Vinales steps up to the title lead, Rossi crashes and Zarco accomplishes first podium finish
The 2017 Le Mans MotoGP race was a thrill ride from start to finish with many chops and changes of the lead between Maverick Vinales, Johann Zarco, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. French rider Zarco managed to accomplish an incredible milestone for not only himself but also the Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP team after battling hard and strong with Rossi, Crutchlow, Marquez and Vinales. Zarco has been impressive since the very first race of the season and even sealed the podium with a contract renewal for 2018. The adaption to the Tech3 bike has been more smooth than what anyone expected after Zarco experienced an up and down winter testing season. What a dream it is for the fans of the sport to be watching such close racing. The MotoGP promoter Dorna is doing a wonderful job with the sport. Zarco: "The result feels so good and there are many words that I could use, but today has been just great. The conditions were perfect for me in the race with the soft tyre and it was fantastic that I was able to run the pace that I did and to also lead a GP again. I had one flashback of Qatar in my mind, yet, everything was better here than there! Vi?ales passed me on the 7th lap and from that moment I was just happy to stay with him, and he was fast, but I think that this was the key for me to getting the podium.”
The number one upset of the weekend was when Rossi on the last lap slid off his bike in to the gravel trap after trying to chase down fellow teammate Vinales. Yamaha were lucky enough to celebrate their 500th Grand Prix victory although the world thought it was going to be Rossi claiming that statistic. It was a very unfortunate end to what was an amazing display of courage and talent by the Italian Doctor. Rossi: “Unfortunately, on the last lap I made a mistake in turn 6 and I fell back a little, so Maverick could overtake me. I knew I had another chance, because we were very close and I tried to remain there, because in sector 4 I was good. Sincerely, what happened during the crash, we don't understand. Usually you have to pay attention to the front, but I lost the rear when I crashed. Anyway, I made a mistake, and it's like this. It is a great shame to go back home with zero points. First of all, I'm very sorry for missing out on the probable victory and also for losing the lead in the championship, because I lost points.”
No matter what happens with Rossi he is a strong rider and will be aiming to take back points off his fellow competitors when they arrive in Mugello. The crowd is going to be wild there and we will be trackside to enjoy the VR46 fans in full bloom. With that aside, Repsol Honda had a race full of mixed emotions with Marquez crashing out and Pedrosa finishing on the podium. Marquez was not feeling on top of his game with the bike or tyres and is really looking forward to obtaining more confidence in the front with the new Michelin tyre that they are going to be supplying. It is intriguing to hear the World Champion discuss this area as a point of concern because it is not the first champion to do so this season.
Now we focus on the Italian event coming up followed by the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona. The Championship is wide open and there are at least five riders in the queue to win that historical trophy that so many dream of and only so few have achieved. Rossi will play back in his mind the error that cost him those vital Championship points and at the same time will be propelled forward as his teammate looks to achieve the top spot throughout the season.
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