VOL. 53 ISSUE 16 APRIL 26, 2016 P75
decided it was too risky, and
dropped away to a safe third and
16 points. A year ago, he would
more likely have overtaken, or
crashed in the attempt. But, he
promised, "you will see the old
Marc again. It is a big fight inside
myself, but the bike is not ready,
so I must be quiet."
Perhaps more than any other
riders, he and Pedrosa were
looking forward to tests on
the day after the race. In the
meantime, after two wins and a
rostrum full house, his title lead
shrank by only four points from
Lorenzo to a still-comfortable 17.
Pedrosa had dropped behind
Marquez by almost eight sec-
onds, concentrating (he ex-
plained) on saving his tires while
third from fast-away Repsol Hon-
da teammate Dani Pedrosa, and
proceeded to press Lorenzo
very close for the first 10 laps.
But it was a struggle, and in
vain—the Yamahas were faster,
crucially through the final pair of
very fast right-handers leading
towards the final hairpin.
Marquez did have a few stabs
at making it up under brak-
ing, but just after half distance
(Left) Vinales pulls steadily clear of
Dovizioso early in the race.
(Below) Bad things come in threes:
Dovizioso's rotten luck continued
at Jerez, this time a leaking water
pump ruling him out.
