On occasion the move would be reversed,
such as when Rossi repaid the ‘French bomb’
Zarco on consecutive laps in turn 4. These
moves were punctuated by displays of
bravery including a sweeping ride around the
outside by Zarco on Vinales in turn one.
No one looked to have an edge until the last
five or so laps, when Marquez took the lead and
set out to open a gap, as the others carved each
other up behind him. They were still at it on the
run to the line with Zarco going from a possible
second to a slender fourth across the line. Rossi
squeaked into his third consecutive runner-up
finish in the last three years at the island.
Marquez (269 points) eased out nearly
a two-second lead at the line to take a
comfortable win. The Spaniard later said he
opted for a strategy of waiting after missing
out on the win a few times in the past.
Last year’s winner Crutchlow narrowly beat an
impressive Iannone into 5th. Homeland hero
Millar had faded by that stage, stating that he had
burned up too much tyre leading the early laps.
The Suzuki and KTM teams had decent results
with Alex Rins’ (Suzuki) career equalling best finish
in 8th, and 9th and 10th for KTM team mates
Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith respectively
rounding out the top ten. With two remaining
races only Dovizioso (236 points) is mathematically
capable of wresting the title from Marquez.
Photo: Halflight Photographic
RESULTS
Michelin Australian Grand Prix,
Fastest lap: Zarco 1’29.572
Sunday October 22, 2017
1) Marc Marquez ( Honda) 40’49.772
2) Valenti