2014 Australian MotoGP: Rossi takes Philip Island

After winning the 2014 MotoGP crown in Japan, Marc Marquez now has the distinction of being the youngest back-to-back champion in the premier class. Wanting to add another to his long list of achievements, that of tying Mick Doohan’s record of winning 12 races in the premier class in a season, Marquez took pole in Philip Island, with Crutchlow, Lorenzo, Smith, and Pedrosa making up the top 5.

As the lights went out to start the Tissot Australian Grand Prix, Marquez led the field down into turn 1, with Lorenzo and the rest of the grid in tow. Valentino Rossi, starting in P8, similarly had a cracking start and was up to P4 just after 2 laps, and up to P3 by lap 3. Vale wanted to keep the leaders in sight, and hopefully hunt them down.

Despite winning it all in Japan, Marquez kept his head down, and got on with the job of extending his lead. Lap 5 saw Marc with a one-second lead over Lorenzo.

Andrea Iannone on board his Ducati was trying to challenge for position, then found himself at the back of Dani Pedrosa’s Honda. He hit the rear and nearly collected Karel Abraham in the process. Pedrosa, now wary of the performance of his bike, pitted on lap 8, and, after further examination, decided to retire from the grand prix.

Out in front, Marquez kept piling on the lead, with Valentino and Jorge challenging each other for P2. The two were swapping positions lap after lap, outbraking each other as they fought all the way. No quarter was given and none was taken. It was a high-speed clinic on how to pass cleanly and effectively.

While all of this was going on, Marc Marquez kept his head down and got on with extending his lead, achieving a 4.1 second lead ahead of Rossi. Suddenly, it all went wrong for the phenom. Going downhil, the Honda locked its rear and Marquez slid out of contention. Both Repsol Hondas were now officialy out of the Australian GP. This was the fourth error from the two-time champion in five races.

Valentino Rossi took over the lead while Jorge Lorenzo fought it out with Cal Crutchlow for P2. With about 4 laps to go, Crutclow flew past Lorenzo and even extended his lead over the Yamaha rider. All eyes were on Vale as he continued on to lead and possibly win the Australian GP.

The podium looked like it was a Yamaha, Ducati and Yamaha. But on the last lap, Cal Crutchlow, probably giving into the pressure, lost control of his bike and slid out of the grand prix. This handed P2 to Lorenzo and elevated Bradley Smith to his first podium apperance.

Valentino Rossi crossed the line. This was his 250th race in the premier class, and his 82nd race win in MotoGP. Taking a much needed 2nd was Jorge Lorenzo in the other Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, with Smith on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 taking 3^rd. The podium turned out to be an all Yamaha affair.