MotoGP Phillip Island; a recap of the race

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MotoGP Australia; Phillip Island Recap

Phillip Island has always been one of the more exciting venues in the MotoGP season. With its long sweeping turns, sudden elevation changes and combination of fast and medium corners, it seldom fails to deliver world class racing action. Today's race was no exception. With Marquez having locked down the championship last week at Motegi, all eyes were on second place, mainly, would Lorenzo or Rossi finish first? As the difference in points had the potential for one of them to seal an overall second place in this season.

Marquez managed to get out in front early in the race and was able to steadily increase his lead until a mistake on turn 4 left him in the gravel trap. With the championship already in the bag for him, he made no effort to finish the race. Returning to the pits the Repsol rider stated the accident was purely a result of him making a mistake, he didn't blame tire options or road temperatures, instead he took responsibility for his mistake (which I'm sure was made easier by already being this years world champ), and promptly apologized to his team for his error. It's difficult not to respect the way he's been handling himself both on and off the track.

With Marquez crashing out, Cal Crutchlow who was in second, found himself leading the race with a few seconds between him and Rossi who followed. By this point in the race Jorge Lorenzo was between 5th and 10th and any hope for him winning or even ending up on the podium had been dashed. While Crutchlow maintained his lead all the way to the checkered flag, making this his second Grand Prix victory for this season aboard his LCR Honda. The fact Cal is piloting a private team bike is beyond impressive, in addition to the fact that he is the first Englishman to win a GP since Barry Sheene, THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO!

Much of today's best action however was the fight for the last podium position going on behind Rossi and Crutchlow. The two Suzuki riders battled it out with Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso lap after lap with the Suzuki riders gaining ground and consistently over taking Dovi who would make up lost ground on the final corner and subsequent straight section of every lap, utilizing the Ducati's top speed and top end power over the Ecstar bikes. This process repeated itself until with four laps to go, Aleix Espargaro locked his front wheel and crashed out. Maverick Vinales, who's been having an incredible rookie season in the premier class, was able to break away for Dovizioso and claim third place.

Hector Barbara for the second race in a row replaced Andrea Ianone on the factory Ducati bike, and for the second race in a row, crashed out on said factory Ducati. An enthusiastic Nicky Hayden replaced Danni Pedrosa for Repsol Honda today. A solid effort that ended with the young Jack Miller taking a corner too wide and colliding with Hayden, resulting in Hayden becoming acquainted with the Australian pavement, while Miller was able to keep his bike upright and complete the race.

With only two more races left in the 2016 season, this years premier class racing is winding down. The season's last race at Valencia will see most riders race on their 2017 contract bike for the first time, making the next race the last true 2016 GP. For anyone wishing to watch all of today's Australian Grand Prix, many versions of it can be found on YouTube. Until next week, ride safe everybody, knees down, shiny side up!