Marquez Storms to Aragon Grand Prix Victory
By Daniel Hall
The Aragon Grand Prix was another exciting race from Spanish rider Marc Marquez, who scored his fourth victory of the season.
MotoGP had seen eight different winners from the last eight races, but it was clear from early in the Aragon Grand Prix weekend that Marc Marquez looked poised to end the streak.
After he dominated practice and qualifying, the rest of the field faced an uphill battle against Marquez, but the two-time champion made things a bit more interesting than they should have been.
The Repsol Honda slipped from first to third on the opening lap, as Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales took advantage. Marquez continued to struggle, with Andrea Dovizioso all over him.
Rossi passed the Suzuki for the lead as Marquez dispatched of the Ducati and then the Yamaha of Jorge Lorenzo. Things were made easier when Vinales ran a mile wide, allowing the pole-sitter to slide through. The Suzuki rider eventually fell to fourth – a disappointing end following a front row start.
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The Repsol Honda’s return to the lead was as inevitable as the commentators mentioning the top three are rivals.
Did you know Rossi and Marquez are rivals? Well, they are.
Marquez regained the lead on Lap 12 and there was no looking back. Losing the lead was just the beginning for Rossi, who came under fire from his teammate in the closing stages. Lorenzo made his move but the 7-time premier class champion refused to go down. The Italian lunged down the inside but overcooked and had to use the run off.
The checkered flag fell with Marquez 2.7 seconds ahead of Lorenzo, with Rossi crossing the line in third.
Ducati Struggles
Starting from fourth and challenging Marquez early, Dovizioso looked a possibility for at least a podium, but he was eaten alive as the race progressed. He came home 11th, one spot ahead of Michele Pirro on the other factory Ducati. Post-race, Ducati cited problems with the Michelin front tire for their struggling race pace.
Hayden Returns
America’s 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden made his return to MotoGP this weekend, scoring a point for Marc VDS. The race should be a one-off for “the Kentucky Kid,” who was subbing for injured Australian Jack Miller.
Next: Max Chilton On His Rookie Season
Aragon was another exciting round of the 2016 MotoGP season. Marquez’s championship lead is now 52-points with four rounds left. Though it should be easy for him from here, Marquez likes to spice things up without trying. If he can keep it steady, he should have an easy time wrapping up his third title.
Here are the results for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Aragon:
- Marc Marquez
- Jorge Lorenzo
- Valentino Rossi
- Maverick Vinales
- Cal Crutchlow
- Dani Pedrosa
- Aleix Espargaro
- Pol Espargaro
- Alvaro Bautista
- Stefan Bradl
- Andrea Dovizioso
- Michele Pirro
- Hector Barbera
- Eugene Laverty
- Nicky Hayden
- Yonny Hernandez
- Danilo Petrucci
- Loris Baz
- Scott Redding
- Esteve Rabat
- Alex Lowes
The Japanese Grand Prix is next for MotoGP, to be run on October 16th.