Photo: motogp.com
Yesterday’s race at Motorland Aragon was as dramatic as it was chaotic and exceedingly rewarding for the audience. What began as a dry race turned into a race in the rain in the last third, making tactical decisions play a huge role in the whole picture. Jorge Lorenzo claimed his first victory of 2014, after having swapped bikes in the best moment just before rain became a very serious threat for those riding with slicks.
Both Honda factory riders, Marquez and Pedrosa misjudged the weather conditions and tried to open a gap by refusing to go to the pits with the rest of the riders. This turned out to be a very bad idea, as both of them came off their bikes on a track which had become unsuitable for slicks. Pedrosa was followed one lap later by Marquez, none of them sustaining injuries and being able to switch to their wet bikes, managing so salvage few points in the end of the race, 3 for Marques and 2 for Pedrosa.
With the Honda machines no longer in the leading trio, Aleix Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow have gotten clean shot at the podium, with the Spaniard finishing the Aragon race in the runner-up position and the Manx rider in third, only 0.016s adrift, for a spectacular finish. Cructhlow’s bike apparently had some issues from an earlier clash.
Valentino Rossi had a nasty high-side crash as he ran a bit wide and touched the wet grass. Despite the fact that his crash was very hard and looked absolutely horrible, the Doctor is safe and sound. He was carried out of the gravel trap on a stretcher and admitted into a hospital for a medical check, but no serious injuries have been reported. A twitter message from Rossi mentions that he’s safe and the only bad thing is a serious head ache.
Dovizioso and Iannone also crashed out of the race, with the factory driver having an injured ankle, and Iannone making it unscathed past this episode. Karel Abraham also crashed towards the end of the Aragon round. With such a dramatic turn of events, the Aragon top 10 was completed with Bradl and Smith, followed by Pol Espargaro, Alvaro Bautista, Aoyama, Nicky Hayden and Scott Redding.
The current world standing seem Marquez in the lead with 292 points, followed by Pedrosa (217), Valentino Rossi (214), Jorge Lorenzo closing in to 12 points behind him and Andrea Dovizioso in the fifth position with 142 points. Aleix Epsargaro is 6th overall, with 112 points, and is the best Open Class rider. His podium position is also the first one for an Open bike.
We also wish Dani Pedrosa a happy birthday, as he turns 29 today. Watch Marquez’s crash below and Valentino Rossi’s high-side (motogp.com link).
With the Honda machines no longer in the leading trio, Aleix Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow have gotten clean shot at the podium, with the Spaniard finishing the Aragon race in the runner-up position and the Manx rider in third, only 0.016s adrift, for a spectacular finish. Cructhlow’s bike apparently had some issues from an earlier clash.
Valentino Rossi had a nasty high-side crash as he ran a bit wide and touched the wet grass. Despite the fact that his crash was very hard and looked absolutely horrible, the Doctor is safe and sound. He was carried out of the gravel trap on a stretcher and admitted into a hospital for a medical check, but no serious injuries have been reported. A twitter message from Rossi mentions that he’s safe and the only bad thing is a serious head ache.
Dovizioso and Iannone also crashed out of the race, with the factory driver having an injured ankle, and Iannone making it unscathed past this episode. Karel Abraham also crashed towards the end of the Aragon round. With such a dramatic turn of events, the Aragon top 10 was completed with Bradl and Smith, followed by Pol Espargaro, Alvaro Bautista, Aoyama, Nicky Hayden and Scott Redding.
The current world standing seem Marquez in the lead with 292 points, followed by Pedrosa (217), Valentino Rossi (214), Jorge Lorenzo closing in to 12 points behind him and Andrea Dovizioso in the fifth position with 142 points. Aleix Epsargaro is 6th overall, with 112 points, and is the best Open Class rider. His podium position is also the first one for an Open bike.
We also wish Dani Pedrosa a happy birthday, as he turns 29 today. Watch Marquez’s crash below and Valentino Rossi’s high-side (motogp.com link).
Google News