Yamaha took the first two podium spots in France on the weekend, but Suzuki managed to snag third place, which probably heartened the team that’s worked hard for so many months to put their factory squad back into action.
Jorge Lorenzo won the race, and teammate Valentino Rossi was second. Maverick Vinales was third aboard the Suzuki factory bike.
Lorenzo led the whole race, while Rossi battled up from seventh to earn his finish. Honda’s Marc Marquez managed to squander a chance to boost his lead by crashing out at Turn 7 in Lap 16. He had plenty of company in the DNF category. Other non-finishers included Bradley Smith, Jack Miller, Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Iannone, Tito Rabat, Cal Crutchlow, Yonny Hernandez, and Scott Redding. In other words, it was a bloodbath …
Lorenzo’s win gives him the points lead, while Rossi draws closer to contention. Only seven points separate the Doctor from Marquez now. As Rossi said, after this race, the standings are once again wide open for the taking.
MotoGP Top 10 Standings
1). Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha, 90 pts.
2). Marc Marquez, Honda, 85 pts.
3). Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 78 pts.
4). Dani Pedrosa, Honda, 53 pts.
5). Maverick Vinales, Suzuki, 49 pts.
6). Pol Espargaro, Yamaha, 47 pts.
7). Aleix Espargaro, Suzuki, 42 pts.
8). Hector Barbera, Ducati, 39 pts.
9). Eugene Laverty, Ducati, 33 pts.
10). Andrea Iannone, Ducati, 25 pts.
both riders hit the same spot on the track with less traction and crashed exactly the same way.. I hope that race direction or whomever looks into that. If you watch the crash you’ll see they both wash out on a lighter-coloured square patch of track.
When you write that Marquez “squandered his chance” you make it sound like he did it purposely. When you ride on the edge those things happens…. just ask Vale and Jorge about earlier this year. This is shaping up to be a great season.
There criebaby with a big smile
Not a Marquez fan I take it.
Great article, thank you for sharing.