tour, Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) portait une nouvelle attaque sur Marc Márquez qui allait cette fois s’avérer payante. Valentino Rossi l’imitait quelques instants plus tard jusqu’à ce choc entre le Majorquin et l’Italien. Tous deux restèrent toutefois sur leurs roues.

Valentino Rossi allait ensuite rétrograder légèrement au classement et trois autres concurrents venaient se mêler à la lutte dans ce groupe : Álex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) et Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech3). Neuf pilotes étaient alors en lice pour la victoire… et puis Marc Márquez se fit une belle frayeur dans le 12e tour ! Alors qu’il était en bagarre avec Álex Rins, le Champion du Monde manqua en effet de tomber, mais une fois encore ce dernier parvint à se rattraper.

Passé le cap de la mi-course, on assistait à un nouveau changement de leader avec cette manœuvre d’Andrea Dovizioso sur Jorge Lorenzo. Un duel s’engageait alors entre les deux représentants Ducati, le tout sous les yeux d’un Maverick Viñales aux aguets.

Tout compte fait Jorge Lorenzo commit une petite erreur qui l’écartait définitivement de ce combat et Maverick Viñales allait en profiter dans la foulée pour se glisser en tête. Quatre pilotes différents s’étaient alors succéder aux commandes. Le Catalan n’allait toutefois pas mener très longtemps, puisque Marc Márquez lui répondait aussitôt. Mais pour le pilote Yamaha, pas question de se laisser faire. Maverick Viñales retenta sa chance et son insistance se soldera par un contact entre les deux hommes, qui se retrouvaient hors piste. Du pain béni pour Andrea Dovizioso. Lequel récupérait les commandes… ou du moins provisoirement car voilà que Valentino Rossi s’invitait en tête.

Fini de jouer ! Alors que trois tours restaient à couvrir, Marc Márquez se défaisait de ses adversaires pour prendre le large… Plus personne ne le reverra. Álex Rins et Maverick Viñales devaient dès lors en découdre pour la deuxième place ; Andrea Dovizioso et Valentino Rossi restant en embuscade.

Dans la dernière chicane, Álex Rins trouvait finalement l’ouverture sur Maverick Viñales, qui inscrivaient tous deux leur second podium de l’année. Valentino Rossi, vainqueur de l’édition 2017, tenta d’en faire autant sur Andrea Dovizioso… En vain, le pilote Ducati conservait sa quatrième place.

Devant Marc Márquez s’imposait avec une avance de 2.2 secondes. L’Espagnol empochait la 64e victoire de sa carrière, sa quatrième de l’année. Le Champion du Monde compte ainsi une avance de 41 points sur Valentino Rossi et de 47 sur Maverick Viñales en amont du Sachsenring ; circuit qui a pour habitude de lui sourire.

Cal Crutchlow se classait sixième de la course, devant Johann Zarco. Álvaro Bautista (Ángel Nieto Team) et Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) complètent le Top 10.

Le Belge Xavier Siméon (Reale Avontia Racing) aura été contraint à l’abandon.

La prochaine épreuve se tiendra dans deux semaines au Sachsenring.

Cliquez ici pour accéder aux résultats.

The 'Cathedral' showcases the best of MotoGP™ as 8 riders make 100+ overtakes in one of the closest and most incredible races of all time

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 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 – no 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. Rossi took over – another stunner from the ‘Doctor’ at the final chicane – but ‘DesmoDovi’ took him back.

Four wide at times, Marquez 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 a 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.

So that’s 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.

via http://www.motogp.com

MOTOGP de France : Marquez: strategic victory… and yet another save!

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took a record-breaking victory at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France, which sees the reigning World Champion equal Casey Stoner’s 38 premier class wins - and surpass Mike Hailwood's win record. Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was a superb second to take his first podium of the season - and from the front row - with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) returning to rostrum in third place after a more difficult run of races for the 'Doctor'.

