Lorenzo charges to dominant victory in dramatic Misano raceLorenzo charges to dominant victory in dramatic Misano race 
It was a problematic start as a partially
aborted start due to issues with Karel Abraham’s Cardion AB Racing
Ducati prompted a re-start. The race was then shortened to 27 laps due
to the additional sighting lap, yet in another twist, pole-sitter Repsol
Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa then also had to start from the back of the
grid after wheeling his bike into pit-lane to re-start it.
The story unfolded further and the championship battle took yet another blow, as Pedrosa was taken out in the first few bends by the front wheel of Pramac Racings’ Héctor Barberá, as the Repsol rider was making his way up the field. At the front it was Lorenzo who had made the best start, followed by a valiant Valentino Rossi on board his Ducati, and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl. It was a crash-strewn affair from the beginning as Abraham, Speed Master’s Mattia Pasini and Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow all tumbled out in the opening laps. Crutchlow’s teammate Dovizioso was sticking to Bradl, as San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista took Yamaha’s Ben Spies for fifth. With 19 laps remaining Lorenzo had pulled out a lead over Rossi, who was working tirelessly to keep Bradl at bay. With 12 laps to go Bautista had caught up to the rear wheel of Dovizioso and was looking for a way through. After stalking him for over half the lap he made his way through into fourth to chase Bradl, whom he caught up with two laps later. Bautista looked like a man possessed as he then pushed his way past the German into the final podium spot. Behind the Spaniard, Bradl, Dovizioso and Spies were all closing in with seven laps to go to battle it out for third spot. With three laps to go Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaró retired from the race, as Dovizioso and Spies had made their was past Bradl. And it was Dovizioso who provided the nail-bighting finish tussling with Bautista until the bitter end. Yet it was Lorenzo who finally took the chequered flag with an ecstatic Rossi in second and Bautista recording his first ever MotoGP podium in third after a photo finish with Dovizioso. Lorenzo’s sixth victory leaves him 38-points clear at the top of the championship, while Rossi’s podium was his best finish on a Ducati in the dry. Behind Dovizioso in fifth was Spies, ahead of Bradl and Ducati’s Nicky Hayden. Repsol Honda’s Rea did well to finish eighth in his first GP race, ahead of Espargaró’s teammate Randy de Puniet and San Carlo’s Michele Pirro. Press release courtesy of MotoGP.
 Jorge Lorenzo: "It’s
been a very tough weekend because Dani and I have been very close in
the qualifying and the warm up. Unfortunately today he had really bad
luck, first with the lights at the beginning of the race and then Hector
took him out. This was really unfortunate for him. In Holland we were
unlucky and today he was unlucky, anything can happen in these races. We
have to be happy with our result and the point advantage we now have,
for sure we are much more calm now than before the race! The race was
difficult for everyone, only having qualifying was not enough when you
have to set up the chassis and electronics and everything for the race.
It was hotter during the race so there was less grip too. I almost
crashed in turn one but managed to save it too!”
Copy and image courtesy of Yamaha Racing.
Pedrosa suffers Misano to forget 
Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa suffered a Misano to forget
after technical issues first hampered his start and then being taken out
on the first lap.
A last minute yellow flag displayed due to issues with Karel Abraham's bike created confusion on the grid as teams regrouped to prepare for a restart. When Pedrosa's crew went to remove his front tyre warmer the wheel was locked, causing a delay for the Spanish rider. The brake issue was resolved only after the permitted time and for this reason Dani had to start from the back of the grid. Title contender Dani had a strong start from 21st and had climbed to 8th position in few corners, when Héctor Barberá crashed in turn 6 and unfortunately wiped out his fellow countryman. Dani Pedrosa: "It was total chaos and many things happened at the same time. It all began with the restart because the procedure was not at all clear. Nobody knew if it was one minute, three minutes, warmers on or off… We were also getting different information about the number of laps, 26, 27… Then suddenly we were told it was 1 minute to the start of the race, with no board signage, nothing. The mechanics were rushing to prepare and when they tried to take off the warmers my front wheel was somehow locked, they tried to unlocked it but they weren't able to, and due to the 1 minute warning - where they are not allowed to touch the bike anymore - they put me to the back of the grid. I tried to remain focused, not make any mistake on the first lap, make clear moves to overtake riders and I was 8th or 9th by the sixth corner when Barberá hit me from behind, and that was it. I'm very upset because even though it's easy to say now, I think I could have had a chance to win this race, even starting from the last place on the grid. Now the Championship is obviously more uphill for me, but I will continue the same way. We have done everything we could so far, the bike is working well and I'm riding well, too. So it's not over for me; there are still 5 races to go and we will do our best." Press release courtesy of Repsol Honda Team. Barberá apologetic after Pedrosa crash 
Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá has publically apologised
for the crash that took both him and Dani Pedrosa out of today’s Misano
race.
