- 2021-05-17
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SPORTS
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MotoGP French: Jack Miller Wins Chaotic Flag-to-Flag Race at Le Mans
Jack Miller (Ducati Team) made it back to back wins, following Spanish GP, in a windy, rain-strewn French Grand Prix at Le Mans on May 16, 2021.
The 27-lap race was declared dry for the start, but it rained on middle of the race, became flag-to-flag race.
Jack Miller claimed his second victory of 2021 despite a double long-lap penalty. “The wind added to the rain and I thought the race was going to be stopped,” Jack Miller said “I felt very comfortable. It's amazing, I can't believe we have had back to back wins.”
Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) finished 2nd, which marks his third podium of 2021. Pole sitter Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) was 3rd.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Team) finished 4th. The result marks Fabio Quartararo moved up to 1st of championship, Francesco Bagnaia is 2nd by 1 point.
Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) was running 4th focused on his first podium, but crashed at the final corner on lap nine. Then, he did re-join the race, but fell a second time on lap 18.
Also, Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) had run 3rd, but crashed out on lap 12. Reigning champion Joan Mir (Suzuki Ecstar) crashed out on lap 4.
Jack Miller said, “Honestly I don't know. We had dry conditions, wet conditions, dirt conditions for a bit there, and the wind as well. The wind played a big factor in that one as well. It was a long race that's for certain. I thought 'ahh it's going to be dry here', but as soon as Maverick [Vinales] got in front of me it started drizzling a bit.
Then I passed Maverick, but then you (looks at Quartararo) passed me back and I was just getting attacked by these Monster Energy Yamahas to be honest.
He came past me and I thought 'Fabio's having a dig here' as rain was falling. I thought it was just circulating but actually it was proper rain.
We both sort of came close at turn eight but then on the back straight we basically went into a wall of rain. His bike was all over the place going into the chicane and then I went into the second one and was just trying to stop the thing.
I locked both tyres and basically aimed for the gravel and went there just trying to stop it and get it turned. Then the double long-lap penalty afterwards - I didn't really believe it at the time and thought 'what the hell did I do wrong', but the old French speed traps got me again and had to bust those out.
"It was a bit dodgy as I hadn't even looked at the long-lap penalty all weekend, then the first time I went in there the asphalt looked like the old stuff and I thought 'umm, might be a bit slippy', but for the second one I got practice in anyway and that one was a bit quicker.
I didn't lose too much to him [Quartararo] and was able to recover and then ride around at the front by myself. Someone needs to pinch me because I think I'm dreaming.
I don't mind when the bike is moving, I feel like I'm able to take the grip and understand it to a degree, let's say.
The first time I rode a road bike in the wet I was in the Australian championship and I was fast.
It's something that's always come naturally to me but it's also something you have to work on.”
SHARK Grand Prix de France Race Results- Jack Miller / Ducati Team / 47m 25.473s
- Johann Zarco / Pramac Ducati / +3.970s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +14.468s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Team / +16.172s
- Danilo Petrucci / KTM Tech3 / +21.430s
- Alex Marquez / LCR Honda / +23.509s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +30.164s
- Pol Espargaro / Repsol Honda / +35.221s
- Iker Lecuona / KTM Tech3 / +40.432s
- Maverick Viñales / Monster Yamaha / +40.577s
- Valentino Rossi / Petronas Yamaha / +42.198s
- Luca Marini / Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati / +52.408s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +59.377s
- Enea Bastianini / Avintia Ducati / +62.224s
- Tito Rabat / Pramac Ducati / +69.651s
- Franco Morbidelli / Petronas Yamaha / +4 laps
- source : MotoGP
