Valentino Rossi gets his first victory of 2017 after a tough battle in mixed weather conditions. What looked like an easy win in the dry turned into a 4way battle once the rain drops started to fall.
It was Johan Zarco on the Tech 3 Yamaha who took the holeshot from pole at the lights overcoming Marquez while Rossi managed into third position getting ahead of Petrucci on the Pramac Ducati. The rest of pack with the likes of Scott Redding, Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso, Alvaro Bautista, Maverick Viñales, Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller were closely placed.
Rossi soon hit the front beating Marquez and Zarco when a desperate Vinales running in 5th crashed out at the esses. Zarco who tried to regain the lead touched Rossi and had to sit out. Rossi soon made a slight gap at the front but a sudden sign of rain made the pack together and Petrucci was back in the hunt while Zarco pitted for a tyre change.
As Rossi, Petrucci and Marquez were fighting for the lead Dovizioso on the factory Ducati joined the pack but Rossi look unperturbed.
With 4 laps to go Petrucci hit the front overtaking Rossi but the 9 time world champion got back on his compatriot and held on to the lead. Dovizioso dropped back along with Marquez who was caught up by Cal Crutchlow.
Rossi won the race by a nail from fellow countryman Petrucci while Marquez made it into 3rd beating Crutchlow and Dovizioso.
