MotoGP News
Date:
26/October/2013
A slimmed down Saturday schedule for the Japanese MotoGP ended
with title chaser Jorge Lorenzo getting the better of rookie title leader Marc
Marquez by 0.6s.
Motegi is Marquez’s second chance to take an historic title
- but for the second time in as many weeks, MotoGP has been forced to make
major revisions.
Last time in Australia tyre problems forced compulsory
mid-race pit stops, while at Motegi ‘Mother Nature’ saw the track remain silent
for all of Friday and Saturday morning when fog and mist prevented use of the
medical helicopter.
After being disqualified in Australia for missing the
exceeding the number of laps allowed on the fragile Bridgestone tyres, Marquez
arrives at the penultimate round with his championship lead cut from 43 to 18
points.
If he wins and reigning champion Lorenzo is third of lower
Marquez will avoid a high pressure title showdown in front of their home
Spanish fans at Valencia. But it was Yamaha star Lorenzo who dominated the
single, wet, 75-minute Saturday track session, used to determine the grid
order.
Lorenzo, who broke his collarbone in practice for the wet
Dutch round, said: “The last time I rode in the wet was in Assen so I didn't
have good memories! In the beginning I was very careful and scared, but in the
end I really felt very good.
“It doesn't matter if it's wet or dry tomorrow, although a
wet race would be better for the championship.
“This situation is like a gift for us, because before the
race in Australia the championship was almost finished. Now we have this new
chance. We felt great in the wet. Let’s see how we feel if it's dry tomorrow.
“I will push to the limit and try to win this race.”
20-year-old Marquez is bidding to become the sport’s
youngest ever premier-class champion and so far is soaking up the pressure
well.
“It was quite difficult today,” said Marquez, who twice ran
into the gravel. “It was my first time in Motegi with a MotoGP bike and the
first time qualifying in wet conditions so I had to take more risks than usual.
“But the target was to finish on the first row and we did
it.
“For tomorrow we hope for a dry race. It will be hard
because no one has had time to find the best set-up, but it is the same for
everybody.
“For sure Jorge will push hard in the race, but I will try
to manage the situation.”
In other news, former World Superbike champion and MotoGP race
winner Ben Spies has announced his retirement due to the lengthy shoulder
injuries that have seen him start just two races this season.
“I never dreamed that I would reach the level of success
that I have over the past 20 years of racing, but the time has come to stop and
I do so with great sadness,” said Spies.
The American’s 2014 Pramac Ducati replacement is yet to be
announced.
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