2016 Spanish GP: Rossi Takes A Win

With a spectacular start to finish victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi secured his first win since the British Grand Prix in August last year. The nine-time champion looked in phenomenal form throughout the weekend. He posted a brilliant lap to secure pole position ahead of arch rival and team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. As the five red lights went out, Rossi got off to a good start and was riding an extremely defensive line. Lorenzo on the other hand was desperately trying to pass his team-mate, and he did too, before Rossi found his way back up front. 

Once the pecking order was established, Rossi gradually started pulling a lead as Lorenzo got busy with Marc Marquez right at his tail. However, the Repsol Honda rider too couldn’t quite gather the pace to pass his compatriot and was forced to settle for the third best spot on the podium. 

Starting from seventh, Dani Pedrosa got off to a great start as he jumped ahead of his team-mate Marquez and ran in third place briefly. Marquez however clawed his way back to third. Pedrosa was then challenged by Aleix Espargaro but the former kept his calm and his position right up till the end of the race.

After starting the race from 11th place, Ducati rider Andrea Iannone couldn’t only manage a seventh place finish. His team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, for the third consecutive time was forced to retire for no fault of own. Dovizioso was holding seventh place in the race before his factory GP16’s rear wheel began to lock up on lap 10. 

This win for Valentino Rossi brings him closer to team-mate Lorenzo on the championship standings with just 7 points separating the two riders. Marc Marquez continues to lead the championship with 82 points on the board.