Dre’s MotoGP 2014 Grand Prix of Indianapolis Review

“10 out of 10.”

Hey folks, Dre here again, and after a three week summer hiatus, MotoGP is back! And believe me, there’s no better place for that than the new and improved Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Round 10 of the Championship. In this crazy weekend, Marc Marquez keeps his unbelievable winning streak going at 10, the Factory Yamaha’s tripped over themselves, Andrea Dovizioso showed his class, the Brits had a great weekend, Mika Kallio dominated in Moto2, and after 116 races in the sport, Efren Vazquez finally got over the hump to take his first career win. Here’s my look, at MotoGP’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” style=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” stylecolor=”
” align=”left” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″][/fusion_imageframe]Marquez Steals from the Feuding Yamahas

The start of the GP was pretty much a Microcosm of the season so far. The Yamaha’s started strong, Marquez fell down the order a tad, and even the Ducati’s of Dovi and Iannone looked strong too. But ultimately, while the leading pack all tripped over each other, and there was some very close shaves there (Rossi, Lorenzo and Dovi predominantly), Marquez was the one who hung back, picked his spot, and once he got the space, he was unmatched to take his 10th win of the season. With Marquez’s 10th win in the book, he became the first man since Agostini in 1971 to win the first 10 races of a season, and the first guy to win 10 straight since Mick Doohan in 1997. The records just continue to tumble.

Valentino Rossi continued his superb season with one of the best starts of the season to take the lead from 5th at the end of Lap 1, and looked like he would be the strongest threat to Marquez, but it was Jorge Lorenzo who would almost bully his way into 2nd place. A stronger showing from the 2012 World Champion, despite coming REALLY close to taking them both out on Turn 2 when him, Rossi and Marquez went 3-wide into Turn 2. A lot of nervous faces in the Harrison household I tell you! A probable contender for pass of the season.

Something again worth mentioning, is that once Marquez pulled the pin with about 10 to go, by the end, Jorge was matching his pace stride for stride. If it wasn’t for the passing incident and the time taken to pass Rossi, maybe, just maybe Jorge could have been a threat? He seems to have found some form in the last two races, so who knows, maybe we’re getting the old Jorge back, which can only be a good thing – I’ve constantly gone on about how insane he was in the latter half of 2013 when he went ALL out. The problem is, with him being 133 points behind Marquez with only 200 available; Jorge must know deep down, the game is (probably) up for another year.

[fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” style=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” stylecolor=”
” align=”left” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″][/fusion_imageframe]Dovizioso and Ducati’s Awful “Catch 22”

I wonder, is Ducati starting to regret running as an Open Class entry? I say this, because Indy highlighted a major problem with the team’s dynamic at present.

Ducati had brought a power upgrade to Indy this weekend, and it showed. Dovi was the fastest man through the speed trap all weekend at 343km/h (214 in the Queen’s English), and for the first 10 laps of the race, he was right up the front challenging Rossi and the other Factory players for the win, something we’ve just not seen from them in dry conditions this season. [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_tooltip title=”Even if he got a nice tow from Marquez…” placement=”top” trigger=”hover” class=”” id=””]The qualifying lap Dovi laid down on Saturday was no fluke[/fusion_tooltip].

But because of the softer rubber Ducati HAVE to run on race day, it fell apart by the middle part of the grand prix, and he finished down in 7th, 20 seconds behind race winner Marquez. This is the “Catch 22” that Ducati are in. They can develop engines and whatnot, and on paper have good speed, but because of the softer rubber, they fall away in terms of race pace by the end, so what’s the point?

It’s a shame, because Andrea Dovizioso is having a superb season, on a bike that really shouldn’t be doing what he’s doing, but the Open Class rules are beginning to cripple any chance of top flight success unless the rain comes down. The same was happening with Andrea Iannone too. Not a good sign.

[fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” style=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” stylecolor=”
” align=”left” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″][/fusion_imageframe]A Good Day for The Brits! (About time)

Hooray, some decent British results! The top Brit turned out to be Bradley Smith. Bradders revealed a very honest and open blog on BT Sport last weekend talking about how he knows his future is on the line in the next few races and how he needed to improve, and he did. 6th place and his 2nd best career result was a good way of answering some of the doubters. Yes, he was behind Pol, but considering he’s the World Champion on a Factory contract, shouldn’t we kind of expect that? Good performance from Bradley, if he can keep up the Top 8 performances, he should be okay for next year.

