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/414054
VOL. 51 ISSUE 45 NOVEMBER 11, 2014 P45 "I played my last card," he said. "To come third or fourth–there was no reason." So, while Marquez again proved invincible, Rossi–start- ing from his first pole position since 2010–took second in the race, and second in the cham- pionship. His renaissance had virtually mirrored Lorenzo's de- cline. Iannone, qualified second, had led off the line, with Rossi in pursuit, and Marquez (on row two) pushed past Lorenzo to take third. In the half-wet conditions, the early laps were spread out, brave boy Iannone up to almost 1.5 seconds clear after five laps, and Marquez a similar distance behind Rossi. At this stage the factory Ducatis had pushed through and pounced on second Rep- sol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa; Cal Crutchlow currently ahead and even challenging Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso behind the Honda. Dani would escape, and the two red bikes would soon be split and then passed by Lorenzo, as he regained a bit of confidence. Dovi was now ahead, and the pair would stay within inches of one another to the finish. With the track drying, the front three closed up. On lap 10, Mar- quez slipped cleanly past Rossi and set about Iannone. The self-styled Maniac Joe proved a hard nut to crack, immedi- ately regaining the lead after the first attempt. But by the end of lap 11 Marquez was ahead, and next time round not only Rossi, but also Pedrosa were ahead of the Pramac Ducati. Pedrosa had closed up while the skirmish Briefly... to move into MotoGP. The umbrella already covers Moto3, in league with Emilio Alzamora's Monlau techni- cal school, which also has links not only with Alex Marquez but also–via a personal management contract– with older brother Marc. The new link with Marc VDS brings a factory MotoGP Honda into the fold, ridden by Scott Redding; and the title-win- ning Moto2 team, where defending champion Tito Rabat will be joined by Alex Marquez. Massive crowds and fine layout not- withstanding, it appears that Brno is finally reaching the end as a MotoGP venue, with next year's Czech Re- public Grand Prix destined to be the last. It will be replaced by a re- turn to Austria for the first time since 1997, the second and last time the A1-Ring at Zeltweg was used, as a replacement for the thrilling but peril- ous Salzburgring. Now renamed the Red Bull Ring, it is to join the calen- dar in 2016. The as yet to be built Circuit of Wales should also be ready in 2016, according to Managing Director Chris Herring. "We're near the end of all the legal processes to do with the land," he said at Valencia. "Build- ing is scheduled to begin in Janu- ary." Bridgestone's new asymmetric front tire won further favor at Valen- cia, after a shaky start in Australia, although opinions remained divided. It was more the rapidly dropping temperature than the tire itself that triggered front-end Phillip Island crashes for Marquez, Pol Espargaro and Crutchlow, but the last-named had set a new record early on) and Antonelli. The lead group had grown considerably in the closing stages, but was interrupted when John McPhee (Honda) again crashed on the last lap. In the confusion Miguel Oliveira was able to pounce on privateer Mahindra rider Brad Binder for eighth, securing tenth overall in the process–they had arrived equal on points. Jakub Kornfeil (KTM) complet- ed the top ten. Marquez was naturally delighted; Miller naturally disappointed. Crashes, unforced errors, at Assen and Aragon had cost him the title by just two points. Marquez had 278, Miller 276; then Rins (237), Vazquez (222) and Ro- mano Fenati (176 – he finished 14th). A very unhappy Jack Miller (left) won the race, but lost the championship by two points to Alex Marquez (right). continued on next page