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Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo has completed his fourth career trifecta of Grand Prix victories, winning his third race of the 2015 season at the Italian Grand Prix.
The dual premier class champion commanded the race after making an exceptional start from second on the grid, ousting maiden pole sitter and Italian rider Andrea Iannone.
Iannone on the Ducati was initially observed by the many television viewers and commentators for a supposed jump start, however there were no signals from race control as to an investigation.
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez was sure to rectify his poor Saturday form at the Mugello circuit this weekend, which saw the 22-year-old have to undertake Q1 and was then subsequently eliminated altogether after being caught napping by the Pramac Ducati of Yonny Hernandez.
The Spaniard started thirteenth, however gained nine places on just the opening lap. By the second lap, Marquez was in the podium places – fighting the Ducatis of Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso.
Valentino Rossi, who had won his last three races from eighth position – started eighth for his home race in front of a passionate crowd. Though the nine-time world champion did not make the best of starts and went backwards to position thirteen.
Suddenly the battle for second invited the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa into the fracas. Iannone led Marquez, with Dovizioso and Pedrosa hot in pursuit. Rossi too was making a comeback, scything his way to sixth.
There was unfortunate scenes at the Ducati camp, though, with Dovizioso pulling into the pit-lane and consequently retiring from his home Grand Prix.
Aussie Jack Miller was one of many riders to crash out, including Suzuki’s Aleix Espargaro who was aided off the circuit by Danilo Petrucci at Turn 1.
With Rossi in the wars with Pedrosa over fourth, Iannone and Marquez continued to trade places over second place. The former, who is still currently battling through an arm injury, was able to respond to the Repsol Honda rider’s every move.
Until that is, with seven laps remaining, Marquez lost the front end of his bike and went into the gravel.
British rider Cal Crutchlow also fell in the final stages of the race with a high-speed crash at the Arrabiata 1 corner, conceding a fifth-placed finish to his former Tech3 Yamaha teammate Bradley Smith.
The gladiatorial Lorenzo was able to collect the chequered flag with a gap of 5.5 seconds over the brave Iannone, who achieved his best result in the premier class at his home event.
Championship leader Rossi claimed third ahead of the sole finishing factory Honda of Pedrosa to maintain his lead over his Yamaha teammate by a mere six points.
Meanwhile, after his second retirement of the season, Marquez trails back in fifth by 49 points to the leader, which is just about two race wins worth.
Having claimed victory in Italy, Lorenzo will carry the momentum over to his second home event of the season in Barcelona – the scene of an epic contest between himself and his Yamaha teammate Rossi in 2009.
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