MotoGP™: Dovizioso heads Ducati Team/Michelin 1-2 finish at Brno

The Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky, Round 10 of the 2018 MotoGPTM World Championship, was won by Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team/Michelin). The pole-winner was joined on the podium at Brno, Czech Republic, by team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and the championship pace-setter Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team/Michelin). 

Running on hard MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear, Dovizioso won what turned out to be a thrilling race by a margin of only 178-thousandths of a second over team-mate Lorenzo. Third-pace Marquez crossed the line just 0.368s after the winner. All three podium finishers opted for the same tyre combination.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP/Michelin) got away to a clean start from second on the grid to emerge in first place through the opening turn, but Dovizioso led after the first of the afternoon’s 21 laps. It was a great start to his 100th start with Ducati, although he was unable to build up a safe lead and Rossi managed to find a way past on Lap 8 to top the order for three laps.

Meanwhile, Marquez eased into second spot and tucked in behind Rossi, shadowed by Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda/Michelin) and Lorenzo.

Once back in front, Dovizioso succeeded in holding off Lorenzo who had his hands full keeping Marquez at bay to defend his runner-up position. In doing so, he posted the day’s fastest time on the last lap which rounded out the Italian team’s grand slam collection of win, pole position and fastest race lap.

Rossi clinched fourth on the last lap after passing Crutchlow, the best-placed independent team rider.

Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing/Michelin), Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3/ Michelin), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team/Michelin), Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team/Michelin) and Andrea Iannone (Ecstar Suzuki Team/Michelin) rounded out the top 10.

Four of six possible tyre combinations were used at Brno: 17 of the 25 starters opted for hard MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear, four went for medium and soft MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear (Zarco, Bautista, Viñales and Smith), while the other four took the medium and front compounds front and rear (Rins, Rossi, Guintoli and Rabat).

Marquez (181 points) continues to set the pace in the title chase, ahead of Rossi (132). Dovizioso’s second victory of the season has taken him to third place (+68 points).

Next round: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg (August 10-12).