San Marino Grand Prix - Misano

[René]

MotoGP is back with a double header at Misano.

Fabio Quartararo is still the points leader at the start of race one at Misano, only three points ahead of Andrea Dovizioso. Quartararo did not have his best races in Spielberg, but should do a little better here. After all, he almost won there last year.

And what about Ducati? Can they win their home races and maybe even challenge for the World title with Dovizioso? That would be something in his last year with the team.

Yamaha have hopefully solved their brake problems and both KTM and Suzuki were very strong in Austria so a lot can be expected from them.

[chrisb]

ah another beautiful circuit and the Yamaha's are looking really good, as is the KTM, Lecona especially seems to be thriving, as for Ducati, realy pleased to hear that Johan is on the books for next year and is now competing with Bagniai for the team ride, should be fun.

Maverick is looking good as is Fabio, and Morbidelli and Rossi, going to be an interesting fight -

[charleselan]

This nadgery little track obviously suits the Yamaha's very well first four places on the grid would prove that fact. Vinales should win this but he will need to get on with it from the off or Fabio will disappear, maybe even Morbidelli; the old chap isn't looking too slow either.

Bagnaia certainly looks strong coming back after the leg breaking accident, pretty much a shoe in for the Ducati factory ride now I would say. Johann hopefully will get a full factory spec' Pramac bike next season which should suit him well.

It was quite amusing to hear Keith Heuwen extolling the virtues of Alex Marquez in that he was so much quicker than the test rider and M.Marquez sub' Stefan Bradl in Qualification One. All this as it was patently obvious that Marquez Junior was actually holding Stefan up as they did their final laps together.

[chrisb]

it was refreshing to see the Yamaha's 1,2,3 +4 but fear this may not be the case at the end, Miller is going all out to thwart their plans but I am looking forward to a marvelous race, great to see Johann mixing it with them and the tyres being a real choice here.

I saw that too John and thought Stefan was riding well, sorry about Cal and he is pinning his hopes on Aprilla next year but I wouldn't hold his breath

[charleselan]

So Fabio is not the complete article after all, maybe he is missing Marquez . Very good win for Frankie Morbidelli however, well deserved indeed.

Also a superb ride by Bagnaia on the Pramac Ducati, just in time to celebrate his elevation to the full factory squad in 2021. Sad that Zarco did not get the ride but hopefully he will have a full factory spec Pramac bike next year and be able to do the job on that.

Vinales, what can one say!! Sorry to say this but if Lorenzo was fully fit and committed I would have him on that bike next year come what may.

In Moto3 I had lost all faith in John McPhee and did not watch the race but was astonished and annoyed to see he had won, not annoyed that he had won I hasten to add but that I had missed his epic ride, well done John long overdue.

Sam Lowes rode beautifully to come trough from a pit lane start, kept his head and did the job, another well done.

[chrisb]

what a fabulous victory! Franky rode extremely well, as did Pecca, and all kudos to Valle, there is a nice article on MS where Mat talks of sky46 and it is inspiring.  Would any other rider/ driver do similar? I could possibly imagine Lewis doing this by promoting ethnicity 
my three favourites didn't do at all well, for me Fabio got championship fever and just needs to redress - refocus and remember why he is so good, but expect a much better result this weekend, Maverick - well what can you say, I watched his post race interview and man was he gutted, saying no grip, there is a test there today and betting he will end up fastest and hopefully will learn from his previous race, he is fast but it all goes wrong, not sure what happened to Johan but he dropped down the order, in a way I prefer Johan at Pramac as it has a more informal environment that Team Ducati and I think he will prosper there, just would love for him to win a race where he is at the moment

What can you say about wee John McPhee, what a brilliant race, a real champions ride and am so pleased for him - hopefully this will inspire further wins and the championship and ride of the M2 was clearly Sam, what a brilliant race he rode, for me probably his best ever race, inspiring and just looking forward to this weekend.

[chrisb]

sure enough - Maverick was quickest in testing - I wish I understood