Victory for Rossi in gripping Assen race
ITALIAN MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi won a gripping Dutch Grand Prix yesterday to reignite the evergreen 38-year-old’s dream of a 10th world title, as Maverick Vinales’ nightmare run continued.
Vinales went into this eighth leg of the season in Assen leading the 2017 championship, but after making up ground from 11th on the grid to fifth, he crashed out on lap 12.
The Yamaha rider leaves the circuit known as the cathedral of speed trailing Andrea Dovizioso, who took fifth, by four points.
Rossi’s 10th win at the track lifted him into third, only three points away with defending champion Marc Marquez breathing down his neck, four points behind in the tightest championship battle since this points system was introduced in 1993.
Rossi had to call on all his skill and strength in his 20th season to get the better of compatriot Danilo Petrucci, who briefly passed Rossi before he grabbed the lead back four laps out.
The sport’s headline act crossed the line barely the length of his Yamaha bike in front of Petrucci, who was only six years old when Rossi lined up for his first grand prix in 1996.
“This place is always special,” Rossi beamed. “The track is fantastic. There are always lots of people around, I’m excited for me and my team – back in first place, a great race.”
Marquez came in third ahead of Briton Cal Crutchlow and Dovizioso.
The surprise pole sitter, MotoGP rookie Johann Zarco, manfully fought off Marquez’s attack to the first corner but Yamaha Tech’s French rider then lost ground before pitting to change to wet tyres and finished 14th.
Zarco held control until he was overtaken by Rossi on lap 12, only to lose his gamble on the track when hit by a downpour.
Despite the disappointment of failing to capitalise on his superb performance in qualifying on Saturday, Zarco can take consolation from at least finishing in front of a three-times former world champion, Jorge Lorenzo, who had a weekend to forget.
Franco Morbidelli won the Moto2 Grand Prix, the Italian Kalex rider making it five wins from eight races as he crossed the line clear of Thomas Luthi with Japan’s Takaaki Nakagami taking third.
Morbidelli now has a 12-point advantage over Luthi in the title battle with Alex Marquez, brother of MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, in third 23 points away.
Aron Canet won the Moto3 race to follow up his breakthrough win in Spain last month.
The 17-year-old hit the front on the last lap to deny Romano Fenati and Briton John McPhee, all three riding Hondas. – AFP