MotoGP: Notes from Argentina
Still very much Ducati domination. Qualifying lockout, 2 bikes on the podium on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
Brad Binder’s brilliance on Saturday’s sprint race – 15th to 1st. Sunday was not so lucky, the highs and lows of motorcycle racing. A lot more positives to take for KTM with Jack also putting in good performances in n both days in wet and dry conditions. They are on the right track.
More podiums for the Mooney VR46 team with Bez and Marini in the sprint race and now also official MotoGP race winners. Sensational ride from Marco Bezzecchi in the wet conditions. He didn’t put a foot wrong, other than the one little “Mama Mia” moment. Bez is now the new championship leader. Who would have thought? Both riders and that team did a great job. Hats off to VR46 for everything he has done for Italian riders and MotoGP, and congrats on becoming a team winner.
Great to see Alex Marquez smiling and enjoying racing. Proved he has what it takes to be a front-runner. Also proves just how good and adaptable the Ducati is, and how disconnected the Honda package is. Riding a Honda, it seems, brings no joy, and Alex’s performances so far this n the first 2 rounds highlight that even more.
Pramac Ducati solid once again. Expected a bit more from Martin in the Sprint race, but he finished both races with solid points so a good weekend for him. Zarco put in another brilliant performance in the wet conditions. Let’s hope that the first win comes soon.
Up and down weekend for Yamaha with Franky Morbidelli finally showing a bit of form. Great to see him performing in track, and getting a bit of airtime. All confidence boosting for the Italian who looked a much happier figure. Let’s see if he can carry on. Looks like at tracks with less grip Franky has a better feeling, while Fabio struggles. Fabio was just never there the whole weekend. He does deserve a massive pat on the back for his incredible ride in the main race. Having been shunted by Nakagami and finding himself right at the back he fought hard to finish an impressive 7th in conditions he normally struggles with. Still, lots of work for Yamaha to do. The bike certainly looks faster but there are other problems now that need sorting.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI ITA MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MotoGP YAMAHA MotoGP FABIO QUARTARARO FRA MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MotoGP YAMAHA MotoGP
A mixed weekend for Pecco and Ducati. No Enea, which was a pity, and Pecco looked a bit bullied in the sorting race. Didn’t have the pace to push through. Was looking good in wet conditions until the crash. A costly mistake, but luckily the likes of Fabio is not setting the world on fire and still early days in the title, but it could have been a big step forward. A lost opportunity for sure.
Not the weekend Aprilia wanted or expected heading to the track they picked up their first win at last season. Up until the races both Maverick and Aleix looked really good, but couldn’t translate it into good race results. The sprint race was a disaster for Aleix who seems to have trouble handling the chaos involved with sprint races. Both suffered badly in the wet conditions, so it’s trying to stay positive and move on now for Aprilia. Raul Fernandez was disappointing once again this weekend. Oliveira was missed for sure. Sunday’s main race would have been ideal for Miguel.
Honda? Oh, Honda. No MM93, double long lap for him at COTA coming up (depending on the outcome of the appeal), Mir with a big crash in the sprint race and was forced out of the main race, so no Repsol bikes on the grid. Alex Rins showed some positive signs over the weekend, more so in the wet conditions, but still nowhere near where they need to be. A disaster so far!!
Some dodgy race direction calls again this weekend. Inconsistent is the word that comes to mind. Lots to talk about tonight in our “Talking MotoGP” show so make sure you tune in love from 8pm SA time (7pm UK time)
Here is the link to join the live show – https://facebook.com/events/s/talking-motogp-argentina/772414390851376/