Iannone silences the critics, Crutchlow takes a tumble, and Marquez rides at light speed!
Not so calm before the storm…
With so much having taken place at the last race in Argentina, all eyes were on Mr Marquez to see if he could behave himself this time at the 2018 MotoGP COTA. Unfortunately, due to misbehavior during a qualifying lap, Marquez received yet another penalty. Not enough to make a dent in his chances of winning though. Forcing Marquez to start fourth on the grid… Yeah, that’ll really scupper his chances of a podium!
Moving on though; complaints have been echoed around the paddocks all weekend regarding the condition of the track. Everyone from Rossi to Crutchlow commenting on the terrible track conditions in Texas. Organisers at the Texas track had attempted to smooth out the large bumps complained about last year by various MotoGP racers. However, their efforts appear to have been for nothing. Current championship leader Cal Crutchlow claims “[the organisers] tried to make it better but they made it worse”. It is also heard that there are large amounts of dirt and dust on the track since these improvements have been made. Jack Miller complained during practice that his windscreen had been broken by rocks flying up from the track. Not the ideal conditions to be thrashing around at 200mph then!
And they’re off!
The start grid consists of Maverick Vinales, Andrea Iannone and Johann Zarco making up the first row. Second row starters are Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. With so many big contenders on the first two rows alone, this could be anyone’s victory. We know that Marquez is dominant around this track, having won here every year for the last five years. His confidence is immediately demonstrated as he shoots from the second row and hangs left into the first corner. However, not before Andrea Iannone, as the Italian on the Suzuki dives into the first corner and begins to carve out his lead here at the 2018 MotoGP COTA.
Followed eagerly by every rider here, the Maniac shoots back down the hill and into the first right with ease but with Marc Marquez snapping at his heels, how long will this lead last? Maverick Vinales, a strong contender through the weekend chomps at the back tyre of Marc Marquez. Before the first lap is over, Marquez jumps into the lead. From here, he begins to perform the disappearing act that we have seen so many times before.
Don’t rule out the Doctor
Rossi pulls up the inside of Cal Crutchlow into turn 11, charging into 4th place. However, with Marquez and Iannone showing such good race pace, the chances of a podium are uncertain for the Doctor. Iannone, having provided the fastest lap of the race dives underneath Marc Marquez and smells first place once again before it is ripped away from him. Dani Pedrosa is in 8th place, a great ride despite having been high-sided in Argentina which resulted in a fractured wrist and surgery. Cracking effort Dani!
Crutchlow seems be very hot into the corners, leaving it too late to brake and running wide, dropping him from 5th to 8th. As the helicopter hovers overhead, we can see just how much of a lead Marc Marquez is carving out. A full second quicker than the Suzuki of Andrea Iannone. Unless Marquez makes a massive mistake, we’re fairly confident that the 2018 MotoGP COTA is his. On the plus side for the other riders, if Marquez is at the front at least he’s not colliding with everyone else!
Slip and slide from the championship leader
14 laps to go and Maverick Vinales tears up the inside of Iannone at turn 1, block passing and screaming off into the distance. Rossi looks to follow his Movistar Yamaha teammate; a Yamaha 2nd and 3rd would be a welcome morale boost for the team, who have yet to really make their stamp of the 2018 season. Cal Crutchlow attempts to come past Johan Zarco for a shot at 5th place, making the same mistake in the same corner and running wide, dropping back down into 7th as Zarco and Dovizioso shoot past, unobstructed.
With 12 laps to go, the gap between Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales is an eye watering 4.5 seconds. There seems to be no stopping Marquez in America and no one can get close enough to challenge him for the win. He’ll be moving up the championship scores after this race, that’s for sure. Speaking of champions, it is at turn 20 that Cal Crutchlow pushes too hard into a corner once again and slides off his LCR Honda. He does manage to pick the bike back up, his pride and championship standings damaged more than his bike.
Suzuki slide out from Rins
Despite his podium finish in Argentina, Alex Rins slips out of the Suzuki, with other riders barely missing him and his bike. Binning it twice in three races? Difficult to predict what will happen to Rins in any race. It appears, with just 6 laps to go, that the riders have found their positions with little change in the race positions. Rossi appears to be more interested in conserving his tyres rather than pushing for the podium. A 4th place for Rossi would be a good finish for the Doctor. Couple this with a possible second place from Maverick Vinales and it’s a very good weekend for Yamaha at the 2018 MotoGP COTA.
With only three laps to go, the gap between first and second place is a massive 6.5 seconds. Marquez is unchallenged throughout this race and taking every corner with clinical precision. The world is seeing a much more controlled Marquez than we saw in Argentina. Vinales sets the fastest speed of the race with a blistering 205mph while Iannone holds tight to his 3rd place position on the Suzuki, but still 1.5 seconds behind Vinales.
And the winner is… you guessed it!
As the 2018 MotoGP COTA draws to a close, Marc Marquez stands on the top step, with Vinales in 2nd place and a surprise 3rd place from Andrea Iannone. Rossi comes in with a solid 4th place with Dovizioso completing the top five. Thanks to this fifth place finish and his win in Qatar, Dovi now leads the championship but only by a single point. All could change next time round and I’m sure it will. I’m seriously impressed with the efforts from Dani Pedrosa. Wrestling the Repsol Honda with a newly repaired wrist and finishing in 7th; hats off sir!
Andrea Iannone has done brilliantly and effectively silenced those looking to kick him off his Suzuki for the next season. Rumours have been circulating around the MotoGP that Suzuki have approached the likes of Jorge Lorenzo, Danillo Petrucci and others. Iannone refuses to give up without a fight and puts in his best ride since 2016. With Rins having binned it in two out of the three races so far, it will be a difficult decision for Suzuki as to which rider gets the boot. I’m not sure I could choose between the two. As Marquez completes his ride around carrying the number 69 flag, a tribute to the late Nicky Hayden, celebrations begin. Well deserved positions for all and a cracking third race. To Jerez and beyond!
Top ten:
1: Marquez
2: Vinales
3: Iannone
4: Rossi
5: Dovizioso
6: Zarco
7: Pedrosa
8: Rabat
9: Miller
10: A. Espargaro
All images courtesy of motogp.com
