Moto GP Indianapolis

After a short summer break, Moto GP resumed at Indianapolis, with Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa back and fit after injury, and looking to challenge Marc Marquez for the championship lead, it was however Marquez who was quickest in all sessions throughout the weekend.

Starting from pole the Spaniard was bundled into 3rd on the first corner by his team mate Pedrosa, but he shadowed him and the fast starting Jorge Lorenzo. Stuck behind his fellow Honda rider, it was evident Marquez was faster, the three front runners pulling ahead of 4th place Crutchlow. After disposing of Pedrosa in another great move he closed on Lorenzo before passing the defending champion and pulling away to claim a hat-trick of victories in the USA, after winning in Austin and Laguna Seca earlier in the year.

His compatriot Dani Pedrosa managed to snatch second place, from Jorge Lorenzo, in the late stages of the race to limit the damage done to his championship challenge. Defending champion Lorenzo ran second for most of the race but could only manage third.

Rossi closed on the battle between Crutchlow and Bautista in the final laps of the race, giving the crowds a great scrap for 4th place,

I had a very tough race because physically it was very hard for me, there were points throughout the race I couldn't really control the bike,” said an exhausted Pedrosa. “It was hard for me.
I gave 100% in the last few laps and managed to take second place, which is very good for the championship.

I'm disappointed because I lost second place in the last two laps,” Lorenzo told broadcasters.
The tyres had a big drop in the last few laps. I thought we had a good race, but the rear tyre had a big drop but the position is ok and it gave us a lot of points.

Britain's Cal Crutchlow missed out on a fourth place finish after a manic last lap scrap between himself, Valentino Rossi and Alvaro Bautista, which saw the three swapping places and pushing each other to the limit. The Italian maestro finally managed to snatch the position into the final corner of the race leaving Crutchlow to rue tyre troubles that occurred in the latter stages.

Bradley Smith continued his impressive form by nicking eighth after the Ducati pair of Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso tangled in the final corner, to hand the British rookie the position.

Result

1. Marc Marquez
2. Dani Pedrosa
3. Jorge Lorenzo
4. Valentino Rossi
5. Cal Crutchlow
6. Alvaro Bautista
7. Stefan Bradl
8. Bradley Smith
9. Nicky Hayden
10. Andrea Dovizioso

Battle will resume at the next race in the Czech republic which should Lorenzo or Pedroa claim victory set the Championship up nicely for Silverstone in September.