Sachsenring (Germany) (AFP)
Marc Marquez achieved the good fortune of the German GP on Sunday by winning his seventh consecutive victory on the Sachsenring circuit and increasing his lead in the world championship, Fabio Quartararo falling for his part in the early laps.
The five-time Spanish World Champion and his Honda took a good option on a sixth title in mid-season, increasing their lead over Ducati riders Andrea Doviziosio and Danilo Petrucci.
Fabio Quartararo can give him hot tears. Starting 2nd on the grid after having once again made remarkable attempts, he fell in the early laps. "I'm sad for the team, my pace was good all weekend," he regretted. "I'm going to rest and I'll be 100% back" for the next event in the Czech Republic on August 4th, he assured.
Painful after the effects of an operation of the syndrome of the lodges in the right forearm at the beginning of June, the young Frenchman, 20 years old, also suffered a dislocation of the left shoulder on Friday during the Grand Prix trials. 'Germany.
Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) can smile too. Winner a week ago of the GP of the Netherlands, the Spaniard of the official Yamaha team climbed Sunday on the second step of the podium and now points to the 5th place in the provisional ranking of the world championship behind Marquez, both Ducati riders and his compatriot Alex Rins (Suzuki).
The latter, who seemed firmly attached to the 2nd place of the race, also fell.
- "perfect strategy" -
The Marquez family had a good weekend. Alex, Marc's younger brother, won the Moto2 race and took the lead in the world championship in this category.
On Marc's side, this is the fifth victory this season of the five-time Spanish world champion (and his 49th in MotoGP). He took a serious option on a sixth title with 58 points ahead of his immediate pursuer, Andrea Dovizioso.
"Our strategy was perfect even though my start was not fantastic," he said after the finish, adding that his main concern during the race was to preserve his rear tire after taking the lead and widened the gap on his pursuers.
It also equals the record set by Valentino Rossi of the number of consecutive victories on the same circuit, the Mugello in the case of the six-time Italian World Champion. Rossi finished 8th in the race on Sunday, rehabilitating somewhat after three consecutive dropouts in previous races.
3rd place went to British Cal Crutchlow (Honda-LCR), on the podium for the 2nd time this season after his 3rd place in the inaugural race in Qatar.
The Ducati riders can be considered happy: Badly qualified, they took advantage of the dropouts and a good pace of race to go up and finish at the foot of the podium. The Italian firm, 2nd in the constructors' championship with 157 points behind Honda (191), sees however approaching Yamaha (153).
In addition to Quartararo, the other French engaged in MotoGP, Johann Zarco (KTM), also fell.
? 2019 AFP