Valentino Rossi has launched himself right back into 2017 MotoGP title contention with a stunning victory at the Dutch TT in Assen, holding off a sustained challenge from fellow Italian Danilo Petrucci in wet conditions as teammate and championship leader Maverick Viñales crashed out of the race.
It meant Andrea Dovizioso, who finished fifth, took the lead in the standings by four points, with race victor Valentino Rossi moving up to third, only three behind his Yamaha team-mate.
The 22-year-old Vinales, twice a victor at Assen in the support classes, tops the standings with 111 points, but four riders are within striking distance of the leader.
Rossi's 10th win at the track lifted him into third, only three points away with defending champion Marc Marquez breathing down his neck, four points behind in the tightest championship battle since the current points system was introduced in 1993. Behind was a mid-pack dogfight for fifth as Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) led Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team), Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) in the early stages of a race that would go on to be a classic.
Viñales, however, was unable to break into the front and finish in the top three.
"I am happy because we work a lot and we change the chassis and I am able to ride the bike in a better way". Find us on Facebook too!
Federer beats Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-3 for 9th Halle title
Meanwhile, Marin Cilic set up a semi-final clash with Gilles Muller at Queen's Club as the Croatian powered to a 6-4 7-5 victory over Donald Young.
"I'm so happy, and for different reasons, because it's a very important victory for the championship, but especially the feeling of coming back to the number one spot after one year is fantastic".
Dani Pedrosa and the legendary Valentino Rossi will both be in contention on Sunday, and they are placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the championship.
Starting the race well was more than true of five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo last time out, as the Spaniard led in red for the first five laps after taking his first front row start with Ducati.
"But I know Vinales will arrive".
Crutchlow is another who has had success at Assen - including a pole position and podium in 2013 - and the Brit also talked about his recent contract signed with HRC to remain at LCR for another two years: "It's obviously very good news for me and I've worked hard over the last few years".
"The bike made a unusual movement that I had not experienced all weekend". That forces you to treat the race like a sprint with no time to think.
Comments