Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi won his second MotoGP race of the season at the Phillip Island Circuit after newly crowned double world champion Marc Marquez crashed out from the lead of the race.
Pole sitter Marquez had a slow getaway and lost out the lead to former double MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo and Bradley Smith, only to regain P1 spot in a matter of few corners.
He then stretched his legs at the front of the field, looking set to equal former five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan's record of most GP wins in a single season. However, the race was scripted in a different way with the Spaniard crashing out at the downhill hairpin under braking with 10 laps to go.
Several riders lost control of their bikes at the very corner including the Ducati of Cal Crutchlow who crashed out from the race on the final lap while running in second place. Espargaro brothers crashed in similar fashion and were visibly frustrated with their retirements.
With Marquez out, Rossi suddenly found himself in the lead of the race ahead of Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo. The Italian started from a lowly grid spot of eighth place but was able to make his way through traffic, without losing much time. He was then engaged in a close battle with Lorenzo, with the pair exchanging the lead for a number of laps. Rossi eventually established a gap over Lorenzo who struggled for pace at the end of the race, despite being on the same set of tyres.
Stefan Bradl took his first MotoGP podium in the premier class for Forward Yamaha ahead of Andrea Dovizioso’s Ducati.
Neither of the Hondas made it to the chequered flag after Dani Pedrosa was hit by the Ducati of Andrea Iannone early in the race.
The Philip Island win marked the first time since the 2010 MotoGP season that Rossi had won at least two races in the season. Following an ultimatum to the factory Yamaha team over strained relations with Lorenzo, Rossi rode for Ducati in 2011 and 2012, enduring two winless seasons before returning to winning ways last year when he returned to Yamaha.
MOTO2: VINALES WINS, RABAT MADE TO WAIT FOR TITLE
Paginas Amarillas’ Maverick Vinales took his third victory of the season at the Moto2 Australian Grand Prix, having started the race from fourth position in his Kalex.
However, all eyes were on Esteve Rabat who had his first shot of winning the championship down under at the Phillip Island Circuit in Victoria. But a couple of off-road campaigns along with a fourth place result for Marc VDS teammate and chief championship rival Mika Kallio meant that the Spanish rider would have to wait until the Malaysian Moto2 Grand Prix to clinch the title.
The 25 year old rider finished in third place, behind Thomas Luthi who won last time out in Japan.
MOTO3: MILLER CUTS GAP TO MARQUEZ WITH HOME WIN
Red Bull Ajo’s Jack Miller made his way from eighth on the grid to win the Moto3 Australian Grand Prix in front of his home fans in Victoria.
As in Motegi, the Moto3 provides a close finish with leading six drivers separated by just over two tenths off a second. In the end, it was Miller who recorded his fifth win of the season and reduced the gap to championship leader Alex Marquez - younger brother of MotoGP champion Marc - to 20 points with two races to go.
Alex Rins finished just three thousandths of a second behind Marquez to secure a double podium finish for Estrella Galicia.
Mahindra’s Miguel Oliveira took eighth at the chequered flag on a slightly different tyre strategy.
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