Monday 13th July 2015

MotoGP Germany: PH2

Honda finds some much needed form

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After Yamaha having its own way for a while, Germany saw the return to form of both the Honda bikes with Marquez on pole and Pedrosa alongside him with Lorenzo in third. Was this the start of the turn around for Honda? Not if Lorenzo had anything to do with it and an amazing first corner saw him take the lead while Rossi slipped into fourth. Honda versus Yamaha - bring it on!

Yamaha v. Honda? Fight!

After taking a few laps to settle down following a big moment, Rossi was soon lapping the quickest and shaping up a move on Pedrosa to take third while ahead Marquez slipped by Lorenzo. Would Rossi be able to overtake his team mate and championship rival?

Marc was certainly the man on form in Germany and once at the front looked unlikely to ever be caught, however the real thrills during the race came from Rossi and Lorenzo swapping places, a dice that Pedrosa appeared happy playing spectator on. By the time Rossi made it past Lorenzo, Marc was nearly two seconds ahead and it looked a case of if Rossi could keep ahead of Lorenzo rather than if he could catch Marc. But then Dani crept past, demoting Lorenzo to fourth and looking like he would be able to catch Rossi with ease. Sure enough, with thirteen laps to go, Dani was past and that was the end of Yamaha's charge. Although was it an inspired tyre choice masking the RCV's chassis issues?

An easy win for Marc, a welcome second for Dani, Rossi third and a humour sapping fourth for Lorenzo. With half the MotoGP season now passed, the second half promises to be a cracker.

Rossi, Pedrosa and Lorenzo duking it out

With Rabat injuring himself in a practice crash, could Sam Lowes make up some points on him in Germany? Despite a mashed shoulder, Rabat still looked very strong while Lowes qualified in ninth spot so it wasn't looking good. In the end, championship leader Zarco was pipped to the win by Simeon while Rabat was taken out on the last lap and Lowes finished fifth.

Moto3 and pole sitter Danny Kent looked untouchable after dominating practice and qualifying but a poor start saw him drop down to third come the first corner. As he has demonstrated this year, Danny has a wise head on young shoulders, kept his cool and was soon back at the sharp end. A few laps later he had built up a commanding lead and as promised, took a comfortable race victory while the rest scrapped over third spot.

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Results

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

Moto2:
1st: Simeon (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2)
2nd: Zarco (Ajo Motorsport)
3rd: Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40)

Moto3:
1st: Kent (Leopard Racing)
2nd: Vazquez (Leopard Racing)
3rd: Bastianini (Junior Team Gresini Moto3)

Brit watch:

Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 7
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 6
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - DNF
Eugene Laverty (MotoGP) - 17
Michael Laverty - (MotoGP) - 20
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - 5
John McPhee (Moto3) - 17
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 1

Previous rounds:
MotoGP USA
MotoGP Qatar
MotoGP Argentina
MotoGP Jerez
MotoGP France
MotoGP Italy
MotoGP Spain
MotoGP Assen

[smilo996]

Perhaps it is too early to tell. Hinda have not been beaten there since 2009 and the two previous years Hinda was leading before the restart. The fact Pedro came second seems to indicate it is less about Maerquez and more about changes Hinda have made in general, perhaps the 2014 chassis.

It is a while since we have seen Lorenzo in a dog fight. perhaps he should shelve trying to get to the front and disappear as a strategy at every race.

Another great Moto3 race and for Danny Kent.