Dovi wins another Spielberg classic

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) have fought out a MotoGP race for the ages in Spielberg, Austria, with the Ducati rider just sneaking home despite a spectacular last ditch effort by the world champion.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) was third, and had actually locked onto the back of the leading pair with a few laps to go before his rear tyre cried enough. That left Marquez and Dovizioso to go at it hammer and tongs in the last stanza of the 28-lapper, with the latter leading over the finishing line with one lap to go – but that doesn't mean much when Marquez is in a determined mood.

Predictably, the world champion wouldn't go away and his final effort was a lunge up the inside on the final corner. However, he went just a little wide on exit, which allowed Dovizioso to cut back under – the two bikes nearly touching – to take the win by just 0.176 seconds.

It was Ducati's second successive win at the Red Bull Ring, and the third victory for Dovizioso in 2017.

“It was a crazy race, but to be honest the whole weekend was incredible, and in particular the final curve of the last lap, but I managed to remain clear headed and was aware that Marquez was going to try and pass me," said Dovi.

"It was a very difficult situation because if Marc had closed the door coming out of the corner, he would have forced me out and passed me. Instead I was able to resist his attack and I went on to win! I’m very satisfied with the way we managed the entire weekend with my team: understanding the right choice of tyres was really difficult but we did it.

"We had a great race, we’re making up points in the championship, and we’ve got all the right cards to fight for the title.”

Marquez said he "wouldn't have slept well tonight" if he didn't try to win the race on that last corner.

"But it wasn’t possible. Today Dovi had just a little bit more than us and it was difficult to overtake him," said Marquez.

"I tried my best all race, really gave it my all, and I lost the rear many times. It was a great battle, and Dovi deserved this victory as he rode very well. We got this second place and it’s good. I’m very happy with these 20 points at this track where I had struggled a lot last year.

"It’s an important result for the championship. We’re working well; step-by-step, we found a good base that allowed us to be there, and to be consistent in every situation.

"Today I was able to try that move at the end because I was feeling good with the bike. It will be important to continue like this and to try and be on the podium at every race.”

Marquez has extended his championship lead to 16pts (174 to 158) over new second place rider Dovizioso, followed by Movistar Yamaha men Maverick Vinales (150) and Valentino Rossi (141) and Pedrosa (139).

The fast-starting Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) was fourth at the Red Bull Ring, from Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Vinales, Rossi, Alvaro Bautista (Pull & Bear Ducati), Loris Baz (Avintia Ducati) and extremely impressive factory KTM test rider Mika Kallio. Zarco also set the new lap record at a mouth-watering average speed of 184.2km/h.

Australia's Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda) crashed out of the race after losing the front end.

“The race was going really well when I crashed on lap 20. I had really good pace early in the race but then I started to lose some rear grip, it felt like the tyre was overheating in the final sector, I had couple of warnings that I was losing grip into turn nine," said Miller.

"Then it stepped out under braking and then overloaded the front and I tried to hold it up on my elbow but to no avail. A disappointing end but I had a strong race until that small mistake. Now I’m looking forward to Silverstone and being in top form.”

Miller is 13th in the standings, on 43pts.

MotoGP results
1. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 39:43.323
2. Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda, +0.176s
3. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda, +2.661s

Australian
DNF. Jack Miller, EG 0,0 Marc VDS, +9 laps

Pole position: Marquez, 1:23.235 = 186.7km/h
Fastest lap and new record: Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:24.312 = 184.2km/h

Championship top 3
Marquez 174 • Dovizioso 158 • Maverick Vinales 150

Moto2
Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) took his seventh win of the season, ahead of teammate Alex Marquez and Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten).

“This is a crucial victory for me in the championship and comes at the perfect moment after my poor result in Brno last weekend," said Morbidelli.

"I came here focussed to do a good job and although we started slowly on Friday my team worked very well and gave me a great package to go for the victory. I’m very happy for this win and thanks to everyone for their support.”

Meanwhile, an incredible charge from Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) into potential podium contention came to a high-speed end when the Portuguese rider high-sided out.

Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) was fourth from polesitter Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team), while Australia's Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) was 15th.

“After yesterday’s crash in qualifying I made it hard for myself so to get another points finish gives me something to smile about," said Gardner.

"It was a tough race but I gave it my all. I made a good start and managed to avoid all the chaos at the first corner but as the race went on the bike developed some chatter. I tried to copy the others around me in terms of braking points and lines but it didn't make a difference.

"Looking ahead to Silverstone in a couple of weeks I hope that we can find something (in testing) tomorrow to make a step so that we can stay in the fight for points for the rest of the year. Thanks again to the team and all my supporters.”

Moto2 results
1. Franco Morbidelli, EG 0,0 Marc VDS, 37:39.370
2. Alex Marquez, EG 0,0 Marc VDS, +1.312s
3. Tom Luthi, CarXpert Interwetten, +2.544s

Australian
15. Remy Gardner, Tech 3 Racing, +25.128s

Pole position: Mattia Pasini, Italtrans Racing Team, 1:29.394 = 173.8km/h
Fastest lap: Marquez, 1:29.715 = 173.2km/h

Championship top 3
Morbidelli 207 • Luthi 181 • Marquez 153

Moto3
Joan Mir (Leopard Racing Honda) was supreme from 10th on the grid, fighting his way through to the front and then uncatchable for his second consecutive victory at the venue.

He's now the first lightweight class rider since Valentino Rossi in 1997 to win seven or more races from the first 11.

Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing KTM) took an impressive second, with Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Honda) completing the podium ahead of Livio Loi (Leopard Racing Honda) and Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda).

One of the other headline performances of the day came from Spanish rookie Jaume Masia (Platinum Bay Real Estate KTM), replacing injured Darryn Binder, who was as high as second at one point – even setting a new lap record. He finished ninth.

Moto3 results
1. Joan Mir, Leopard Racing Honda, 37:23.124
2. Philipp Oettl, Südmetall Schedl GP Racing KTM, +3.045s
3. Jorge Martin, Del Conca Gresini Honda, +3.377s

Pole position: Gabriel Rodrigo, RBA BOE Racing Team KTM, 1:36.503 = 161km/h
Fastest lap and new record: Jaume Masia, Platinum Bay Real Estate KTM, 1:36.436 = 161.1km/h

Championship top 3
Mir 215 • Romano Fenati 151 • Aron Canet 137

Next round: Silverstone, Great Britain, August 25-27