For the first time since 2012, MotoGP™ arrived at the German GP without Marc Marquez. The Repsol Honda rider had been the undisputed King of the Sachsenring in his last eight visits to the anti-clockwise circuit, but his decision to undergo a fourth surgery on his problematic right humerus and shoulder meant that a new name would grace the top step.
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UNHEARD: "VIVE LA FRANCE!"
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BAGNAIA'S TITLE DREAM HANGS BY A THREAD AFTER STRANGE CRASH
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WHAT ENDED MAVERICK VIÑALES' PODIUM CHARGE IN GERMANY?
Scorching weather split the stones all weekend, and despite setting a blistering time in qualifying to take pole, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was the first to buckle in the heat. The poleman went down on the third lap and denied us the next instalment of the pre-season title favourite showdown as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) profited to move into the lead, before running away with victory to fill Marquez’ sizeable boots and become the new king of the ring.
Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) made it a French one-two for consecutive podiums while Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), who completed a long lap penalty, took a third top three finish of the season. It ended up being more comfortable than it ought to have been for the Aussie, with an on form Maverick Viñales looking set to break his podium duck with Aprilia only to be undone by some mechanical issues.
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REWIND: CHAPTER 10 - BOILING POINT
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"THE BIKE WAS BURNING" - RIDERS REACT TO SCORCHING GERMAN GP
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FREE: THE LAST LAP FROM AN ATTRITIONAL GERMAN GRAND PRIX
The other Aprilia, Aleix Espargaro, was aiming to bounce back from his Barcelona blunder but had to settle for fourth while Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) put in an assured performance to take another top five. It proved a day to forget for Honda, as three of their riders didn’t take the chequered flag and their fourth finished in P16, meaning they failed to register a single Championship point for the first time in 40 years.