Jorge Lorenzo took his third win of the season and his second consecutive at the Circuit de Catalunya in Sunday’s round of the MotoGP, ahead of fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa had, on Saturday during second qualifying, smashed the circuit record set by Australian former MotoGP rider Casey Stoner, which he set on board his Ducati in 2008.
There were three Spaniards on the podium once again this season, as Marc Marquez claimed third position after a fight for second place in the closing stages of the race, with Marquez going wide after an attempted pass on Pedrosa.
Valentino Rossi finished fourth after a disappointing home Grand Prix two weeks ago in Mugello, when he was taken out by Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista but it was almost a case of Deja Vu for the Italian when, on the opening lap, Bautista again made an error in judgement before coming close to the back wheel of the factory Yamaha rider and this time only taking himself out of the race.
Yamaha’s Tech 3 rider, Briton Cal Crutchlow, crashed out of the proceedings after a strong weekend when in qualifying he was able to equal his career-best qualifying position by taking second behind pole sitter Pedrosa.
The only Aussie in the top class, Bryan Staring, finished 14th postion, his career best and only point scoring round of the year. He did later admit he was helped by a greasy track due to the changing weather conditions, which saw his CRT competitors go down around him.
The Spaniards take up the top three positions in the World Championship standings, with Dani Pedrosa still leading after his second place finish at his home Grand Prix.
The Championship now moves onto The Dutch TT of Assen in two weeks’ time, where the battle for the title will continue.
atlas
Guest
Assen this weekend - could be a good one for the Hondas Last year Marc Marquez set three Moto2 records here - fastest lap, circuit record and fastest pole Pedrosa has circuit record, also from 2012, when that other Honda rider, the departed Stoner, set records for fastest lap and pole.
trent
Guest
I don't think the rookie rule to satelite teams is now enforced, if you have the right (spanish!) passport/sponsors, which is why I can see Maverick Vinales, being fast tracked if he wins Moto 3/Moto 2 in the near future and I would love to see him battling with MM.
Chris Dennis
Roar Rookie
Yeh it's a shame to see good riders heading to the Motogp class too quickly, usually it restricts them to either a satellite (if they're lucky like Smith for example) or a crt ride which I think even the likes of Marquez would find difficult to compete with the top riders with, I think Andrea Iannone would have been a big contender for the championship had he remained in Moto2 this year.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
I think Maverick Vinales is very good. His quitting his team last year was poor for his reputation. If Vinales can win the Moto3 title. He should take a couple of years in Moto2 class
trent
Guest
Yes both Espagaro brothers are good. I suspect though, they need to be on a factory machine to challenge the aliens and I think this is where Maverick is heading to a factory machine. If Yamaha were smart, I'm sure he could be groomed as the sucessor to VR when he reitres.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Pol Espagaro might have something to say about that when he moves to MotoGp next year
trent
Guest
MM is amazingly talented, in a few years time I predict it will be him versus Maverick Vinales as the best Moto gp riders in the world.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Yeah I think Marc Marquez is a freak. That horrific crash at Mugello would've dented many a great riders confidence. But Marquez got back on it at Barcelona and forgot about Mugello. IMO if Pedrosa doesn't win the title this year, he deserves a premier class title for the talent he has, he could be playing second fiddle to Marquez for the rest of his career. Marquez is so good, that Rossi and Ago's records are under threat.
Chris Dennis
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's true, I think even in the latter stages of this season we may see him on the podium at least a few times by seasons end. I hope he does have a better year next year, but I think it will be hard for most riders to contend with Marquez after his rookie year this year!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
2013 is a transitional season for The Doctor. The two seasons at Ducati have taken all from Rossi. His body took a lot of punishment. He's riding better on the Yamaha but is still considerably slower than Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Marquez. 2014 should give a better indication if Rossi still has it.
Chris Dennis
Roar Rookie
Ha ha, yep! even more annoying that Bautista didn't take any blame when he clearly went out wide in Mugello and then tried to get back onto the racing line which by that time Rossi had taken. Yeah, I'd have to agree with you on that, I don't think he will ever be able to challenge for the Championship again but I do think he can still win GP races.
atlas
Guest
Ross unimpressed by Bautista “In Mugello he did a mistake and f**ked my home grand prix and we could have had big pain [in the accident]. But one mistake can happen... He said he didn't see me,” “For me, when Bautista sees me, Lorenzo and also the other top guys he becomes a little bit crazy. Last year with Lorenzo [at Assen], in Valencia 2011 with me and Mugello with me. It is like he has to demonstrate that he is better than us. After six GPs in 2013 Rossi in in 5th place overall, but well back - 60pts v Pedrosa on 123. And just behind him, his beloved (!) Ducatis of Dovizioso and Hayden in 6th/7th. 6-7th seemed to be his destiny on Ducati last year and they are doing the same, just not good enough to compete at the front. Still along way to go but I'd be very surprised if VR can work his way up into the top 3, the Hondas of Pedrosa/Marquez, and his Yamaha Team-mate Lorenzo look good for fighting out the whole season.