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Vinales wins French GP at Rossi expense
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ITALIAN MotoGP veteran Valentino Rossi made a braking error on the last lap and fell off his bike moments later, allowing his Moviestar Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales to win a thrilling French Grand Prix yesterday.
The win put Vinales top of the standings, while pre-race championship leader Rossi dropped down to third behind Dani Pedrosa.
The 38-year-old Rossi was leading Vinales with the finish line in sight, but the Spaniard sneaked past him with a handful of turns remaining. Rossi then tried a risky move to overtake Vinales but — with just two turns left — he pushed too hard on the inside and slipped off his bike and span across the track.
“Incredible, I gave my best in the last laps,” Vinales said. “Le Mans is always a very good track for me.”
Rossi’s mistake allowed French rookie Johann Zarco to finish in second place for a first-ever podium, while Pedrosa took third.
“I felt great from the start and really wanted to attack,” said Zarco, who rides a Monster Yamaha. “I thought about Yamaha’s 500th victory and I thought ‘Why not me?’ But it’s already special to get on the podium.”
The distraught Rossi picked his bike back up and slumped over the handlebars as he contemplated the wasted points — especially considering defending champion Marc Marquez of Spain had earlier crashed on lap 18.
After five races, Vinales has 85 points, Honda’s Pedrosa has 68, Rossi 62 and Marquez, also of Honda, 58.
The next race is the Italian GP in Mugello in two weeks’ time.
The 22-year-old Vinales took pole position ahead of Rossi and Zarco.
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