MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
VOL. 51 ISSUE 15 APRIL 15, 2014 P43
Ducati on the rostrum. It was
that of flu-ridden Andrea Dovizio-
so, whose patient strategy and
steadfast ability to lap at 9.9-re-
curring tenths without taking too
many risks contributed as much
to the result as the improvement
to the red bike over the winter.
So too did the absence of
Jorge Lorenzo, and latterly also
of Valentino Rossi. Both Movistar
Yamaha riders suffered misfor-
tunes, with Lorenzo very much
the architect of his own.
After his disastrous first-lap
crash at Qatar, Lorenzo had
struggled in early practice, but by
race time was closer on speed
and hot to trot.
Bit too hot.
Briefly...
Schwantz made a welcome return
to the circuit, after his enforced ab-
sence last year left an embarrassing
gap in the Austin paddock, with rid-
ers and paddock denizens aghast
at his absence. The 1993 500cc
World Champion had been involved
with the circuit from the very outset,
advising on the design and con-
tracted to promote the first race. By
THE MAVERICK MAN
Tito Rabat was on pole for
Moto2, but it was carXpert Suter
rider Dominique Aegerter making
the early running, then supplanted
for a long spell by Xavier Simeon
as the Spaniard lingered in fifth.
A second first-corner accident
took six riders down, including
last year's winner Nico Terol along
with Josh Herrin, Sam Lowes,
Pons and Salom. All but Salom
restarted. The front runners were
further relieved of pressure on lap
two when second fastest qualifier
Johann Zarco slipped off, taking
Julian Simon's Italtrans Kalex with
him.
Among all this was class rookie
Maverick Vinales and his HP 40
Kalex, who before half distance
had slotted into a threatening third,
with Marc VDS Kalex teammates
Mika Kallio and Rabat a little way
behind.
The crucial move came on lap 13, as
Simeon ran wide and dropped to fifth. Aegerter led
briefly, but Vinales was ready to pounce. At the same
time, Rabat – stricken with shifting
problems that robbed him of first
gear – was now finally ahead of
Kallio and both closed up.
They now engaged with Ae-
gerter, and the battle gave Vinales
the breathing space he needed to
break clear. The reigning Moto3
World Champion won just his sec-
ond Moto2 race by a convincing
four seconds.
Rabat moved clear for a safe
second; Aegerter got the better
of Kallio, who had been behind
the returning Simeon when the
Belgian crashed out.
Simone Corsi was barely a
second adrift.
To make a miserable home-
race weekend even worse for Her-
rin, the AMA Superbike Champion
crashed for a second time in the
race – with this one enough to
have him call it a day.
Rabat leads the points chase with
45 to Vinales' 38, then comes Kallio (33), Luthi (26) and
Corsi (22).
Maverick Vinales dominated
the Moto2 Grand Prix.
continued on next page
