Staying out of trouble in MotoGP at Barcelona this weekend proved hard ball to juggle with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso taking to the gravel in opening lap while double winner at Jerez Fabio Quartararo took back Championship lead with momentous win.
If race incidents are meant to test riders ability to remain motivated, reactions by 2 Ducati rider’s Johann Zarco which impacted Dovizioso not only made for disappointing early retirement at MotoGP Round 9 but also shifted rider positions on Championship points table.
It was early lead by Petronas Yamaha SRT Franco Morbidelli which set pace, with positions changing from Jack Miller vying to push Italy’s Round 7 winner before Morbidelli’s role model, mentor and all-time good-friend Rossi knocked on the door close-by.
Amongst fight for supremacy, with all important tyre management uppermost in rider’s mind, 2 time winner at Jerez Fabio Quartararo finally made appearance on what both wins were about, taking the lead by Lap 9.
If there is dark horse in MotoGP 2020 season it is Suzuki’s Joan Mir. Consistent results, management of tyres to perfection, yet no win at moment, Mir nudged more than too-close-for-comfort behind race leader heading into final lap. As Fabio states: ‘I calculated final lap of race in best moment, one more lap I would have been in 2nd position, for sure’.
Ecstatic results for Team Suzuki Ecstar with Mir taking 2nd and team-rider Alex Rins on 3rd step of podium turning Championship table on its head points-wise: Fabio Quartararo 108, Joan Mir 100 and Maverick Vinales on 90.
If that was enough turning of tables, one which stands over and above the rest has to be quiet, humble, appreciation by Rossi to Quartararo- which as announced at the weekend Vale makes move to satellite Petronas Yamaha SRT Team for 2021 while Fabio moves to replace VR46 at Yamaha Factory. How’s that for respect!
Words: Sharon Cox.
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