Round seven of the 2012 MotoGP season is the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy), at the Assen circuit in Holland.
Assen is a great track, but, it's very technical. Confidence, skill, and luck ALL are important as MotoGP prepares to tackle the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy). This is the 82nd running of the race, and it's been on the MotoGP schedule since the series' inception in 1949. In qualifying there was rain but the se sun came out. Casey Stoner had a huge high side in practice. But, he got pole with a huge lap in qualifying. Jorge Lorenzo starts third. Ben Spies will be sixth. Karel Abraham will not race today because of a painful, broken finger.
The bikes roll off on their warmup lap, but Michele Pirro's bike stalls. The track is very twisty and most of the track is wide open. The race will be 26 laps.
At the start, Dani Pedrosa leads. But, there's a HUGE crash! Alvaro Bautista collects Jorge Lorenzo! Casey Stoner is second as Dani Pedrosa leads. Ben Spies is the only Yamaha left. Cal Crutchlow sank at the start down to 13th place. Nicky Hayden fired straight through the chicane, picking up the bike. But, he's dropping spots. Ben Spies runs wide as he chases the two Repsol Honda's. There are names of the corners on this track. But, not sure what they are. Anyhow, Stefan Bradl passes Andrea Dovizioso for fourth. Stoner wants by Pedrosa.
Stefan Bradl has also crashed out of the race. Cal Crutchlow passes Alexis Espargaro. Someone ran fast lap but not sure who or what the time was. This actio is frantic. Hector Barbera also is moving up quickly. Some of the bikes (including the Ducati's and Spies on the Yamaha) are running the option tire which is a harder compound. Pedrosa sets fast lap at 1:34.766. The Repsol bikes are content to run 1-2 and not make any moves just yet. Cal Crutchlow is the fastest rider on track, matching the lap times of the leaders. Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera are also in contention.
Yanny Hernandez drops his bike and he's frustrated by doing so. Pedrosa continues to lead. Ben Spies sets another personal best lap on lap seven. Colin Edwards pulls his bike into the pits, retiring from the race. He was languishing in last spot. Cal Crutchlow runs off in turn one but stays on the bike. Andrea Dovizioso passes Ben Spies. Casey Stoner seems to be biding his time as he sets his personal best lap at 1:54.759. Nicky Hayden passes Valentino Rossi. Cal Crutchlow again tries passing Rossi. Pedrosa resets fast lap at 1:34.734. Stoner is just eleven thousandths slower.
Nicky Hayden may or may not be back with the Ducati team next year. We'll see. The race is coming to halfway. It's a four way battle for fifth place now. Hector Barbera passes Cal Crutchlow. At the front, there's no change as the Repsol Honda's are still going for it. With Casey Stoner retiring, there are possibilities that Dani Pedrosa may stay with the team and it will either be Valentino Rossi, or, Moto 2 standout, Marc Marques, riding the other bike. Twelve laps remain now.
Valentino Rossi has disappeared. Aleix Espargaro drops his bike. It's not really a crash, but it could be an issue with the bike. Hector Barbera follows Nicky Hayden. Just ten laps to go. Ben Spies leads Andrea Dovizioso as far as the final spot on the podium. Casey Stoner has passed Dani Pedrosa for the lead, getting a good run as Pedrosa went over a curb. Valentino Rossi pitted to change the rear tire. He is a lap down. Randy de Puniet leads the CRT division. The lap times are now dropping. Spies is seven and a half seconds behind the leading Repsol Honda's.
Just seven laps remain in the race. Dani Pedrosa is now falling behind as Stoner continues to lead by a second and a half. Ben Spies is coming for Pedrosa. But, it's not certain that Spies can pass for second spot on the podium. Nicky Hayden battles Hector Barbera. Nicky Hayden re-passes Barbera. It's hot in Assen, and that's why the tires are being so affected. The humidity is also a concern. The fast laps have been in the 1:35 to 1:36 range. Casey Stoner had a huge crash in practice, but, he seems to be coming back. He has to, because he'll retire at the end of the year of course.
Just four laps remain. Andrea Dovizioso and Ben Spies are closing on the duo of Stoner and Pedrosa now. Dovizioso also really wants by Spies. Randy de Puniet is leading the CRT class. Andrea Dovizioso really wants by Ben Spies. Spies passes the lapped bike of James Ellison. Stoner has passed Pedrosa and is steadily gapping him. The Spies/Dovizioso battle will come down right to the end of the race. Stoner has a three and a half second advantage over Pedrosa. Can Ben Spies get by Dovizioso?
3/4 of a lap left. Stoner will take his third victory of the year and will be tied on points for the lead with Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo has won just one more race than Stoner. Seven races will be completed with eleven left to run. Casey Stoner wins the Dutch TT!
#1 Casey Stoner AUS Honda
The next race in MotoGP is the German Grand Prix to be held at the Sachsenring circuit next weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment