#PECCOvsMARTIN: the duel for the crown arrives within the desert
Two contenders, 14 factors, and a grid of twenty-two riders are about to tackle Lusail – with a primary match level doubtlessly on the desk
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
After 18 Grands Prix providing a most of 654 factors, 74 are actually left in play as we head into the ultimate two Grands Prix of 2023 – and Championship chief Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Workforce) leads pretender to the throne Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by simply 14. That is it: two contenders, two weekends, two Sprints and two races stay, and all of it begins on the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. So select your staff, as a result of the duel for the crown is now #PECCOvsMARTIN.
Bagnaia was assured forward of observe motion in Sepang that it might be an excellent weekend for him, and he was confirmed very a lot right. On Saturday morning he took pole for the primary time since Barcelona, and within the afternoon he ceded solely two factors to Martin as neither gained the Tissot Dash. On Sunday, he went toe-to-toe with the quantity 89 in a struggle to determine who was taking 16 factors or 13, and this time he got here out on prime and in some fashion. As soon as the assault was repelled, the reigning Champion then merely rode off… one thing Martin has been just a little extra accustomed to of late. For #TeamPecco, that doubtless felt like fairly an announcement.
Martin himself mentioned he was just a little disenchanted with that, but when his calling card over the latter half of the season has been pure tempo, getting his elbows out as the instigator of that spectacular duel in Malaysia was an excellent reminder that he’s removed from a one-tricky pony. As was his superior win at Buriram. For #TeamMartin, too, there’s the easy indisputable fact that the quantity 89 was 66 factors behind Pecco after the Dash at Catalunya, and now he’s solely 14 off with two GPs to go.
Briefly, it’s going to get fascinating. Settling for a wise 13 factors in Sepang is a unique ball recreation to having the ability to take action in Qatar or Valencia. Giving up two factors on Saturday may shortly change into a quick observe to coming house runner up. There’s no margin for error for both rider, and what makes the tightrope much more tense is that this isn’t abruptly a race of two riders. 20 extra will probably be becoming a member of them on observe.
The primary to say this time round is Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Workforce). The Beast + the query of staff or producer orders is a storyline you’ll doubtless keep in mind from the 2022 Malaysian Grand Prix and, shock! It got here again this yr. Bastianini was really in beast mode at Sepang to take his first entrance row of the yr, harry his teammate within the Dash after which merely disappear on Sunday. We’ve seen it earlier than, however what a time to get again on the highest step. Given his maiden premier class win got here at Qatar final season… watch this area, and the way he performs it.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) is one other who got here out swinging, and one who has rather less concern for the title struggle. He’s using a Ducati however so are each the contenders, and neither are his teammate. He’ll be one to observe once more. It’s one of the crucial fascinating conundrums of what lies forward: this yr, the Borgo Panigale manufacturing unit already gained the riders’ crown. They only don’t but know who they’ll be celebrating it with.
This yr, it gained’t be Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Workforce), however he’s prone to be a frontrunner and needs to get again on the rostrum at least. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) too. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Workforce) additionally had a more durable weekend at Sepang and can need extra, and he’s already had a good quantity of limelight previously week speaking about his future, one other watch this area. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP
) had a stable weekend in Malaysia however the that means of that has been redefined since Phillip Island… within the Ducati ranks, there’s severe competitors.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP) additionally gave a number of of these names simply that on Sunday at Sepang, charging to a different prime 5 and dispatching Ducatis on the way in which. Teammate Franco Morbidelli, in the meantime, shot from P15 on the grid to seventh too, equalling his second greatest end of the yr from India. What can they do in Qatar?
Augusto Fernandez and GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racing Tech3 teammate Pol Espargaro additionally received again within the factors for the primary time since Japan, and Jack Miller (Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) was proper within the combine at Sepang after a tough Thai GP. Fortunes went the opposite approach for Brad Binder (Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) as he crashed out in Malaysia, however the South African was doubtless essentially the most annoying individual on the earth for the 2 title contenders on Sunday at Buriram. Binder is almost all the time a menace for these simply forward of him within the standings and very a lot doesn’t journey for Ducati. He’s within the enterprise of racing them. Laborious.
