2nd Consecutive Wins for Dovizioso at British MotoGP Race, Vinales 2nd and Rossi 3rd
Ducati Corse's Andrea Dovizioso timed his pace just right by overtaking Yamaha Factory Racing's Valentino Rossi with 3 laps remaining, and maintained his lead just right to win the 2017 Octo British Grand Prix at Silverstone today.
Dovi also successfully hold off Rossi's teammate Maverick Viñales at the last 2 corners of the final lap to take his 4th win, and his second consecutive wins of the season by 0.114s over the Spaniard.
The win is Dovi's 6th in the premier class and is partly emotional as the Italian also clinched his first ever MotoGP at the British Grand Prix, albeit at a different track, Donington Park in 2009 on the wet.
It was Rossi who bolted off the line; the nine-time World Champion getting a lightning start from the middle of the front row and disappearing into the distance in the initial stages. Behind the ‘Doctor’, Marquez led a close five rider train with Cal Crutchlow, Viñales, Jorge Lorenzo and Dovizioso on the chase. Marquez suffered a huge moment early on, but the rider from Cervera remained in charge of the chasing pack.
Soon, the Dovizioso struck against Lorenzo and the group began to pull away from the ‘Spartan’, just as Rossi pulled away on his own at the front. The game of high-octane chess continued with the four in line and staying within touching distance of Rossi, until a sudden puff of smoke gave the Championship a serious shake up and Marquez was out of it.
That left four, with Rossi then reeled in and everything looking like it would go down to the wire. And that it did, with Dovizioso able to pounce with three to go and get past his compatriot, swiftly followed by Viñales. The ‘Doctor’ tried to fight back but found the duo able to just stay clear – and the final lap was approaching.
Championship leader Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda suffered a mechanical problem on his Honda while on 3rd position as he attempted to reel in Dovi for 2nd, having overtaken Vinales 2 laps earlier. Home hero Crutchlow secured 4th behind Rossi after spending almost the entire race in 5th behind Marquez then Vinales before gaining a spot after the Repsol rider's bike blew up with smoke.
Dovi's teammate Lorenzo managed to hold off Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie Johann Zarco (6th) for 5th while Dani Pedrosa was 7th.
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