Aragon MotoGP

Aspar The arid plains of Aragon provide a bleak setting for the

fastest sport on two wheels as the MotoGP Championship returns to

Spain. The riders come with everything still at stake, five

rounds to go and with a an intercontinental double-header

coming up, the battle has an extra spice. Back-to-back wins for Jorge

Lorenzo at Silverstone and Misano brought him level with Danni

Pedrosa. Both would have to finish ahead of Marc Marquez if they were

to close down the deficit at the top. So second place will be enough

for Marc Marquez in each of the final five rounds if he is to win.

We get the impression off Mark that he is not the kind of guy to finish

second? No, he sees racing as fun and if he happens to have a

Championship fall out of the bottom, all the better. Maybe not what the

boss thinks. I think the boss will have had a word. Because they were

trimming -- tripping themselves over at the last race and second is maybe

the not best way of doing it. Jorge had the samation last -- same

situation last year. I think it was the fact that Jorge was just being

steady and getting points. He has won Championships before, but some

extra spice with it being a home race for the Spaniards. The first

few laps you think will be crucial, to keep it together. That is where

we have seen a difference between Lorenzo and the Honda guys. Yes,

Ingmar kwez is pressure-resilient. -- I thinkMarquez is pressure

resilient. He does push hard. Even in qualifying, right to the death he

was coming second and pulled it out of the bag. Looking at the Misano

race, it was in the first three or four laps where Jorge won the race.

Yes it is a high risk strategy. A second a lap for those first four

laps, it was ridiculous and he broke them and Danni and Marquez were

tripping over each other. Otherwise I believe that Marc Marquez could

have gone through and caught Jorge. The dynamic is Danni Pedrosa is a

fantastic starter and chances are even if Jorge does a blinder, Danni

will get in front of Marquez. Then Marquez had to find his way through.

Here the first turn is so close to the start line. We know what will

happen. We have seen Jorge even in the warm up today, the first laps,

this morning he was one second faster than anyone else on the

second lap. He is ready for that same treatment. Grid position is

crucial. That is one reason why we saw such an intense qualifying

session yesterday. I didn't think for a minute that Jorge Lorenzo was

not going to get it. It was such a screaming lap. About four guys

thought they had pole position. They look at their timers and think that

would be enough. As we speak, I can tell you Jorge Lorenzo and his team

are working out what front tyre to use, because the temperature is up

are working out what front tyre to and down. At the moment the sun is

out and they want to run a soft front tyre. Steve mentioned how

close it was, four people thought they had pole, including Valentino

Rossi. He was a tenth of a second off and that is one of his best

qualifying sessions. Yes, he is on the second row in fourth. It is

tight at the top and this circuit is very long, very technical and there

are so many different set ups that they have to consider. Putting that

together, Rossi is in touch. To get times that close over the lap at the

thick end of two minutes is extraordinary. Not quite enough to

break up the three on the front row. That position was so close. Jorge

and Danni were so fast. But any way I tried to do my best. One lap we

were fast. But the most important is tomorrow and we need to be

concentrated and we have to manage well the tyres. Because in the end

concentrated and we have to manage it is light weight a lot. But for

everybody it will be the same. We had the fist goal was good. -- first

goal. I I expect to improve with the had the fist goal was good. -- first

second tyre. Finally third place and still front row. This is OK, but

hoping to do a good start tomorrow and because the first corner is very

close and there is not much metres to get on a good place after the

start. So we should do a good start and then a good race. I thought I

was the first one. But when I look at the last lap time I was in fifth

position. I thought, wow, they're going so fast. Now I have to be

faster. The second try I tried to push more and I made 47.08. I

thought that was pole position or close. I don't know until I check

the lap time, finally only four Milly? Hundredths. Any way I

couldn't do it. The bike at the end, was it out of fuel? We hope it is

the fuel. Because if it is another thing, we are... Worse. Thankfully

it was the bike running out of fuel on the warm down lap. A few people

asked me yesterday on Twitter, because in Formula One there is a

asked me yesterday on Twitter, penalty if you run out of fuel, but

not in GP. No, you're right. It is good job they don't at the end of

the race. We saw Valentino Rossi getting a lift back. Fuel is tight.

But I think somebody made a mistake. A good session for Lorenzo and Rossi

on the factory Yamahas. Not for Cal Crutchlow. He only managed seventh

place. But it wasn't a complete disaster this weekend. It was just a

case of a bad qualifying session. We had three attempts, well four

attempts at a fast lap and I made four mistakes. That is the reason

why we are not up there. I made a mistake in nearly every sector of

every lap. Our pace seems in free practice 4 was not bad. But we need

to improve. But this is... We are lacking 12 or 13k an hour down the

straight. It is just... You can't get in that time anywhere against

any of the other guys. Even if I slip stream them, I'm still losing

eight or nine an hour. Even to Bradley and we are on the same

engine. That is just the way it is sometimes. Tomorrow, we need a good

start. Let's hope he can. How does that work, he is giving away so much

time down the straight, but on the same engine. For the factory they

have the same gear box. For Bradley, I think Cal has broughter --

broweder should -- broader shoulders. Also it is important how

you get out of turn 16 on to the straight F you get a run on to that

it makes a big difference. But still not impossible to achieve his

realistic objectives after a tough few weeks? Yes, he had a lonely ride

in Misano, but after the last round he had a day's testing made a lot of

improvement, big head way in braking over a shorter distance and braking

later. So he is confident and he just had a stivenger of a qualify --

stinker of a qualifying. But he will be much more in the hunt. He said he

chose the wrong bike. So warm up today was better. Let's keep our

fingers crossed for Cal. All eyes on him from the third row. That is the

front end. Yonny Hernandezes has taken the place of Ben Spies on the

Pramac. So he is the first ever Columbian to ride a MotoGP

prototype. What made you first pick up a bike

and decide to start racing it It is strange, because in my country this

sport is like don't exist. I only have one track in all country and it

is not like a European track. It is a small track and really dangerous.

