MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 13 / SEPTEMBER 11, 2016
MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT MARCO SIMONCELLI / RIMINI, SAN MARINO
P72
rider with that [soft] front tire,
and I had never used it in hot
conditions." His fears soon dis-
appeared, as it became clear he
could at least hope for a podium
finish. "I knew I could do a good
pace, and I knew the key was
not to make any mistakes, and
not fight too much. Then I saw I
was catching, and I decided to
take the chance to win."
His own move on Rossi, push-
ing inside at the slow turn four,
was also aggressive, a mood he
seldom displays. And success-
ful. He started the last lap 1.6
first time (he would lower it again
on lap 13 and finally lap 15).
With better braking and corner
speed, and the Honda's acceler-
ation problem at last submitting
to constant electronic and set-
ting development work, he was
picking up places all the time.
By lap six he was up to fourth,
past Silverstone winner Maverick
Vinales (Ecstar Suzuki) and then
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati). Now
he gradually closed a gap of
almost 1.5 seconds to his team-
mate Marc Marquez.
By lap 13 he was on him, and
one lap later ahead, and starting
to attack Lorenzo. He was un-
stoppable, and on lap 17 he was
in second, 1.2 seconds behind
Rossi, but on the charge.
"I was worried on the grid
because I was almost the only
(Above) Pedrosa (left) and third-
place finisher Jorge Lorenzo shake
hands on the podium. (Right)
Valentino Rossi chases Pedrosa. He
couldn't catch him and had to settle
for second.