The MotoGP™ race at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello got underway under a dark cloud after the tragic death of young Moto3 rider, Jason Dupasquier, was announced. Riders and members of the paddock gathered together on the grid ahead of the 23 lap race to pay their respects to the Swiss rider with a one minute’s silence.
Joan Mir and Alex Rins made determined starts and were running sixth and seventh by the end of the first lap. One lap later they had climbed one place each and the Team Suzuki Ecstar pairing were showing good pace. However, they spent many laps stuck behind Jack Miller as the race leaders were building a gap, but they didn’t let this dishearten them and they continued to use their excellent corner speed to their advantage, passing the Australian and setting their sights on podium places.
Both Mir and Rins got their heads down and chipped away at the gap to Miguel Oliveira, impressively taking just three laps to get on the Portuguese rider’s tail. On Lap 17 the Hamamatsu riders had their GSX-RRs in third and fourth, but on the next lap Rins lost the front of his bike at Turn 15 and suffered his fourth DNF in a row – he was luckily uninjured. Mir continued to push hard, not only maintaining a podium spot in third but giving his all to gain second place. At the chequered flag it was a close finish and the Mallorcan took a great third, which he dedicated to Jason Dupasquier.