But for me, my sport is... Was motocross. I dream with the pro-in

motocross. When I come into Europe, to Spain specially, I go into this

and see the GP races on the TV and it is like a dream for me, because

I'm the only, the only Columbian person to see the MotoGP and the

second American staying in GP and I want to stay in the Championship. It

has been a difficult year for Yonny with countless crashes, so it was a

surprise when Pramac asked him to replace Ben Spies for the remaining

five races. His riding style is aggressive and emotion... That it

make me curious. And he is fast with the bike last year. He did very well

in Indianapolis and we found a way to make him free, thanks also to the

team and that is it. The challenge is tough. What was that first

feeling on the bike like? I felt good, because for me, it is the best

bike I try in my career. Because I only have different bikes and this

is a real MotoGP. And I'm happy, the only have different bikes and this

most important thing I think is the electronic things and the power. I

feel a lot of power in the bike and I try to do my best in this race.

Was it scary that first time to see how much more power it has? Yes, at

the beginning, you're like a kid and you're nervous, because it is my

first time in MotoGP and they open, when they open the control, you feel

a lot of power. It is really nice. The Ducati has had a reputation, it

is a scary bike for some people. It is easier for you coming from a CRT

bike? For me it is the best bike I try. Because I never try a bike like

this. I have a lot of power. I have a lot of electronic things. And

other bikes it is difficult, they're always moving a lot. Now, I stay

concentrated with the metalwork and have a good feeling with the bike

and make more laps and my objective is to learn a lot and go fast with

the bike. The Australian is taking his place

in the team. He is not the only new phase. Another you might recognise.

You are crew chief, how does that work? I was thinking a weekend off

in the schedule before it gets busy bus stop I was on the way back from

Assen. And then he said what you doing next weekend? I said I had a

weekend off and he said you have not now. I have known Michael for

years. Because of that, we can communicate well. It is a change

for Michael, moving from the chassis made by the team on to the

for Michael, moving from the Aprilia chassis. He made a test at

the end of last year. He had quite a good feeling with the bike. It

has been a learning experience for him. It is his first time on the

track. You do not get many laps to learn. He has done really well. We

are really close to the Colin Edwards kind of pace. If we can

race here with a couple of other guys, more in a weekend them all

year, so fingers crossed. The laps times have been tight. The have

been improving every session. We think we have the bike better.

Chatter has been a problem. I have not dealt with that for years. The

changes we have made should combat the chatter. When that goes, you

get to be -- better feeling. It is all about the race now. Hopefully,

you can enjoy it for a change. I reckon this is even more stressful!

We have been doing work experience ourselves this year. Steve went up

with the marshals at Laguna Seca air. And Charlie went behind the

scenes -- Laguna Seca. Long before the wheel is turned,

these safety people have to sign off before anybody is on the track.

He is counting, how many flag Marshalls, how many track marshals.

Normally the target is 240. Always, we have more. Are you looking at

the track surface? Many times we go out to check the conditions. We get

a lot of marbles, Pickup, around the race line, is it swept every

day? Yes. But not aggressively. There is a rule that the track

surface cannot be cleaned. Sweeping is OK to take off the rubber and

gravel, anything other than that needs explicit permission from us.

The last race of the day is the Red Bull rookies. The race director has

to get down to start the race. The safety car heads around. Coming to

where the competitors have to clear -- the people have to clear the

grid. When they are off, it is a mad scramble to race control. The

first thing to check is whether it mad scramble to race control. The

was a clean start. Bike number 19 will get a signal. Jump-start

number 19. Within five laps he has to come through. All he is

disqualified? A lot of this his judgment? It is subjective. The

disqualified? A lot of this his ease our TV pictures. 13 cameras

around the track. They have their own cameras. They can see every

part of the track all of the time. There is a fixed camera on every

turn. On that side, cameras we can control that cover every part of

the circuit. That is amazing. I had not realised there was so much. The

last race of the day, job done. For me, I am going for a cup of tea.

You go and do the track inspection. I am always late! We have to go. We

are looking at that place. You can check it, it is done, ended the

day? For me, yes, for you, know. -- no. It is almost dark. Normally,

after one day of practice, we have a lot of tyre on the track. You

have to clear everything. Have a nice night. Race directing, it

sucks. We mentioned Cal, qualifying 7th,

two-tenths of a second slower and one position behind his team-mate

Bradley Smith. You had a good session. You looked as if you found

something. We definitely found something. It felt comfortable on

the new tyres. It is having three goes at it. It turned out

beneficial to us. These conditions are slightly more different than we

are used to. There is a lot of wind are slightly more different than we

around. It seems to be swirling around between the banks. Easy to

get caught out. A pigtail on the straight. I ran off -- big tail. It

drops away, probably two laps. You finished on the podium and few

years ago in a different class. But this is different. Every track is

completely different. It is like going to another circuit every

weekend. Saturday we seem to improve and Sunday we are here for

a result. Yonny Hernandez qualified in 13th on the new bike. His best

qualifying to date. Previously it was 16th. Big smiles when you came

in from you and the team after qualifying. You seem to be having a

lot of fun on this bike. I am happy. I need to learn a lot. And I have

fun. This bike has been scary for many. There you have come in.

Francesco said he was curious to see your style on this bike. How

have you found it? I like the bike. I can do what I want with this bike.

I need to improve. Ducati is faster. I need to learn. I need to have fun

and to finish the race. Thanks. We are on pole position with

Marquez for the third successive race. He needs to finish in the top

two for the remaining five races of the season. Interesting, just his

crew, his chief, his mechanics and his mentor around him. If we look

next door. Moving to second place. Look at the crowd of cameras around

Jorge Lorenzo. He qualified in second. He has won from second

place in the past two races. This is the only Spanish track he has

not won at. He is lapping up the attention. I will talk to his team

manager. Grabbing him from the crowd. Always these are tense

moments on the bridge macro. How does Jorge handle it? -- on the

grid. There is a lot of pressure. The circumstances are nice for us.

Does that mean you are running a soft front The Hour today and to

bolt from the start? You are right. -- front tyre. To pursue the

beginning. To try to do his own rhythm. -- to push from the

beginning. A familiar face at the back of the great. The fourth year

running he is coming in as a replacement rider, in MCI a couple

of times. -- Moto2. How is it on replacement rider, in MCI a couple

this bike? It has been a tough weekend. We knew it would be hard.

It is nice that my name is even thrown out there for the

opportunities. I am grateful for the team -- to the team. They have

been great to work with. The bike, still struggling in some areas, but

the biggest thing is just time on the bike. The crash yesterday set

us back. I shaved off the end of my finger, which did not help! I want

to get to the end and pick off a couple in front of us if I can.

