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

The sun shines and Dovizioso on the Ducati, Rossi and Vinales come out of the fog while smoke (not from London) covers Marquez

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

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Dovizioso's summer is contagious, so much so that he took it to England, replacing the familiar rain and clouds with sunshine. A red disc for everyone, one which burns the skin and burns up championship points as it fuels itself. Andrea is discovering new limits and it's wonderful to see.

Yamaha also enjoyed a spell of good weather in the UK, a patch of clear sky after the fog that was hindering the M1s. It wasn't fog but smoke that came out of Marquez's bike, for once the Honda-Marc combination failed to work, though it was hardly the Spaniard's fault.

Nakagami fought back in Moto2 but Pasini and Morbidelli are still up in the right place, as is Bastianini in Moto3. And the countdown to Misano has already begun.

THE GOOD – Magician Dovizioso has a bag full of incredible tricks. He causes his rivals to vanish, he flies on the Ducati, multiplying his points and bringing a smile to the faces of old and young alike. Reality exceeds fantasy and the hard work is paying off, and then some. Andrea even seems ready to pull more rabbits from his helmet.

THE UGLY –  Nothing's perfect, not even the refined Japanese technology that decided to commit harakiri on the Silverstone track. The white smoke failed to conceal Marc Marquez's expression. It can happen to the best of them, and this is the first time the Honda has let the Spaniard down, the rider with the most zeros but who still lies second in the standings.

THE BAD – He was only really fast in the warm-up, the only session that counts for nothing, then in the race he was beaten by Rins and finished with a crash that also ruled out Petrucci. Another weekend to forget for Andrea Iannone, a talented rider but one who is currently feeling his way through total darkness. He hoped for a very different outcome when he opted for the Suzuki.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT – It wasn't his worst result of the year, but Dani Pedrosa was invisible at Silverstone. With Marquez and Crutchlow running up front, the Spaniard disappeared before crossing the line seventh. Everyone says he is still in the mix for the title, us too, but he needs to pull himself out of this temporary evanescence.

THE CONFIRMATION – Rather than a confirmation, the double Yamaha was a necessity. With frames, tyres and fairings, there was a confusion in the garage that translated into some less than impressive results. Having battled with the instructions, Vinales and Rossi seem to have managed to reset their navigation systems. The next stop is Misano, let's hope they take the right exit.

THE MISTAKE – There are those who celebrate a result with a backflip, others with a highside. Aside from that momentary distraction, Pol Espargarò showed that the KTM is no longer just a bit player, with a hospitality that resembles a building violation, but an increasing presence.

THE SURPRISE  – Enea Bastianini hadn't been seen on the podium since Motegi last year, in fact we often haven't really seen him at all. The 'Bestia' has woken up and second place at Silverstone is a good place from which to start over...

THE PASS – He didn't miss anyone out, Marquez, Vinales and Rossi in that order. Dovizioso is also a seasoned boxer.

THE INTERESTING FACT – In addition to seeing the sun in the sky, it was strange to see the roads to Silverstone so quiet on Sunday. In the UK there were less spectators than usual and the track is not doing as well as it might. Will there be a move to Donington? It doesn't look like it, as the modifications needed to make it suitable for the MotoGP would cost too much. There is also talk of a change in Germany, with the Sachsenring in doubt and the Burburgring ready to take its place.

I TOLD YOU SO – Best case scenario, I'll be third in the race”. Unfortunately for him, Valentino was spot on with his prediction.

Translated by Heather Watson
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