Yamaha’s defending champ Jorge Lorenzo blasted away from pole position and cruised to victory in the opening round of the 2013 MotoGP championship at Qatar. Teammate Valentino Rossi stormed through the field to pass rookie Marc Marquez (Honda) to snatch second place in his first ride back at Yamaha after two years with Ducati. Marquez finished a close third place. Here are the first 10 finishing positions. For additional details, results and points, visit the official MotoGP site.
|
Pos. |
Points |
Num. |
Rider |
Nation |
Team |
Bike |
Km/h |
Time/Gap |
| 1 | 25 | 99 | Jorge LORENZO | SPA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 166.4 |
42’39.802 |
| 2 | 20 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | ITA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 166.0 |
+5.990 |
| 3 | 16 | 93 | Marc MARQUEZ | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 166.0 |
+6.201 |
| 4 | 13 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 165.8 |
+9.473 |
| 5 | 11 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | GBR | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 165.2 |
+18.764 |
| 6 | 10 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | SPA | GO&FUN Honda Gresini | Honda | 165.0 |
+22.148 |
| 7 | 9 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 164.8 |
+24.355 |
| 8 | 8 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | USA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 164.8 |
+24.920 |
| 9 | 7 | 29 | Andrea IANNONE | ITA | Energy T.I. Pramac Racing | Ducati | 164.0 |
+37.124 |
| 10 | 6 | 11 | Ben SPIES | USA | Ignite Pramac Racing | Ducati | 163.5 |
+44.908 |
At last motivation to start watching MotoGP again
God bless our dear Valentino Rossi!
If he can’t take the crown this year, may he keep the rest honest!
Stop reading if you cheer for Ben Spies. Really! Stop! May Ben continue his sad, sorry state of mediocrity I predicted when he arrived in the premier class. WSBK and AMA SB fast is not MotoGP fast. Ask the Frenchman (sorry forgot his name) who battled Rossi for years and always lost.
Frenchman? Jacque? De Puniet?
goober-now..? 😮
he isn’t an alien, never has been and never will be.
I think that a victory and a few podiums as well as rookie of the year might command a bit of respect. Its more than most will ever do in their careers in GP. Another season of Ben bashing to come?
I know he won’t do anything this year or any other from now on, particularly with the bike he is on. If Valentino couldn’t do it, then nobody will.
Only spaniards battled Valentino and lost. (Are you thinking Sete Gibernau looks French?)
One of the best races in the past two seasons. Superb battles between (throughout the race) Pedrosa, Rossi, Crutchlow, Dovi, and of course Marquez. Edge of the seat thriller! Couple thoughts:
Interesting that Dovi got such a good grid position but my prediction pre race was just like Rossi (and Hayden) last year: Good start, hanging for a while, then tires go and back to the middle of the pack he went. They have got to sort out their chassis issues. Motor is good, frame needs massive help.
Jorge led by almost 6 seconds at the end of the race, where last year he led by only 8/10ths of a second (and that was after chasing down and passing Dani and Casey). So it looks like (so far) the “Honda Massacre” everyone was talking about pre-season might not be as lethal as previously thought…
Crutchlow has talent. I’m going to make a bold prediction: Crutchlow gets a factory ride next year. As my buddy asked me recently – where?? – I’m not sure yet, but he certainly deserves one. Maybe Honda will get tired of trying to bend Dorna to suit their Little King and grow tired of being always the bridesmaid, never the bride with Dani and cut the chord. Doesn’t seem like Marquez needs a “mentor” and maybe he could grab the #1 seat and Crutch could be taken on as a solid #2 seat? Regardless, Crutchlow looks poised to go somewhere. To be that close to the front the entire race on 2012 equipment? Wow…
Pedrosa – what went wrong? This is getting old…
Rossi/Marquez/Lorenzo – I hope we have a three way battle for the lead at every circuit this year.
THE CIRCUS IS BACK!
re: “So it looks like (so far) the “Honda Massacre” everyone was talking about pre-season might not be as lethal as previously thought.”
cue texas beat down.
too bad that Repsol signed both Marquez and Pedrosa to 2 year deals. They are stuck with the Dani for another couple seasons. I’m wondering if they wish they only signed him for 1, as Marquez is looking like the latest great spaniard (since Lorenzo)
The only spot on factory next year, unless Suzuki actually shows up, is Ducati, with Nicky’s seat open next year. Think Crutchlow will bite this time???
All in all the best MotoGP race in a while, cool. I still prefer the “Racing” in WSK (or Moto2) most days but I can’t deny the Best/Fastest appeal of MotoGP.
My Biggest surprise was the number of responses here.
last year the motoGP race results would only generate maybe 5-6 opinions/responses on this website. I love that Rossi has generated a buzz to this sport again like this. I hope it maintains throughout the year.
re: “I love that Rossi has generated a buzz to this sport again like this.”
love ’em or hate ’em, behold the power of brand VR46…!!!
my personal suggestion…? is that we “love ’em” and ride this gravy train for as long as it lasts (it should be clear now that it won’t). but hey, that’s just me. the whole “biting the hand that feeds them” thing is so 1980’s. not a good look.
