MotoGP™: Lorenzo (Ducati Team/Michelin) on top again in Catalunya

The Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, Round 7 of the 2018 MotoGPTM World Championship at Barcelona-Catalunya, was won by Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team/Michelin). The race produced the Majorcan’s second victory in a row for Ducati, ahead of the championship pace-setter Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team/Michelin) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP/Michelin). 

Just as he did at Mugello, Lorenzo was in dominant form in Catalonia where he claimed his first pole position with Ducati. Despite being caught napping through the race’s first turn by both Marquez and Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), his decision to run soft-compound MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear soon helped him to take the lead before lapping like clockwork for 24 laps on his way the 46th victory of his career.

The championship leader Marquez, who was on hard MICHELIN Power Slicks, was quickly outdistanced, although he still succeeded in crossing the line in second place.

Meanwhile, Rossi (soft MICHELIN Power Slicks) followed up podium finishes in Qatar, France and Italy with his fourth top-three result of the year from seven starts to emerge as Marquez’ closest threat in the 2018 title chase.

Briton Cal Crutchlow (medium and soft MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear) ended up just shy of the podium and as the best independent team rider with LCR Honda Castrol. Fifth was Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) who chose medium MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear.

Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing), Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) and Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) rounded out the top 10. That said, only 14 riders reached the finish, with just 13 completing the distance on the same lap as the day’s winner. None of the race’s five rookies made it to the chequered flag.

Six of the seven tyre specifications available in Catalonia were used. Thirteen riders opted for soft MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear, including the winner Lorenzo. Marquez came second on hard MICHELIN Power Slicks all-round and Crutchlow was fourth on a combination of medium and soft MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear. Pedrosa was fifth on medium MICHELIN Power Slicks.

Marquez (115 points) has extended his lead at the top of the provisional championship standings, ahead of Rossi (88) and Viñales (77).

Tyre choice

Next round: Motul TT Assen, Netherlands (June 29-July 1).