MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 11 / JULY 5-9, 2019
SACHSENRING/ OBERLUNGWITZ, GERMANY
P64
right over a blind brow that follows
seven left-handers.
By that point Vinales and his
companion Crutchlow were within
a second of the Suzuki, the Eng-
lishman constantly threatening the
Assen winner. "I closed every door,"
said Vinales later. "I knew if he got
past, he'd be gone."
Crutchlow, riding uncomplain-
ingly with a cracked tibia and right-
knee ligament damage from a freak
cycling incident, agreed but never
had the opportunity at the hard-to-
pass circuit. "The slippery condi-
tions helped our bike because it
works best when you steer from the
rear, but I had a big moment with two
laps left, and I thought: let Maverick
have it." It was his first podium since
round one in Qatar.
Jack Miller (Pramac Ducati) had
(Above) Maverick Vinales (12) had Cal Crutchlow for
company for most of the race. (Below) Alex Rins threw away an
assured second place with a crash at the Waterfall corner.
