MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 7 / JUNE 9-11, 2017
CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA / CATALONIA, SPAIN
P76
trucci, whose race ended with
a crash with two laps to go.
Lorenzo was a lone fourth;
behind him Zarco broke team-
mate Folger's heart, catching
him on the last lap and leading
him over the line for fifth by less
than a tenth.
Bautista saved seventh.
Another four seconds away,
Rossi had been with Lorenzo,
but as his rival moved forward
he had been falling back, his
tires having suddenly dropped,
and he was somewhat fortunate
to take eighth after struggling
all weekend. "I was really sad
today, because I won here last
year and it is one of my favorite
tracks," Rossi said.
Vinales had an even worse
time, gradually picking his way
into the top 10 after finishing
the first lap 16th. Finally, he
had caught and passed Bar-
bera and Cal Crutchlow (LCR
Honda), only for Barbera to
pass him back on the last lap.
"Some days you just have to get
the points," Vinales said.
Crutchlow was happy to sur-
vive in 11th after starting 17th.
Loris Baz (Avintia Ducati), a
fading Scott Redding (Pramac
Ducati), Karel Abraham (Aspar
Ducati) and Tito Rabat (EG-VDS
Honda) trailed in for the rest of
the points.
Jack Miller had been in the
top 10 until half distance, but
crashed on lap 14 on the same
corner as Petrucci.
A race of caution livened up
the championship. Early leader
Vinales is just seven clear of
double winner Dovizioso, 111 to
104; with Marquez (88) back up
to third, then Pedrosa (84) and
Rossi (83).
It's really tightening up in the title
race now, with Dovi (center) just
seven points behind Maverick
Vinales.
