Marquez back to winning ways in Argentina

Marquez back to winning ways in Argentina
By Euronews
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Marc Marquez notched up his first win of the season with a dominant ride in Argentina. It was Jorge Lorenzo who got off to a blistering start from

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Marc Marquez notched up his first win of the season with a dominant ride in Argentina.

It was Jorge Lorenzo who got off to a blistering start from third on the grid racing out in front but he struggled on his works Yamaha.

On the sixth lap, the Spaniard’s day came to an end as he crashed out of the race.

By that time it was a battle between Marquez and fierce rival Valentino Rossi.

Both riders pitted at the same time for the mandatory mid-race bike swap due to the weekend’s tyre-related drama.

Marquez’s change was much smoother and the Honda man came out with a slight advantage when the pair rejoined the circuit.

Marquez then continued to pull clear and enjoyed what turned out to be a comfortably win taking the chequered flag 7.6 seconds clear of Rossi.

Rossi had help to the second step of the podium.

The Yamaha rider was overtaken by Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso with two laps to go.

But as Iannone broke clear of Rossi and attempted to do the same to Dovizioso on the inside line on the final corner he lost the front of his bike and took out his teammate in the process.

It left the Italian multiple world champion Rossi a clear path to second.

Jorge Lorenzo baffled by poor practice pace in Argentina #JL99https://t.co/lC4JonSJvRpic.twitter.com/JOUynuzNnf

— GPUpdate.net (@GPUpdate) 2 April 2016

The old days of racing

Racing in Argentina was never a regular affair, there was never more than three consecutive Grand Prix events.

After its creation in the sixties, it had to withstand a 19-year break. On its return, in 1982, it was Kenny Roberts who grabbed the top spot.

The three-time world champion from California started the year with a bang, beating Barry Sheene in the first race of the season in Buenos Aires.

Great pic! The legend Barry Sheene! :) pic.twitter.com/5hmhzJjEAI

— cloud9bikes (@cloud9bikes) 1 April 2016

But Roberts’ win in 1982 was the first of only two victories in what turned out to be a disappointing season.

Roberts had to settle for fourth in the overall standings and Franco Uncini went on to become champion.

He had a cause for celebration though in 1999, when his son Kenny Roberts Junior won the last ever race in Buenos Aires.

Love this pic! Kenny Roberts Junior, clearly passionate from an early age :) pic.twitter.com/75KyrDmwa1

— bikehps.com (@bikehps) 1 March 2016

F1: Rosberg’s fifth win for Mercedes

In Formula 1, it was the same old story all over again in Australia, with the two Mercedes claiming the top two spots.

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In Bahrain they dominated the qualifying, as usual.

And on Sunday, Germany’s Nico Rosberg romped to his fifth win in a row for Mercedes.

#BOOM#BahrainGP#RACE#F1#TeamNR6MercedesAMGF1</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Q2oWHibzI">pic.twitter.com/0Q2oWHibzI</a></p>&mdash; Nico Rosberg (nico_rosberg) 3 April 2016

Rosberg’s victory ended Formula One champion team mate Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a third successive victory in Bahrain.

Hamilton made a slow getaway from pole position and tangled with the Williams of Valtteri Bottas at the first corner. Third place was the best he could do.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was the man in the middle, taking second spot on the winner’s podium.

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Rosberg has stretched his lead over Hamilton at the top of the standings to 17 points after two races. The win was the 16th of the German’s career and the eighth in a row for champions Mercedes.

Congrats nico_rosberg</a>! You started here in 2006, here comes your first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BahrainGP?src=hash">#BahrainGP</a> win! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash">#F1</a> <a href="https://t.co/PWWv44Kq1S">pic.twitter.com/PWWv44Kq1S</a></p>&mdash; Bahrain Int. Circuit (BAH_Int_Circuit) 3 April 2016

Formula E bounce back

In Formula E, Lucas di Grassi is back on top of the overall standings.

After disqualification in Mexico, the Brazilian responded with a second win of the season in Long Beach in the US.

It was Sam Bird who led in the early stages of the ePrix but di Grassi saw an opportunity in Turn 5 and took the lead.

Bird kept hot on his heels, but later ended up down the escape road and out of the running for the top spot.

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Last year’s winner Nelson Piquet Junior then crashed and the safety car was out.

Di Grassi timed the restart in his favour and cruised home to victory.

ICYMI: LucasdiGrassi</a> won in Long Beach to reclaim the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FormulaE?src=hash">#FormulaE</a> points lead. <a href="https://t.co/m0Eutcvp5c">https://t.co/m0Eutcvp5c</a> <a href="https://t.co/5AAIw4E3C4">pic.twitter.com/5AAIw4E3C4</a></p>&mdash; Autosport (autosport) 3 April 2016

Desert Challenge

The sandy dunes of Abu Dhabi are hosting the latest edition of the Desert Challenge

This week’s Speed, features some of the best images of the super stage.

Six MINI ALL4 Racing Cars Line-up for Abu Dhabi Desert … – https://t.co/lmA0OWvXg9#MINIALL4Racing#Rallypic.twitter.com/l88IyJIUrg

— BMWBLOG (@bmwblog) 1 April 2016

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