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MotoGP, Barcelona: No stopping Lorenzo, Dovizioso in the gravel

Jorge takes two at Montemelò ahead of Marquez, while the Italian crashes, leaving the podium to Rossi, Crutchlow 4th, Petrucci 8th

MotoGP: Barcelona: No stopping Lorenzo, Dovizioso in the gravel

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When he goes into hammer mode, there is no beating him.” How can you deny these words, uttered by Marc Marquez on Friday afternoon? Indeed, because after his victory at Mugello, Jorge Lorenzo took a brace, winning at Montmelò. The script was similar to that of the Grand Prix of Italy, with the number 99 rider skilfully dominating from start to finish and no one able to ruin his plans.

Marc Marquez had a go, but then he realised that any attempt would be in vain, so he left the road open to the Majorcan: “This second win is fantastic – said number 99 – Incredible how things have changed in such a short amount of time. It was a pity about the start, but I was able to stay calm anyway and bridge the gap at about the mid-race point which let me increase the advantage.”

Jorge’s smile is in direct contrast to the disappointment on the face of Andrea Dovizioso who ended up in the gravel on the sixteenth lap at the end of turn five while lying third. Now the two teammates are in a draw for the championship lead with 66 points each.

So, on the Barcelona podium, Marc Marquez had to console himself with second place:We did an excellent job – commented number 93 – The tyre choice was right, but it was difficult to do any more with Lorenzo. I am happy with the points we are taking home.” Third place went to Valentino Rossi who capitalised on Dovizioso’s mistake: “I’m happy – The Doctor said – After practice, it was clear that the Ducatis and Marquez had a great pace. I thought that I would be able to finish fourth and then Dovi crashed. I’m happy with the result that lets me bring home some important points.”

The nine-time world champion proved once again to be the fastest Yamaha rider, finishing ahead of the Hondas ridden by Cal Crutchlow and Dani Pedrosa, and then the M1 machines ridden by Maverick Viñales and Johann Zarco. Danilo Petrucci was only ninth ahead of Bautista and Iannone. Only fourteen riders made it race distance: of the many who ended up on the ground were Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaró, whereas Tito Rabat’s Ducati went up in flames as he was battling for a top ten spot. Fortunately there were no consequences for the rider.

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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