Cycle News

Cycle News 2014 Issue 15 April 15 2014

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/295587

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 47 of 137

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VOL. 51 ISSUE 15 APRIL 15, 2014 P47 and all the rest, the two Hondas moving clear from the start, and Pedrosa shadowing impressively at first but without ever looking threatening, until by half distance the gap had stretched beyond two seconds. Marquez set a new record on lap three. Pramac Ducatis' Andrea Ian- none took a flying start and held third, while a gang piled up behind Marlboro Ducati's Cal Crutchlow, losing ground behind. After three laps the order in his wake was Rossi, LCR Honda's Stefan Bradl, Dovizioso, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro (both Monster Yamaha) and Go & Fun Honda's Alvaro Bautista, all over one another. Crutchlow's problems start- ed the next time around: a rear tire problem had the bike shak- ing so much he slowed and pit- ted for a change. His efforts were doomed, however, and he crashed heavily late in the race, suffering fractures to his right hand that will prove costly over the coming races. Now Rossi was ahead, and he stretched the pursuit as he sliced the one-second gap to Ian- none to zero in just one lap. He stayed close until after one-third Briefly... the time that happened, however, he was locked in a dispute with the circuit owners over the loss of that contract, and banned from attending the venue. Schwantz was anticipat- ing a court case to try to reassert his rights, but a change in management had eased the way to an out-of-court settlement, and his return to the fold – now as "ambassador" for the race rather than promoter. Moto3 winner Jack Miller (8) was attacked in the final laps by Romano Fenati (5), Efren Vazquez (7) and Alex Marquez (12). Miller's strength saw him on top from the start of the weekend through all the way for a fine second win in succession. Fenati was second, Vazquez third, all within two tenths. Rins had his hands full with Kornfeil to the finish; more than 10 seconds away Alexis Masbou held off Fenati's teammate Bagnaia for sixth. Close behind, Danny Kent beat John McPhee's SaxoPrint Honda and fast rookie Karel Hanika on the second Red Bull KTM. The championship is taking a good early shape for Miller, heading Vazquez, 50- 32; then comes Fenati and Rins tied with 24 points. Andrea Dovizioso (04) put Ducati in the rostrum after finishing third at Circuit of the Americas. Early on Dovizioso battled with his teammate Cal Crutchlow (35), with the Brit ending up crashing out of the race.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Cycle News - Cycle News 2014 Issue 15 April 15 2014