MotoGP analysis: How Quartararo doubled up at Jerez

Bengaluru, July 27: For the first time since Phillip Island 2014, Yamaha locked out the podium in a 1-2-3, but it was Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who once again scorched to victory at the Andalucia Grand Prix, the second round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

Maverick Vinales and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team-mate Valentino Rossi had a memorable fight for the rostrum in which the number 12 came out on top for second.

But nevertheless it was The Doctor's first podium since the 2019 Americas GP as he took P3.

My family is starting to get a bit drunk! - Quartararo thrilled with Jerez double My family is starting to get a bit drunk! - Quartararo thrilled with Jerez double

MotoGP 2020: Dominant Quartararo doubles up in Jerez MotoGP 2020: Dominant Quartararo doubles up in Jerez

Quartararo has had a perfect couple of weekends in Jerez and will head to Brno as the points leader, with Vinales taking home two-second places - far from a disaster - and looking to build on a successful weekend.

Also expected in Czechia is the return of reigning world champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to the MotoGP arena and we can't wait for more.

In the meanwhile, with Dorna Sports inputs, myKhel.com looks at how Quartararo bolted to victory ahead of Vinales and Rossi.

Best start

Quartararo got the best start and from pole, with Rossi also getting away well from P4, but drama unfolded behind as fifth place Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech3) crashed in a Turn 1 melee that also then involved Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Bradley Smith (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).

The Portuguese rider was down and out of the race, with Binder running off circuit and dropping to the back and Smith's race compromised too.

Yamaha scrap

There was a three-way Yamaha scrap at the front though, and it was Quartararo leading Vinales and Rossi, who had a slight gap to the two Pramac Racing riders of the quick starting Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia just behind.

Quartararo was getting down to business quickly though with the hammer well and truly down, and Vinales went wide at the final corner trying to pounce.

Good pace

Quartararo's lead on Lap 4 was up to 1.5sec, and Vinales could not find a way through on Rossi to try and give chase. The Pramac Racing duo were also breathing down the YZR-M1 rider's neck as the number 20 Petronas Yamaha SRT started to clear off into the distance, and Rossi could not do anything about Quartararo's pace either. By Lap 6 the Frenchman's lead was nearly three seconds.

Race of attrition

With 10 laps down that lead was looking unassailable, with Bagnaia making progress to get through on Miller and Vinales, as the Italian locked his radar onto the boss' rear wheel.

The race in Jerez was quickly starting to become a race of attrition in the blistering Andalusian heat, however - with some parts of the track over 63 degrees.

Wide turn

Vinales was clambering all over the back of the number 46, but Rossi was a demon on the brakes and it was really looking like Vinales just would not be able to find a way through.

Then though, after not having put a wheel wrong the whole race, Rossi was slightly wide at Turn 9 - and Top Gun pounced as Vinales was up to second.

Second win

At the front though it was all about one man as Quartararo made no mistakes in the brutal conditions to take his second consecutive victory, cementing his lead in the Championship over second-placed Vinales.

Rossi's return to the rostrum was more than welcomed for the 41-year-old, the number 46 putting in a mesmerising ride to notch up his 199th MotoGP podium, and his 235th across all classes.