MotoGP's Best Battles: No2 Sachsenring 2006

Our pick of the 10 greatest premier-class multi-rider dogfights of all time.

his was a classic, with nothing to choose between the foursome who were inches apart at a one-line track where overtaking is tricky. There were plenty of sneaky moves here and there, plenty of out-braking manoeuvres at Turn 13, but no one could get away from the skirmish.

Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC213V) led just before half way, then Valentino Rossi (Camel Yamaha YZR-M1) moved ahead for the first time, Melandri and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC213V) probing, Pedrosa’s team mate Nicky Hayden watching and waiting in fourth.

Pedrosa ruined his chances when an attack on Melandri went awry, which allowed Hayden to dart through to third. Melandri snuck inside Rossi, only for the reigning champ to come back at him half a lap later. On the final lap Melandri had several stabs, pulling an audacious around-the-outside move at the very last corner that didn’t quite work. Hayden was right behind, hoping the Italians would get tangled up and open the door. They didn’t – but at least he kept Pedrosa behind.

Words Mat Oxley