Round 2 of the MotoGP took place over the weekend at the Termas de Río Hondo Circuit in Argentina. The weather had an effected on a shortened race that included a compulsory stop for all riders to switch bikes on their 9th,10th or 11th lap. Crashes, track conditions and traffic would haunted riders throughout the 20 lap race with Rossi claiming a 2nd place finish when the two riders in front of him contacted on the last corner of the last lap proving it is never over until the buzzer sounds. Round 1 winner Lorenzo was a DNF ending his race on lap 5.
Let’s hear from the usual suspects.
1st Marc Marquez (Current MotoGP series standing 1st)
I’m really happy with this win because we’ve worked very, very hard during the pre-season, in Qatar and here. Honda is working very well and I feel the support; we’re going in the same direction, and that’s the most important thing. It’s a special win, not only because it’s the first one of the year but also because with the team, we managed the situation very well, and after what happened in Australia on a similar occasion [in 2013], it was important for us to do well. I knew that the first part of the race would be tough because it was still damp in some places, and with the first bike I hadn’t felt as good as with the other one even during practice. I knew that the second part of the race was the key. I pushed 100% in the first five laps after the bike change, I opened a gap and after that I just kept the distance.
2nd Valentino Rossi (Current MotoGP series standing 2nd)
I was very happy to do the second part of the race because I was able to have a good battle with Marquez during the first part when I was strong and we started to overtake, but with the second bike I had big problems with the rear tyre, I didn‘t have any feeling and couldn‘t stop under braking. The conditions were very difficult after the rain last night and we were back where we were on Friday when we were struggling quite a lot with our bike, so these 20 points are very important and I‘m very happy for me, Yamaha and all the team because it‘s the first podium of the season, it‘s a good result. I was pushing and very close to the limit. Iannone overtook me a bit too aggressively and in that braking point his action was too strong and it was impossible to overtake so I went wide and he passed me. I said to myself: “Now what happens?” I tried to counterattack, but I didn‘t have enough grip or speed to make a move, so I stayed behind him and when I saw that Iannone tried to improve his position and go under Dovizioso, he unfortunately couldn‘t stop and took out also Dovi, so I was very lucky to arrive in second place.
3rd Dani Pedrosa (Current MotoGP series standing 3rd)
I had a good start but someone, I didn’t know who, came straight through the first turn, and I had to pick up my bike and go wide in order to avoid him. If I had kept my line, for sure I would’ve crashed, so I went way out and then found myself in the middle of the group. It was very difficult because the lines they were doing were quite crazy, and of course I lost a lot of ground there. Anyway, my pace wasn’t good, and that’s disappointing, but I tried to keep my line for the entire race. Finally, this was maybe the luckiest day of my career because many riders crashed in front of me and I was able to take third. Last year I wasn’t even here, so it’s positive to be on the podium this time. Anyway, we have to look ahead and keep working hard to improve the bike to be faster.
DNF Jorge Lorenzo (Current MotoGP series standing 4th)
It was a weekend to forget. We had problems during the practice sessions and finally we got a first row in qualifying and a good start, but with these conditions and wet patches in some corners I wasn‘t comfortable. I think it was my fault. As a rider I didn‘t feel comfortable enough to stay in the first group and I saw them risking so much. I made a mistake in the first corner, which was more complicated, it was the corner with more wet patches and I went in a little bit too wide on this particular lap and just lost the front and couldn‘t continue. This is racing; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to accept it and think positive, just forget this race and think about the future.
Unlike Trials riding dabbing a foot is permitted in MotoGP.
The next round takes place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.
Related Stories and Pages:
MotoGP – Round 3 – Austin, TX
MotoGP Round 1 Results
MotoGP Round 6 : Italy
Night Racing : MotoGP Round One
MotoGP 2016 Round 5 – France
MotoGP Chilly – Baby, It’s Cold Outside
MotoGP Makes It A Nice Round 700 – Honda’s FIM Road Racing Victories
CSBK Uses New Point System to Make Racing More Exciting