Lorenzo and Marquez down to the wire

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) put on a MotoGP show to remember at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on August 12, with the two dueling down to the wire and Lorenzo coming out on top for his third win of the season.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) completed the podium, ahead of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Castrol Honda), Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Ducati) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha). Australia’s Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) was 18th.

“It was an incredible race, maybe one of the best of my career," said Lorenzo.

“Winning with Ducati on this circuit, where I had never won before, after a close quarters battle with Marquez, has a really special taste.

“Before the race I had thought about which strategy to use, and I decided to do like Brno, administering the tyre wear well and then attacking in the final part of the race, especially because I was one of the few riders who had chosen ‘soft’ tyres and my riding style allowed me to conserve them until the end.

“When I found myself fighting against Marquez I knew that it was going to be difficult to pass him, so I decided to improvise by making the best use of the Desmosedici GP’s acceleration and it worked perfectly.

“Now we’re third in the championship standings, but above all I’m proud and very pleased with the way we’re working because the feeling with the bike is better and better all the time and I believe we can fight for the win in many other races. Now let’s just enjoy this moment with all the team and I’m also very happy for them.”

It was Marquez who had the initial advantage as he bolted away into the distance over the first laps, putting the hammer down early and leaving Lorenzo and Dovizioso trailing him. In clear air the No. 93’s tactics seemed immediately clear, and the bigger focus over the first laps was on the two Ducati men locked together behind him – almost close enough to look like one bike at a passing glance.

Dovizioso looked threatening and feinted a number of times but the Italian didn’t make a move. With the gap at the front staying constant and Marquez no longer gaining ground, the tide then began to turn as Lorenzo slowly reeled him in.

With 11 laps to go the Ducatis were right back on the tail of the Honda but Lorenzo just ran it wide at turn three. Using the grunt of the Borgo Panigale machine, however, the No. 99 recovered quickly to fire himself back into second and the lead trio remained in line, nothing between them... before Lorenzo decided to make his move.

Right on Marquez’ tail over the line and passing the reigning Champion into turn one, Lorenzo pulled the pin and took over at the front as teammate Dovizioso ran wide and dropped off the lead duo. But that lead duo didn’t stay the same way around for long as they dueled it out, heading a bit wide at one point before Lorenzo was back ahead and the two regrouped.

With three laps to go Lorenzo went wide at turn three and Marquez went through, but of course the Ducati struck back – with a brutal move at turn nine. On the penultimate lap Marquez again attacked at turn three, but Lorenzo led the two over the line to begin the final lap – and the gloves were most definitely off.

Locked together, the big attack came again at turn three as Marquez dived straight for the inside – but Lorenzo held his line and was able to regain the ground immediately on the exit. Pushing hard and the Repsol Honda in second squiggling around in the braking zones, Marquez looked threatening around the remainder of the final lap but the 'Spartan' was not for being caught – taking the victory in style and denying Marquez the chance at a final lunge.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) was seventh, ahead of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Ducati).

FULL RESULTS HERE

Next up is Silverstone, the stage of the first serious showdown between Lorenzo and Marquez, back in 2013. Will we see another repeat? Find out in two weeks as MotoGP heads to UK.