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Shrewd and calculated race management down to the last detail, just enough to give Marc Marquez the top step of the podium in Misano and tie Dovizioso for the Championship lead at 199 points.
It could not have gone any better for the Spanish rider who waited until the last lap to make the winning pass on Petrucci after staying glued to his pipes for most of the race: “For the entire race I controlled my pace, knowing that I needed to be patient – number 93 revealed – At a certain point, I even thought that I might settle, but then I realised where to attack and win.”
On the Rimini Riviera, Petrucci gave his heart, tasting the win until one lap from the end after a splendid initial comeback ride. Just as things were looking the best, he had to lay down his arms, when Marquez overtook him on turn 1: “I have mixed emotions today – the Pramac rider commented – For the entire race I dreamed of winning, but at the same time I knew that Marc was behind me and was studying my every move. On the last lap I tried to respond, but at a certain point I risked falling.”
There was also room on the Misano podium for Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian tried to maintain the pace of the leading duo, but in the end he backed off, finishing ten seconds behind the winner: “Today I did not feel very good on the bike and the risk was too high – the Italian said – so avoiding any mistakes became fundamental. In any case, I managed to ride the Ducati to a podium finish and I am happy.”
On the other hand, it was a bitter Sunday for Jorge Lorenzo, ending up in the gravel as he was running away with his GP17, whereas Maverick Viñales is half-smiling. The wet is certainly not the ideal terrain for the Yamaha rider who had to settle for fourth place ahead of Pirro and Miller. Worth a mention are the crashes by both Aprilia riders and Andrea Iannone’s DNF. An exhausted Zarco finished fifteenth, pushing his M1 across the line to finish behind a disappointing Pedrosa.
