Monday 18th August 2014

MotoGP Brno: PH2

Shock horror, Marc Marquez is human after all...

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After looking very strong in practice, a nasty crash saw Rossi's pace at the Brno MotoGP drop in qualifying after he stripped a load of skin from his little finger. Could The Doctor recover for the race and challenge Marc's dominance? Or would Jorge lead the Yamaha challenge after taking a soft tyre gamble? Saying that, the fastest Yamaha in qualifying was our very own Bradders!

Marquez in unfamiliar territory

A shocking start and first lap saw Marc with loads to do while the two Ducatis led the way until Jorge swept past. Would his soft tyres allow him to escape? With nearly a second gap after a few early laps, Marc's record looked in peril. Until Marc's tyres warmed up...

With Rossi out of the way, Marc made hard work of Iannone as the elbows flew but ahead Dani was breaking the lap record to catch Lorenzo. Could Marc bridge the gap? As his battle with Iannone demonstrated, he wasn't hanging about. But there was a problem; Dani was now ahead and going like the wind. That wasn't in the plan.

Mid-race and things were looking bad for Marc as he slipped back into Rossi's grasp and ahead Dani was gone. While it was a Repsol Honda that won, the shock was it was number 26 and not 93... And 93 actually finished fourth.

OK, Marc winning everything was in danger of getting dull, but PH2 can't help but feel a little disappointed he hasn't completed a clean sweep this season as it would have been a bit special to witness.

Another Repsol victory but the other rider!

After a strong qualifying in Moto2, Sam Lowes just needed a decent start to prove to the GP world he is the quality rider we know he is. After a good start, Lowes slotted into second spot but it wasn't to be and he tipped off with 16 to go. Runaway leader Rabat took the win with Kallio second in a fairly quiet Moto2 race.

Moto3 and after a full-on hissy fit during practice, Jack Miller was looking at letting his riding to the talking instead of his fists. An Australian with a point to prove is always a dangerous thing and true to form he was soon us there with the leaders despite his KTM having a power disadvantage. Moto3 just gets better and better and an absolute cracker of a race was won by Masbou after Rins' team failed to count the laps! Danny Kent scored a cracking third spot.

Results:

MotoGP
1. Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team)
2. Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
3. Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)

Moto2
1. Rabat (Marc VDS Racing Team)
2. Kallio (Marc VDS Racing Team)
3. Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP)

Moto3
1: Masbou (Ongetta Rivacold)
2: Bastianini (Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3)
3: Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo)

Brit watch

Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - DNF
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 9
Michael Laverty (MotoGP) - DNF
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 11
Leon Camier (MotoGP) - 15
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - DNF
Gino Rea (Moto2) - 26
John McPhee (Moto3) - DNF
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 3

Previous rounds:
MotoGP Qatar
MotoGP America
MotoGP Argentina
MotoGP Jerez
MotoGP Le Mans
MotoGP Mugello
MotoGP Catalunya
MotoGP Assen
MotoGP Sachsenring

 

 

[PhantomPH]

I had a feeling all was not well with Marc's bike. He was giving it a real look over on the grid after the formation lap and he seemed to struggle from the get go. So much so, I called the result (for Marc) after lap 1.

Is he human or was this a mechanical gremlin?

[smilo996]

BT Sports bods said it was to do with the longer corners at Brno. He could not back in and fire out of corners. Seemed to be losing grip out of the long corners.
That and being throughly beaten up by Ianonne.

[PhantomPH]

I still think there is a hint of a bike issue.

Quote from Marc himself:

"I tried to do my best but today it was not possible."
"I thought I had the pace, but who knows if the bike was not ready or the rider was not ready."

The fact that he references the bike, suggests....something?

[DreadUK]

fk Marquez, Danny Kent got 3rd!

[Gixer_fan]

Another DNF from Crutchlow....

[benm143]

No mention for Camier's point from 15th place?

The guy is making leaps forward at every track, cannot wait to have 3 Brits to cheer on at Silverstone in the Premier class