Aragon Grand Prix MotoGP Race 2017: Honda double with a triumphant Marquez, Rossi fifth

This fourteenth round of an eighteen-round championship marked the 900th event of the World Championship. A milestone passed in Aragon, which has been in the landscape since 2010. Honda was the manufacturer who had shone the most on this track with its four successes, obtained by three different drivers: Casey Stoner (2011), Dani Pedrosa (2012), Marc Marquez (2013, 2016). For his part, Jorge Lorenzo gave Yamaha its only two victories in 2014 and 2015 and Stoner the only achievement for Ducati in 2010. So, for whom is this 2017 edition?

Before looking into the question, here is the overview in table…

 

#AragonGP MotoGP™	2016	2017
FP1	1'48.830 Marc Marquez (see here)	2'01.243 Marc Marquez (see here)
FP2	1'48.429 Dani Pedrosa (see here)	1'59.858 Dani Pedrosa (see here)
FP3	1'47.810 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'48.252 Marc Marquez (see here)
FP4	1'48.060 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'48.709 Maverick Vinales (see here)
Qualification 1	1'48.596 Danilo Petrucci (see here)	1'48.171 Jorge Lorenzo (see here)
Qualification 2	1'47.117 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'47.635 Maverick Vinales
Warm Up	1'48.928 Marc Marquez (see here)	1'48.832 Marc Marquez
Course	Marquez, Lorenzo, Rossi (see here)
All time lap record	1'46.635 Marquez 2015

 

The starting grid for this race was made up of a first row led by Casa Particular in Viñales before Lorenzo and Red on the leg operated on a little over 20 days ago for a double fracture. A feat on the part of the Doctor on a circuit where he had never yet triumphed. 23 hard-fought laps were more promised to him since, just behind him, three Hondas were ready to jump to the front.

The question that tormented, as always, the protagonists was that of the choice of tires. During the warm-up contested under a track temperature of 26°, we saw most of the field in medium soft, Márquez et Crutchlow apart from who were riding with two mediums. But some announced that Lorenzo, Barbera et zarco were going to bet on a couple of software. As for the hard rubbers, they required bitumen at least raised to 40° to assert themselves. Before departure, this tarmac was at precisely this temperature!

Lorenzo went off like a cannonball and Dovizioso like a ball. The two men supervised Vinales et Red, the two Yamahas reversing their positions a few turns further on. At the end of the first round, Lorenzo (MS) led in front Red (MH), Dovizioso (MS), Marquez (HH), Vinales (MH) Pedrosa (MM) Crutchlow (HH) and a determined Rock on the KTM (MM). zarco was twelfth (SS).

The best lap in the race after two laps went to Rossi Then to Marquez who moved up to fourth at the expense of a Vinales who seemed the least convincing of this leading group.

Vinales was clinched two seconds after five laps from a gang of four fighting for power. Lorenzo always stood up to Red and Dovizioso followed like his shadow by Marquez. Abraham fell at turn 8. A moment which took advantage Marquez to take third place from Dovi.

By wanting to tackle immediately Red, MM93 veered wide but kept the advantage over Dovizioso. Vinales was working to redo his handicap which he brought down to under two seconds, with Pedrosa et Crutchlow in its wake, but also Alex Espargaro.

At turn 12, Marquez ignited and tried to pass at the same time Red et Lorenzo before veering off and resuming the track fourth behind Dovizioso.

One turn later, Marquez regained third place but Dovizioso constantly harassed him. On your mind, Lorenzo completed his tenth lap in control of the race with Red behind. Vinales was 1.2s behind the leader. But he made a slight mistake from which he took advantage Pedrosa. A moment of glory for Honda since Marquez settled his account at Red for second place. zarco was tenth behind the always astonishing Rock.

At mid-race, the Ducatis were starting to struggle to stay within 1'49 per lap, a pace held by Marquez who spared no effort. Pedrosa also was on this momentum and became a real danger for Dovizioso to the great dismay of Vinales who seemed to fall into line. Nine laps from the goal, Pedrosa brought Dovi's Ducati into line.

Eight laps from the goal, Marquez attacked virilely Lorenzo to take the lead in the race. At the same time, Pedrosa going Red. The HRC could gloat and barely noticed the fall of Crutchlow at turn 14.

Red lost contact with the leading trio five laps from the end and fell under pressure from Dovizioso, Vinales but also the Aprilia of a Alex Espargaro flawless. Baptist wasn't far either...

Pedrosa set the best time in the race and attacked Lorenzo. Red contained as best it could Vinales, Dovizioso, Baptist et Alex Espargaro. But already more than three seconds behind the leader.

Two laps from the goal, Pedrosa took second place Lorenzo. Seven tenths from the leader Marquez, was he going to try his luck or protect the one who had just taken the lead in the championship?

Marquez gave the last push to remove any illusions from his teammate and took an important victory with a view to a championship now led with 16 points on Dovizioso and 28 on Vinales, big loser of the meeting. Pedrosa follows at 54 points then Red at 56 lengths.

Lorenzo is third in front Vinales, Red, Alex Espargaro et Dovizioso, only seventh ahead Baptist zarco et Espargaro Pol first KTM just ahead Rock.

#AragonGP MotoGP Race:

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 42m 6.816s 
2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 42m 7.695s 
3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (GP17) 42m 8.844s 
4. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha (YZR-M1) 42m 12.072s 
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha (YZR-M1) 42m 12.698s 
6. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 13.778s 
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (GP17) 42m 14.271s 
8. Álvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar (GP16) 42m 14.726s 
9. John Zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1)* 42m 19.818s 
10. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 42m 20.891s 
11. Mika Kallio END Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 42m 24.008s 
12. Andrea Iannone ITA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 42m 27.448s 
13. Jack Miller AUS EG 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 42m 30.702s 
14. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac (GP16) 42m 32.339s 
15. Tito Rabat ESP EG 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 42m 32.898s 
16. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1)* 42m 37.118s 
17. Alex Rins ESP Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 38.690s 
18. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia (GP16) 42m 38.764s 
19. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 42m 43.112s 
20. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac (GP17) 42m 44.658s 
21. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia (GP15) 42m 54.415s 
22. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 42m 54.463s 
Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF 
Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar (GP15) DNF 
*Rookie