2014 San Marino MotoGP: the Doctor makes a house call

The TIM San Marino GP at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with its 16 turns and 4.2 km layout, has been the venue for some outstanding racing in the premier league. From the looks of it, this year’s race has a lot highlights in store for the teams, riders and especially the fans.

Jorge Lorenzo, on board his Yamaha, took his first pole position for 2014. Coincidentally, it was also his first pole in Misano, and, with the domination of the Repsol Honda Team of late, this was the first for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team this season. Alongside Lorenzo was Pramac Racing rider Andrea Iannone, while fan favorite and hometown boy Valentino Rossi rounded up the first row. Starting on P4 was the Phenom Marc Marquez on his Repsol Honda, with Dani Pedrosa running in 5^th. Taking 6th is Andrea Dovisiozo of the Ducati Team.

As the riders did their warm-up laps, talks of record-breaking feats filled the airwaves. Will Marc Marquez equal Mick Doohan’s record of 12 wins in a season? Will Valentino Rossi become the first rider to score 5000 points? Will Marquez win despite starting from the second row? (He has never won starting from the 2nd row).

The air at the Misano Circuit was ripe with anticipation, and as the lights went out to start the 2014 San Marino GP, Jorge Lorenzo took off the line and led the field into turn 1. Valentino Rossi jumped Iannone to take P2, and similarly Marquez flew past Iannone and slotted into P3. Marc was very aggressive on the opening lap, and Lorenzo, realizing this, kept his hand on the throttle to try and keep the lead as long as he could.

Marquez and Rossi battled for P2, swapping places turn after turn on lap 2. The Repsol Honda bike seemed to be better at braking late which aided Marc in his attempts to take the position from the Doctor. Meanwhile, Iannone, Dovisiozo, and Pedrosa fought it out to be the best of the rest.

Lap 3 saw both Movistar Yamaha riders fighting it out for the lead. Eventually, Rossi took P1 from his teammate, and, sensing an opportunity, Marquez also vaulted past Lorenzo to take P2. Jorge was visibly unhappy with the front tires on his Yamaha, and this was the cause for him sliding back two places.

As the laps reeled off and things settled down, Pedrosa in the other Repsol Honda made his move on Iannone, nearly collecting the Italian in the process. But this was nothing to the drama that was to follow. While running in 2^nd, Marc Marquez, probably too eager to fight Valentino Rossi for the lead, banked a little too much and slid entirely on his own at turn 4 (Brio corner). As rider after rider flew past the stricken bike of the defending champion, Marc tried desperately to re-start the Honda, and even had marshalls assist him in. Eventually he was able to rejoin down in 20th position, nearly a lap down.

Fans were ecstatic at the prospect that the hometown hero could win his home race. Each time Rossi passed, fans were willing him on to not make a mistake and take his first win of the season. A Rossi win in San Marino would literally bring to a halt the city if not the entire country. Impromptu parties would be the norm.

As the laps came down, Vale managed his lead over his teammate. While at the back, Marquez tried to overhaul what he can from his disastrous mistake, managing to climb back to P15 and the final points scoring position.

When the checkered flag fell at the Misano circuit, Valentino Rossi popped a wheelie as he crossed the line to the jubilation of all fans in attendance.

This was Rossi’s first win since Assen 2013, and Movistar Yamaha’s first win of the 2014 season. It was win number 107 in his career and win number 81 in MotoGP. Rossi also surpassed the 5000 point mark (with 5012 points), being the first rider in history to do so in all classes; and 4070 points in the Premier class alone.

With the win, Rossi is now only 1 point away from Dani Pedrosa, who is sitting 2nd in the championship standings. Marquez still leads the standings, but was this costly mistake a sign that the phenom is succumbing to the pressure and desire to win it all before the season’s end? Or was this just a fluke?

The next race is scheduled on September 28 at MotorLand Aragon, Spain.

Can Marquez claim back his place on the podium, a place that he has been accustomed to this season? Or will Rossi and Lorenzo have something to derail his climb?