Best of luck to him. His home Grand Prix will be in a couple of weeks'

time. Dani Pedrosa. It is his birthday. 28 years old. Let's see

if he can celebrate with a -- a victory like last year. Bautista on

the second row. We just saw you having a final word with Dani

Pedrosa. How is he feeling? It is his birthday, I am sure he would

like to celebrate. Not just for his birthday, but for the race. He has

a good pace, but these raises -- races are always difficult. Thanks.

Dani Pedrosa on his 20th birthday chasing his 122nd podium. -- 28

birthday. It is a crucial race for the Championship. The first couple

of laps will be vital to the outcome of the race.

A great start for Lorenzo. And it is a good one for Lorenzo!

That would be a good one for Lorenzo here, if there was ever a

time. They have to use a designated area to do the practice start and

they have been doing it. Cal Crutchlow, he is not pleased with

that. It is going to be a rush to the first corner. We know that

Jorge will be bolting. I think he has gone for the softer front The

Hour. -- tyre. It will be a cracking race. Marquez does not

have to win any more races, he only has to finish second, and that

should be easy for him. He would be feeling foolish if he chucks it

down the road and gives away the points. We have a problem. Barbera,

I think. It is a fantastic circuit. Poor old Hector. He is in a real

battle in the CRT ranks. Those bikes are very different. Whether

he will switch to the spare and get it going, whether he will start

from the back of the grid, all from the pit lane. It is a big crowd,

considering where we are, and a lot of people cheering on number 93,

Marc Marquez, the new superstar of MotoGP. It is a technical circuit

and this is a wonderful part of it. Down the hill and these sweeping

left-hander. Three corners in one and then they shuffle right. Many

overtaking places. I have information from Bridgestone. Jorge

Lorenzo has gone for the soft. Who was? Marc Marquez. Maybe he fancies

running with him in the early stages. That is interesting,

Marquez, with his style, his leaning angle, it is tough on tyres.

Word is out that Hector will go out on his second bike. The reason

Lorenzo is ahead, is mathematically, he is in front. Exactly the same

number of points. We talk about Lorenzo. He has done a built-in job.

But historically, Dani Pedrosa is the hottest.

It is all about clutch control. Really, really looking forward to

this one. It should be a belter. Stand well back, this is going to be

strong. Marquez on the left, Lorenzo in the middle, Danni Pedrosa on the

right. Revs are up in Aragon. A good start once again by Lorenzo. First

guy off the line as we head into turn one. Can he shut the door? Yes

he has! Bang - according to plan. Already look at that lead by

Lorenzo. As we said, Jorge Lorenzo has gone away, but Marc Marquez has

gone with the softer tyre so he can try to run that pace. But who can? A

high risk strategy by Jorge Lorenzo. Already he has about six bikes'

length lead. He has no choice. He has got to win. Marc Marquez second

place. He will be trying to keep in front of Danni Pedrosa. He doesn't

want to get tangled up with him. Valentino Rossi in fourth. The most

significant part of the start was not that Lorenzo did well, but on

turn 2, Marquez got down the inside of Danni Pedrosa and gave himself

half a chance of chasing him down. The trick will be as we watch

Valentino Rossi challenging Marc Marquez. He had a dink there, but he

should be able to shut the done. It is whether Danni Pedrosa can do well

down the straight, he is so small. There is a left turn and then we

see. Turn 16 it out of second gear and, third, fourth, fifth, sixth

gear. Pedrosa dropped off Valentino, but he is not close enough. This

Superfast left-hander. How about? He has gone super wide. Can he get it

back. It may cost him some places. It has cost him some time. Like we

were saying, he has got the pace. Laverty has crashed out and No 9.

Two riders are down. I don't know whether they have got tangled. There

has been a lot of crashing in the other classes. It may well be

rubbish on the circuit as we look at Bradley Smith, doing his favourite

thing and having a battle with the Ducatis and he is right behind

Dovizioso. Jorge one second in front. I do think that Marc Marquez,

who is second behind him, he can pace himself and lock on to the back

of the Yamaha. This is I think a Honda track. I think the Hondas have

the acceleration and that is where the advantage will come. The thing

is, when we were in Misano, yes, Jorge did a fantastic job, was the

-- but the key was Danni Pedrosa and Marc Marquez kept getting tangled

up. But Marquez is in the clear and he can put in some fast laps and I

think it is going to be a busy time for bike 99 in three laps time. Then

that will be the time when the optimum tyre grip goes and it is an

abrasive track. Danni Pedrosa, it looks like we have been run over by

a truck there, but the one thing Danni Pedrosa is thinking, I have

got the better front tyre. Once we are at pace, it is coming to me now.

I'm running what would in theory be a more stable front tyre. The

difference is it warms up quicker the softer one. But the harder tyre

has a stiffer construction. It has more stability. Danni, I would say.

Here we go, fastest lap too. So yes, a risky move. This is -- is this the

moment? Yes, three involved. One goes straight on. Laverty there, I

hope he is OK. He is getting up very slowly. A few new riders. Scassa is

filling in for the Czech rider. Times 48.860. Danni Pedrosa, well

every record has been mangled here across the week. The pole lap by so

much. So I wz this a good move? I should imagine Marc Marquez is

thinking to himself, because he hasn't been able go with Jorge

Lorenzo and he has his team mate, Danni Pedrosa, behind him. 21 laps

remaining. It is all going to be who can do what. They're all in the 48s,

even Valentino Rossi popped in a nice 48.09. There he is. He is being

pressurised by Bradl. There is only a second covering the first four.

That is a superhard left-hander. A savage break at the end of the pit

straight. Danni Pedrosa looked at the outside. But what lor will be

hoping -- Jorge Lorenzo will be hoping is these two start tripping

themselves up again, as we saw at Misano. They have both got the same

motorcycle under them. And they have both got the same aspirations. They

both want to win this Championship. But it is wide-open. This would be

good news for them coming into the pits. That is not looking very good.

For the Paul Bird team. Damian Cudlin, the Australian, is filling

in. Let's have a look up the hill they go. Second, third. Out of this

part they grab fourth gear and start spinning up, leaving nice black

lines. The helicopter doing its best to keep up with them. This is the

area where the hardest construction front tyre will work. Into that

corner. They have the magnets and the pair of them are reeling in

Jorge Lorenzo. I said three laps, this will be the second. It will be

fascinating to see what it looks this will be the second. It will be

like in a lap's time. This is where the Honda will gain. It has got the

Yang on the -- advantage on the yap ma down this section. -- Yamaha.

