Dovizioso wins epic Austrian GP

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) kept up Ducati’s 100 per cent Red Bull Ring win record thanks to a stunning last corner pass on Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at the 2019 Austrian MotoGP race on Sunday, August 11. Rookie sensation Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completed the podium, while Aussie Jack Miller (Pramac Racing Ducati) crashed on lap eight.

It was Dovizioso’s second win of the season, as he trimmed Marquez’s championship lead to 58pts with seven rounds remaining.

“Today I’m so happy, because this victory was really important for me,” said Dovizioso.

“Towards the end of the race I had good right-side grip on the tyre and this allowed me to successfully attempt that incredible overtaking move at the final corner. My strategy for the race was to be aggressive right from the opening lap, but Marquez was more aggressive than me.

“He immediately tried to impose his rhythm but I was always able to respond and in the final stages I think he had more wear on his tyres than me so I could stay right on his tail until the end, and attempt that crazy passing move on him at the final corner. I want to thank Ducati and my team because today we did everything just perfectly.”

Polesitter Marquez was lightning off the start, and so was Dovizioso, but it wasn’t long before Quartararo swept through to the lead.

Quartararo was getting the hammer down as the rookie took a 0.5-second lead onto lap two, but Dovizioso and Marquez started to make up ground as they recovered from a frantic opening lap.

Just behind was the fast-starting Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha), ‘The Doctor’ climbing his way up to fifth from P10 in the opening exchanges to be in the battle for the podium.

FULL RESULTS HERE

It wasn’t long before Marquez had dispatched Miller as the top three started to edge away from the Pramac man, Rossi and Rins. On lap seven, Quartararo was like a sitting duck heading into turn one as Dovizioso used the Ducati’s grunt to blast into the lead. Moments later, Marquez did the same on his Honda.

Onto the last then and there was nothing separating the leaders. Marquez had a half a bike lengths lead as the duo got so close heading into turn one A breathless battle came down to the last sector. Dovi powered up the hill out of turn eight – he was close. No pass came at turn nine but then, Dovi pulled out from behind Marquez heading into the last corner. It was roles reversed from 2017 as Dovi lunged down the inside, and he got it stopped! Dovi stood the Ducati up and there was nothing Marquez could do – a scintillating scrap came to a close in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Further back, Rossi had been caught by teammate Maverick Viñales and Rins as the trio battled for fourth. Ahead of them, Quartararo took the chequered flag in a lonely third to claim his third MotoGP rostrum, with Rossi holding off Viñales as three Yamahas sat in the top five at a track that has never suited the YZR-M1.

Rins was 0.021 seconds off Viñales in sixth as two rookies picked up their best premier class results behind. Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing Ducati) pocketed seventh to finish as the second-best Ducati, while Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) finished as the best KTM on the Austrian factory’s home turf – a sensational P8 for the Portuguese rider.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS HERE

Danilo Petrucci will be disappointed with ninth on a Ducati-friendly circuit, compatriot Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completed the top 10.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) crashed out of contention, with the British rider hitting the back of Tito Rabat’s Reale Avinita Ducati after the Spaniard had to take avoiding action due to Pol Espargaro’s Red Bull KTM cutting out. Not the result KTM would have been looking for on home turf.