Monday 26th October 2015

MotoGP Malaysia: PH2

It all gets a bit dirty in Malaysia...

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After Rossi's surprising outburst in the pre-race press conference, where he accused Marc Marquez of being on Jorge Lorenzo's side and helping his fellow Spaniard to the MotoGP title, the Malaysian race was always going to involve a bit of needle. But no one could have predicted just how much.

After the press conference, qualifying only heightened tensions as Marc appeared to allow Jorge to shadow him for a good time and then Iannone seemed to pause so fellow Italian Rossi could tag in behind. Helping hands or not, Rossi still pulled an amazing last sector out of the bag to finish in third spot with Lorenzo a row behind in fourth. One nil to Rossi, but the race was a different story.

The fact Pedrosa won and Lorenzo finished second didn't matter, what has set the whole world alight was the fact Rossi and Marquez collided and Rossi was accused of irresponsible riding, given three penalty points and as a result of one previous point, will start the Valencia race from the back of the grid. Rossi's team appealed the decision, but the appeal was rejected and the penalty stands so with only a seven-point advantage over Jorge and a whole grid ahead, things aren't looking good for Vale's title chances. Did he do wrong? That's up for debate. Did Rossi kick Marc? Did he deliberately run him wide (two long looks were a little suspect)? Or should Marc have backed off as he was behind Rossi and it could (and Yamaha probably will argue) be see as Marc rode into Rossi and fell off. The next two weeks before Valencia are sure to be packed full of debate...

MotoGP aside and the Moto2 race was one by Zarco while Brit Danny Kent failed to finish in sixth place in Moto3 and with Oliveria taking the win, the championship will now go down to Valencia. That said, he does have a 24-point advantage so basically just needs to stay out of trouble while Oliveria has to win. However staying out of trouble in Moto3 (or MotoGP for that matter) is tricky...

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Results:

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

Moto2:
1st: Zarco (Ajo Motorsport)
2nd: Luthi (Derendinger Racing Interwetten)
3rd: Folger (AGR Team)

Moto3:
1st: Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2nd: Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
3rd: Navvaro (Estrella Galicia 0,0)

Brit watch:
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 5
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 4
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 11
Eugene Laverty (MotoGP) - 19
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - 13
John McPhee (Moto3) - 10
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 7

Previous rounds:
MotoGP USA
MotoGP Qatar
MotoGP Argentina
MotoGP Jerez
MotoGP France
MotoGP Italy
MotoGP Spain
MotoGP Assen
MotoGP Germany
MotoGP Indianapolis
MotoGP Czech Republic
MotoGP Silverstone
MotoGP Misano
MotoGP Aragon
MotoGP Japan
MotoGP Australia

[pearsonjohnboy]

Well Marquez lent on Rossi then fell off LOL, Just have to hope for Lorenzo yellow flag overtaker to have a DNF in Valencia. Marquez and Lorenzo are working together. Hope Rossi also goes well on the new tyres next year. Come on No46.