The 2015 San Marino and Rimini Riviera motorcycle Grand Prix marked the thirteenth event in the 2015 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. The race took place on September 13, 2015, at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, located in Misano Adriatico.
Starting under clear skies, the race soon encountered inclement weather, leading most riders to switch to bikes equipped with wet tyres. "The rain came down pretty hard, and we had to make the change," explained Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, who initially secured his third pole position of the season but ultimately faced challenges during the race.
Amidst the turmoil of the weather, Marc Márquez showcased impressive strategy, executing a timely second bike change that granted him the advantage over his competitors. Márquez's tactical maneuvering allowed him to clinch the race victory. "It was a tough decision, but it paid off in the end," said Márquez, reflecting on his successful tactics during the challenging conditions.
Bradley Smith and Scott Redding made history by becoming the first British duo to stand on the podium of the premier class since the 1979 Venezuelan Grand Prix. Smith encountered a riskier path, choosing to remain on dry tyres throughout the race. His bold approach rewarded him with a second-place finish, the second podium of his career in the premier class. “I knew it was a gamble, but I’ve always believed in my instincts,” Smith remarked after the race.
On the other hand, Redding achieved a significant milestone, securing his first-ever MotoGP podium with a third-place finish. Redding faced adversity, having crashed earlier in the race. "It’s unbelievable to overcome that and still finish on the podium," Redding expressed, clearly elated with his performance.
While the rain created a challenging environment, Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi found themselves struggling as they opted to stay on wet tyres longer than Márquez. Consequently, Rossi finished fifth, while Lorenzo crashed out with just eight laps to go. "It’s disappointing; we were pushing hard, but sometimes luck isn’t on your side," lamented Lorenzo.
The race was not without further incidents, as riders Yonny Hernández and Alex de Angelis also succumbed to crashes, and both Pol Espargaró and wildcard Michele Pirro failed to finish. Meanwhile, Loris Baz triumphed in the Open category, crossing the line in fourth place, marking his fourth victory in that classification.
Though Rossi managed to secure a fifth-place finish, the day was bittersweet for him as Lorenzo's retirement extended Rossi's championship gap to 23 points. Rossi reflected on the state of the championship, stating, "Every point counts, and losing momentum is always a challenge. But the season is long, and we’ll keep fighting."
In the junior classes, the victory wave continued for polesitters Johann Zarco and Enea Bastianini. Zarco claimed his sixth race win in Moto2, while Bastianini celebrated his first Grand Prix victory in Moto3. Bastianini’s accomplishment was particularly thrilling, achieving a late-race pass on Miguel Oliveira. "Winning my first Grand Prix is a dream come true, and to do it like this is unbelievable," Bastianini said, reveling in his success.
Overall, the thrilling events at the Misano World Circuit provided an unexpected twist in the championship narratives and showcased the determination among the riders across all classes. With the 2015 season coming down the final stretch, the excitement is palpable as competitors prepare for the next round of the championship in pursuit of glory.