Valentino Rossi wins the dramatic the 2014 Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, October 19th in Philip Island to register his 108 victory in motorcycle racing and 82nd in premier class. This must have been a memorable victory for Rossi as the race in Philip Island was his 250th appearance in MotoGP racing. Also, it was the first time after the 2008 race in Le Mans that fans get to see an all Yamaha rostrum, as Rossi’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo finished second. Whereas, Bradley Smith of Monster Yamaha Tech3 crossed the finish line in third place and reached the podium for the first time during this season.
Both Valentino and Jorge were lucky to secure first and second position in the race. Given that Rossi made his fortune after the double MotoGP title winner Marc Marquez lost his front and crashed out of the competition. Whereas, Jorge was led by British rider Cal Crutchlow at one stage during the race it looked as if he would be able to secure the second position. However, alike Marc, Crutchlow too failed to maintain his advantage and slide off the track in the final stages of the competition.
Marquez and Cal were not the only two riders, who failed to finish the race, as seven other riders either crashed or failed to cross the finish line. Most of these riders were frontrunners, but it favoured Smith greatly as he managed to reach the rostrum. Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso was the fourth best rider in the race, whereas Avintia Racing’s Hector Barbera was the fifth racer to cross the finish line. This was Barbera’s best performance in the premier class racing so far.
GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista also showed his performance of the season in the race, as he crossed the chequered flag in sixth place. Bautista’s partner Scott Redding was not too far from him, as he finished seventh. Drive M7 Aspar’s Hiroshi Aoyama, NGM Forward Racing’s Alex de Angelis and Drive M7 Aspar’s star rider Nicky Hayden also managed to finish the Philip Islan race inside the top ten.
The Australian Grand Prix was an opportunity for Marquez to equal Mick Doohan’s 1997 record winning the most races in a single season of premier class. Especially, after he secured the title back in Japan at last weekend. Unfortunately, the Repsol Honda rider could not maintain the advantage after he outstripped Lorenzo and then Rossi to take the lead.
British racer Crutchlow also looked in belligerent mood on Sunday, as he outshined Japanese Grand Prix winner Lorenzo during the race and got hold of the second place. But he also lost the front of his Ducati when five laps were left in the race. However, it was Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham, who was the first faller of the day. Then, it was Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone who went down, but he did not fell alone. Iannone took Dani Pedrosa with him, when the front of his bike came into contact with Repsol Honda rider’s bike.
LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl also had a similar experience as his bike brushed against the rear of Aleix Espargaro’s machine. Paul Bird Motorsport’s Broc Parks also failed to finish the race as he never returned from the pits. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro was not as lucky as its other rider was, as he too lost his front while chasing Lorenzo.
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