by S. Ancin / photo: motogp.com

There was a fourth contender missing, perhaps it was not planned or intuited but here it is now at the MotoGP World Championship. After Viñales’ brash start of season and Marquez’s show of force in the United States, a new title hopeful emerged in Jerez this Sunday. Dani Pedrosa won neatly, displaying an authority not seen for years and proclaiming at the very least his intention to compete at the top. Rossi’s consistent performance means he is still the standings leader without having had a win yet. Four challengers to the top prize, something unseen in a world championship for a long time.

At Jerez, Dani Pedrosa reigned over the training sessions, came out first in the grid and from then on no one could measure up to him. Using the medium-compound rear tyre and the harder rubber front one he started like a cyclone and as soon as he was at a safe distance from his utmost rival Márquez he led a calmer race displaying his unique personal style remaining elegant and refined under extreme and critical conditions.

Márquez was aware of this and he barely posed himself as a challenge to his team-mate concentrating on keeping Zarco in line who was close behind him. The Frenchman kept this position until the 12th lap when he was overtaken by Lorenzo who finally got rid of him at lap 20.

Changes

It is obvious that a lot has changed in the box and the life of Pedrosa. After the technical and physical difficulties came the changes in his mechanic team which is now headed by Giacomo Guidotti. Other friends such as Sete Gibernau have also come into his close circle . All these have given him the strength to come back happier and more relaxed than ever before and it shows on the rack.

Things have also changed for Lorenzo: after a scatty  pre- and beginning of season he gave his best shot at the circuit where he had his début 15 years ago. His efforts on board his Ducati paid off and after starting ninth on the grill and losing one position he steadily advanced places to finish third and earn himself his first World Championship podium. He still however has a long way to go to the crowded top.

On the other hand Yamaha made the wrong tyre choice and paid for their mistake after the temperature started to soar. Maverick Viñales was close to crashing on several occasions, he pushed himself to the limit and finished sixth. His teammate Rossi had it even worse as he lost position after position. Only his pride made him finish tenth and get some points. He remains the leader two points ahead of Viñales and four of Marquez.

The MotoGP World Championship is more open than ever: Rossi, Viñales, Márquez and Pedrosa lead the classification and are only ten points apart. Lorenzo who has also climbed to the top of the podium would also want to follow them closely. As we said: unpredictable and very exciting.