Home hearts were broken at Mugello in the Italian GP, as local legend Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) had an engine blowout that saw the Italian forced to retire – a similar issue to that suffered by teammate and eventual winner Jorge Lorenzo in the morning Warm Up. Over-revving over a bump towards the end of the main straight was given the blame, but the diagnosis was a little late to save the home crowd’s spirits – although to compensate, it was one of the races of the century that then unfolded.
A catastrophic technical issue for @ValeYellow46 who is OUT of the #ItalianGP! https://t.co/6zQSVfcIcP
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 22 May 2016
Some races are incredible group fights – like the Island Battle in Australia last season – and others come down to the duel. With Rossi out, Lorenzo and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) were left to fight it out in Mugello – and fight it out they did. Elbow sliders flew away, a little paint was swapped, and the last corner gave way to an incredible drag to the line after a closely-fought last lap – with Lorenzo just getting the jump on Marquez in a photo-finish.
UN-BELIEVABLE! ????
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 22 May 2016
How close do you like it?! @lorenzo99 WINS the #ItalianGP! pic.twitter.com/S2lmMAjJEf
Most of the races up until Mugello had seen a winner crowned after emerging into the lead earlier in the race. The Italian GP was the opposite, with all bets off – and showcased the best of the two incredible riders who have reigned the premier class since 2012.