You are here

MotoGP, Convincing win for Vinales at Rio Hondo, Rossi 2nd

Marquez crashes and hands him the win, Crutchlow 3rd ahead of Bautista and Zarco, Petrucci 7th, DNFs for Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Pedrosa 

MotoGP: Convincing win for Vinales at Rio Hondo, Rossi 2nd

Share


A suicide attempt or something similar. Yes, because Marc Marquez seemed to have the Argentina Grand Prix under control. Thanks to fantastic start, the Spaniard set the pace, breaking away after just two laps. Rather than Rio Hondo, it was more like seeing him in action at Austin, where he always finds it so easy. This time though things took a wrong turn as lap four brought a scene that no-one could have expected. The Spaniard, incredibly, crashed out at turn 2, handing the leadership to Vinales in the process.

Yamaha's #25 ran an impeccable race, fast and constant, to such an extent that he was able to secure his second consecutive win after Losail: “I tried to set a good pace straight away, despite Marquez' speed - explained #25 - then, after his crash, I just wanted to score as many points as possible”.

Behind him is Valentino Rossi. The Doctor started from seventh, but was soon able to move up the field, as far as third, right behind the Honda of Cal Crutchlow. Seven laps from the end he made the decisive move, earning himself a second place finish: “I wanted to complete a good race and nothing more– commented the Doctor after scoring what is his 223rd podium in 350 races-  I started well, passing the slower guys I had in front of me. Compared to Cal, my pace was stronger and in the end I'm pleased with this result”.

The LCR rider has to settle for this place after dueling with the nine-time champion: “I think Rossi put on a good performance – he reveals - I felt good on the Honda. At a certain point I was hoping to close the gap to Vinales – he adds- but I wasn't able to. It was easy to follow Valentino in the final stages though and I'm pleased with this podium”.   

Fourth for Bautista, followed by Zarco, Folger, Petrucci, Redding, Miller and Abraham. Only sixteen riders crossed the line, with Iannone bringing up the rear after receiving a ride-through penalty for having made a jump start. Those who crashed out also included Dani Pedrosa and Dovizioso, hit by the Aprilia of Aleix Espargarò. For Lorenzo the race never even got going, because he crashed at the first corner as a result of making contact with Iannone.

Fact of the day: today's three race winners are precisely those of two weeks ago in Qatar.   

 

  

Translated by Heather Watson
__

Related articles