Despite this fresh defeat, the Honda #93 now has the title pretty much in his pocket. His rival for the crown, Andrea Dovizioso, has suffered a fall in Britain, increasing his distance with the leader to 78 points at just seven races to the end of the season.

Jorge Lorenzo, who was back on the track after a 56-day convalescing period following his accident in Netherlands, has finished fourteenth. With this victory, the Suzuki #43 has taken back the third place in the standings and is now just 23 points behind Dovi. And Honda 93 tops overall eith, 78 points from Dovi.

Dovi bids farewell to the race and to the title

One of the key players of both the British MotoGP 2019 and the Championship was left out of the game as soon as the lights went out in Silverstone. In the first corner, Fabio Quartararo would lose control of his machine, dragging Andrea Dovizioso with him. The pilot from Forli thus had to bid a sore farewell to both the race and, in all likelihood, to his remaining chances of taking the Championship’s title.

Aware of what had just happened, Marquez began to fly over the English asphalt, setting a new track record (2: 00.105) in his efforts to escape solo. Alex Rins, however, was hot on his heels ahead of the official Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales. A bit further back rode Franco Morbidelli, Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller and Pol Espargaró.

Two gladiators: Rins vs. Marquez

Back at the head, and as the race progressed, the exchange of blows between Marquez and Rins was intensifying. Suddenly and unexpectedly the Suzuki #43 passed the Honda and shortly after the latter repeated the move.

At the proletarian end of the track, things were no less intense. A fratricidal struggle, similar to that of Yamaha, unleashed the drama for KTM. Johann Zarco and Miguel Oliveira touched each other out of action. Shortly before that, the same had happened to Taaki Nakagami at the British MotoGP 2019.

Meanwhile, both Spaniards at the lead continued to ride at just 0.005 seconds from each other. Rins, crouched behind Marquez‘s back, studying his every movement. There were only nine laps left to the checkered flag and it was time to sharpen the knives. Neither of them gave in… or escaped. Viñales was third at +1,928 and Rossi, fourth, at +3,907.  As the battle for the victory unfolded, Viñales closed in to +1.6 seconds to the leading duo.

The moment of truth

War drums could be heard from Rins’ support team at the British MotoGP 2019. While still at the shadow of Marquez, he was given orders to select engine map number 3. Under such pressure, the pilot from Barcelona had a little scare but he immediately recovered the lost ground. Overall, he exhibited a better rhythm than Marquez.

Immersed in that exchange of blows they arrived at the last two laps of the race. Both pilots crossed the finish line in parallel predicting the close outcome that was to come. Right after that, in an attempt to defend himself against the constant attacks from Rins, a brutal braking manoeuvre from Marquez lifted the rear wheel of his machine. The Suzuki pilot, however, managed to pass Marquez but a few meters later, and just as they entered the final lap, the leader of the standings recovered the first place. 

Rins’ second victory in MotoGP

In the end, Rins overtook Marquez in the last corner for his second ever MotoGP victory after Austin and with an advantage of just 0.013 seconds. This is also the Spaniard’s third podium (Jerez de la Frontera) of the season. An excellent performance that places him third in the standings, 23 points behind Dovi.

Behind both Catalans entered another Spanird, Viñales, with a very well deserved third place and ahead of his teammate Rossi, fourth. A good weekend for Yamaha. Morbidelli closed the top 5.  Despite his second consecutive defeat after a very close final battle, Marquez is satisfied. Dovi’s accident has left the championship pretty much decided in his favour. He currently leads the standings by 78 points.

Imaghes of ‘British MotoGP 2019′: