2018 MotoGP Germany – Lord of the Sachsenring

2018 MotoGP Germany
A frantic first corner at the MotoGP Germany

You can anticipate where this race is heading before the lights even go out. Marc Marquez, sat on pole position once again, has won the MotoGP race at the Sachsenring every year since 2013 as well as having won it on the smaller bikes as far back at 2010. I’m not a gambling man, but that’s where my money would lie.

Sat next to Marquez on the grid are Petrucci and Lorenzo, backed up by Vinales, Dovi and Rossi. As the warm up lap takes place, we see Dani Pedrosa in what will be his last race here at the Sachsenring. Dani has put to bed rumours of him moving to a satellite Yamaha team next year by announcing his retirement from the sport. We wish you all the best Dani. You will be missed!

Almost 90,000 spectators are ready for the MotoGP Germany. Are you?

2018 MotoGP Germany - Lorenzo and Marquez
“Insert Jaws theme music here” – Marquez chases down Lorenzo

Schnell!

Lorenzo typically uses the Ducati’s brilliant straight-line power to shoot up ahead of the Marquez’s Honda and pinches the first corner out from under him. Before the first lap is even over, Pol Espargaro and Alex Rins have ended up in the gravel. Later inspection shows Espargaro losing his bike and taking Rins with him, almost taking out Iannone too. Not a good day for the Suzuki camp at the MotoGP Germany.

Petrucci’s defense in the opening laps is brilliant, taking some defensive lines to keep Marquez at bay behind him, all the while trying to keep up with Lorenzo. Petrucci will be sitting on the very bike that is ahead of him next year; here’s to hoping that he can tame the Desmodici quicker than Lorenzo. Petrucci has only signed a one year contract so doesn’t have 18 months to figure it out… All the best to him!

Valentino Rossi keeps looking up the inside of Marc Marquez but just can’t quite sink his teeth into the Repsol Honda. Marc is always just out of reach! Meanwhile, Cal Crutchlow sweeps under Vinales and claims 5th position, putting in the fastest lap of the race so far.

Marquez has overtaken Petrucci and is beginning to take chunks out of the lead that Lorenzo is trying to carve. The Ducati has the power to keep clear but Marquez’s late braking soon evens the playing field. Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi sits in 4th position, biding his time and waiting for his opportunity to pass Petrucci. Rossi has the pace to do so but the Yamaha can’t match the Ducati for speed.

2018 MotoGP Germany - Marquez, Lorenzo and Rossi
“Slide to the left!” – Marquez, Lorenzo and Rossi

Finally, Valentino Rossi makes his move into turn 1 and block passes Petrucci, stealing the tarmac from under the Ducati. Danilo Petrucci is now being hunted by Crutchlow, Dovi and Bautista. Alvaro Bautista is having a very good ride in 7th place. Despite not having the best start to the season, he is fairly consistent, usually finishing races in 8th or 9th.

Despite a strong start, Crutchlow runs wide and slides his bike into the gravel, followed by himself. Such a shame for the British rider. He’s proved he can win races and he’s proved he’s fast. Just something appears to be missing. Evidently here at the MotoGP Germany, the thing that is missing is grip.

2018 MotoGP Germany - Lorenzo and Rossi
All out asphalt assault! Rossi and Lorenzo play chicken with their brakes…

Lorenzo goes limp…

After running hot into turn 1, Lorenzo manages to hang onto first place but the gap between him and Marquez has closed up massively. Rossi is cashing in on his race pace, moving ever closer to the two leaders and not showing any signs of slowing down. It doesn’t take Marquez long to make his move and capitalise on Lorenzo’s mistake. Two things can happen to Lorenzo now; either he holds second place and challenges the lead again or he falls away and can’t claw back. Both have happened to Lorenzo in races this season; it’s very difficult to predict how he will perform in a race.

Jorge Lorenzo makes an error, running very wide into turn 10 and allowing Valentino Rossi to slip through with no drama. We’re now at the halfway point and it’s around this time that the Ducati’s tend to have used up most of the grip in the tyres. The softer tyre choice from Lorenzo may ultimately be his downfall in this race. Despite having very little in the way of grip, he attempts a move on Valentino Rossi into turn 1 but runs very wide, easily allowing the Doctor back in.

