From agony to ecstasy MotoGP at Misano at the weekend had it all! With thrilling ride by 2nd podium in previous Round at same venue, Francesco Bagnaia, took charge up front right up to final 7 laps- then crashed out, ruining chance to stand top step of podium.
Still bewildered by what happened as the Ducati satellite rider was comfortable managing the race, Bagnaia ended Sunday short of bankable points. Stating: ‘”The Ducati has a great engine and is strong in braking. This allowed me not to push too hard on the tyres, I just had to manage the first phase of acceleration”‘. Courtesy GPone.com.
From claiming pole for 2nd consecutive time, Maverick Vinales made this one count, putting paid to any doubters that the Spanish ‘Top Gun’ has the right mentality to race from pole and win.
Maverick: ‘”I was very happy about qualifying yesterday…and today I kept very consistent rhythm and especially at the start of the race I pushed quite hard to break from the group”‘. Courtesy Motosport.com.
From not taking on board the pressure of losing Overall Championship position to Andrea Dovizioso at Misano weekend previous, Fabio Quatararo looked mighty confident to nab 3rd podium – pure joy for sure- only to succumb to 3 second penalty for exceeding track limits- thereby pushed down to 4th!
Two hands clapping for Joan Mir. How the Spanish rider managed to come through the field from 11th on starting grid to 2nd- only he knows. Thoughts from Dovi state: ‘”The Suzuki is very balanced from what I can see…it allows the riders to be very consistent and also to preserve the tyres at the end of the race”‘. Courtesy GPone.com.
Heartache is sinking in for MotoGP Championship leader Andrea Dovizioso. He admits slipping to P8 this weekend does not go hand-in-hand with remaining top of leader board.
‘”I keep studying the data from Bagnaia who rides this bike with these tyres in a different way than the others. He brakes less and later, applies less pressure and enters the corners fast. It’s a different thing from what we did before. He is doing it very well and making a difference”‘.
Such extremes test riders vulnerabilities on how to deal with highs, lows, victories and loss in ways no ordinary person has a chance to feel. If one fact remains, emotional pull to gain feeling of winning matters more than re-hashing what went wrong. In words of Pecco Bagnaia: ‘”Dominating MotoGP is a wonderful feeling…”” one which riders seek in next experience on track.
MotoGP Round 9 Barcelona September 27th. Header Photo: Maverick Vinales taking the win at Misano Credit: MotoGP.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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