That gap was a second. It was then down to 0.07. I think it is about

0.4 now. It is 0.4. Danni Pedrosa is probing on his young, extraordinary

team mate, Marc Marquez, who leads the Championship. He is very close

to him. Bradley Smith has seen off Dovizioso. There is Cal Crutchlow at

work. Oh, he has done it! He has done it! How about that? It is just

what Lorenzo ordered. Danni Pedrosa down the inside and past his team

mate and boy, oh boy, that will slow things up! I think Marc Marquez, the

smart move islet Danni do the work and squeeze past Jorge Lorenzo and

follow him through. This is the pass and I suspect it will be in the

braking zone. Yes. It is. Squeezing on the brakes. How close do you like

that? Front tyre rubbing the back tyre. Danni Pedrosa, the fastest guy

on the track, he is up into second. It is matter of time before he takes

the lead. Dairn did win this last year. -- Danni Pedrosa did win this

last year. A high speed circuit for the smallest guy out there is going

to be just what he needs. He has that hole in the air and he can feel

the drag through the long last two 16 and 17. He is down the inside and

we are going to cutback in time. Jorge Lorenzo, that is a strange

corner, that final one. 16 and 17. Because if you miss the first apex,

you get a better run on to the straight. Jorge knows he doesn't

have the speed, so it is worth straight. Jorge knows he doesn't

sacrificing the corner speed. Pedrosa will have to do something

about him. Look at that, the Lorenzo is on the Yamaha and it is a

sweet-handling thing. He is going to have to be very careful not to take

out Danni Pedrosa. I think if I was him I would have five laps to see if

Danni can do anything. Don't forget theoretically, Danni Pedrosa has the

most durable tyre set up. Yes, he is the guy with the temperatures up.

Look at that lean angle. That is interesting, Pedrosa had about one

degree more lean angle. Marc Marquez clambers off more. Oh dear me! He

has missed the corner. And he is down! He is down. Danni Pedrosa was

taken out. Oh, man, oh man! That was so close! That is just what they did

not want! That is an absolute disaster for these guys. It is just

precisely what they were told not to do. Yes, you're right. But I don't

think he hit him. Danni did it on his own. Look, completely on his

own. He just spun out. He went in hot. Marc Marquez can't turn. He

went straight on. It is just the battle between them. That is the

point. They take the hunt to themselves. That is just... An

unusual crash for Danni. And then there were two. This Championship

will be between Lorenzo and Marquez. Danni Pedrosa a Lorenzo were on

identical points. Lorenzo has won more races. Is he going to be the

braids maid forever. Will he be well enough to ride again? Has he done

his collar bone again? Some breathing space for Jorge Lorenzo

and now it is two seconds at least. Marc Marquez has to regroup and sort

himself out. But that was a strange situation for that to happen. It was

an unusual place. I don't know if there was an issue with traction

criminal. Danni just got on the power and it spun out. Marc was

running too hot and had to go straight on. I wonder whether they

were, because they're both dicing so hard, Danni's trying to chase

Marquez and they have outsmarted each other. At least Marquez got

away with it. This is all getting hot stuff here. The only thing you

can say is it is very good news for hot stuff here. The only thing you

Jorge Lorenzo, equal points with Danni Pedrosa. If you were Marquez,

you would think, hang on a minute here, I might just stroke this home.

Let's not get too silly about this. We know the 34 point lead he had. It

would be down to 29. He only has to finish second in every race. The bad

news for Danni Pedrosa, for sure now with the Championship as it is, Mr

Honda will say you're not about to be tripping up Marc Marquez. Because

he the man who could take Championship. It is a fight between

the Yamaha and the Honda now. Still with Cal Crutchlow as they close in

on Bautista. It is all going on. There is a third podium position

that we are look at. They love the doctor here. This is a fantastic

battle. Yamaha, Honda, Honda, ham what. -- Yamaha.

That is the sweetest sound in motorbike. The V5. That was the

very best. We look at Bautista. Maybe that was a slippery bit of

the track. Again. He is as keen as mustard, Bautista. Downhill, he

would have balked himself a little bit. -- bogged. Last year, Rossi

could not get the bike turned in. Rossi is in third. Look at this.

Has he got it? Yes, that was beautiful from Cal Crutchlow. Get

yourself on terms with Stefan Bradl. The gap at the. -- at the front 1.3

seconds. This was the moment. Did he slow his entry speed?

I wonder whether he went back to many gears. It was an unusual

situation. We see him straight away there was too much speed. It was a

lucky escape for Marquez. It was the worst for Dani Pedrosa. He

seems to be destined to be one of the greatest never to have won a

world title. Marc Marquez must be the greatest never to have won a

careful he does not overdo things. 20 points in his pocket. He would

like 25. What is interesting is the speed down the main straight,

neither Marquez nor Lorenzo have any real drag. Lorenzo was 3.30.

Marquez was 3.32. This is looking to be building and

building. They are on the same tyres. Rossi is in fourth place,

just in front of Cal Crutchlow. There are a lot of.S on the table.

-- points. This is another view of this. One

of those moments that will haunt him a decade from now. It would

have been easier if he did not have to battle with Marc Marquez. Down

have been easier if he did not have the hill again we go. We will check

the speeds. Going through turns 16 and 17. It is such a long circuit.

Rossi was 3.29. Cal Crutchlow was three. We D8. Nothing in it. --

3.38. Rossi tends to run more fuel in than everybody else.

We are often asked why somebody drops away at the end of the race,

it is not always to do with tyres. They have to go on economy. The

engine will start to back the power down if they are running out of

fuel. They will have a light coming on if they are using too much fuel.

You tried to run as efficiently as you can. You can short shift a

little bit. Down the hill again. It looks as though Marquez is starting

to draw in Lorenzo. We have 13 laps left to go. They are now on these

softer front tyres. Rossi is getting a comfort gap over Stefan

Bradl. Cal Crutchlow is doing well, as is Bradley Smith. He got past

Dovizioso and he is making it stick. That is a very strong showing. The

bad news for Dani, he is in the clinic at the moment. He is fragile.