Despite not having the outright speed to make serious moves, Rossi is slowly taking chunks out of Marc Marquez’s lead, taking a tenth of a second out of the gap ahead with each lap. Marquez, Rossi and Lorenzo are clear of Petrucci in 4th place with a 1.5 second gap. How Petrucci is keeping Dovi, Bautista and Vinales at bay is anyone’s guess.

2018 MotoGP Germany - Battle For Fourth
Danilo Petrucci fights to hang onto fourth place

Erec-tyre dysfunction…

Dovi must be having tyre trouble of his own, losing 5th place to Bautista. He’s soon losing ground to Vinales, who’s looking to capitalise on the Ducati’s lack of grip. It’s not long before this dream becomes a reality and Vinales steals 6th from Dovi. Dovi is looking a far cry from his victory in Qatar at the start of the season, a shame for a rider so full of potential.

Rossi’s attempt at chasing down Marquez seems to have fizzled out, as a 2.4 second gap separates the first and second place positions. Petrucci wants to take third place from Lorenzo and almost loses his nose trying. Lorenzo is so wide everywhere on the circuit it’s almost impossible to pass him. Jorge Lorenzo has always been wide with his lines but this tyre situation is making it so much worse. With 6 laps to go, Petrucci needs to find a way past and quick.

Turn 1 seems to be the favourite passing place here at the Saschsenring, as Lorenzo runs wide and Petrucci takes third place. I can only imagine the size of the smile in Petrucci’s helmet as he overtakes the bike he’ll be riding on next year. Soon after, Lorenzo falls victim to Vinales and gets pushed into 5th place. How long before Bautista takes 5th I wonder? Marquez is just too quick around this course at the MotoGP in Germany. Once he’s got to the front, it’s over. With a 2.7 seconds lead over Valentino Rossi, I think it’s safe to say this race is one for Repsol Honda yet again.

As Lorenzo flails around with no grip, Bautista easily takes 5th place. Vinales definitely has the pace to kick Petrucci out of the podium spot but can he capitalise on it with just two laps to go? Yes he can, as the Yamaha slips effortlessly under the Ducati.

Und der Gewinner ist…

2018 MotoGP Germany - Marquez Wins Again
Did you expect anything else?

Crossing the line with a victory dance, Marc Marquez take first place here at the MotoGP in Germany. Didn’t see that coming. Rossi holds tight to a great 2nd place followed by his teammate in third after a last minute as yellow flares come out for Rossi, Marquez pulls over for a quick firework display with the marshals.

Was there any doubt Marc Marquez would take victory here at the MotoGP Germany? Probably not. But valiant rides from Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales and Danilo Petrucci didn’t make it too easy for the Lord of the Sachsenring. An impressive ride from Bautista sees him finish in 5th place, a season best from the Spaniard. Unfortunately, this now means that it’s time for the summer break, meaning we won’t be seeing each other until August for the Czech GP. Ironically, Marquez leads the championship by 46 points over Valentino Rossi. But that could all change next time out! We’re excited already!

2018 MotoGP Germany - Marquez sandwich
Lords of the Sachsenring – Rossi, Marquez and Vinales

Top Ten:

1) Marquez
2) Rossi
3) Vinales
4) Petrucci
5) Bautista
6) Lorenzo
7) Dovizioso
8) Pedrosa
9) Zarco
10) Smith

2018 MotoGP Germany - a delighted doctor
A Delighted Doctor – There’s plenty of life in the old dog!

All images courtesy of motogp.com

Tom Haggett

Having been surrounded by motorbikes from a very early age, Tom has always loved bikes and aspired to have a role in the motorcycle industry. Tom has a love of all things with two wheels but predominantly enjoys choppers, bobbers and customs. He even has a V-Twin engine tattooed on his chest! A recent addition to the Two Wheel Team, Tom has settled in well and works hard to provide quality content for the Two Wheel blog.

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