RACING: Marquez wins as carnage hits
The world champion was in a class of his own in the MotoGP race on his factory Honda, while a three-way spill took out Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Dovizioso in one fell swoop. Miller was sixthReigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) took a stunning second win of the season at Jerez in Spain on May 6, fighting to the front and taking the chequered flag ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Andrea Iannone (Suzuki Ecstar).
There was huge drama in the race, though, with Ducati teammates Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) all crashing out in one go at turn six in the battle for second position.
Dovizioso attacked Lorenzo into turn six but went in too deep, with the number 99 then cutting back towards the apex – but Pedrosa was already there. The two collided with each other and then Dovizioso; the gravel trap waiting for the three men and the shockwaves of the moment ricocheting around the circuit as the dust settled. The trio all walked away unharmed despite the incident.
By that time, Marquez had done a runner as he went onto chalk up his 37th victory in the premier class – drawing level with the late Mike Hailwood.
“I’m very happy with the result, which is especially important at this track, because winning here is usually difficult for me,” said Marquez. “That said, I was convinced before the start that I could fight for the victory today. It was a tough weekend, but we did good work, and in the end I was able to manage the race in the best way, despite the fact that I wasn’t the fastest rider out there today.
“The key was the rear-tyre choice; we made the decision after the warm-up to go with the medium, and that was the right move. Then I was able to take the lead at the right moment and push when I had the chance. I also had a big moment when I hit some dirt on the track.
“When I realised that the asphalt was covered in gravel, it was already too late. I closed the gas, but I had a huge slide! Let’s say it was a bit of a ‘Marquez style’ show.”
Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Ducati), Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) and Aussie Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) completed the top six, while those to crash included polesitter Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki).
“I was content with my result, very close to the podium,” said Miller. “I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to fight with those guys at the end but I had a bad start and I had to really fight to get to them, I think I was 16th or something like that on the first lap and I had to pass many riders to arrive at Petrucci, Valentino and Iannone.”
Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha) made some progress from outside the top 10 in the initial stages to finish seventh, ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team Ducati), Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) wildcarding on a prototype of the 2019 RC16.
Marquez is now on 70pts, ahead of Zarco (58), Vinales (50), Iannone (47), Dovizioso (46) and Rossi (40). Miller is eighth on 36pts.
The next round will be held at Le Mans, France from May 18-20.
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