VOL. 53 ISSUE 13 APRIL 5, 2016 P67
Fastest in dry practice and master of the
one-jump bike change, Marquez spent the first
10 laps holding off a persistent Valentino Rossi,
narrowly leading him into the pits. He gained a
few tenths on the exit, and then streaked away
as Rossi struggled for pace on an unhappy bike
number two.
"I knew the first five laps on the new tires
were the key," the Repsol Honda rider said
later. What he couldn't know was that Rossi was
struggling to pass Tito Rabat, who was yet to
pit, and by the time he did get by the rookie's
satellite Honda he was already 2.7 seconds be-
hind. The gap would grow to 7.5 seconds, with
plenty of adventure before Rossi could secure
second for his sole surviving Movistar Yamaha.
The track was all but completely dry for the
last race, but with enough damp patches to
catch out six riders, especially at the already
notoriously treacherous Turn 1.
Lorenzo led off the line, ahead of Marquez
and Rossi, but a mad lunge by Andrea Iannone
(Ducati) almost knocked Marquez off at the first
corner, leaving the on-board camera dangling
off the back of his seat and forced second Rep-
sol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa way out wide.
By the end of lap one Andrea Dovizioso's
Ducati had surged into the lead ahead of Rossi
and distant seventh, but at least
relieved of pressure from second
Dynavolt rider Sandro Cortese when
the German fell off.
Axel Pons (AGR Kalex) was nar-
rowly ahead of Takaaki Nakagami
(Idemitsu Honda) over the line, the
returned Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Kalex)
on his back wheel to complete the top
ten, fending off Marcel Schrotter (AGR
Kalex).
With Simeon (QMMF Speed Up)
12th and first non-Kalex, Lorenzo
Baldassarri (Forward Kalex) was an
impressive 13th, two weeks after dislo-
cating both shoulders.
Xavi Vierge (Tech 3) took his first
points for 14th, with Salom (SAG Kalex)
rounding out the top
15. Moto3 Champion
Danny Kent (Leopard
Kalex) was less than
two-tenths out of the
points in 16th.
Alex Marquez
(EG Kalex) was the
other rider to crash—
on the second lap.
Luthi leads on
points with 34. But
it was an ominous
demonstration from
Zarco, reminiscent
of so many races
last year as he attempts to become
the first champion to defend his title.
He has 29 points, then Lowes (27),
Syahrin (23) and Aegerter (22).
Zarco put in a champion's ride
to take win one of 2016.