Getting back on the track after a six-week absence, Barberá was eager to ride his Ducati again, but unfortunately his race finished too early for him to demonstrate his potential. He lost the front of his bike in one of the first few corners, crashing and taking World Championship contender Dani Pedrosa out as well. The error was obviously unintentional and Barberá extends his apologies to the rider and his team. Héctor Barberá: "It’s a shame. I was impatient to get back on the track, but my adventure finished too early to enjoy myself. Unfortunately, when I followed Dani’s wheel I lost my braking point and hit the brakes far too late. I tried to slow the bike down, but I lost grip on the front. I’m very disappointed, even more so because I took out Dani in the process and that was the last thing that I wanted to happen. It was my fault that he crashed out and I apologise profusely to him for that. I also apologise to my team that worked so hard this week. Now I have to wait another two weeks, but I will be ready for the Spanish round." Press release courtesy of Pramac Racing Team. Home podium for ecstatic Rossi in Misano 
On an event-filled day at the GP di San Marino e Riviera di
Rimini, Valentino Rossi had his best race so far aboard the Desmosedici
finishing second.
In sunny and warm conditions, the Italian made it to the second step of the podium, having ridden at a pace that was second only to that of the winner, Jorge Lorenzo. The first start was cancelled, but Rossi enjoyed a great getaway when the red lights went out for the second time, and he exited the first turn in second place. From there, he held off attacks from first Stefan Bradl and then Alvaro Bautista before taking the chequered flag. Valentino Rossi: "It was a really nice race, and I’m very happy. It’s a great result, which I’d like to dedicate to Sic and his family, Paolo, Rossella, and Martina. I’d also like to thank all the guys who work with me and everyone at Ducati Corse who are giving their best, like me: after two difficult years, we really needed that. I’m very pleased because we did a dry race at a high level, always with a fast pace, and with a limited gap to Lorenzo. We worked well. The new frame and swingarm allow us to make more changes to the geometry, and in fact here the feeling with the front was improved and the bike also seemed to be better balanced on acceleration. The setup that we found was also good, as I managed to be fast and consistent for the whole race. It will be important to continue working well and do our best to take the Ducati as high as possible in the next races as well.” Press release courtesy of Ducati Team. Bautista records first-ever MotoGP podium at team’s emotional home race 
It was at the aptly renamed Misano World Circuit Marco
Simoncelli that Álvaro Bautista scored his first MotoGP podium and his
first with the team in what was an emotional way to remember Simoncelli
at his home circuit.
Having made his way through the field throughout the race, the San Carlo Honda Gresini rider was involved in a tussle to the line with Andrea Dovizioso, taking the podium by a mere 0.003s. Álvaro Bautista: "It is always nice to finish on the podium but especially for me today with this being my first in MotoGP. Above all this is a very special weekend for me and the team because our memories of Marco are so strong coming here to the circuit named in his honour. After a few tough races we have worked well here and managed to fight for the podium at last. I am so happy for the team and for Marco because I am sure that wherever he is right now he was pushing us along. I could feel his hand on my shoulder today and I realised at the end that my name had come loose from my leathers so you could say it was Marco that was with us today. It has been an extraordinary day and I almost crashed at the start – I picked myself up on my right elbow. I am happy for everybody who has believed in me and I want to dedicate this very special podium also to them."
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