Dovi pips Marquez in Motegi thriller

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) has picked the perfect time to return Ducati to the winner’s list at Motegi for the first time in seven years with a sensational victory over world championship rival Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

In what will go down as a wet-weather instant classic, the two protagonists produced a see-sawing last lap around the sodden circuit, with Dovizioso flashing across the finish line just 0.249 seconds ahead of Marquez.

Marquez is now just 11pts (244 to 233) ahead of Dovizioso going into the third last round of the 2017 championship at Phillip Island from October 20-22.

Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Ducati) finished in third position ahead of Ecstar Suzuki pair Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins.

Dovizioso and Marquez produced a cracking battle over the final 10 laps. Marquez was in front for most of the time, and led heading into the last lap. And he looked like holding off ‘Desmo Dovi’ until his rear tyre broke traction at turn eight, which forced him out of the seat – and his rival back into the hunt.

Dovizioso didn’t need a second chance and passed Marquez under brakes at turn 10 – but the world champion still wasn’t done and speared down the inside of Dovizioso on the final turn.

However, he ran just a little too wide, which allowed Dovizioso to blast past and take the chequered flag for his fifth win of the season – the same number as Marquez.

The normally cool Dovizioso was particularly elated with the win.

“My rear tyre was gone, but Marc’s mistake allowed me back into the battle for the win and I was very strong going into turn 10,” said Dovizioso.

“I knew at the last corner that Marc would be difficult and I tried to close all openings, but it was very difficult.

“We did a great job at Motegi from the first practice session – this year we are very strong.”

Marquez said: “It was an amazing race with two riders fighting for the championship into the last corner.

“After Dovi passed me on the last lap I knew the Ducati would be stronger down the back straight, but I still tried my best on the last corner.

“I knew that Dovi would be strong here, and now we continue the battle at Phillip Island.”

Early leader Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) was sixth, ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), polesitter Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) and Loris Baz (Avintia Ducati).

FULL RESULTS

Vinales (203pts) remains the only other rider in the hunt for the championship, while Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda, 170pts) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha, 168pts) are now out of the running.

Pedrosa retired at Motegi, while Rossi crashed out as did the likes of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Álvaro Bautista (Pull & Bear Ducati) and Kohta Nozane – deputizing for the ill Jonas Folger at Monster Yamaha Tech 3.

Next week at Phillip Island Nozane will make way for his world endurance teammate, Aussie Broc Parkes.

With the return of Jack Miller (EG 0, Marc VDS Honda), that will make two Aussie on the grid in the premier class.

MotoGP results
1. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 47:14.236
2. Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda, +0.249s
3. Danilo Petrucci, Octo Pramac Ducati, +10.557s

Pole position: Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:53.469 = 152.3km/h
Fastest lap: Dovizioso 1:56.568 = 148.2km/h

Championship top 3
Marquez 244 • Dovizioso 233 • Vinales 203

Moto2
Spaniard Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) has powered to his first Moto2 victory outside his home land with a withering burst of speed in the final six laps.

Marquez completed his third win of the season in the 15-lapper ahead of first time Moto2 podium finisher Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing), with the dais completed by Malaysian gun Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia).

“I’m really happy for this victory and I knew I had this potential despite my crash on Saturday morning in practice,” said Marquez.

“I managed the race very well, it is never easy to stay calm in these conditions and I waited for my moment to go to the front. At the end I could open a gap and control the victory. I want thank my team, the doctors and everyone who has helped me to come back after my injury.”

The fast-finishing Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) was fourth after passing both long-time leader Takaaki Nakagami (Idermitsu Honda Team Asia) and Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) on the final lap.

Australia’s Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) picked his way through the pack to finish in 12th position, while the battle for the championship between Italian Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Swiss rider Tom Luthi (CarXpert Interwetten) still remains alive after the pair finished in eighth and 11th positions respectively.

Morbidell is now on 256pts, ahead of Luthi (232pts), Marquez (180pts), Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo, 166pts) and Bagnaia (143pts).

Oliveira was seventh at Motegi, just over a second behind Nakagami.

Moto2 results
1. Alex Marquez, EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda, 32:08.901
2. Xavi Vierge, Tech 3 Racing, +1.465s
3. Hafizh Syahrin, Petronas Raceline Malaysia, +3.134ss

Australian
12. Remy Gardner, Tech 3 Racing, +30.183s

Pole position: Takaaki Nakagami, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, 1:53.776 = 151.9km/h
Fastest lap: Marquez, 2:07.057 = 136km/h

Championship top 3
Franco Morbidelli 256 • Tom Luthi 232 • Marquez 180

Moto3
The Moto3 championship remains alive for another round after Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda) put on another wet-weather masterclass to score a resounding victory over fellow Italians Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Marco Bezzecchi (CIP Mahindra).

While Fenati did the business at the pointy end in the shortened 13-lap race to score his 10th win in the Moto3 class, runaway championship leader Joan Mir (Leopard Racing Honda) finished well back in a non point-scoring 17th place.

Mir remains on 271pts, 55 ahead of Fenati, and a solid result for the Spaniard at Phillip Island next Sunday will also certanly see him clinch the 2017 world championship. However, another lacklustre result and the pressure could really be in in the final two rounds...

Bezzecchi was superb in bringing up his first Moto3 podium, while Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda) just fell short of a home race podium.

Aron Canet (EG 0,0 Honda) and Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing KTM) completed the top six, while Aussie wildcard Tom Toparis (Cube Racing KTM) was 24th in the treacherous conditions.

Six riders failed to finish.

Moto3 results
1. Romano Fenati, Marinelli Rivacold Snipers Honda, 29:22.278
2. Niccolo Antonelli, Red Bull KTM Ajo, +4.146
3. Marco Bezzecchi, CIP Mahindra, +5.013

Australian
24. Tom Toparis (Cube Racing KTM), +2:18.580

Pole position: Nicolo Bulega, Sky Racing Team VR46, 2:09.320 = 133.6km/h
Fastest lap: Fenati, 2:13.906 = 129km/h

Championship top 3
Joan Mir 271 • Fenati 216 • Aron Canet 184

Next round: Philip Island, Australia, October 20-22