Monday 10th August 2015

MotoGP Indianapolis: PH2

Were the Yamahas up to stopping Marquez's unbroken run at Indianaoplis?

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He may be leading the championship, but a terrible qualifying for Rossi saw him start in eighth place at Indy with Marquez on pole. And Marc has never been beaten in America! But it was Lorenzo who set the pace in the opening laps with Marquez on his heels. Could Rossi catch the leading pair?

By mid race there was very much a split of two Yamahas and two Hondas as at the front Lorenzo and Marquez were joined at the hip while a few seconds behind Rossi had caught up with Pedrosa. Would tyres start to come into play in the final laps of the race? Or could the weather throw a spanner in the works?

With 12 laps to go a bit of rain in the atmosphere saw the spare bikes being prepared, but it would take quite a shower for the riders to swap at this late stage. Then, with eight laps to go, the slippery surface flags started to wave, could this be the answer to Rossi's prayers? Sadly not.

A fairly lethargic race burst into life in the last few laps as Rossi and Pedrosa battled for the final podium slot and Lorenzo and Marquez finally stopped their game of cat and mouse. With three to go, Marc made his move but Lorenzo refused to give up, setting up an enthralling last lap.

In the end Marc kept his unbeaten US record, Lorenzo was second and Rossi third. While it was enough for Rossi to leave America leading the championship, his advantage is now only a small one

Moto2 and after somehow the whole pack surviving the first few corners, Lowes was looking strong as he slipped into third spot on the first lap and put clear air between himself and the chaos behind. He was soon in with the leaders but crashed out of sixth place with a handful of laps left. The race was won by Rins with championship leader Zarco in second spot.

A semi-damp track saw the Moto3 race descend into absolute chaos as riders pitted to swap from wets to slicks after the first lap - well all apart from John McPhee and Loi. The Scot might have incurred a time penalty, but he started the race (from the pit lane) on slicks and quickly made his way through the field to second spot behind Loi. It was a case of damage limitation for championship leader Kent, but after a swap to slicks he started to set the fastest laps of the race. But it wasn't enough, the early advantage and tyre gamble paid off for Loi and McPhee while Kent finished 21st.

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Results

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

Moto2:
1st: Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40)
2nd: Zarco (Ajo Motorsport)
3rd: Morbidelli (Italtrans Racing Team)

Moto3:
1st: Loi (RW Racing GP)
2nd: McPhee (SAXOPRINT RTG)
3rd: Oettl (Schedl GP Racing)

Brit watch:
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 8
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 6
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 13
Eugene Laverty (MotoGP) - 19
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - DNF
John McPhee (Moto3) - 2
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 21

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

[PhantomPH]

I really enjoyed the MotoGP race. I don't think it was particularly lethargic - it was like a chess game. The two at the front were afforded the time to think about their strategy, which perhaps made the race seem a little un-eventful, but it was a good race.

[smilo996]

Moto3 was nuts as usual but not in the usual manner. Another fascianting race. Moto2 was alright to. Just wish it was more mixed up with frames and engines. Those Honda 600's are very dull. WSS is much better.

MotoGP. Honda fix the Repsol, Marquez does well. Why is it Repsol are the only team anywhere in MotoGP with rider and rider 2 not two number 1 riders much as I respect Pedro, if you follow BT Sport, they are both champions which is clearly not and never has been the case.

Rossi needs to up his qualifying again but given Honda's record at the terrible track, it was to be expected to have a Honda win, just not two Yams on the podium.

Who will win is still interesting.