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MotoGP, GP Silverstone: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Vinales, Top Gun by name and by nature. Rossi and Marquez put on a show while Lorenzo continues to limp

GP Silverstone: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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Maverick is no longer just Top Gun by name. Suzuki was still missing from this season's honours list but Viñales has been quick to remedy that situation. However, while he enjoyed a peaceful run to the line, all hell was breaking loose behind him.

Stars of the show included Crutchlow, fatherhood having given him an extra gear, Marquez, who left his calculator in the garage, Rossi, always ready for a party where passing is involved, and Iannone, another one who doesn't hold back when it comes to overtaking. A rain-free Silverstone surely made for a spectacular show.

The Moto2 and Moto3 were similarly action-packed, with the Italians doing a great job of keeping pace with their Spanish rivals. Take a look at the standings if you don't believe us.

THE GOOD – We had a dream, a dream in which seven races were won by seven different riders. In which there were passes and battles, the likes of which cause your heart to momentarily stop. And Ducati and Suzuki were winners once more, and the races were spectacular, so we could wind up our F1 cousins, with their catatonic Grand Prix. If it really was a dream, please don't wake us up...

Andrea IannoneTHE UGLY – The Ducati has always been a 'man's bike' but at Silverstone it exaggerated. The two Andreas, rather than riding, appeared to be caught up in a weightlifting contest, and it was the weight that won out. Nothing too serious, and the D16 is close to being perfect but the lesson proved to be... a heavy one.

THE BAD – It took Proust 13 years to write “In search of lost time", but Lorenzo doesn't have that long to find the speed he's lost. Silverstone was another disappointing chapter, with the additional black mark of it being a dry track. Jorge has to get back up, and quickly, with no rain to blame this time around. 

THE DISAPPOINTMENT – The so-called “second riders”. Aleix Espargarò finished 16 seconds behind Viñales, Pedrosa continues to float in no man's land. They didn't feature, but played their assigned roles.

THE CONFIRMATION  – Suzuki and Viñales, a pairing that works. Just like a new couple, they made a shy start, but both had clear ideas and a desire to become king. The first part of the crown is already on their heads, it's just a pity the relationship is set to end. But we'll be hearing more from these two.

Valentino Rossi e Marc MarquezTHE PASS – It can only be Rossi and Marquez or, as Valentino puts it: “rude” champions. Not a defect on the bike, but a quality. In fact, the pair showed everyone how it's done, despite the cold war atmosphere that was tangible every time their paths crossed. But a little pushing and shoving sees everyone get along and the winner is the show itself. More of the same please.

THE SURPRISE – A difficult 2015 season, a rebirth in CEV and a race at Silverstone that he ran with the attitude of a boxer. Stefano Manzi didn't simply recover, but took revenge against everything and everyone. He may have just missed out on the podium but that didn't ruin his special day and now he has to hope someone will give him a bike... Bagnaia and Morbidelli reached the podium, but that was less of a surprise.

THE MISTAKE – From domination to demolition, Zarco's parabola was pointing down in the UK. He attempted an unlikely attack that cost both him and Lowes the race. Rins, after a mediocre weekend, is back in with a shot at the title, without really doing anything to deserve it. This time there was no backflip.

THE INTERESTING FACT –  It was not all about bikes this weekend, as Maverick Viñales also drove a strange Hayabusa-powered car at Silverstone. Here it is...

I TOLD YOU SO – Pol Espargarò on Thursday: “Alex Lowes will finish inside the first 13”. On Sunday the Brit finished 13th, a great debut for one who had only completed 15 laps on the M1 prior to Silverstone.

Translated by Heather Watson
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