The Repsol rider gathers 20 points and reduces by 4 Bradl’s advantage in the overall standings
Marc Márquez finished second in the Czech Republic Grand Prix held today at the Brno track. The Repsol rider offered once more a brilliant performance in a very close Moto2 race. Although he lost his battle for victory in the last lap, the race was very competitive, with several touches between the bikes, and his main rival and overall standings leader, Germany’s Stefan Bradl, finished behind him. With these 20 points, Márquez reduces by 4 Bradl’s advantage and is now 43 points away from the lead.
The race started with a very strong Bradl, who overtook Márquez —who started from pole position— before the end of the first lap and set a very high pace. Márquez tried to recover the first place immediately, but braked too late in the third corner and touched Bradl’s bike. Fortunately, the touch had no consequences and the leading group gained some margin over the rest. With Bradl in front, followed by Márquez, Iannone, Luthi and an aggressive de Angelis, who touched with Márquez more than once on track.
Luthi lost terrain slowly, while the other four riders of the group kept changing positions during the whole race. Bradl tried to escape several times, but there was always a counterattack from Iannone or Márquez, which prevented him from gaining advantage. De Angelis, fourth and with trouble to follow the pace, tried to prevent Márquez’s advance touching his fairing, but the Repsol rider was cool and focused, and got rid of him to keep going forward.
The last two laps were full of excitement and adrenaline. Márquez was even able to take the lead, but on the main straight, at the beginning of the last lap, Iannone overtook him and, although the Spaniard tried to pass him again, he had to settle for a valuable second position, which meant 20 points for him and reducing the leader’s margin by four. The Moto2 World Championship is still alive for the Repsol rider.
Marc Márquez >> Audio
2nd at 0.161 sec.
“It was one of the closes races of the season up to now, I had a lot of fun but it was not easy. There were moments of everything, but the other riders of the group pushed you to the limit. We touched several times with de Angelis, but that is part of the race. It is true that some of the touches were close to the limit and that made me lose contact with them at six laps from the end, but i was able to catch them again and try to win. I did not get the victory because I was not able to, but I tried my best. Iannone was very strong here and he braked very late, but I am happy with our progression. The second position is a good result in a circuit where I always had trouble and we have to be happy with it, although we need to keep working. Anyway, now we have to focus in our next challenge: Indianapolis. I want to thank all the team for the great job they did”.
