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Sports are always exciting. The excitement gets even bigger when the sport is MotoGP. Fast moving bikes, dangerous maneuvers, overtakes, crashes and cut-throat competition within riders make this motorcycle event more thrilling and nerve-wracking than any other sport in this world.
MotoGP is the premier motorcycle race, and its event unfolds every year with 18-19 races around the world. Though the rules stay more or less same every year, it is the novelty and thrill in every race that makes it more exciting every year.
The Season 2019 is about to start soon at Losail Circuit in Qatar and is expected to unwind the enormous excitement that it brings along. But before we head into the new season full of action, let's take a look back at the high moments from the previous season.
#1 Dovizioso winning the opening race
Perhaps since Casey Stoner, no one has tuned better with Ducati Desmosedici than Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian rider had a splendid 2017 season, finishing second behind Marc Marquez. He took forward his form in 2018 season and won the closely-contested battle with Marc Marquez at Losail, Qatar.
It was a thrilling race with Valentino Rossi rounding the top 3 on the podium. Andrea Dovizioso finished second in the championship standings.
#2 Crutchlow winning the bizarre Argentina GP
Last year's Argentina GP may go down as the most bizarre race in MotoGP history. Prevalent wet conditions and intermittent showers of rain caused riders confusion of the tire selection. Except for Jack Miller, who had secured first pole position of his career, every rider was pushed 12 spots back on the grid due to last moment tire change.
However, amidst widespread confusion, LCR rider Cal Crutchlow managed to seal the top spot in the race. Moreover, Suzuki's Alex Rins secured his maiden podium finish.
#3 Marquez-Rossi collision, reigniting the old rivalry
Argentina GP was nothing but a hotchpotch. Frequent changes in weather reflected uncertainty on track. After being pushed back on the grid, there was haste among riders to pick the best spot possible.
Marc Marquez opted for an aggressive move to overtake Valentino Rossi in lap 18 of the race. In this attempt, Marquez squeezed aggressively in the inside of Rossi, pushing the nine-time world champion off the track and eventually crashing.
Marquez was later penalized with 30 seconds after finishing 5th and was pushed down to 18th position in the race. This incident agitated Rossi and enraged him beyond limits. It reignited the rivalry between the two and brought back the dark scenes from 2015 season.
#4 Rossi's lap around the world
Valentino Rossi is the most accomplished rider in MotoGP history. The nine-time world champion has numerous achievements, but a unique feat got added in his list last year. While racing at Jerez, when he completed his 15th lap in the race, he achieved the feat of racing the distance equivalent to the circumference of the Earth. i.e. A lap around the world.
Read here in detail: Rossi's lap around the world
#5 Rossi achieved highest points tally - 5000 points
Valentino Rossi went past 5000 points in his career in Mugello GP. After securing the 65th pole of his career, Rossi managed to finished third, thus picking 16 points to take his career points tally beyond 5000.
It took 23 seasons to Rossi to add up 5000 points. He leads the points table with a significant lead of more than 3000 points over Dani Pedrosa (2882), who sits second on the list. Lorenzo is third with 2778 points in his career.
#6 British GP canceled
The incessant rains in the Northamptonshire forced the officials to call off the British GP. Heavy rains had lashed before the practice session, leaving the circuit flooded at various spots.
Few riders suffered crashes, and citing the race situation unsafe for play, the officials decided to do the unprecedented. They rescheduled the race timings and delayed it to avoid any unfortunate event.
On the race day, with no sign of rain withdrawing anytime soon, and citing the race conditions too unsafe, the race officials canceled the British GP.
Read here: British GP Cancelled due to unsafe track conditions
#7 Lorenzo suffering disastrous crashes
Jorge Lorenzo was not satisfied with his results at Ducati Desmosedici. And, just when things started to get better, Lorenzo suffered some horrific crashes last season. Lorenzo's misery started from Misano where he crashed in the penultimate lap. Though he sustained injuries in his foot, he continued and completed the race.
While racing in Aragon, he was caught in a fiasco in the first corner of the race. He was outcasted by Marquez who charged from the inside. He suffered multiple injuries. He dislocated his toe and aggravated his fracture in right foot.
However, he was brave to get back on his Desmosedici to race in Thailand but suffered a horrible crash. While coming out of the turn-3 in practice session, he lost his control and was tossed off his bike. The intensity of the crash was so high that it stopped the session temporarily.
He later didn't participate in the Thailand GP and in the next three races. However, he returned to race in the ultimate fixture of the season in Valencia.
#8 First Grand Prix in Thailand
Thailand hosted its first MotoGP race at Chang International circuit in Buriram. Chang circuit was the new induction in the MotoGP calendar this year. The Thailand GP witnessed a thrilling race as Marc Marquez piped Dovizioso in the last lap finish to win the race.
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez, Factory Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and Factory Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales rounded the top three places on the podium.
#9 Marquez wins the championship at Motegi and equals the record of Mick Doohan
Marc Marquez defeated Dovizioso in a hard-fought battle at Twin Ring Motegi. The win at the Japanese GP ensured Marquez of his 7th world title overall and 5th title in MotoGP.
With this championship win, Marquez equaled Mick Doohan's tally of 5 titles. He is now only behind Valentino Rossi (7 titles) and Giacomo Agostini (8 titles) in the premier class.
Read here in detail: Marquez wins 7th world title
#10 Dani Pedrosa retires from MotoGP
Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa brought down curtains over his career after the last race in Valencia. Pedrosa raced on Honda machinery since his arrival in 2001. He was the Repsol Honda rider in the premier class since 2006.
He has second-most career points after Valentino Rossi and holds the record for winning most races without winning a championship.