In the meantime, Aprilia will need much more from Qatar. For Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Sepang was merely one to overlook. Teammate Maverick Viñales received some factors from the weekend however contemplating his file on the observe, he doubtless anticipated extra. He’s additionally gained at Qatar earlier than, nevertheless, and it might be a recreation changer as soon as the solar goes down and the warmth cools off just a little. Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Workforce) and teammate Raul Fernandez additionally had a troublesome one on house turf for the staff in Malaysia, and can need extra from Lusail.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Workforce), in the meantime, did take some factors at Sepang but it surely was a more durable one for him, and Honda. In the meanwhile, the headlines stay centered on who will companion Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Workforce) subsequent season. However there are factors up for grabs as soon as once more in Qatar, and Marquez, Mir, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Iker Lecuona, who once more steps in at LCR Honda Castrol, all very a lot need some.
The struggle for the crown is 2 riders, however the grid is 22-strong and each considered one of them has an excellent purpose why they’re preventing it out on the earth’s most enjoyable sport. If Bastianini’s powerful season tormented by damage earlier than discovering his toes once more with an absolute masterclass at Sepang proves something, it’s precisely that. So make sure that to tune in for each a duel within the desert and a 22-rider showdown underneath the spectacular floodlights of Lusail Worldwide Circuit! All or nothing? It will likely be quickly!
SHOWTIME AT LUSAIL
We’re underway at 20:00 native time on Saturday for the Dash, earlier than the GP race on Sunday fires up at the exact same 20:00.
Tissot Dash: Saturday 20:00 (GMT +3)
Grand Prix Race: Sunday 20:00 (GMT +3)
Stress off: Acosta unleashed, Aldeguer on the march
After Pedro Acosta (Pink Bull KTM Ajo) wrapped up the 2023 title with a podium in Malaysia, the stress is now off as Moto2 rolls into Qatar. Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Instruments SpeedUp) comes into Spherical 19 realizing he’s been unbeatable within the final two outings, and was additionally quickest in Phillip Island earlier than the rain, so can Acosta and co. cease the younger Spaniard’s late-season cost from persevering with at Lusail?
Acosta and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Workforce) is perhaps uncatchable within the total standings, however the bronze medal pursuit is effervescent up properly. 30.5 factors break up third place Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Workforce) to sixth place Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Workforce Asia), with in-form star Aldeguer quickly staking his declare to be prime three within the title chase. 21 is the hole between the #54 and Dixon with two to play.
A repeat of his Qatar podium in 2022 will just do properly for Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) if he has something to say about that P3 accolade, but it surely’s that first Moto2 win the Spaniard craves. Can that are available in Qatar or Valencia? Tune into the Moto2 race at 18:15 native time (GMT+3) to seek out out!
Match level Masia: it’s crunch time within the Moto3 title chase!
5 riders, 50 factors, two to go. That’s the state of play within the fascinating 2023 Moto3 title race as Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) heads to Qatar realizing there’s an opportunity he could possibly be a World Champion on Sunday, with Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) nonetheless performing because the chief chaser after drama unfolded for the trio enjoying catch up in Malaysia.
Sasaki’s P2 in Sepang noticed the Japanese star claw again 4 factors on Masia to go away the hole between the highest two sitting at 13. We’ll learn the way essential these will probably be sooner or later, however Sasaki – who was a runaway chief on the 2022 Qatar GP earlier than a technical downside arose – is aware of that shrinking that hole once more in Qatar is all that issues. If the margin between the duo rises to 25 factors or extra in Masia’s favour, then the latter will probably be Champion.
That’s if David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Workforce), Daniel Holgado (Pink Bull KTM Tech3) and Deniz Öncü (Pink Bull KTM Ajo) aren’t inside 25 factors of the Honda rider come Sunday afternoon both. The previous pairing crashed out in Malaysia to see their title desires take an enormous dent, whereas Öncü thought he was out of it altogether after he was taken out by teammate Jose Antonio Rueda. P12 meant the Turk was mathematically dominated out, however a post-race penalty for David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) promoted Öncü to P11 – a slender lifeline as he’s now 50 off the highest.
The discuss will probably be all in regards to the Championship in Qatar, however the likes of our latest Grand Prix winner Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) will probably be hoping to steal the headlines as soon as extra. The Dutchman needs to be a key ally to teammate Sasaki within the last two races, will the ways change now the victory has been collected?
An enormous weekend lies forward within the light-weight class, with Sunday’s showdown starting at 17:00 native time (GMT+3). Tune in!
The publish MotoGP: Dorna Previews The Grand Prix Of Qatar appeared first on Roadracing World Journal | Motorbike Driving, Racing & Tech Information.
