#GermanGP MotoGP Race: Marquez overpowers Folger and takes the championship lead

Ce German Grand Prix once again marked the last stage of the MotoGP calendar before taking advantage of the summer break. A favorable terrain for Hondas who have always found something to expand their track record on the Sachsenring. With eleven victories, it is the manufacturer with the most triumphs during the MotoGP era in Germany. Its drivers have climbed to the top of the podium over the past seven years. So, the roller coaster for this 2017 edition?

Before launching into reflection, here is the table which serves as an inventory.

 

#GermanGP MotoGP	2016	2017
FP1	1'23.702 Andrea Iannone (see here)	1'21.599 Andrea Dovizioso (see here)
FP2	1'22.161 Maverick Vinales (see here)	1'28.115 Hector Barbera (see here)
FP3	1'21.552 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'20.745 Marc Marquez (see here)
FP4	1'22.005 Andrea Iannone (see here)	1'21.822 Marc Marquez (see here)
Q1	1'21.712 Danilo Petrucci (see here)	1'27.600 Danilo Petrucci (see here)
Q2	1'21.160 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'27.302 Marc Marquez (see here)
Warm up	1'33.883 Dani Pedrosa (see here)	1'21.635 Jonas Folger
Course	Marquez, Crutchlow, Dovizioso (see here)
All time lap record	1'20.336 Marquez 2015

 

Honda had taken pole position for the last six years at the Sachsenring. We had to go back to 2010 to see another brand dominate the grid, Yamaha with Jorge Lorenzo. A consistency which was verified yesterday, Saturday, with a Marc Márquez who had not distinguished himself in qualifying for five races, which had never happened to him before in MotoGP. He is the driver who has shone the most at the Sachsenring. The Catalan has won seven times (once in 125cc, twice in Moto2 and 4 times in MotoGP) always starting from pole position.

To be honest, this ninth meeting of the calendar was a deadline taken very seriously by the reigning World Champion to make up for his eleven points deficit in the general classification. An opportunity which had to be taken into account with the two essential parameters since the start of this campaign: the tires and the weather.

 

Weather-wise, the clouds were threatening but forgiving leaving the track dry at 28°. This is the highest value since the start of the meeting... So, this raised the question of tires. The majority's choice was a couple of mediums with the exception of one Lorenzo all soft like Abraham. Johann zarco mounted a medium front and a hard rear. So many strategies placed under the sword of Damocles of a more than overcast sky...

Marquez, Pedrosa which has Lorenzo took the first turn in this order at the release of the wild animals. It was 30 laps. At the first of these, Red was already sixth. Hector Barbera learned that he had stolen the start.

In the second round, the local Folger achieved the best time and took third place in Por Fuera. At this stage of the race, the leadership of Marquez allowed the latter to take the lead in the title race... Far from these considerations, Folger continued to set the fastest lap in the race and became a threat to the Honda duo. So much so that he gave way Pedrosa without warning!

After five laps, the Tech3 driver delighted his compatriots by taking control on his home turf. The leading trio was already more than three seconds behind the pursuers led by Petrucci, Red and the two official Ducatis, Dovizioso before Lorenzo. Vinales stagnated in tenth place and zarco was fifteenth, Baz seventeenth. Hector Barbera received the black flag for not having served his penalty.

Red took command of the fight in front Petrucci et Dovizioso themselves under threat ofAlex Espargaro. Folger made a drop of water which benefited Marquez to take the lead again. Vinales was eighth in front Lorenzo et zarco fourteenth.

Marquez et Folger led with more than three seconds ahead of a Pedrosa which was the objective of Red kept in respect with the same distance. Sam Lowes fell after thirteen laps. As for Vinales, he took advantage of the merciless struggle between Alex Espargaro et Petrucci to take sixth position. Lorenzo, eleventh lost his footing.

Halfway through the race, it became clear that victory would be decided between Marquez et Folger while Pedrosa was promised third place. Behind, Red, Dovizioso et Vinales were playing for championship points. An epic battle.

At the start of the last ten laps, Marc Marquez raised his level of play to take down this devil of Folger while Vinales, fifth, put Red et Dovisioso behind him, but also a Baptist at a frenetic pace. zarco entered the top 10.

But it was said that Jonas Folger wouldn't let himself be counted out at home. The German responded to Marquez and caught him again with eight laps to go. Baptist offered himself the scalp of Dovizioso and became a real threat for the two official Yamahas. Iannone fell six laps from the goal when he was twelfth, fighting with Lorenzo.

Four rounds! Folger remained the shadow of Marquez, Pedrosa drove isolated, Vinales was followed by Red himself pursued by Baptist. Dovizioso let go and fell into the clutches ofAlex Espargaro. Crutchlow et zarco completed the top 10.

More Marquez took another shot and made the break. zarco took over Crutchlow. Vinales held his fourth place and in respect Red. Baptist et Alex Espargaro deprived Dovizioso valuable points. Marquez takes the championship lead ahead Vinales five points, Dovizioso at six lengths and Red to ten units.

#GermanGP MotoGP: Ranking

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 40m 59.525s
2. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 41m 2.835s
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 11.071s
4. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 13.778s
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 14.505s
6. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 41m 16.059s
7. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 19.261s
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 19.713s
9. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 41m 20.663s
10. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 41m 23.735s
11. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 25.184s
12. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 31.065s
13. Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 31.704s
14. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 35.978s
15. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 41m 37.296s
16. Mika Kallio END Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 37.377s
17. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 38.848s
18. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 41m 40.715s
19. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 59.375s
20. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 42m 1.189s
21. alex rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 1.220s
Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) DNF
Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* DNF
Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) DSQ