Yamaha Sweeps, VR46 on Podium at Andalucia GP

21 year old Fabio Quartararo of Petronas-Yamaha SRT once again converted his pole position to a dominant victory at Jerez for the second time in 7 days.

Yamaha made it an all Yamaha podium with Monster-Yamaha team mates Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi taking 2nd and 3rd.

“I couldn’t breathe during most if the race,” said Viñales refering to the very hot conditions that claimed many riders. His back to back 2nd places gives him 40 points, 10 behind leader Quartararo.

Rossi held 2nd position until the last lap when Viñales finally managed to overtake the 41-year old veteran. Rossi is now on his 20th season un the premiere MotoGP class. “It is not a win, but for me it feels like a win, the important thing now is to continue to be consistent,” said Rossi. It was a starck contrast to his race a week ago where he retired due to a mechanical issue.

The top Honda was Taaki Nakagami in 4th. Suzuki’s Joan Mir was 5th while Ducati’s Dovisiozo was 6th. KTM’s Pol Espargaro was 7th ahead of Repsol-Honda’s Alex Marquez. Only 13 riders finished the gruelling race marred by crashes becuase of the hot conditions.

World Champion Marc Marquez pulled out on Saturday after qualifying after feeling pain and discomfort. He broke his arm during thr last race and underwent sugery in Wednesday.

Results
1. F. Quartararo Yamaha
2. M. Viñales Yamaha
3. V. Rossi Yamaha
4. T. Nakagami Honda
5. J. Mir Suzuki
6. A. Dovizioso Ducati
7. P. Espargaró KTM
8. Á. Márquez Honda
9. J. Zarco Ducati
10. Á. Rins Suzuki
11. T. Rabat Ducati
12. B. Smith Aprilia
13.C. Crutchlow

Photo courtesy of MotoGP and Monster Yamaha