Marquez equals Agostini with sensational second in Silverstone

Continuing his run of two top finishes, Marquez took important steps towards his ultimate goal as a determined Lorenzo finished in the points on his return from injury.

The British summer continued in full force on Sunday as round 12 of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at the Silverstone circuit enjoyed 31°C ambient temperatures. With circuit temperature at 44°C when the lights went out, it was set to be another demanding premier class race.

From the 88th pole position of his Grand Prix career, MotoGP World Championship leader Marc Marquez made a perfect start aboard his Repsol Honda Team RC213V and avoided the incident behind. With championship rival Andrea Dovizioso and potential podium contender Fabio Quartararo out of the race, Marquez was joined by Alex Rins at the front as the duo swapped fastest laps for most of the race.

The pair played a game of cat and mouse until the final lap, Marquez having led the entire race and setting a new race lap record of 1’59.936. A front-end moment in the last corner caused the World Championship leader to close the throttle and as a result was forced to settle for second place, missing the win by just 0.013s. Continuing his run of top two finishes in 2019, Marquez leaves Silverstone with a dominating 78 point lead in the MotoGP World Championship with seven races left.

Taking the 88th podium of his premier class career, Marquez draws level on premier class podiums with the great Giacomo Agostini. The result moves Honda to 45 points clear of Ducati in the Constructor Championship and brings the Repsol Honda Team to within 36 points of the Ducati Team in the Team Championship.

Knowing his physical condition, Jorge Lorenzo entered Sunday’s British Grand Prix with the simple aim of finishing the race to further understand his fitness level. The five-time World Champion’s determination was rewarded with a pair of points in 14th place as he profited from a consistent approach and the mistakes of others ahead.

Six-time World Champion Jim Redman, winner of Honda’s first premier class race in 1966 on the Honda RC181, was also in attendance and enjoyed talking racing with Marquez and Lorenzo.

Now the Repsol Honda Team will travel to the Misano Circuit for a two-day test. Racing resumes at the San Marino GP, September 13-15, at the same circuit.

Scintillating second for Marquez in explosive Austrian GP

Another all-out ride from Marc Marquez at the Red Bull Ring saw championship leader fight for victory until the flag as Bradl continued his points run with an impressive recovery.

Saturday’s sunshine eventually returned to the Austrian GP after a sodden Warm Up. Come the start of the MotoGP race, conditions were closer to what riders had experienced over the course of the weekend with 23°C air temperature and the track at 32°C.

When the lights went out, Marc Marquez’s race got off to a hair raising start as he and Andrea Dovizioso battled into Turn 3 which saw the reigning World Champion run wide and down to fifth spot. Undeterred, Marquez put his head down and pushed on aboard his RC213V, quickly chasing down race leader Fabio Quartararo.

Lap eight saw Marquez move back into the lead for the first time, Dovizioso briefly challenging to take the lead. The World Championship leader was able to control the middle phase of the race before Dovizioso moved back through on lap 20. Biding his time, Marquez left it late to launch his counter attack and brought the 87,595 fans at the Red Bull Ring to their feet with a stunning set of final laps. Bradl will now head to Finland to sample the newly built Kymi Ring.

The battle went down to the final corner, Marquez taking second place by 0.213s as he tried to hold off Dovizioso. With his haul of 20 points, Marquez controls a healthy 58-point advantage in the MotoGP World Championship standings after finishing in the top two for eight straight races. Honda continues to lead the Constructor standings with 236 points.

With Saturday’s troubles behind him, Stefan Bradl put in a spirited ride at the Austrian GP to make it four point-scoring finishes from four starts in 2019. The German quickly made up ground from 21st as the lights went out and was in the points within just a few laps. Ultimately taking 13th place after recovering eight positions, Bradl leaves Austria pleased with what he achieved.

The Repsol Honda Team now head for the United Kingdom and round 12 of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at Silverstone, August 23 to 25. Jorge Lorenzo is set to make his racing return at the British circuit after recovering from the back injury he sustained in Assen.