Jorge Lorenzo gave a fine display of his increasing competitiveness with the factory Ducati in the sun-splashed fourteenth round of eighteen of 2017 MotoGP at Motorland, Aragon with a front row qualification berth and his second podium appearance of the year. The #99 blood-red Desmosedici was a major player in the final European stop on the ’17 slate and spearheaded the pack for fifteen laps before just losing out to Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. Movistar Yamaha duo Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi – the Italian competing less than three weeks after breaking his right leg in two places – filled the top five.
Viñales sped to his fifth pole position of the season on Saturday, just a tenth of a second ahead of an improving Lorenzo and Rossi magnificently fast despite the physical and mental limitations of his weak limb. The race however pushed pre-event favourite Marc Marquez back to the fore. The reigning number one challenged the quick-starting Lorenzo, with the Ducati man holding onto the lead for over half the race before suffering with rear grip and dropping two places to the Hondas. Marquez won for the fifth time to extend his cushion at the top of the series and further back – only five seconds, to further emphasise the close nature and tight competition in MotoGP this year – was Viñales and Rossi.
“We were closer than ever and led so many laps,” said Lorenzo. “It was pity we did not last until the finish but rear was probably too soft for us. So, we have to be happy with qualifying, leading and the podium.”
“I’m very proud and very happy because one week ago I didn’t know if I am able to race,” commented the age-less Rossi, who was also battling at the front in the early stages. “But we worked well. We made the right choice. Perhaps risking a bit but I want to try not to lose another race because the more races you lose, the more time you need to come back to your ‘level’. It was a good weekend because I always feel quite good with the bike – not 100 percent for sure, with some pain, but I can ride in a good way. Starting from the front row yesterday was already great. I was very happy. I know that today in the race it would be more difficult. But, anyway, it was a great race.”
Moto2 saw a sensational return to form by Franco Morbidelli. The outstanding rider of the season so far suffered a confidence-wavering crash in the rain of Misano two weeks ago and watched his championship margin slashed to 9 points. Aragon witnessed the Italian fiery and out for revenge against the rain gods. Under bright Spanish sunshine he duelled superbly with Mattia Pasini and an aggressive move on the final lap – coupled with some brave late braking – delivered win No. 7 of the campaign and boosted his numerical margin up to 21 over Thomas Luthi.
“Nothing changed with my approach today, I raced as I always do, giving the maximum and this is what came out,” admitted Morbido. “I tried to push at the beginning and open a gap but then Pasini was closing fast and I had a decision to make. Stay calm and ride for the championship or fight. I kept fighting and went for the win so this victory gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
In Moto3 Joan Mir edged closer to title glory but had just three and five hundredths of a second advantage over Fabio Di Giannantonio and Estrella Galicia 0,0’s Enea Bastianini at the flag; the Italian grasping his second podium result of the year with third place and showing positive signs of becoming a front-runner in the class once more.
That’s almost it for MotoGP in Europe. The series embarks on a continent-spanning three-week hop to Japan, Australia and Malaysia in October before the traditional finale in Valencia in November.
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