Sadly, however, the French fairytale wasn't to be for Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), as the home hero crashed out at Turn 8 on lap eight after re-passing Marquez for second in the fight at the front. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was another rider to crash, falling out of contention on lap one at la Chapelle after making a good start. In yet more drama for the standings, Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) made a rare error at the same corner four laps later, making Le Mans another pivotal race in the Championship.

At the start, it was Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) who got the holeshot from the second row, repeating his incredible launch of the Spanish GP to take off in the lead – and hold onto it. Zarco dropped from pole but then struck back almost immediately into the chicane to take second, with Petrucci, Dovizioso, Marquez and Rossi all close at the front until Iannone crashed out – leaving a gap back to Marquez as the two Ducatis and Zarco stayed close together at the front.

 

The Frenchman then headed slightly wide and Dovizioso struck, honing in on teammate Lorenzo in the lead and not leaving long before trying an attack. Getting the job done quickly, it seemed the Italian was then going to unleash his pace shown in practice – but he suddenly slid out of the lead and into the gravel, leaving the number 99 of Lorenzo’s Ducati out front.

Zarco and Marquez closed in before the reigning Champion shot past the Frenchman for second – but Zarco, in signature style, was quick to respond. The second bolt of drama was about to hit the race, however, as the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider then slid off at Turn 8 – leaving Marquez vs Lorenzo in the lead.

On Lap 10, the number 93 made his move before Petrucci followed the Honda rider through a lap later. Rossi and Miller soon carved their way past the five-time World Champion, who started the race on softer rubber, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) waiting in the wings.

The gap between Marquez, Petrucci, Rossi and Miller stayed consistent, with all four exchanging quickest laps. That was until six-time World Champion Marquez pulled the pin on Lap 16, setting the fastest lap of the race to bridge to gap to a second over the chasing GP18. From there, Marquez was able to stretch the gap tenth by tenth, with Petrucci also keeping nine-time World Champion Rossi at bay. Pedrosa was later able to pass Lorenzo for fifth, with the Ducati rider having to settle for sixth.

Further down the order, after failing to get the start he was looking for, last year’s winner Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) made his way back up to seventh after being outside the top ten for the first half of the race. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) had a great ride, holding onto eighth until the last lap but then coming home ninth. Passing him on the last lap was a superhuman Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who had a magnificent ride battling to P8 from 13th on the grid – riding through the pain barrier after a huge highside on Saturday.

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) battled with Viñales and Espargaro throughout the race, eventually rounding out the top ten in his first ride at the track in the premier class, having missed the event in 2017 due to injury. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) picked up another solid result in P11 for some more good points for KTM, with Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) eventually getting the better of Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) to finish as top rookie.

That’s it for Le Mans, and it’s now time to gear up for Mugello. Marquez extends his Championship lead to 36 points but the Italians will be out in force to try and stop him – can his momentum be stalled?

The Championship leader was victorious in Le Mans, but there was more to it than just your typical race win

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) continued to stamp his authority on the 2018 World Championship at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France, taking his third straight victory of the season to extend his overall standings lead to 36 points over compatriot Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP).

His Le Mans victory also meant he equaled Casey Stoner’s 38 premier class wins record, a great achievement for the six-time World Champion, but there was more to Marquez’ victory than the 25 points he earned. The number 93 was the only rider on the grid to race with harder rear Michelin compound tyre, something that he tried in the morning warm up. “The first move was on the tyre choice, I was the only rider with hard rear, this morning I feel really good and this was key for the race, I was able to keep a constant pace,” explained a strategic Marquez.

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Marquez equals Stoner as Rossi gets back on the podium

The Championship leader matches the Australian’s premier class win record with victory in Le Mans #MotoGP | #FrenchGP http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/05/20/marquez-equals-stoner-as-rossi-gets-back-on-the-podium/259596 …

4:15 PM - May 20, 2018

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That was his first “move”, in a race where the reigning Champion reminded everyone he has the tactics as well as the speed. After getting edged out by Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) at Turn 3, then almost hitting Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) when the Italian fell at la Chapelle, Marquez told himself to keep cool, and wait for his tyres to reach optimum temperature.