We know that. We do wish him the best. We would like to see him in

Malaysia. Marc Marquez had three kilometres an hour down the back

straight. He will shortly have more. When we watched them go down, tell

us that what point he is getting that.

Espargaro 11. He has covered himself in glory. Also the Pramac

Ducati team. That is the ambulance for Dani Pedrosa. That is bad news.

We will keep you posted. We look at Marc Marquez. I make that three-

tenths now. It is close. Where would you expect the pass?

Probably not at the end of the straight. We have said he Marc

Marquez is so strong on the brakes. There are places where you can

squeeze down on the inside if you have the confidence. Laps times

squeeze down on the inside if you have dropped off. Mid- to late 49s.

That is down to the rear tyre grip. They will have to stand the bike a

fair bit more up. A natural spot fall Marquez to mug Lorenzo.

Marquez, he is close enough for slipstream. It is a long straight.

He is not close enough to punch a hole and get through to pass. If

Marc Marquez in the next black can get a run through the corner...

There is an apex when you let the bike run right out. The last apex

is the most important. If that fails, he can run it in hot and

bulletin. That is what happened at the start of the race. -- pull it

in. I think Marc Marquez is smart enough to analyse what is going on

to see if he has a little bit of something up his sleeve somewhere.

Unita analyse what the others are doing. Work it out a little bit --

you need to. I think he would prefer Marc Marquez to get past and

to see what he can do. This is an incredibly long left-hander. I

think Jorge is inclined to let him through. There you go. See what you

can do. Lorenzo can use less fuel for a lap or two. They have a 6.5

second lead. Rossi is a relatively for a lap or two. They have a 6.5

comfortable half a second in front of Stefan Bradl. That is good news

for Rossi fans. Marc Marquez. He has captured the imagination of

everybody. He has broken every rookie record you can and he is now

hunting down the real records. It is extraordinary. The Rossi League

has been whittled away. They have dropped off power. Last time he was

three. Would you than. -- 3.29. That was a let me through tight

pass. -- type pass. The great thing about Marc Marquez is that he

forces everybody else, masterful people like Jorge Lorenzo, to try

things they have not tried it, tactics they have not implemented,

whether it is the demon hard start. Even letting him through. Lorenzo

is having to think like never before, as well as to the racing.

This is tough, even more than when he teamed up with the great Rossi.

He has raised the bar, he is also aggressive. I think Jorge Lorenzo

did not want him charging up on the inside and wiping him out, because

there are no limits to what he can do and how he does it. He is

there are no limits to what he can fantastically fast. We have seen

him muscle people off the track in an unnecessary way. We look at

Rossi doing fire fighting. That was a bit of a favour. Bike number 19.

Slamming the door in front of Stefan Bradl, who was trying to

make a pass on Rossi. That has given him a breather. Cal Crutchlow

is regrouping. Bautista looks to be on a roll. Sparks are flying at the

moment. Rossi is clinging on to the final podium position he would

dearly like. It has not been his best season. He won the race that

Assen and since then a third in Germany, a third in the United

States and then 4th. Third place would be a welcome relief to him

and his millions of fans. This corner, I have driven around in a

road car, you have to go as hard as you can, to automatically find way

you ought to be on the track. You find yourself in the middle of the

road unless you press on. Completely blind. The hardest corn

on the track. -- corner. Cal Crutchlow was nearly out of the

seat there. He was trying to get on the power early. That will have cost

him more than he is going to gain. Losing time on a long straight like

that when you're not quick down the straight any way. That is about four

bike lengths. But apparently relatively speaking Pedrosa is OK.

bike lengths. But apparently That is good news and that gap has

not extended, it was 0.6, now it is 0.05. He is playing his tactics.

Also good news, Bradley Smith is not holding at bay Dovizioso, he is

almost a second in front of him. So well done, Bradley. Espargaro is in

tenth. Always in the hunt. Look at this shot - knee, elbow, about 60

degrees of lean angle. The tips of his toes on the footrest. 200 and

odd horsepower. I am wondering if Jorge has anything left. Has Marc

Marquez given his best and it is not enough. He had 0.06 and wept back to

0.5. The one advantage Lorenzo has is in knowing the back so well, he

can judge what sort of tyre will the bike have left. And will it still be

strong for him. It is still a learning curve for Marc Marquez.

Which he has seemed to hang on to that learning curve. Everyone is

standing up and cheering. That is stable at the very least. That is

good. Valentino Rossi, still under the blowtorch from Bautista. But he

is holding him at bay. Valentino is still the third placed man. So

wouldn't that be a jolly happy afternoon? Except for poor old Danni

Pedrosa? Well, I think we might afternoon? Except for poor old Danni

still have a race on. Six laps remaining. Maybe Jorge Lorenzo is

just saving himself, saving some tyre. But he is clinging on to the

back of the Honda. : He can use -- If he can use less fuel by being

towed down the hill, then so much the better. That is the view he has

of the doctor. There is your speeds. He is tucking in well. This is the

kind of blind corner we are talking about. If you look over his

shoulder, you can see the track disappearing over the crest and the

climb up the top, you have to get on to brakes before you get over the

top of the hill. Bautista looks the strongest to me. He is holding

tighter lines and has more grip than Valentino Rossi. He should have more

speed. On the bottom of the screen you can see. Bautista now. Has he

got him? He has! Bautista going to use the legs of Honda and get

Valentino Rossi down the hill. Rossi is right in the tow. This is as fast

as you want. Way over 200mph. There is not a sniff in it for Rossi yet,

unless he can get some speed around the outside. And stoney faces from

Valentino's side of garage. Rossi not quite close enough. There is a

second shot on the outside of paut. -- Bautista. But we ain't close

enough. Bautista hasn't had a podium this season. It was just it.

Remember Cal Crutchlow last year, doing it to Dovizioso on the last

few laps. But the Honda has the speed. Even though he took a tighter

line, Honda seemed to have that more top speed. Sonchts he could make it

-- so he could make it stick. Five laps to go and there is a whole new

chapter opening up in this race. Chipping away, seven tenth, six

tenths, four tenths. This is rally something -- really something. These

guys are making each other ride so well. They are. Lap times since 1.59

and a half which is very fast. Look at this high motion camera. You can

see the front tyre rubbing on there and you can see it is the tyres, the

bottom of the tyre that is flat with the track. As you said, not a bit of

word going on in the garage. Everyone just staring at the

screens, trying to work out what is going to happen here. Loads of speed

by Lorenzo in the entr toy that corner. Really carries -- entry to

that corner. Really carries it in. Across the line, that gap is 3. 35.

