Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky Represents Another Opportunity For Fabulous Fabio To Extend His Title Lead.
Author: Myanna Wedes
Fabio Quartararo is the favourite to take the 2020 World Championship after Marc Marquez is forced to sit out the latest event and possibly the next two races as a result of damaging his plate in his shoulder and requiring an additional surgery to correct the bent plate. There have been debates about whether it is a legitimate Championship and our answer to that is they all lined up on the grid and pushed for success. Sometimes, injury can come knocking and this is the first time in a very long time that Marquez has been forced to sit out and no bag points in the first few events. This is motorsport and sometimes it can be cruel to some and rewarding for others.
The pressure has been on for Quartararo though his relaxed approach and confidence is allowing him to achieve success whilst remaining calm. In contrast, Maverick Vinales known to be a hot head at times has struggled with race pace and knows that he must keep focused in order to stay with the other Yamaha rider although engine troubles could come knocking for the Yamaha riders with reliability an issue. This is something we will have to wait and see as to whether it causes trouble and opens up the Championship in a different way. Vinales is a mood rider.
MV12: “We start the next part of the championship in a positive mood. Overall, the two race weekends in Jerez were good, the bike was working well, even in the extreme heat, which is something we used to struggle with. Seeing this progress makes me even more excited and curious about what we can achieve in Brno this weekend. My team has been doing a great job so far, and we are working in the right way, so I think we can get some very positive results at the next three GPs, especially this Sunday. Brno is one of my favourite circuits, and we want to do well at this Monster Energy-sponsored event, so for sure we will do our best to be at the front again and fight for the win.” The mind games are on between these two title rivals and the fact that Quartararo will be Vinales’ teammate next year! During the first practice session at Brno, Vinales crashed which will make him frustrated and question his race weekend. A bit of drama early on does make things a little more stressful. On paper, he is 10 points behind in the title which is not bad considering his performance levels which rise and then fall. Luckily for Vinales, there appears to be no injury and the engine intact. Vinales may have tweaked his shoulder as he kept moving it around to test his
FQ20: “This week at home has been good to think about and enjoy the first two GPs of the season. Brno is a track that I really like. We know from last year that we can be fast there and that we have the performance, even if it is not the best place for our bike. There are a lot of great corners that make up the circuit but the last corner is one of the best. You have to go in with a lot of corner speed but also prepare to take the perfect line for the straight. It’s great to be going there after taking two wins and we’re looking at fighting for the podium this weekend. Our expectations are high and I can’t wait!”
With high expectations, all eyes are going to be fixated on how Quartararo carries himself with a lead and if he can remain on top without any mistakes. This is not easy to do because riders are going to be chasing, pushing and throwing out their psychological tactics to upset his rhythm. With MM93 out of the picture for now, it is the optimum time to take as much as an advantage as possible in case things do change, an accident occurs, an engine blows or a racing incident causes a poor result.
In terms of 2021 contracts, Andrea Dovizioso is still not signed. With DesmoDovi third in the title, it is no guarantee he will be with the red outfit for the following season. They are apparently utilising the next three races to determine what happens and whether Pecco Bagnaia is promoted, Dovi takes a sabbatical or he ends up re-signed. There were rumours that Jorge Lorenzo was in negotiations, however, these comments appeared to have gone quiet. It wouldn’t be a silly move considering the last Ducati rider to really push for a title bid was Lorenzo on the red beast and of which he was fast! AD04: “It was good to have a week off to rest, before three consecutive race weekends that will be very challenging for everyone. Brno is a track that will allow us to take advantage of the strengths of our Desmosedici GP bike, but this won't be enough because we will have to start strong immediately since Friday's free practices. In Jerez we worked well, improving day by day and now we have to consolidate what we have learned so far in the next three races. It should also not be as hot as in the two Jerez GPs, and I think that too will be on our side. I have high expectations from this GP.” With that said, Dovi cannot be too happy with his riding and is expecting Brno to be challenging with the mapping and grip levels. The season is long and right now, the Italian rider needs to step up to the plate.
On the other side of the garage is Australian rider Jack Miller. In Jerez, Miller was not able to stay on board and crashed. Miller is fast and comfortable. The feeling of the bike is vital for the Australian rider and the key point is to find where the tyres are working and allowing him to push without crashing as a result of the front tyre. It was a costly error and Brno is the time to shine, because going to the factory Ducati team for 2021, you need consistency.
In terms of another Dainese sponsored rider, Valentino Rossi is exciting and has a spring in his step. The Doctor feels good and is enjoying the Yamaha machine plus he likes the Brno circuit which is always a positive. His engineer is offering a lot to the multiple World Champion which is great because adapting is allowing Rossi to stay with the top riders and continue to showcase his strengths race in and race out. VR46: “It’s time for Brno, which is always a special weekend for me. It’s where I took my very first victory in the 125cc class, back in 1996, and that is something I can never forget. Normally the atmosphere is really fantastic at this track, but unfortunately we will have to race without the fans. But still, this is a very beautiful race circuit - it’s a track I really like, so we will try to give the fans watching from home a good show. The podium at the last race was a great result and a big emotion, so we are going to push 100% to be competitive again this weekend and give the maximum.”
With the Honda riders struggling including Cal Crutchlow as a result of injury, he is trying his hardest to obtain data and regain fitness. As a result, the leading Honda is Takaaki Nakagami. He proved his ability in the last race although he needs to repeat this each time he steps over and onto his Honda machine. The key element to success for Nakagami has been learning, studying and analysing Marquez’s data, riding style and methods.
TN30: “I have stored a lot of positive energy and satisfaction. As usual, our plan is to give ourselves 100 % and continue our work in this way with the team and Honda to develop as much as possible the adjustments of our machine during the test sessions. I can't wait to get back on my bike and I really can't wait to get back on track again." Some of the things the Japanese rider has been doing is checking Marquez’s data from the first race, understanding his way of braking and stopping the bike in his unique way of doing so and riding with confidence. He does admit that trying to replicate Marquez and how he rides the Honda is difficult though definitely assisting his chances of top results.
KTM are expected to come back stronger in Brno with Pol Espargaro riding well, Brad Binder smooth and Miguel Oliveira hoping for a more enjoyable race. Binder is sliding the tyres well and finding the limits with the KTM, with that said, he must finish the races well because there has been poor starts and so much potential. His lap times are representative of going fast! The experience will come to the young rookie and Espargaro is riding to keep reminding the grid of his ability to be a contender to win races. Will his jump to Repsol Honda next year work considering he has been a KTM boy for so long.
Overall, the conditions in Brno look good and with track action underway already! The opportunity for the field to take a World Championship is more real than ever. After undergoing a second operation on his injured right arm, Marc Marquez and HRC have decided that the World Champion will not ride in the Czech Republic in order for him to recover more. So if you were a rider and could see Marquez in your revision mirror sitting on the sidelines, how would you go about winning and staying at the top to ensure the odds are in your favour?
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