Crutchlow records win number 2 in Phillip Island AustralianGP

Phillip Island lies just off Australia’s southern coast in the Pacific Ocean. As for the race, it saw the champion Marquez crashing out and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) storming up from P15 but unable to go past Crutchlow who kept his cool for a stunning second career victory. Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Maverick Viñales completed the podium.

The fight for P2 between Crutchlow and Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) saw the Brit emerge on top, as Rossi was charging through the field – picking off Pol Espargaro and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) as the rider from Tavullia entered podium contention, then setting his sights on Aleix Espargaro and soon getting past.

But then suddenly the crowds saw Marquez sliding through the gravel at Turn 4. That was the end to his race for the crown in the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

After swapping positions in a three-way fight, Turn 4 then claimed another victim as Aleix Espargaro lost his Suzuki machine with 5 laps to go, and teammate Viñales broke the resolve of Dovizioso to take the final place on the podium and head the Italian home.

‘Kentucky Kid’ Hayden, standing in for injured Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda, put in an impressive one-off return to his 2006 championship winning colours as he battled well within the points, before Miller took Turn 4 a little overenthusiastically and Hayden was the casualty, sliding out.

Hector Barbera was another crasher, leaving Redding to lead compatriot Bradley Smith over the line for P7, with the top ten completed by Petrucci and Miller. As well as the solid result for Miller, fellow Australian Mike Jones scored a point on his Avintia Racing machine as he replaced Hector Barbera, impressing once again.

The race now moves to Sepang International Circuit

 (Inputs from MotoGP)