MotoGP 2016: Crutchlow triumphant as Marquez crashes out in Australian GP

Cal Crutchlow takes second win of his MotoGP career at Philip Island after pole-sitter Marc Marquez crashes out. Valentino Rossi finishes 2nd ahead of Maverick Vinales.

Cal Crutchlow took his second win of the season at the Australian GP in Philip Island. This is also Crutchlow’s second win in the premier class – his first in dry conditions. Crutchlow ran a flawless race as he fended off Valentino Rossi, who also put an impressive show as he finished 2^nd from 15^th on the grid. Completing the podium was Maverick Vinales in 3^rd. Pole sitter and newly crowned champion, Marc Marquez, crashed out of the race – his first DNF of the season.

Going into the race, Marquez was inevitably the man to beat. However, while Marquez was the fastest man on the grid, and was comfortably leading Crutchlow by over 3 seconds in the middle part of the race, he made the mistake of braking too late around turn 4 and crashed out. Crutchlow took lead from Marquez, but he was now coming under serious threat from Rossi, who was steadily getting closer to the Brit. Crutchlow, however, managed to pull away while Rossi, despite being fiercely quick today, couldn’t get close to the LCR Honda rider.

Behind Rossi, Vinales beat Andrea Dovizioso (4^th) and Aleix Espargaro to take the last step on the podium. A.Esparagaro, however, crashed out while desperately trying to keep Vinales at bay. Pol Espargaro, who started in 3^rd, finished 5^th, while Jorge Lorenzo’s struggles continued today as he finished a lonely 6^th. Scott Redding of Octo Pramac Ducati finished in 7^th after a hard fought battle with Bradley Smith (8^th), Danillo Petrucci (9^th) and Jack Miller (10^th). Nicky Hayden, who came in for this race as a replacement for injured Dani Pedrosa, crashed out after making contact with Miller.

2016 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix (21/10/2016)

Philip Island Circuit - 4.441km, 12 Turns