I think Moto Gp averaged about 12 responses each race last year while WSBK averaged about 4. I paid close attention and remember it well because I defended MotoGP while all the “experts” said how boring it was and that WSBK was king
Rossi seems to just be able to take the Yamaha to a “in case of emergency break glass” level. It really was amazing to see him move up to the front and still have tire left to battle Marquez at the end.
And in Australia, Casey says, “It’s an alien conspiracy”
And now to Australia: Mr. Stoner, do you have any comments on Lorenzo winning in convincing style and Rossi showing us again why he is 9 times a champion? ..Oh I see Mr. Stoner, it’s an alien conspiracy!
Now that was a great race! Oh how I love to see Rossi beating the youngsters!
Amazing how much a Yamaha can improve your time. I should go buy one!
Wow, it sure was great to see Rossi competitive. C’mon, Valentino, strike a blow for old pharts everywhere! On the other hand, I feel sorry for the Ducati team. Hard to figure how they can build such a fast superbike while fielding turds in moto-gp.
re: “C’mon, Valentino, strike a blow for old pharts everywhere!”
you’re asking the wrong guy. now that max is retired, you must tender your request to checa.
… or Colin CRT Edwards.
omg, he’s SOOOO not going to like you substituting CRT for his original nickname of “texas tornado”. somebody better hide from the t-shirt cannon. BOOM…!!! ooops, sorry dude, i didn’t see you standing there. 🙂
“Hard to figure how they can build such a fast superbike while fielding turds in moto-gp.”
Ducati doesn’t get a 20% displacement advantage in GP.
On the other hand, there is nothing to stop the competition from fielding their own oversized twins.
How many “other hands” do you actually have? O_o
Honda tried it and won.
Suzuki tried it and sucked.
Great race, like others have said, that was about as many thrills as all of 2012 combined.
I am waiting to hear from the people who said Pedrosa would dominate, they seem to have lost access to the site. Dani is still very fast but Lorenzo, Rossi and Marques made him look almost human.
Lets also hear it for Crutchlow, not my favorite (I thought he was more mouth than talent) but I I have to say he was very impressive on a non-works bike. A case where I’d love to be wrong, maybe he is as good as he thinks.
FWIW, I was Ducati has made progress. They are not in the same class as the Yamahas and Hondas but they look like a solid second level bike. They beat all the satellite bikes but the very fast Crutchlow.
Goose
Goose
Goose… See my post below. i raised my hand. Not too big to admit I may have been wrong.
OK, one brave person. Thanks Mickey.
FWIW, I wasn’t sure Rossi still had it. I know Lorenzo would be fast but I feared Rossi would be reduced to human, no longer an alien. Between the “old man” Rossi being back and the kid (Marques) looking so fast I’d bet the people who own MotoGP are breathing easier then they have since Stoner announced his retirement. Lorenzo is fast but he isn’t exactly Mr. Fun Guy. Pedrosa isn’t much better.
Goose
Rossi is back, I was glad to see that he definately still has it, coming back from 5-6 place all the way to 2nd place. I think he would’ve been able to stay with Lorenzo if he had not falling back at the begining. I am sure everyone is nervous about the two Yamahas…
A great race. Glad to see the doctor back. And good to see some healthy competition from others. Especially grateful we could watch it on tv. Thanks SPEED/FOX Sports.
We need this series to continue in good health.
re: “Especially grateful we could watch it on tv. Thanks SPEED/FOX Sports.”
take notes guys, THIS is what it means to have a “valuing mentality”.
That final duel between Rossi and Marquez was better than anything we saw all last year in Moto GP. What a ballsy move to overtake Marquez where Rossi managed it, only to have Marquez go full-on dirt tracker to take back the spot, albeit just for a brief moment. Rossi just wasn’t going to be denied.
I don’t know whether Rossi would have had anything for Lorenzo had he been able to get up into that lead group from the start, but I sure would have liked to have found out.
It was also fairly amazing the way Crutchlow folded like a cheap tent once he came under pressure from Rossi. Following Marquez and Pedroza lap after lap, Crutchlow could do no wrong. He couldn’t get past them, but he was as flawless as could be, just biding his time in hopes of one or both of them making a mistake. As soon as Rossi joined the party, though, man but did Crutchlow come unraveled.
The Hondas will go better at CotA. This ought to be good. Hopefully Rossi can get a front-row start and be in the running from the very beginning of the race. We need Rossi and Lorenzo to get locked up in some head-to-head fights, above and beyond the threats posed by the Repsol riders and Crutchlow.
