Austrian MotoGP results: Dovizioso win, huge Zarco, Morbidelli crash

Andrea Dovizioso gave Ducati a glimpse of what it will be missing in 2021 after surging victory in the Austrian MotoGP, in so doing re-launching 2020 MotoGP title aspirations.

However, the headlines were dominated by a huge accident involving Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli, one they were lucky to walk away from unharmed and one that Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales were even more fortunate not to be involved.

Dovizioso’s victory at the Red Bull Ring – where Ducati has now won each of the last 5 seasons – came just 24 hours after he confirmed he was quitting the team at the end of the year, in part because he felt he wasn’t valued for the wins he has brought to them.

However, in Austria is vindicated himself in a timely manner, biding his time in an incident-filled race that was interrupted for a time after a crash involving Zarco and Morbidelli that, while spectacular, has the potential to be much worse

Prompted when Morbidelli struck the back of Zarco’s Ducati as he defended up to Turn 3 off line, the ensuing collision saw both bikes spiral across the inside gravel trap and back across the exit of the corner up ahead. Replays showed both Vinales and Rossi were missed by inches by both bikes each, in what is arguably incredible near-miss seen in the sport.

At the restart Jack Miller led initially before Dovizioso pounced with 12 laps remaining and controlled the pace to bring home his 15th career MotoGP win, 14 of which has been achieved with Ducati.

Behind him Joan Mir claimed his maiden MotoGP podium with an accomplished ride to second, topped off by a pass on Miller at the penultimate corner, who was forced to make do with third.

In fourth Czech MotoGP winner Brad Binder completed a superb result on an otherwise bittersweet day for KTM after showing front-running pace with his charge up the order from 17th on the grid.

However, it could have been so much better for KTM as Pol Espargaro was leading at the time of the race being stopped, but his pace faded at the restart before he was involved in a collision with stablemate Miguel Oliveira that took both out of the race.

Rossi kept the points ticking over in fifth position, ahead Takaaki Nakagami – the only Honda rider inside the top ten – Danilo Petrucci and championship leader Fabio Quartararo, who ruined his day with an off at Turn 4 due to a spongey brake. 

Elsewhere, Maverick Vinales endured issues that dropped him to tenth at the flag, while Alex Rins crashed out moments after he had taken the lead with ten laps remaining.

2020 Austrian MotoGP - RACE RESULTS