“Then we started the race, I knew the first two laps I would struggle because it takes time to get the correct temperature. Then everything becomes more difficult, Johann overtook me on the third corner, I was wide then Iannone overtook me, then he crashed on Turn 5, I nearly hit him, two riders overtook me and then I say ok, cool down a little bit.”

Then, Marquez admits to having his radar firmly set on Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), before the Italian crashed out of the lead. “And then I was pushing hard, trying to get the correct temperature in the tyres. I was looking at Dovi, because he had the best pace all weekend, he crashed and then my approach to the race changed a little bit,” expressed the Repsol Honda rider. “Then I was more clam, I took my time, because I saw that the front tyre was so critical.”

Turn 3 was a particular corner Marquez was approaching with caution during the race, after the Spaniard crashed there during FP3. That fall though, as he explains, helped him save another potential lowside during the race. “Yeah in Turn 3 I had a moment like I did in FP3, I crashed there, and this crash helped me to save (this one) in the race, because when I crash in Turn 3, since that moment during the race I was always careful there. My elbow was so stiff, it was like a stick and then yeah when I lost the front I just put the elbow (down) and I picked up the bike.”

The race in Le Mans was another that, like Jerez, played right into the hands of Marquez. But next up its Mugello and a very different track – on very different turf. Can he extend his lead again in Italy? Find out next time out on 3rd June.

moto GP : 16 in a second: Dovi in front as battle commences in France

Ducati lead Honda and Yamaha on the opening day in Le Mans, with Rossi in P3

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), fresh from signing a new contract with the Bologna factory, was the quickest man on the opening day at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France, setting a new circuit record with a 1:31.936 – the only rider to delve into the 1:31’s. FP1 and World Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) ended the day in second, 0.168 behind, with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) a further 0.075 seconds back on board his M1, the ‘Doctor’ ended the day P3 overall.

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#MotoGP FP2

That's how you celebrate a new contract! By setting the fastest ever lap of Le Mans! @AndreaDovizioso @marcmarquez93 was next up followed by @ValeYellow46 in third!#FrenchGP

2:55 PM - May 18, 2018

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Despite track temperatures rising from 19 degrees to over 40 degrees between FP1 and FP2, there were a whole host of crashes early in the session. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), LCR Honda Idemitsu rider Takaaki Nakagami and Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) all fell, riders ok.

 Highlights: Dovi leads Marquez and Yamaha 18/05/2018

Andrea Dovizioso celebrated his contract renewal by finishing ahead of Marquez and Rossi. The top 16 are all within just 1 second

Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) ended the day fourth overall, the Spaniard was third in FP1, but left it late to jump up into the top five in FP2. Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was fifth in front of his home crowd, with the Frenchman was also fifth in FP1, confirming his solid pace in Le Mans.

Alma Pramac Racing’s Jack Miller was sixth on the combined Free Practice timesheets, the Australian was in and around the top eight throughout FP2 and looks good for an automatic Q2 spot after ending FP1 in P12. Espargaro had a good showing on KTM, despite his early crash. He ended the day seventh quickest, building on his P10 in FP1.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), sporting a new aerodynamic fairing in FP2, jumped up to eighth on his final lap to grab a provisional Q2 spot. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) impressed again to finish ninth in FP2, getting himself into the top ten after ending the morning session in P14. Rounding out the top ten was Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), the Spaniard finished eighth this morning, dropping two positions in the afternoon. 

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#AeroWatch

Now @26_DaniPedrosa has decided to give the new @HRC_MotoGP aero fairing a try!#FrenchGP

2:44 PM - May 18, 2018

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Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who was inside the top three for most of the session, crashed on his final run to end the day outside the top ten in P11, after a flurry of quick times from the riders on fresh rubber – rider ok.

With less than a second covering the top 16, the battle to make it into Q2 should be very interesting tomorrow morning, with FP3 getting underway at 09:55 local time (GMT +2). Click here for the full results! 

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