I wouldn’t say Crutchlow folded like a cheap tent. There’s probably something we don’t know other than tire grip falling off. As the prototypes are using 1 liter less fuel than last season, it’s possible Cal’s bike went into economy mode so he caould actually make it across the finish line. Even Vale ran out of gas not long after he crossed the line. He had to hitch a ride back to the pits…onthe back of a Ducati no less! hahahaha
I was enjoying Crutchlow. I was starting to think after last year that Crutchlow could mix things up at the front from the boring front runners last season. Then Rossi just stole the whole thing. Lorenzo who?
“Lorenzo who?”
That’s World Champion Lorenzo to you. 😉
Completely missed the point on Crutchlow as we was clearly the hardest-working rider out there next to Rossi. His top speed deficit made it all but impossible to try and out brake either Honda, and eventually all that late-braking to keep the factory bikes in sight reared its head and he ran wide. Incredible effort on Cal’s part.
Yes, he only made one mistake and it was the same that Rossi made earlier.
Hope Cal gets good parts for his bike, he’s clearly got the talent.
The race for second place was way more entertaining than the Germany or Brno races last year (the only 2 that were close races I think?) Something about watching Rossi when he is on his game is way too entertaining. The showdown between him and Marquez I hope is something that continues to play all year round.
I don’t think it would have been a race like Catalunya a few seasons ago, he wasn’t going to keep up with Lorenzo, but if he hadn’t gone wide passing Dovi, it would have been interesting to see how long he could keep up. I think it was more exciting this way. Only Crutchlow can’t blame the lack of factory support for his 5th, but was great seeing him keep up with the Repsols for most of the race.
Yes he still looks great…and it appears he had a point about Ducati not having competitive machinery. The best one in the grid was 20 seconds behind him.
I remember how many people that follow MD had Honda’s winning the title before the season began and they were calling Rossi “old” & “past his prime…”.
Hah!
The Doctor is the sh*t!
I admit I was one of those people. I really thought Val had lost is desire to win. So glad I was wrong. It was great to see 46 charging thru the pack to second spot on the podium. Looked like Rossi of old. Very impressive. Hope he can keep it up.
That kid Marquez looked terrified on the starting line but rode like he’d been there for years. He’s going to be fun to watch.
Lorenzo looked like Lorenzo, fast, smooth, unflappable.
Crutchlow is an animal. When he learns to stop crashing he should be fun to watch as well…heck he’s already fun to watch for the first 17 laps of a 22 lap race ha ha.
Can’t believe Marquez took Pedrosa! Rossi wasn’t too shabby either, that has to be refershing for him after the last two years.
The Doctor is back!
Rossi was very much needed with a decent bike to spark interest over MotoGP. This year, it will be very interesting, with new young riders like Marquez, and champions like Rossi back with a competitive ride.
There’s always been a (at least) Ducati among my rides since 1993, but truth be told, the bike has not been competitive.
I wish the long term project with Dovizioso and Iannone will bring back Ducati up where it deserves to be.
Charter Cable strikes again. Speed Channel was down yesterday afternoon and I missed the race!
I’m just about to go ahead and put down the money for a MotoGP.com all access pass.
If you’re serious about being able to watch all of the races and qualifying and the free practices whenever you want, go for it.
I’ve been buying the season pass from MotoGP.com for at least 10 years straight, now.
remember, you have a second chance. speed usually repeats the race tuesday afternoons. look alive…!
AArrggghhh, I forgot about that!
you’re killin’ me tom… ya killin’ me. 🙁
This race was more interesting than every race last year combined. Wasn’t there a vocal group on here who said Rossi only won before because he was lucky? You can’t do what he did with luck. Can’t wait to see how this season unfolds!
Indeed. If it weren’t for that one barged corner early in the race he would almost certainly have beaten Lorenzo. He pulled back a ton of time on everyone to reach 2nd place.
I’m not sure Rossi would have beaten Lorenzo but it was a great race and hats off to Rossi – he’s taken to the M1 way faster than I expected.
Crutchlow and Marquez looked really good, too.
I wonder what the heck is going on with Pedrosa. With Stoner gone the door is wide open for him but he almost looked he was on a CRT bike the second half of the race.
He has taken to the M1 because he developed it.
re: “He has taken to the M1 because he developed it.”
YYYAAAAHHHTZEEEE…!!!
Anyone else remember the letter he wrote to his M1 at the end of the 2010 season? He loved – LOVED that bike. Rumor has it that he keeps that very bike in his dining room. So good to see him back on his baby.
Couldn’t agree more. Where are all of those people that were saying he’s past his prime, he was lucky, etc, etc?? However the season ends up, it will be a season worth watching.
I was out of my seat for those last laps. Fully entertained.
As far as wondering about whether or not Rossi’s still got it:
That settles that. 🙂
re: “That settles that.”
i believe the phrase you’re looking is… “and here endeth the lesson”.
This Rossi fella ain’t too bad for an old bloke.