MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 16/ OCTOBER 22, 2017
PHILLIP ISLAND CIRCUIT / VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
P64
with 269 points to Dovizioso's
236. With a maximum of 50 left
on the table, Vinales (219, but
only three wins) is a threat for
second; Rossi (188) moves past
Pedrosa (174).
Barbera, the strangely off-form
Petrucci and finally Folger's one-
race Monster Yamaha substitute
Broc Parkes. Aleix Espargaro was
the only crasher.
Marquez goes to Malaysia
and on the run to the line both
passed Dovizioso, struggling
with increasingly severe wheel-
spin, and watching his title chal-
lenge dwindle to almost nothing.
"A big disappointment," he
said. "My mistake early on com-
plicated things, and maybe the
rear tire choice was not the best,
but on long fast corners our bike
is still struggling a lot."
Abraham regained 14th from
Lorenzo on the final lap for the
last points, with Tito Rabat (VDS
Honda) missing out by less than a
tenth. The Ducatis of Bautista and
Baz were spaced out behind, with
Lowes (Aprilia) right up close; then
With four laps to go,
Marquez had enough of
the games and checked
out for victory.
Marquez (center) knows just how
pivotal that win was while Maverick
Vinales (right) and Valentino Rossi
(left) are just happy to be back on
the podium.
