MCE BIKER NEWS ARTICLE - 2024


Rossi Triumphs Following Last Lap Battle in Assen

MCE Insurance

Valentino Rossi was able to extend his championship lead to 10 points this weekend following a dramatic race in Assen. In his third victory of the season, the Italian has made his intentions with regards to the 2015 season clear.

Jorge Lorenzo, who entered the weekend hoping to take the lead in the MotoGP standings had to settle with a third place finish, the Movistar Yamaha rider never seemed to be a contender finishing 14 seconds behind his team mate and defending champion Marc Marquez.

Marquez was back on his 2014 chassis and subsequently back on form. Whether it was purely psychological or the bike responds better to his riding style, something seemed to click for the Spaniard who never seemed to be off Rossi's back wheel throughout the race.

In a game of cat and mouse between the front two it all came down to the last lap in which Rossi was leading the way. At the Assen chicane Marquez attempted a pass on the inside leading to a collision which forced Rossi upright and off the track. Bouncing in the gravel the Italian was able to hold his bike upright and head back onto the track still in the lead and over the line.

It will undoubtedly be a clip that will be repeatedly played throughout the years with both camps arguing who was in the right. The race director declared it a racing incident with no malice involved, however Marquez commented after the race that he feels that his team "won the race" and that Rossi cut the corner unexpectedly. However Rossi claimed that "his touch" pushed him "off the track" and he was seemingly lucky to have stayed on the bike.

Andrea Iannone finished in fourth place, followed by Pol Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow following a heated battle between the two. Bradley Smith finished ahead of Dani Pedrosa, Espargaro and Vinales who all made up the top 10.

As the championship nears the halfway mark Rossi leads, but as we've seen so far this season Lorenzo is more than capable of wins with this weekend putting an end to his four race winning streak. On top of this, Marquez seems a lot smoother and more comfortable on the 2014 chassis which appears to be here to stay for the 2015 season - he certainly doesn't appear to want to give up his championship defence any time soon.

28.06.2015 - MCE Insurance

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