1. Jorge Lorenzo (MotoGP)
The Italian Grand Prix was being billed as the biggest opportunity for Valentino Rossi to regain the winning feeling but once the racing was over, we were left in awe of his under-pressure teammate. Mugello heralded the return of the real Jorge Lorenzo and MotoGP is all the better for it.
Jorge had endured a nightmare start to the season with a podium in Argentina the sole cause for optimism and his status as Yamaha number one under threat. Qualifying was a disaster for Rossi with tenth the best he could manage while Lorenzo put himself right in contention with a place on the front row. The plan for race day was to get out in front early on and stay there.
The first phase of his victory plan went exactly as intended with Lorenzo charging up the inside of Marquez on lap one, leaving him to fend off the dangerous Ducati of Andrea Iannone, but Marc knew the importance of keeping the Yamaha in sight. Within eight laps, Lorenzo’s lead was as good as nothing.
Marquez demonstrated the toughness of the task facing Lorenzo on lap seventeen by breezing past the Yamaha but despite obvious straight-line speed deficit, the two-time champion refused to give in. Jorge knew his best chance was to wrong-foot Marc through the sweeping fast bends and threw his best shots at the younger Spaniard, including a beautiful move at Correntaio, but the grunt of the RC213V eventually swung Marc’s way. It was a shame to see one of the rides of the season go unrewarded but MotoGP and, in particular, Movistar Yamaha can take consolation from the fact that Jorge is back to his best.
(Photo Credit: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
