Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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VOL. 55 ISSUE 16 APRIL 24, 2018 P63 from that point the first three positions were set. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) took fourth off Cal Crutchlow (LCR Yamaha) on lap two, but was never able to challenge the front three, finishing some two seconds behind Iannone. This left Crutchlow engaged with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati). The Englishman was fighting back between the pair when he slipped off on lap eight, remounting to finish out the points, thereby losing his short-lived title lead. The other two battled on, joined by an amazing ride from Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), less than two weeks after surgery to pin his right wrist. He had been a doubtful starter, but stuck with the pair disput- variety. Nor was tire choice significant, with little to choose between the three compounds. Vinales had been promoted to pole by a three-position pen- alty to Marquez (for obstructing him on a previous lap), but it was Iannone leading into the dramatic first corner from the middle of the front row and Marquez on his heels after a perfect launch. Marquez was in front by the end of lap one and led every other lap. Vinales was third, and ahead of Iannone by lap seven, and DANGEROUS RIDING? Riders' hopes of clarity about danger- ous riding came to naught at a heated Friday Safety Commission meeting— but they did come away with a promise of stricter enforcing of the existing rules, including more liberal use of the black flag for riders causing others to crash. The meeting was attended by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and although proceedings are strictly con- fidential, some leakage made it clear that the promise of stronger supervi- sion had come from him. But in spite of strong accusations flying around in the meeting, there was no specific censure of the current bad boys—the names most frequently censured are Marc Marquez, Danilo Petrucci and to a lesser extent Johann Zarco, and no further talk of race suspension for Marquez. The rules are purposefully vague, talking only of riding "in a re- sponsible manner" without endanger- ing others, which means punishments are case-by-case judgment calls for the panel of stewards, introduced last year to relieve Race Direction of this task. LESS ELECTRONICS, MORE VINALES Maverick Vinales hoped to have turned his fortune around after a dif- ficult start to the season after cutting back on electronic controls on his Movistar Yamaha. Speaking after a strong showing in the first free prac- tices, the Spanish star told press: "We made big changes to the electronics, and the bike is working much bet- ter for my riding style." Reducing the level of interference had made throttle response more aggressive, giving him more direct control of the power. "I am controlling more with my hand than Briefly... (Left) Ex-teammates Jack Miller (43) and Tito Rabat (53) had a race-long fight with Aleix Espargaro (41) keeping a watching brief. (Below) The KTMs of Bradley Smith (38) and Pol Espargaro (44) had a race to forget, with Espargaro 13th and Smith out of the points in 16th.