News 17 Jun 2019

Lorenzo crash sparks race of attrition in Catalunya

Just 13 finishers in incident packed encounter at Spanish venue.

Image: Supplied.

Multi-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo has spoken out on his error at the Catalan grand prix that took out a host of front runners in the incident packed event, which saw just 13 riders complete the 24-lap encounter.

The Repsol Honda rider braked late heading into turn 10, losing his front end before collecting Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati), as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP duo Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi also fell victim to the carnage that ensued.

“You don’t have any options if you brake a little bit too late here, like happened with me,” Lorenzo explained. “It was my fault, my mistake and I apologise. It was really unfortunate to take out Dovi, Maverick and Valentino – it wasn’t their fault obviously, it was mine.

“The only thing that matters today is the crash, I took out three riders unfortunately but if we think aside from this it was a weekend where we were able to make a step forward and I was consistent throughout.”

The chaotic outing saw an earlier incident between Aprilia Racing Team’s Aleix Espargaro and test rider Bradley Smith, while Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) all crashed out of the event.

Reigning champion and points leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) escaped the carnage to register yet another victory, joined on the podium by Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati).

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