Entering the fifteenth round of the longest MotoGP season ever, the dominance of one rider has left multiple world champions scratching their heads.
Through practice sessions 1, 2 and 3 it appeared a little like Marc Marquez was holding back. He has not been sitting at the top of each session like he has consistently this year and it really makes you wonder whether he’s trying to avoid a Misano Title in front of an Italian crowd that booed his victory a few rounds ago.
KTM were the main shock of all the sessions, the lack of grip on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya appeared to reduce the issues of vibration and had all riders showing some brilliant laps. At the end of Practice 2, Binder and Acosta were, for the first time, sitting at the top of the pack together. Bastianini continued showing his progression on the RC16 and Vinales, returning from an injury, was showing signs he’s still suffering a bit of pain. He did reduced laps and was in and out of the top 4 on occasions but slipped into Q2 and eventually qualified in 22nd (I would tip him to fly through the sprint with the pace he was showing). Acosta qualified in 5th as the first KTM, Bastianini in 9th and Binder in 11th all benefiting from the new aerodynamic upgrades that have them all enjoying riding again.
Yamaha had another odd start to the weekend. All riders slamming the M1’s lack of grip and they all spent most of the sessions around the bottom end of the pack. Somehow though, as he always does when the bike looks terrible, Quartararo was the first rider ever to do a lapin the 1.37’s, setting the new lap record. This got him and DiGiantonio through to Q2 and with that pace, nearly a pole position, only to be beaten by a perfect lap from Alex Marquez on the GP24.
The headline was the new low that 2022 and 2023 world champion Francesco Bagnaia has fallen to, with zero time spent in the top 10, and finishing each session looking more confused than the started. He spent most of the Friday only being faster than test rider Lorenzo Savadori and returning rookie Somkiat Chantra. His start from the 21st place after winning the sprint and the race here 12 months ago, shows how much he’s hating riding the GP25. He is still somehow in 3rd oveall for the championship but under huge threat from the in form Bezzecchi on the Aprillia who qualified in 12th.
Both VR46 riders will leave from the second row, Zarco the leading Honda in 7th and a bit of form from the rookie Ai Ogura had him qualify in 8th. Former MotoGP world champions Martin, Mir and Bagnaia will battle it out at the back of the pack with experienced race winners Aleix Esparago and Maverick Vinales. Should make for a insane show!
Lets hope for some fireworks in the sprint!
