- 2016-07-18
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Germany: Marquez wins with inspired tyre change at the Sachsenring
The ninth stop on MotoGP 2016, German GP, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) has won with tyre gamble in wet and dry condition at the Sachsenring.
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) equaled his best ever MotoGP finish with second, while Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) took third from Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) on the final lap.
Rain fell steadily at the Sachsenring into the early afternoon of Sunday, the riders choose wet tyres. Beginning of the race, Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) led Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha), Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia) and Marc Marquez.
But the circuit became to dry condition, Marc Marquez changed tyres to slicks on lap 17. Several riders entered the pits on 19th lap. At that point, Marquez gained advantage and went to the victory.
With his third victory of the season, the Spaniard heads into the summer break leading the championship by 48 points over Jorge Lorenzo and Rossi by 59.
Local rider Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was forced to miss him home race after a fall in Warm Up. He was taken to the local hospital for a CT scan after suffering a concussion in the crash.
Marc Marquez: “At a certain point today, I thought my run at this circuit was going to come to an end, but in the end we succeeded and earned a very good result, especially considering how Valentino [Rossi] and Jorge [Lorenzo] finished the race. I’m very happy with how we worked with the team today: they did a great job preparing my bike after my crash in the warm-up, and then in the race our strategy proved to be perfect. It was a very difficult race, with it being flag-to-flag and the track conditions so delicate. In the first part of the race, in the wet, I found things a little difficult.
I had picked the wrong front tyre for my riding style, but I was able to switch to slicks. I was very careful in the opening laps after changing bikes, because the dry line was very narrow and there was still a lot of water on the surface. It’s always very difficult to decide when to change bikes, and perhaps we made our switch very early—I think I was the second rider to do so—but I decided to take a chance and it went well. We end the first half of the season with our homework done and off the back of a good race, but we must not forget to prepare well for the second half of the year.”
Cal Crutchlow: “I was fast even in the dry, I told everyone I was the fourth fastest guy and I was correct. For those that were watching from home and not believing me I proved that. 13th on the grid I knew it had to be a long race so I went for the harder option front tyre. I don’t think many others had the balls to do it because in the first laps it wasn’t dangerous, but was tough to manage with the Honda. I knew I would get quicker and as in Assen it was about keeping your head focused. I pitted way too late, I didn’t look at my board for one lap.
I followed the guys in front and I caught Vale, I caught Dovi who was leading and I didn’t think anybody could beat us even if we stayed out so I took the gamble. I probably should have stayed out, even if I stayed out I would have been in a good position but thanks to my team. The team have done a great job, I’m disappointed not to have my wife here, it’s the second race in nine years she’s not been to. Disappointing not to have her here but she’s at home keeping our little baby warm in the belly and it’s coming out soon, looking forward to that!”
Andrea Dovizioso: “I got a great start and immediately became part of the group that took turns in the lead. After the fall of Petrucci I was back at the head of the race and I was focused to push as hard as possible without consuming the front tyre, trying not to be hard when entering the curve and straightening the bike as soon as possible out of corners. The track was beginning to dry out, but I stayed focused on the tyres and so I missed the best time to come in and change bikes. Probably going in at least two laps before we might have to fight to win. But we lwill ook at the positive side of today: we are at the Sachsenring, a track where we have never gone well, and now we were in the lead for several laps. We go home with a deserved podium, I want to dedicate to my team that really works hard.”
GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland Race Results:- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda Team / 47'3.239s
- Cal Crutchlow / LCR Honda / 47'13.096s
- Andrea Dovizioso / Ducati Team / 47'14.852s
- Scott Redding / Octo Pramac Yakhnich / 47'15.231s
- Andrea Iannone / Ducati Team / 47'25.994s
- Dani Pedrosa / Repsol Honda Team / 47'29.159s
- Jack Miller / Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / 47'29.282s
- Valentino Rossi / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / 47'29.688s
- Hector Barbera / Avintia Racing / 47'29.853s
- Alvaro Bautista / Factory Aprilia Gresini / 47'34.513s
- Eugene Laverty / Aspar MotoGP Team / 47'44.447s
- Maverick Viñales / Team Suzuki Ecstar / 47'45.397s
- Bradley Smith / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / 48'6.368s
- Aleix Espargaro / Team Suzuki Ecstar / 48'9.330s
- Jorge Lorenzo / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / 48'20.933s
- Tito Rabat / Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / +1 lap
- Loris Baz / Avintia Racing / +2 laps
- Yonny Hernandez / Aspar MotoGP Team / +3 laps
- source : MotoGP