Can he find three tenths in four laps? What you tend to think is even

if Jorge could squeeze by. It is keeping them at bay. It is the fact

that Marc Marquez, if Jorge can squeeze past him on that last lap,

out of the final sharp corner turn 15 down the long straight could have

the advantage. A short shift. Grabbing some gears. Through what is

a bit like the cork screw in Laguna. This is the tricky part. 61 degrees

you have got for a maximum lean angle. This is the crest again. Over

the top of the hill. One fluid movement, sits up nice and smooth.

That is where his team mate crashed. And this is the final corner out on

to the straight. Let's have a look at that gap. Pretty constant. Jorge

must be just doing everything he has, using up every single piece of

knowledge, skill, speed that he has, squeezing everything he can out of

the Yamaha. But it doesn't look like it is working, does it? No, the last

time he was 2ks an hour faster down the straight. Three laps left. But

Marquez has nailed it now. Seven tenths, he has taken the thick end

of half a second out of Lorenzo. Jorge has lost speed down the

straight. Marc Marquez has decided to give it another big push I think.

Just to see if he can break that. That didn't help at all. Jorge

Lorenzo missed the line, missed the apex, lost that, pretty much a

quarter of a second at that. So if it stays as this, add another five

points on to those 34 points, 49 points -- 39 points he would have

left. We still would have 100 points left. I was write gt for The Times

and trying to work out how you explain Marc Marquez. How is it we

are suddenly thinking of him winning the Championship in his first year.

That last guy to do that was conditione Roberts when we were --

That last guy to do that was Kenny Roberts when we were kids. In

fairness, back in those days, Roberts didn't know the tracks. He

hadn't been to Europe properly and he was having to learn the tracks.

At least Marc Marquez knew where the tracks went. Of course he didn't

know the bike. Bautista now looking comfortable in front of Valentino

Rossi for that final podium position. Kralj still -- Cal

Crutchlow still clinging on at the back. All of a sudden the maths have

crept up and yes, he is in the box seat now. It is no just a 30-odd

point. He is really is the man to beat. In your rookie year. Me has

broke all the rookie records. It is extraordinary. Valentino Rossi is

now not going to have Bautista in front of him for too much longer. He

has had enough. He is trying to do the outside line and do the cutback.

Is that a rehearsal for the last lap? Well, he was lucky, because he

opened up the door for No 6 to get through. Rossi tries to get the run.

Watch here, can't quite do it. There goes the M1 Yamaha. Oh! That was

close! He has done it. He carries the speed. Bautista is trying to

look a way back and he has done it. Now, where are we going to go? He

has to change direction. A fight, fight, fight sboo the left-hander.

Now, buoy this is -- boy this is... This is Valentino Rossi, he always

makes a race. He never gives up on anything. Bautista will want that

final podium position. So does Valentino Rossi. The smart money is

on Bautista being as neat and clean as he can be through this

left-hander and then the left chicane and get the drag down the

straight. That is the answer for him on that Honda. Sacrifice a bit of

the right for the left. This is where it is going to be. Rossi will

take the tight line. He won't want to go the long way around. Look at

Bradl. He is also probing away. There is nothing wrong with the

speed of that Yamaha. The gap is out to 1. 01 last lap. Jorge Lorenzo's

bottom lip will be dropping. Bautista is in all sorts of trouble.

Bradl is having a run now. He has gone from hero to zero. That filthy

that part of the track. Bradl has mugged him and the doctor is away. I

think Bautista got cross. It is so easy, somebody passes you. Oh, he

not having this. It is a big lunge back, but he is riding such a long

way around. These two are like 250 riders. And the doctor says, thanks

guys, you're doing me a favour, because they're screwing each other

up. And Cal Crutchlow, can he do something? Rossi could get his

podium. We have half a lap done. I reckon #i79 is job -- I reckon #i79

is job done. We are in P6 and for want of 50 yards we could be on the

podium. A good job done by Valentino Rossi. Bautista had to have a lunge

but he did himself in in the process. What about Marc Marquez? He

will leave with 39 points advantage. That is 25 for a win. He can afford

to drop a race. Marc Marquez, the joint will be jumping when he

crosses the line. Valentino Rossi is going to step on to the podium as

well. How do you think they will react to that? Marc Marquez wins in

Aragon, Loris second -- Jorge Lorenzo is second. And Valentino

Rossi is stepping on to the podium as well. Everyone's a winner! Cal

Crutchlow is sixth. Bradley Smith is coming around in seventh in front of

Dovizioso. Here he comes. A good job. Head down and across the line

Crombs Bradley Smith. He has done a job. Head down and across the line

terrific job in holding at bay Dovizioso and Haydon and the Pramac

machine of Iannone. A nice job. A very lonely ride for Dovizioso. And

remember, Ducati won this race in 2010 with one Casey Stoner -- Steve

Stoner on board. And Hernandez comes home first time on a Pramac machine

in 12th. A great ride for him. Spare a thought for Michael Laverty. And

Damian Cudlin as well. All those guys didn't get very far. Danni

Pedrosa of course crashed. There are a lot of 93 flags a round.

Jorge Lorenzo, a nicer man you would be hard pressed to meet, but

he has not captured the imagination of the public in the way that Rossi

house. -- has. Dani is out of it. It was looking like top three to

the Spanish. It was almost Bautista filling the slot. And Cal Crutchlow

has upset that on occasion,. He has gone off the gas early. Marc

Marquez had to pick up -- the bike. Perhaps dale macro was in the wrong

gear or something. Marquez turning into the corner -- Dani. It is so

unusual at that point. The reason it looked like contact, there was a

jerk of the bike. It looked like he was being nudged. It might have

been the first instant. Loss of traction. They will be analysing

everything that went on and looking at the data. It did not look like

he went into early. Jorge, going, what am I supposed to do? It looks

like a satanic group. A death metal outfit! With the logo he favours.

Number 93 is the number of the day. It is great to see him where he

belongs. Welcome back. He does not look so please. I thought he would

be ecstatic. Four times fourth place. If it were not for Dani

Pedrosa, it would be five. You are absolutely right. This man is going

to break all records. Where would you like to start? The number of

pole positions in the first here? - - first year. There is no rookie

record he has not broken. When he wins the World Championship, which

he almost certainly will do, you have to go back to the Seventies.

