Monday 29th June 2015

MotoGP Assen: PH2

Dutch delight for MotoGP fans after another thrilling race

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Having secured his first pole in what seems like years (well, since last season), Valentino Rossi was the qualifying sensation of Assen. Still right in the championship chase, and with a team mate bang on form, what better time to sort out his traditionally poor qualifying performances? Could he convert it to a win? All the fans hoped so, especially as Lorenzo was way down the order...

Look who's back!

Pole position isn't much use unless you get a good start and a brave first corner secured the race lead for Valentino while behind him Lorenzo made it up to third in the opening lap. Rossi, Marquez and then Lorenzo, you couldn't help but feel there would be some fireworks later in the Assen race.

With a new chassis underneath him, Marc Marquez was looking more like his old self while Lorenzo appeared to wake up on race day and it wasn't long until the trio broke well clear of the field with Rossi leading the way. Although out of the three, Marc appeared the only one capable of running with Rossi while Lorenzo was a little short of pace.

Having shadowed Rossi all race, Marc Marquez left it until seven laps to go to overtake and take the lead with Lorenzo out of the game. Could Rossi respond? The last few laps certainly promised some much needed excitement in MotoGP. Was Rossi sand bagging?

Lorenzo won't have it all his own way

Three laps to go and Rossi was back in the lead and a mistake by Marquez gave him some breathing space. Had he broken Marc? One lap to go and Rossi was leading the way and setting a personal best lap time. But Marc was still there and a proper lunge in the final chicane nearly saw it all end in tears. However a bit of gravel hopping and in the end the only tears were of joy from Rossi fans. What a ride!

A strong practice hinted that Sam Lowes could secure an Assen podium and after the first race was red flagged, he settled into the leading group of riders in the shortened race. In the end race winner Zarco and second place Rabat proved too fast, but at least Lowes secured the final podium spot.

Moto3 and another mature ride saw Danny Kent stick with the leaders throughout the whole race and pull off a superb overtake to snatch third. An achievement that was only bettered by Ajo's knee dragging finish as he clung onto his bike and was dragged over the line by its side!

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Results
1st: Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
2nd: Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
3rd: Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)

Moto2:
1st: Zarco (Ajo Motorsport)
2nd: Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS)
3rd: Lowes (Speed Up Racing)

Moto3:
1st: Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2nd: Quartararo (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
3rd: Kent (Leopard Racing)

Brit watch:

Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 6
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 7
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 13
Eugene Laverty (MotoGP) - DNF
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - 3
John McPhee (Moto3) - 10
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 3

[PhantomPH]

"With a new chassis underneath him, Marc Marquez was..."

Actually, it was an old chassis underneath him. That was last year's chassis with this year's engine in it.

Great race! So much more entertaining than F1 these days. Shame I'm going to lose it when BT start charging an arm and a leg for BT Sport.