2014 San Marino MotoGP: Rossi shines in Misano

  • Sep 15, 2014
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In what can be described as the "perfect script" for Italian MotoGP enthusiasts Valentino Rossi registered his first win of the 2014 season in front of his home fans

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha

In one of the most bizarre qualifying sessions witnessed in the 2014 season saw Jorge Lorenzo qualify on pole while his team-mate Valentino Rossi qualified third behind Andrea Iannone. Championship leader Marc Marquez had a poor outing as he had struggled to adapt his bike to Misano and started from fourth position on the grid, his worst performance since Barcelona in 2013. As the lights went off, Lorenzo made a perfect start to maintain his lead as the riders entered the first corner of the race with both Rossi and Marquez passing Iannone to slot into second and third position respectively. A blisteringly fast opening lap by Lorenzo meant that he was able to etch out a marginal lead over Rossi and Marquez. 

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda

The Repsol Honda rider caught Rossi napping as the duo entered Tramonto. But the Italian rider was quick to respond to regain his position on the exit as he was able to outbrake the reigning champion to the delight of his home fans. The duo kept on exchanging positions quite a few times and it was a treat to see the 35-year old MotoGP legend battling hard with the youngest ever premiere class champion. Lorenzo was utilising this scuffle to his advantage as he was magnifying his lead. Further down the grid Iannone was involved in an intense battle with Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso for fourth position. By lap four, Rossi was on the tail of Lorenzo and was pressurising his team-mate for the lead. He was able to pass him in Tramonto to grab the lead which sent the Italian fans into frenzy. Marquez was also on a charge and soon overtook the Yamaha rider to set a battle royale with Rossi for the race lead. 

Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda

By this time, Iannone finally buckled under the immense pressure applied by Pedrosa to lose fourth place to the Repsol Honda rider. Rossi and Marquez continued with their scuffle for the lead with the Italian rider holding on to his lead despite Marquez’s best efforts. The turning point of the race came in lap 10 when Marquez who was now getting desperate to pass Rossi made an error in his over enthusiasm, which resulted in the Spanish rider crashing on T4. Luckily for Marquez he was able to rejoin the race but his dream of registering his 12th win of the season was all but over. 

Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha
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With the reigning champion out of contention, Rossi knew that the race was his to be won as he had a lead of over two seconds on his team-mate. Despite Lorenzo’s best effort he wasn’t able to cut down Rossi’s lead and by the closing stages of the race seemed to settle for his fourth consecutive second place finish of the season. The doctor crossed the finish line with a wheelie to celebrate his triumph in front of his home fans and was followed by Lorenzo and Pedrosa in second and third position respectively. Marquez finished the race in 15th place to earn a solitary point. With this victory, Rossi registered his 107th win of his career and also reached the 5,000 Grand Prix points milestone in style. Rossi trails Pedrosa in the championship standings by just one points who at 215 points. Marquez still leads the championship standings with a healthy lead of 74 points.

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