It is extraordinary. The Bautista team saying hard luck, you did your

best. It was a gambler's throw, but he had to give it a go. It was

worth a try. That was a race that was eventful. We did forecast it

would be close and interesting. It was. Cal Crutchlow, sixth place.

Still only 14 seconds of the race winner. That is how tight it was.

Two seconds between Cal Crutchlow winner. That is how tight it was.

and Valentino Rossi. And Rossi is winner. That is how tight it was.

on the podium. On the Dani Pedrosa side of the garage, they are upset.

They will be concerned. All very well to say he is not very much

injured,. Will he be 100% fit? Will he be Steph? Will it be difficult?

It would not be there this -- will he be stiff? I think he is saying

you have 39. Macros. Look. It is the tiniest...

It was like he was tipping in. Like it was one gear too early. We are

watching history in the making. I think Marquez is asking what

happened with Dani. Valentino Rossi, he is pleased to be on the podium,

but he gave a be debriefed to the engineers about the bike not

turning the corners very well, or whether he had chatter, something.

What is interesting is that Rossi did not seem to be able to

capitalise in the High mobility areas of the track. He was doing it

with bravery and braking. Maybe he was also talking about the choice

of tyres. Marc Marquez. What do you say? I have run out of superlatives.

Incredible. That moment between you and Dani. What was your view? The

race was difficult. In the beginning,... I was able to lose

only one second. I thought I was able to be faster. On the back

straight, before it, I saw I was touching him and went wide. But

they said to me that maybe I touched his cable. And therefore

for that reason he loses. I am very disappointed for that. The race was

so nice. The soft front tyre was working quite well. Congratulations.

Congratulations, indeed. Wickham confirm the results -- and we can

confirm the results. A great job from Bradley Smith. Nicky Hayden,

53 seconds adrift, a former world champion. It is not working as it

ought to. Great to see Valentino Rossi back.

I have Jorge Lorenzo here, Charlie. What happened? It seemed like you

let Marquez pass and maybe could not catch up. Did the tactic go

wrong? And I tactic was to start well and open up like normally. I

could not make -- I could make one microsecond at the beginning but

simply Marc Marquez was faster. When I -- when he went away, I

tried my best. He swapped places as we were about to talk to him. It

was not down to me. Have you got him this time?

I do, congratulations. It is nice to see you back on the podium. The

battle looked enjoyable to watch, what was it like? At the end, I am

satisfied. The podium is a good result. I hoped to go faster it. --

faster. Today, the choice of tyre on the front, I decided to use the

hard, but it was the wrong choice. I was always in difficulty with the

front tyre. I had understeer. Difficulty breaking. I had to slow

down. But to arrive on the podium is always a positive.

They podium is a positive. It was a storming job that he did. He had to

work as hard as you like. Bautista, Stefan Bradl, they all rode a great

race. Cal Crutchlow was in the hunt. Literally two seconds behind Rossi

in the end. That is how close it was. This is what it does to the

Malta boys. -- CRT. That circuit is absolutely

extraordinary. Espargaro has Mike to be CRT battle -- has smoked.

What was it like you? It was fun. I started good. In front of the

Ducatis. The first part was good. But this track is really long.

Every time on the straight, overtaken, and there was nothing I

could do. I gave 100%. Finally, we arrived really close from Iannone.

I think this is our target. Cal Crutchlow close to the podium

again. Top six, job done. Must have Cal Crutchlow close to the podium

been a frustrated spectator as they swap positions. Six, it is probably

the best we could have hoped for this weekend. The others had two

days of testing. To come away with a top six and not too far off

Valentino, it was clear to see, there is a conspiracy theory in

Yamaha with how slow hour engine is. We are losing up to 13 kilometres

an hour compared to the top guys. Why, we do not know. We need to

look at it for the next two races. We are able to challenge, no doubt,

but I made too many mistakes trying to keep up with the others. I am

pleased. We have gained confidence. We are back where we should be,

fighting with people such as Valentino and Bautista. I feel

confidence is back. We are able to challenge for the next race. Cal

Crutchlow is a conspiracy theories. That was strong. They need to sort

it out. With the next circuit, you have less horsepower. They need to

sort things out. We saw in the race, coming out of turn 15, trying to

get on the power early enough to compensate. You're always pushing

too hard. It is disappointing for him. I am sure he is not serious

about a conspiracy theory. But when they moved to another factory,

Yamaha do not have much reason to get behind Cal, they are more

inclined to give Bradley Smith a hand. Quite possibly, but I do not

think that would be going on. Yamaha want the best of every rider

and they have no reason to do that. Maybe he has an engine that is just

not working right. I think he has one more engine left. On the last

lap, Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow were within one kilometre

of each other. Maybe he is breaking late, but the time does not say it.

I am just looking at his glasses matching your shirt! A over to

Charlie. Well, well, well. Look who is on

the podium. Valentino Rossi. Brilliant to see him there. He did

have a victory in Assen. Valentino is very much in the hunt. If Dani

Pedrosa had not crashed, it is more likely than not he would have been

on the podium. He did a great race and he was very

close to Rossi to the end. So consolation for Cal Crutchlow. Watch

for him in the next few races. Great consolation to see Valentino Rossi

for him in the next few races. Great back on the podium, where he

belongs. Alongside his team mate, who is the reigning world champion

and one step beneath Marc Marquez who is the odds on world champion

for 2013. Three extraordinarily talented individuals at different

stages of career. Lorenzo at the height of his powers in the middle

of his career. Rossi on the exhaust stroke of his career and this guy

has just clutch-started his career and it is on fire.

