Jerez: The Italian job

Valentino Rossi has often had a better record on race day than in qualifying, so his rivals took serious note on Saturday afternoon at the Circuito de Jerez when the veteran Italian posted a convincing pole position. In the race, Rossi took the lead – and then proved uncatchable to the flag, despite the best efforts of both his teammate Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), who completed the podium. The display was the absolute best of the 9-time World Champion after a more difficult start to the season, and laid some real groundwork for Rossi’s challenge for the title.

Lorenzo, after his 100th podium finish, was second in the standings after the first home round of the year for the Spaniard, with compatriot Marquez still out front by 17 points – and Rossi making his move up into P3 and only seven points adrift of his teammate.

The bad luck for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) continued in Andalucía. After a podium in the first race of the year and then two DNFs for which the veteran Italian couldn’t be blamed, Spain saw another stroke of bad luck as a mechanical problem forced the Ducati rider out. Next was Le Mans, after a podium and three incidences of bad luck - where surely it would come to an end.