Slightly further back, Scott Redding had the best race of his season so far. After making Q2 for the first time and qualifying in 11th place, he turned it into a 9th placed finish in the race, and scrapped all race long with Cal Crutchlow for 8th. A phenomenal performance from Scott who really seemed to make the track his own, and finished as top Open Class bike for the first time. And with Alvaro Bautista continuing his awful run of form, SURELY he’ll be taking his seat next year? One can only hope, because the kid is a top talent.

And finally, let’s give Leon Camier a mention, because his performance was fantastic. He’s come into the Aspar team on short notice, a brand new bike, brand new brakes and tyres, had improved by 6 or so seconds by Qualifying, got it on 16th place, and would have probably scored points if it weren’t for a mechanical retirement. A brilliant job from Leon under the circumstances and I hope it continues for Brno as he fills in for Nicky Hayden. Who knows, he may even find a seat full time…

[fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” style=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” stylecolor=”
” align=”left” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″][/fusion_imageframe]Grand Slam Kallio

Moto2 was led by a brilliant and dominant performance by Mika Kallio, achieving the rare Grand Slam victory in Pole Position, Winning, achieving the fastest lap and leading every single racing lap in the process. Even after a precarious red flag early on, and changing tyres on the grid for the restart, Kallio was in complete control, always keeping that one second cushion he made off the start line in the 16 lap restart. Thankfully, Mattia Pasini, [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_tooltip title=”Am I the only one who had Simoncelli fears?” placement=”top” trigger=”hover” class=”” id=””]who was involved in the Red Flag incident[/fusion_tooltip] was knocked unconscious but seems to be okay.

Further back, Maverick Vinales continued his great rookie season with a 2nd place finish, with Dominque Aegerter leading the Suter’s to finish 3rd, cementing his status as the world’s fastest human highlighter pen. Tito Rabat didn’t have the best of days, a scruffy ride to finish in 4th, and with his Championship lead reduced to just 7 points, you have to wonder, does Tito have the cojones to hang on to a lead he’s held from Day 1?

[fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” style=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” stylecolor=”
” align=”left” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″][/fusion_imageframe]Efren Vazquez breaks his duck

Like with Dominque Aegerter in Germany, Vazquez isn’t exactly what you call “new blood”. He’s been around since 2007 and has been in 116 races in his career, but finally, he took his first career victory at Indy, and shot himself right back into title contention, [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_tooltip title=”Same as 4-time World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo…” placement=”top” trigger=”hover” class=”” id=””]at the tender age of 27[/fusion_tooltip].

Vazquez was in a war from Lap 1, alongside Championship leader Jack Miller, Romano Fenati who finished 2nd, and Alex Marquez, the other major title contenders, as Alex Rins had to claw his way up from 12th to finish in 5th. That Honda may have just been enough to pip Fenati over the line, we all know that Honda can be a rocket ship at times.

Jack Miller remains Championship leader, and he actually extended his lead to 21 points, but it’s now Vazquez in 2nd with all of the Top 5 within 2 races, even Rins is only 45 points off the top. This Championship in my eyes, has been every bit as liberating as the top class, and I think it still have multiple turns in it before it’s all said and done. Don’t just watch the top class, Moto3 is where ALL the action is, and it’s so unpredictable as well…

PS: …Just where on earth is Jack Miller going to end up next year?

And on a final note, will anyone be able to break the Spanish and Italian stronghold we’ve seen in the sport in the last few years? Rossi and Dovi are still representing Italy well, with Iannone in the wings, Lorenzo Baldo and Romano Fenati coming up, and we all know how dominant the Spanish are at present, AND how much talent from there are just trying to get in from lower tiers. Marquez’s win was Spain’s 500th in all divisions. It’s definitely something worth thinking about. Is “Jackass” the guy? We’ll see…

Any bonus thoughts? Let me know in the comments below! And until next time, thanks for reading!

Dre’s MotoGP Indianapolis 2014 Race Rating: 7/10 – Good[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]