#ktmfactoryracing

What on earth is happening in this 2017 MotoGP season?!

But let me start from the beginning, with a highly motivated Jack Miller. With a rocket-like start, the local hero entered as the leader into the first corner.  Unfortunately, his lead didn't last long but he gave the Aussie fans enough to cheer about this Sunday! He kept fighting in the top group until the end and had some very good battles with big names like Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Maverick Vinales and more.

With not one single minute to relax the race continued with the leading group consisting of about six riders (!!). That meant a lot of heavy battles! How heavy? Well, you just had to look at battle scars of the leathers and the bikes in the Parc-ferme, which looked like they've been driving a rally. Most of the damage was caused by the, probably too enthusiastic, Johann Zarco. The Frenchman had no concerns bumping into other riders like Valentino and Marc, at high speed! The fight continued until the last few laps, with lots of overtakes to be done, but finally, Marc Marques (P1) managed to get the lead and opened a little gap! Behind him, the podium fight continued between Valentino Rossi (P2) and Johann Zarco (P4) and later on Maverick Vinales (P3) joining them. What about the championship? Well, everything looks like a win for Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso just finished in 13th after he ran wide in turn 1 at the beginning of the race, and fell back to P20. It was, in general, a weekend to forget about for Ducati, with Jorge Lorenzo on P15. After such an intense race you expected some exhausted faces in the Parc-Ferme but not in the MotoGP. Marc Marquez, with a huge smile all over, explained how much he enjoyed the battles. Meanwhile, Valentino Rosse came to the conclusion, to be competitive "you just have to be more stupid" than the other riders. It should also be mentioned that the doctor drove with a broken leg and an injured shoulder!

Also not to forget about are the KTMs of Pol Espagaro and Bradley Smith, who did an amazing job through all the weekend. Considering that it's the rookie year of the Austrian Factory their progress is unbelievable fast! Finishing in front of all Ducatis in P9 for Pol and P10 for Bradley there is really nothing to be ashamed about. The next Grand Prix to be held in Malaysia will be something very different for the whole team because of the heat and the track where they've never been before, as Mike Leitner the team manager says. The progress in MotoGP isn't the only remarkable performance of KTM this weekend. With the double podium of Miguel Oliveira (P1) and Brad Binder (P2), they received also their first victory in Moto2.....in their rookie season!

So in conclusion, a very intense race, in MotoGP as well as in Moto2 and Moto3 where Joan Mir managed to win the Championship already this weekend. Getting up that early was definitely worth it!