Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/990347
MOTOGP FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 6 / JUNE 1-3, 2018 MUGELLO CIRCUIT / SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, ITALY P68 Yamaha), who was "fighting the bike in every corner." Three seconds adrift of Zarco, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM) was 11th, finally getting clear of a close trio with Hafizh Syahrin (Tech3 Yamaha) mere hundredths ahead of Tito Rabat (Reale Ducati) and Bradley Smith on the second KTM. Franco Morbidelli (VDS Honda) was unable to replicate his strong practice form on race tires, but saved a point for a distant 15th. The remounted Marquez was 16th. It was a disastrous afternoon for Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), qualified in a worst-ever 20th, and off at only the second corner after tangling with independent Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) was another early casualty, bringing a run of eight consecutive top-ten finishes to an end. Tom Luthi (VDS Honda), Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Ducati) and Scott Redding (Aprilia) were also early fallers; Aleix Espargaro Another two seconds away, Pe- trucci only narrowly saved seventh. As so often, Maverick Vinales (Mo- vistar Yamaha) had a dire first half, dropping back from the front row of the grid to finish the first lap 11th. In the closing stages he was as fast as the leaders, bringing a press- ing Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Ducati) with him. They surged past a lack-luster Johann Zarco (Tech3 leading Rossi. Both these gaps would continue to grow. The battle for third intensified as Petrucci got through on lap 12. At the same time Alex Rins (Ec- star Suzuki) was gaining strength, and got ahead of Rossi to hound Petrucci on lap 15. Now Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) had also closed right up, and was pressing at the back of the quintet. Tire wear would shuffle it all back, however. From the 18th lap Petrucci was losing pace, with both Rossi and Iannone ahead of him; and soon afterwards also Crutchlow. Rossi and Iannone changed places several times, but on the penultimate lap Rossi got ahead clearly, and moved free. With Dovi slowing, he actually came close to snitching second over the line, less than three tenths adrift. Iannone fended off his teammate Rins; Crutchlow was a close sixth, top independent rider. Danilo Petrucci had an eventful race but couldn't make it a dream Ducati podium sweep. Pol Espargao (44) took a fighting 11th for KTM.