There is dad, a proud dad indeed. No 1 son top step of the podium and

Marc's little brother was on the podium in Moto 3 just a couple of

hours ago. Champagne time and that is not going to be the only

champagne, you have got to say. Come back Marc, unless he has a whole new

line and he is going to make a late charge. Yes, he even has his own

unique line on the podium. The charge. Yes, he even has his own

pretender and the master. 20 paces with champagne bottles. Just

recapping those. You have to say Matt, it is tempting to say it is

job done? Well almost. 39 points that would mean with four races,

that third place in the last four would be enough more Marc. So it is

almost job done. This win is almost academic. The decisive moment and

perhaps in the Championship was this. Let's have another look. That

is the point. I think I heard that Marc said he didn't have the

traction control when is coming down. But it was a peculiar

incident. It seems there may have been a cable broken that was caused

by contact. The only cable that could have been broken if there was

would be the wheel speed sensor on the rear wheel. . There is no way a

collision would have caused that. I don't think so. I would be

surprised. Wen you look at that closely, I don't think there was

contact there. I find that very hard to understand. But it does look like

maybe there was an issue with the traction control. I guess it will

come out in the postmortem. But unfortunate for Danni. The times he

has been so close to Championships. But he is knocked and bruised around

and if you're Honda, you won't want him interfering too much with the

Championship. We say its done and dusted, but you can break your wrist

or anything can happen. We still have four tough races to go. Yes and

three in three weeks in faraway countries, Malaysia next anything

can happen. There was a moment in this one where Jorge as he said, his

plan was to lead the race and then just roll off the tlot toll let Marc

-- off the throttle to let Marc past. That look over his shoulder

was saying, I can't go harder. I think he wanted to weigh what was

going on and check out how good the Honda was. Maybe he could find a

chink in the armour. But he didn't and let him through. At one point it

went 0.05 and then 0 .4 and then Marc just went up another step. The

bad news for Lorenzo, now Danni can't help him, there is not anybody

else that is threatening to get involved. No, the next rapes is

malaise -- race is Malaysia, it is a high-speed race. We know how well

Marc Marquez goes around there. The rest of the field were 12 seconds

back today in the battle for third. It was a fantastic battle between

Valentino Rossi and Bradl and Bautista. It was the old master,

Valentino Rossi sort of got sorted out and you see his tactics around.

There was some terrific racing. There is so many passes. At that

point he nearly wept up the back -- went up the back of Bautista.

Bautista stands the bike up and Valentino Rossi was having nothing

of it and then Bautista got beaten up! There was so many passes going

on. We were pleased with Valentino Rossi and the crowd were, they were

going mad. It was noticeable standing here and listening to the

crowd, so much more when Marc came past in the lead. I think Valentino

Rossi, his merchandising may drop off, because I think there will be

more orange 93s out there. Well it was a bad day for Britain's Michael

Laverty. A crash early in the race. Let's find out what happened to him.

Michael such bad luck. Not the way you wanted the race to go. What

happened? A tangle with the three of you it looked? Not sure what

happened behind me. That was the first I saw. It looked like he

cowln't stop. -- couldn't stop. All I knew I was about to lean over into

the turn and I got wiped out. Not ideal first race on the bike. I had

made a good stort and Corti had made a few mistakes. But that is the way

it goes. Frustrating, because we have been building all weekend and I

could have had a good race. But move on to Sepang now. A real shame, but

these things happen. Not a lot you can do. No, it does. Emp is pushing

-- everyone is pushing hard. The guys at the back are trying as hard.

So disappointing for him. Because it was his first proper run on the ARP.

Not a got finish. Not a good mascot today. If you don't want to know the

result of the Moto 2 race and would like to watch it back in full on the

iPlayer, then close your eyes for the next couple of minutes. It was

another good day for Britain in that race with Scot Reading who leads the

Championship. He went into this leading. But under threat. The omens

were not good for Scott. No, they were not. But you watch what happens

here. A brilliant start. At the front of the race there is Tyrol who

is ninth. The guy in red. He just disappears. Forget him. The two we

care about are Espargaro and Rabbit. That was Tom Lutton. He made it to

turn 2. He is fine, but it was all over red koefr. And then watch out

the front. You have got Espargaro, he is trying to beat Reading. And

Reading goes through. And there goes Scott Reading and behind him

Espargaro and Rabbit plays a big part. Rabbit through on the inside.

Trying to cutback. Scott can't do it. At the moment it doesn't matter,

because we have Espargaro behind us and he is the man that threatens to

challenge in the Championship. So there we go. Bike No 40, Espargaro,

Scott Reading fighting. He does not want to give it away. Down the

inside. Brilliant stuff. Tough as you like. Trying to hold him offment

Scott Reading is the biggest guy in the field. There is no way you can

dedraft him. Instead you fight your way around the inside. Heroic stuff.

Scott Reading was not taking no for an answer and pushing as hard as you

like. Was there anything Scott Reading could do? There is the guy I

told you forget about. Tyrol. A world champion in other minor

classes. Second was Rabbit. But the bad news that second was Espargaro.

A bit of damage if you like to Scott Reading's lead. But he still has got

20 points. Reading, and Rabat. He did as much as he could do to hold

him at bay. But it is damage minimisation. It is the same scoring

for these boys, 25 for a win. So he is still in a good place. Not bad

under the circumstances and tough racing. Never seen anything like it.

That was fantastic. Damage limitation as you said. But Scott is

with us and he is shaking his head watching that footage. Going into

the race you would have accepted that result? I had a different mind

set. Sunday's race day and that is what you have got to go for. I had

my race head on and I didn't expect to be that consistent at the front.

Was t -- but in the end I put my mind to it. I was disappointed we

didn't get third. The back straight was killing me and Paul had me

there. And you had some surgery in the week as well. Look at that. I

had the op last Wednesday and I had a few metal clips in. It wasn't

hurting. The leather was painful. But when you go racing, you can't

let this bother your mind. We are going for a Championship. That is

just to relieve some arm problem. It is not arm pump, but the feeling in

my fingers. It was a step better, but not 100%. But I only had the op

last week. So as long as we can improve bgs I'm happy. Just get the

mechanics to take it out and it looks painful. That is a go-faster

tache? We thought we would try and grow a moustache. I be I have been

growing this baby for four or five days and it is still not getting any

bigger. I feel your pain. Maybe you and me could have a race. It might

be ready by Phillip Island. We will let you go and Loat you get more

physio. You can watch those races live on the red button. Steve Scott

can wrap up a World Championship for Britain. Final thoughts Steve? Well

I'm not going to accept the Championship is over and done with,

but I think it is a long way down the road. The only person I think

the beat Marc Marquez is himself or an engine failure. We will go and

watch the other race. We will see you in a couple of weeks. Remember

to set your alarms nice and early for the Malaysia Grand Prix in the

small hours in two weeks time. Until then, well Danni, get well soon,

your old mate Jorge needs you back!