16.08.2020
Moto gp
A trying day at the Red Bull Ring with a red-flag interrupted race, but Alex Marquez salvages points to continue his top 15 run.
Weather forecasts were once again proven wrong as glorious sunshine beat down on the Red Bull Ring for the fourth MotoGP race of the year. Both Repsol Honda Team RC213Vs shot off the line, Alex Marquez and Stefan Bradl immediately gaining positions and joining the group battling for the top ten. But a red flag for a dramatic crash at Turn 3 saw the race stopped, restarted and run over 20 laps.
Alex made another strong start from 13th on the grid with the restart, immediately moving into the top ten as the field roared through the opening corners. The fighting was fierce in the first laps and the MotoGP rookie found himself shuffled down the order after his lightning start. But Alex’s consistency saw him stay free of trouble afterwards and benefit from the mistakes of others, moving back into the points. The Moto2 World Champion had a tight battle with podium-finisher Bradley Smith on the last lap, losing a piece of his left aero after contact. Alex crossed the line in 14th but was promoted to 13th after the Brit was handed a penalty for exceeding track limits.
The MotoGP field remains at the Red Bull Ring for round six of the 2020 World Championship and the third of three races in a row next Sunday, August 23.
Alex Márquez, 13th: “More points from the weekend is good, but the race wasn’t what we wanted. In the first race I had a good feeling and we made a good start, so I was able to make up some positions but then the red flag came out. For the restart of the second race, I was strong on the start again, but the feeling wasn’t the same and I struggled to keep up because the feeling with the new tyres wasn’t the same. Again, I had a lot of front pushing with the new tyres. I’m looking forward to coming back again next week, in Jerez we improved a lot for the second race. It was a big crash between Zarco and Morbidelli, I hope everyone who fell today is OK. Whenever you see a crash like that you get very worried.”
