Red Bull Motorsports
MotoGP
Andrea Dovizioso takes well-earned podium as MotoGP™ makes dramatic return
Riding with a broken collarbone, Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso finishes 3rd in the first MotoGP™ of the season in Jerez, as reigning champion Marc Márquez ends heroic recovery ride in the gravel.
Part of this story
Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo won his maiden MotoGP™ race, but all eyes were on Márquez, who after taking the lead in the early stages, made a rare mistake and narrowly avoided falling in the gravel, dropping back to 16th. Despite an incredible ride back through the pack, at the end of 25 laps of the 4.4km circuit it all ended in tears, as the Spaniard crashed out in a big way.
The six-time MotoGP™ champion then pulled a gap over the Yamaha rider, before trying too hard and leaving the circuit on a sweeping left-hand corner. Artfully keeping his Honda upright, Márquez rejoined the fray in 16th, handing the lead back to Viñales and promoting Miller to second.
Miller, on the satellite Pramac Ducati, soon found himself in a scrap with Quartararo for second, as the French rider passed the Ducati for second place,. That soon became the lead, as Viñales made an error braking for the final corner and allowed Quartararo and Miller to stream past.
Jack Miller kicked-off his season with a strong ride on the Pramac Ducati
© Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
With six laps remaining, Márquez passed Dovizioso for fourth place, as just ahead Miller, who'd dropped to third, was once again up close with Viñales before the battle was joined by the rapid Márquez, who was third with five laps remaining.
One lap later it all went wrong. In his attempt to take second place, Márquez suffered a huge crash, tumbling into the gravel, which ended his race and broke his arm, for which he'll undergo surgery on Tuesday.
With the Honda rider out, the podium order shuffled once more and Dovizioso, riding with a plated collarbone, passed Miller for third. He hung on to the position to cap a strong start to the unique 2020 MotoGP™ season.
Now, the riders and teams prepare to return to Jerez in a week's time for the Andalusia MotoGP™.
Pol Espargaró delivered an impressive ride for Red Bull KTM
© Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Spanish Grand Prix results
Part of this story
