Decided to catch this on the BBC while I had the chance, and I don't regret it for a second. A tremendous lead pack, with close-run action from start to finish. The race was literally wide open for a long time and there were a few upsets along the way. If MotoGP in the future will be like this with the current riders then get me a time machine and take me there! Anyway, short verdicts on the top 5:
Gadea: Won the race while enduring sheer agony from a broken collarbone. Held it together extremely well under a lot of pressure, I seriously take my hat off to the guy. Hope he gets better in time for the next race and continues this stunning form, if not better it.
Olive: Not much to say, really, other than he ran a consistent race and didn't get tangled up in any incidents. Good result.
Bradl: Where the HELL did he come from? Had a panoramic view of the lead pack for much of the race before sneaking through literally in the final second to nick the podium spot. Great stuff.
Di Meglio: Battled really hard vs Redding for the podium spot, but unexpected lunge by Bradl saw it go begging. Hard luck to him.
Redding: Definitely my pick of the race. To start on the front row of the grid on your debut race at just 15 years old is a fantastic achievement, and he raced like a leader as well! In contention for the win for most of the race, but lost out to Di Meglio in the end. Excellent start from the youngster, definitely one to look out for in the future.
Other highlights:
- Talmacsi, dominating the lead pack, had a mechanical problem which saw him drop back to 12th.
- Bradley Smith started on pole, but dropped back to 16th also due to a mechanical problem.
- Esteve Rabat and Raf de Rosa were also in the lead pack, with the latter threatening for the win. Rabat crashed, but continued to finish 24th. de Rosa retired after his crasah.
- Wildcard rider Dino Lombardi got a penalty during first half of the race.
- AND FINALLY, I was amused to see a guy called Rossi on the grid. Ironically, he qualified and finished last.
Top 15 Positions:
1: Sergio Gadea (Spain) APRILIA 38:09:44
2: Joan Olive (Spain) DERBI +0.932
3: Stefan Bradl (Germany) APRILIA +1.660
4: Mike Di Meglio (France) DERBI +1.771
5: Scott Redding (UK) APRILIA +1.819
6: Danny Webb (UK) APRILIA +7.689
7: Simone Corsi (Italy) APRILIA +8.684
8: Pol Espargaro (Spain) DERBI +8.693
9: Efren Vasquez (Spain) APRILIA +9.054
10: Nico Terol (Spain) APRILIA +10.902
11: Sandro Cortese (Germany) APRILIA +10.945
12: Gabor Talmacsi (Hungary) APRILIA +12.618
13: Stefano Bianco (Italy) APRILIA +12.709
14: Andrea Iannone (Italy) APRILIA +20.086
15: Michael Ranseder (Austria) APRILIA +23.575
Of 34 runners, 25 finished the race.
Gadea: Won the race while enduring sheer agony from a broken collarbone. Held it together extremely well under a lot of pressure, I seriously take my hat off to the guy. Hope he gets better in time for the next race and continues this stunning form, if not better it.
Olive: Not much to say, really, other than he ran a consistent race and didn't get tangled up in any incidents. Good result.
Bradl: Where the HELL did he come from? Had a panoramic view of the lead pack for much of the race before sneaking through literally in the final second to nick the podium spot. Great stuff.
Di Meglio: Battled really hard vs Redding for the podium spot, but unexpected lunge by Bradl saw it go begging. Hard luck to him.
Redding: Definitely my pick of the race. To start on the front row of the grid on your debut race at just 15 years old is a fantastic achievement, and he raced like a leader as well! In contention for the win for most of the race, but lost out to Di Meglio in the end. Excellent start from the youngster, definitely one to look out for in the future.
Other highlights:
- Talmacsi, dominating the lead pack, had a mechanical problem which saw him drop back to 12th.
- Bradley Smith started on pole, but dropped back to 16th also due to a mechanical problem.
- Esteve Rabat and Raf de Rosa were also in the lead pack, with the latter threatening for the win. Rabat crashed, but continued to finish 24th. de Rosa retired after his crasah.
- Wildcard rider Dino Lombardi got a penalty during first half of the race.
- AND FINALLY, I was amused to see a guy called Rossi on the grid. Ironically, he qualified and finished last.
Top 15 Positions:
1: Sergio Gadea (Spain) APRILIA 38:09:44
2: Joan Olive (Spain) DERBI +0.932
3: Stefan Bradl (Germany) APRILIA +1.660
4: Mike Di Meglio (France) DERBI +1.771
5: Scott Redding (UK) APRILIA +1.819
6: Danny Webb (UK) APRILIA +7.689
7: Simone Corsi (Italy) APRILIA +8.684
8: Pol Espargaro (Spain) DERBI +8.693
9: Efren Vasquez (Spain) APRILIA +9.054
10: Nico Terol (Spain) APRILIA +10.902
11: Sandro Cortese (Germany) APRILIA +10.945
12: Gabor Talmacsi (Hungary) APRILIA +12.618
13: Stefano Bianco (Italy) APRILIA +12.709
14: Andrea Iannone (Italy) APRILIA +20.086
15: Michael Ranseder (Austria) APRILIA +23.575
Of 34 runners, 25 finished the race.
