Czech Republic Grand Prix Brno MotoGP Race: Dovizioso masters Lorenzo and Marquez

Ce Czech Republic Grand Prix is that of celebrations even before the first lap completed on the Brno track. A celebration that concerns the first row of the starting grid. So, Marc Marquez is preparing to take his hundredth start in MotoGP, Andrea Dovizioso his hundredth flight on a Ducati, a brand which had not had pole position for ten years, and it was precisely in Moravia. Not to be outdone, Valentino Rossi, sandwiched between the two aforementioned, will want to pass the milestone of 6 points scored in a career, on the circuit where he won his very first victory, 000 years ago...

So many facts which do not raise the awareness of adversaries who want to dominate this eminent trio. To lay the foundations for what awaits us, here is the table which summarizes the situation against the clock...

Brno MotoGP™	2017	2018
FP1	2'05.201 Johann Zarco (See here)	1'56.647 Johan Zarco (See here)
FP2	1'56.332 Andrea Dovizioso (See here)	1'55.976 Dani Pedrosa (See here)
FP3	1'55.370 Marc Marquez (See here)	1'55.175 Valentino Rossi (See here)
FP4	1'56.429 Marc Marquez (See here)	1'56.149 Marc Marquez (See here)
Qualification 1	1'56.220 Danilo Petrucci (See here)	1'55.538 Maverick Vinales (See here)
Qualification 2	1'54.981 Marc Marquez (See here)	1'54.689 Andrea Dovizioso
Warm Up	2'07.120 Marc Marquez (See here)	1'56.177 Andrea Dovizioso
Course	Marquez, Pedrosa, Vinales (See here)
All time lap record	1'54.596 Marc Marquez 2016

 

The last pole position ofAndrea Dovizioso goes back to Sepang in 2016, but on a wet track. Otherwise, in the dry, the feat dates back to Qatar 2015.… The 2017 world vice-champion has remained absent from the Top 5 during the last five editions of the Czech Republic GP. Otherwise, Valentino Rossi is the driver with the most victories on the current circuit, tied with Max Biaggi (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc and 4 x MotoGP). But Yamaha hasn't won since the 2017 Dutch Grand Prix; i.e. 19 events without the slightest success from one of its pilots. The last time the tuning fork brand experienced such a significant period of drought was at the end of 1997 – beginning of 1998 with a streak of 22 races without any triumph.

On the grid, we regret the absence of Pol Espargaro who broke his collarbone this morning after a fall during warm-up. With Rock on the side and one week before the national meeting in Austria, the Mattighofen brand only has the only Bradley Smith valid…

The question that torments the protagonists on the starting line is the weather. The sky is overcast, a storm is feared, and the temperatures are lower than during the past two scorching days, which will influence the strategic choice of tires for the 21 laps ahead. The track, swept by a strong wind, is at 38°, or 12° less than during qualifying.

Dovizioso totally hard, Red in hard medium, Marquez totally hard with the carbon swingarm, but medium soft for zarco et Vinales, these are the main choices of erasers. The race starts under a track temperature ultimately estimated at 41°. Red, Dovi, Marquez et Lorenzo take orders when the wild animals are released. Petrux is suspected of having stolen the start. At turn 3, Vinales Smith et Bradl are in the gravel trap. First retirement for the Yamaha official who had until then scored at all the Grands Prix.

The first round is completed with Dovi as a leader in front Red et Marquez. The times are slow, in 2'03. Lorenzo et Crutchlow are in the top5, petrux, who will not be penalized and zarco follow. Kidneys signs a decent 1'57 which announces the pace of the field, keen to preserve its tire capital.

In the third round, Lorenzo point third in front Marquez who had trouble with Crutchlow which demotes to eighth. We note that the Ducatis ride with the new fairing. After five laps, Marquez returned to third. But the pace remains in 1'57, except Rabat, eleventh which, with its 1'56, shows that everyone is on the wrong rhythm!

After six laps, the leaders finally pass in 1'56. But Redding will not know his happiness because he falls. Syahrin is 14th just ahead Morbidely in the battle of the rookies. But one lap later, everyone is back in 1'57... Red then goes to the front. Lorenzo double Marquez. Rabat abandoned. The top ten are in less than 3 seconds... It's clear that no one has revealed their game yet.

10 laps from the goal, the trio of the first row tries to escape, which is seen Crutchlow which virilely exceeds Lorenzo to keep in touch. Dovizioso takes orders in front Marquez et Red. zarco is seventh behind Petrucci and contains both Suzukis. Morbidely is third, ahead Syahrin.

Crutchlow pass Red one round later. The Doctor drops three tenths off the pace of the leading men… But zarco is the fastest of the group playing the podium. Eight laps from the goal, Dovizioso increase the pace. Marquez and Crutchlow follow in his wake. Red goes fifth behind Lorenzo.

The leading trio turns two tenths faster than their pursuers. Alone Lorenzo try not to give up. Red et Petrucci and zarco take your wheel and keep hope!

Lorenzo does such an admirable job that he sticks to the leading trio and even presents himself as a danger. Por Fuera passes Crutchlow. He is three tenths faster than the duo driving just in front of him! Four laps from the goal, the marks fall and the times drop to 1'56 in the leading trio...

Dovi, Marquez et Lorenzo are shaping up to be potential winners. But it is the Mallorcan who indeed seems the strongest. He goes second and even first in a turn before being caught by his teammate; the last two rounds promise to be epic.

And they will be! The Ducati duel is merciless under constant threat of Marquez. No gifts are given between Dovi et Lorenzo. And MM93 wants to take advantage of the slightest breach. The last lap is crazy. And it's Dovizioso who snatches the piece for a Ducati double. Red is fourth. zarco seventh.

Czech Republic Grand Prix Brno MotoGP Race: Standings