The 2017 Moto GP mid season break couldn’t have come at a better time for the riders at the top of the table. A win to Spaniard Marc Marquez in the last race saw him climb to first place in the standings but the title race is as close it has been in years, with five riders all within 26 points of each other at the top.
The break will give them time to refresh before embarking on the 9 race finish to the season. Next up is the Czech Republic Grand Prix set to be run this Sunday night. We take a look at the big race and give our betting tips below.
Standings leader Marc Marquez has started as the favourite for the race at low odds of $2.75. While he only has two wins this season, he’s probably been the most consistent rider with no finishes outside of the top six apart from his two retirements. He is tied for the most podium finishes with his teammate Dani Pedrosa and has a great record at the Masaryk Circuit with two wins and five podiums.
Arguably the best rider of all time in the Czech Republic has been Valentino Rossi. The Italian master has four wins in the Moto GP class at Masaryk and will be desperate for a win here to potentially take the lead in the championship. While he went through somewhat of a slump in the Czech Republic through 2010-13, he has returned the last three years with podium finishes in each race. Could go close here.
While Cal Crutchlow had three retirements from five Czech GP’s before last years’ race, he did come out and absolutely blitz the competition in the 2016 edition. His only other attempt at Brno that didn’t end in an unlucky retirement or finish was a third place all the way back in 2012, which was coincidentally his first ever podium. His win last year was also his first ever GP win so obviously loves the track, could be a smokey each way chance.
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