MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 18 / NOVEMBER 10-12, 2017
RICARDO TORMO CIRCUIT / VALENCIA, SPAIN
P80
Pirro was at the back of this trio
and would eventually lose touch,
but second Suzuki rider Alex
Rins was forging through steadily
from 13th on lap one. Before half
distance he was ahead of Pirro,
and both now on Miller's back
tried everything. We were all at
the limit."
The race, run in perfect warm
sunshine, saw a mixed choice
of tires. Once again Zarco took
the soft front and rear, as did
Ducati wildcard Michele Pirro.
Most chose the hard front and
soft rear.
Though the championship
fight took the limelight, the
midfield battle was lively and
interesting. The factory Movistar
Yamaha riders had not qualified
well: Valentino Rossi led row
three, Maverick Vinales two rows
further back. Only Rossi would
play much of a part, and then
only after getting back ahead
of Marc VDS Honda rider Jack
Miller on lap seven.
By then both had caught Ian-
none, now a couple of seconds
out of touch with the front five.
Again, no response.
Ducati mechanics on the pit
wall and in the box were ex-
changing shrugs and puzzled
looks. Lorenzo wasn't winning
friends at Ducati. Then suddenly
it didn't matter anyway, when
both fell on the same lap.
Later, Lorenzo explained his
actions.
"I analyzed the situation and
thought it was better to try to
give him a tow to reach the
leading group. If we had caught
Zarco and Pedrosa I would cer-
tainly have let him past."
Dovizioso declined to com-
plain.
"At the start I thought I could
pass Jorge, but there were
some points I was losing and
others I was gaining, and in the
end staying behind him helped
me ride in a smoother way. I
