Back-To-Back Victories For Quartararo In Spain

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider Fabio Quartararo secured his second consecutive victory at the Jerez Circuit in Spain, dominating the Andalucia Grand Prix (GP) from start to finish Sunday. The 21-year-old Frenchman who pulled off his maiden victory in the Spanish GP at the same circuit last weekend, clinched his second title this season with a time of 41 minutes 22.666 seconds in the 25-lap race. Monster Energy Yamaha riders -- Maverick Vinales of Spain and Italian Valentino Rossi, came in second and third in the race which took place in scorching weather, with temperatures of up to 38-degrees Celcius. Quartararo’s teammate, Franco Morbidelli who started on the ninth spot in the starting grid, however, failed to finish the race with nine laps remaining due problems with his machine. “It was a really tough race. It is very hard to get a good pace (at the start of the race) due to hot conditions out there, but in the end, the most important thing is to bring home another victory,” Quartararo was quoted as saying in the post-race press conference. In the Moto2 class race, Petronas Sprinta Racing’s Xavi Vierge finished eighth (39:43.512 seconds), but his teammate, Jake Dixon of Great Britain failed to finish the race after suffering engine problems in the 21st lap. Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto3 rider, John McPhee, meanwhile, claimed his second podium finish since the Qatar GP in March by finishing second, with a time of 39 minutes 18.925 seconds in the 22-lap race. Japanese rider, Tatsuki Suzuki of SIC58 Squadra Corse, claimed his maiden victory in the class this season after setting a time of 39 minutes 18.861 seconds, while the Italian rider, Celestino Vietti of SKY Racing Team VR46 came in third, 0.134 seconds adrift Suzuki. The 2020 MotoGP World Championship continues with the Czech Republic GP at the Brno Circuit, next weekend. -- BERNAMA