Maverick Vinales masters Argentina with a win whilst Marquez crashes out after leading!
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Maverick Vinales masters Argentina with a win whilst Marquez crashes out after leading!

By FORMULAMotoGPMag - 11 April 2017

The MotoGP race in Argentina was not shy of crashes or shock! Within the first lap we had Jorge Lorenzo crash out after clipping the bike of Andrea Iannone and in the following laps Marc Marquez crashing out after leading the race with a 2.2 second gap to the rest of the field. Lorenzo admitted to his mistake and was guttered to think that he did not even make the first corner after starting strong and making his way through the pack. It sounds like Lorenzo’s Championship will start in Austin. Lorenzo did say that he felt good on the bike and is adjusting much better since being on board his Ducati for more track time. It is a work in progress and no doubt he is putting in the hard work. Lorenzo as a character wants to win and is not shy of voicing his opinions. It is clear that he has much to work on and perfect in order to prove his worthiness of the red outfit.

© Team Suzuki Ecstar

Marquez on the other hand was distraught after diving towards to the kitty litter and leaving his Championship World Title bid in limbo. This is the first time that Marquez has not won one of the two opening rounds. Maverick Vinales 2 and Marc Marquez 0. Austin is a track where Marquez dominates and it will be a very intriguing battle to watch him take it to Vinales. The rivalry is starting to intensify because the expectations of Marquez beating Vinales have always been a topic of discussion. Right now, the Repsol Honda rider will be studying his mistakes and aiming to improve at a rapid rate!

© Movistar Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team

Congratulations are in order, as Vinales becomes the first Yamaha rider since Wayne Rainey in 1990 to win the opening two races of the season. This is a massive achievement for the young Spanish rider who is looking very hard to beat at this stage. His style, aggression and passion reminds us of a young Marquez when he first came in to MotoGP. It was a double whammy for the Yamaha team with Valentino Rossi finishing in second followed by Cal Crutchlow who did a superb job finishing in third. Crutchlow did his best to hold off Rossi as long as he did. He wanted to push although knew it could be a major risk and settled for that nice podium finish. Rossi is ecstatic because he is only just behind teammate Vinales. It seems like The Doctor may have turned around his season to attempt that 10th World Championship Title.

© Movistar Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team

Overall, it went from bad to worse for Repsol Honda and the Ducati Corse MotoGP Team. Both their riders ended up with a DNF. Dani Pedrosa dropped his bike near where Marquez did and Aleix Espargaro overcooked the corner entry and took out Dovizioso without any warning. It was not the fairy-tale weekend for either manufacturer. Yamaha were the ones smiling and feeling the rewards of their efforts. We must say that veteran rider Alvaro Bautista did an amazing job and what a ride from the Spaniard! He finished fourth and this was a nice result considering last year Eugene Laverty achieved the same success. The Pull and Bear Aspar Team are feeling good and excited about their 2017 MotoGP campaign.

Next up is Texas. The riders are ready to rock and roll whilst enjoying the changing gradients of the circuit and the fans that attend the event. It will be a race where quite a few riders are there for redemption and to start their season off with a bang!

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