American Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies experienced a terrible start as the Texan dropped back drastically after a few corners with a slipping clutch. This left Italian Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati rider Valentino Rossi to chase down Cal Crutchlow in third.
German LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl was involved in a tight battle with Spanish San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista with 17 laps remaining, with Bradl taking the Spanish Honda rider for sixth after dicing for numerous turns.
In the meantime, Ben Spies looked to have re-found his stride with the issue sorted. The American was fighting his way back through the pack after dropping down to 13th. Three laps later, Stefan Bradl was battling with Valentino Rossi for fifth place, getting the better of the multiple World Champion after a few attempts.
On that same lap, Spies crashed out of his charge and his race cam to an end. With 12 laps to go, CRT rider Avintia Blusens’ Ivan Silva suffered a technical issue. At the same time Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo and his fellow compatriot Dani Pedrosa were neck and neck at the front of the race, having pulled out a significant gap over Cal Crutchlow.
Spain's Alvaro Bautista also overtook Valentino Rossi, whose Ducati looked to be slowing. One lap later Pedrosa got past Jorge Lorenzo on the inside, though the Championship leader continued to stick to his rear wheel.
On the final lap it was racing at its best with Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo forcing his way past Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa with a tough move. Pedrosa fought back almost immediately, and the two Spaniards almost neck-and-neck into the last turn. With the Repsol Honda rider on the better line coming into the last turn, he had the most drive to the line to secure his third victory of the 2012 season.
Monster Yamaha Texh 3 rider Cal Crutchlow took his first ever podium in the MotoGP class. It was a beautiful way to celebrate his contract extension with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team this weekend.
His Italian team mate Andrea Dovizioso finished in fourth, in front of Bradl, Bautista, Rossi and top CRT rider, Power Electronics Aspar rider Randy de Puniet. Cardion AB Racing’s local rider Karel Abraham and Spain's Aleix Espargaro completed the top ten.
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