It is going to be an action packed weekend for petrol heads because not only is Formula One visiting Monza, but the MotoGP paddock will be racing in Silverstone this weekend as well. As a fan, this presents a dilemma as to what to watch!
MotoGP Silverstone Preview
Moto3:
The damp conditions in Czech Republic meant that we saw a new winner in the form of Scotland’s John McPhee riding the Peugeot Saxoprint bike. Close behind him were Aspar Mahindra’s Jorge Martin and Gresini Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Championship leader Brad Binder dropped the ball and crashed out but title rival Jorge Navarro finished in the top 10 to close the gap to the South African, the Spaniard will also be boosted by the news that he will move up to Moto2 next season with the Federal Oil Gresini team in the place of Sam Lowes who will in turn graduate to MotoGP. Malaysian wet weather specialist Khairul Idham Pawi was an early front-runner and poised to take another win but a fall squandered his chances. Another notable faller was Martin’s teammate Francesco Bagnaia who was struggling in the midfield. Silverstone will pose a challenge to the riders especially because the weather forecast predicts another wet race.
Moto2:
German rider Jonas Folger secured the Czech Moto2 victory and joining him on the podium were Alex Rins in second place and Sam Lowes in third. Championship leader Johann Zarco had a forgettable race to finish outside the top 10 but managed to scrounge some points. Tom Luthi, who was forced onto the sidelines with injury, will be resuming the attack on Zarco. In his place on the Injury List is fellow countryman Dominique Aegerter who tore 2 ligaments and sustained a small fracture. CEV Moto2 rider Iker Lecuona will replace him for Silverstone. Aegerter has not sets his sights on recovering in time for San Marino.
MotoGP:
Now for the big boys. Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi come into this weekend aiming to come out on top in the championship. The Czech GP saw a debut win for Britain’s Cal Crutchlow with Marquez and Rossi hot on his tail. Lorenzo’s wet weather woes continue with poor finishes in Assen, Sachsenring and Brno. Lorenzo will be looking to break his jinx in Silverstone this weekend to avoid falling too far behind Rossi and Marquez. The Ducatis are now a force to be reckoned with and Dani Pedrosa, despite being repeatedly and soundly beaten by Marquez, is no slouch either. Also taking into consideration that we have had a non-factory rider win in the wet, everything is to play for. The best thing about wet weather conditions is that it is a great equalizer.
One name is missing from the paddock in Silverstone this weekend, with Bradley Smith joining Moto2 rider Aegerter in the Injury List. Replacing the Briton is Alex Lowes, the twin brother of Sam Lowes.
Silverstone marks the twelfth round of the 2016 MotoGP Season and with Marquez, Lorenzo, and Rossi all gunning to take the championship, it is certainly looking like an exciting race weekend.
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