Catalunya: VR46's "perfect Sunday"

There was a dark grey cloud over the Catalan GP after tragedy struck on the Friday and the paddock mourned the loss of Moto2™ rider Luis Salom. Racing on at the express wish of the Mallorcan’s family, the weekend was pivotal because of the tragedy – and because of the events in parc ferme following the race. With an adjusted layout after track safety was discussed following Friday’s events, it was – surprisingly to some – the Hondas who gained the most from the change. In the race however, it was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who struck back once the light went out, finally winning a duel with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) on the penultimate lap – for his second win of the year in enemy territory. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) completed the podium in a much-improved race after a difficult run.

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) had another incident in Catalunya. Losing control behind a Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who was struggling with tyres, the Italian made contact with the Spaniard and took them both out of the race – with Lorenzo understandably unhappy about the manoeuvre and consequences.

In parc ferme there was more big news, as Rossi and Marquez shook hands after a period of hostility between the two following the end of 2015. When asked in the Press Conference after if Friday's events had brought a little perspective to the situation, the rider from Tavulla answered with a simple "yes".