Espargaro salvages points in complicated Indonesia weekend

The Repsol Honda Team continued to work diligently in the face of the many trials and tribulations of the Indonesian GP, Pol Espargaro salvaging 12th as Marc Marquez was forced to watch from the sidelines.

Ahead of the MotoGP race it was announced that it had been reduced to three quarters the original distance due to track conditions. The Indonesian GP was therefore set to be held over just 20 laps but torrential rains would delay the race by over an hour.

Starting the Grand Prix in an already compromised position down the grid, Pol Espargaro was able to show the power of the new Honda RC213V once again as the lights went out, rocketing into the top ten. From here it was a battle against the conditions as a soaked Mandalika circuit made for treacherous running. Making an incredible save midway through the race dropped the lone Repsol Honda Team rider out of the top-ten but allowed him to continue the race. A visor problem further complicated the situation but the #44 made up ground and found himself in the group battling for the top ten as the race entered the closing stages. Frantic fighting ahead, Espargaro took 12th at the flag.

The extra points keep Espargaro sixth in the championship, just ten points off Bastianini in the championship lead.

After a vicious high side at Turn 7 in Warm Up, Marc Marquez was declared unfit for the Indonesian GP. The Repsol Honda Team rider suffered a concussion during the fall and will return home to Spain for further checks.