Back in Business at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli!
Author: Myanna Wedes
We have arrived in the beautiful seaside location for the 2021 Gran Premio Octo de San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. The biggest news of the weekend is the return of Andrea Dovizioso to the sport of MotoGP with a full-time ride with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team and Franco Morbidelli signing for a full-time ride with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team. It has been an absolute whirlwind of rider contract changes and moving the goal posts to say the least! The journey for Morbidelli has been one where he has demanded a top ride for some time and he will need to prove his ability to go fast very quickly because his teammate Fabio Quartararo is dynamic, on target for his first MotoGP World Championship and the number one rider in that garage. We feel that Yamaha will want to avoid a Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo battle royal that caused a lot of friction though some brilliant racing over the years. There can only be one number one rider and to manage equally with ego’s is going to be quite the test! During the Aragon Grand Prix, the tyre temperatures for Quartararo were troublesome and he struggled throughout the event. This will be one aspect of the weekend in Misano that Yamaha is sure to manage and monitor all weekend long. In comparison, Morbidelli needs to learn the braking of his new Yamaha, utilising the five remaining races to prepare for 2022 and determine his overall physical condition and whether or not he is able to help assist Quartararo with winning the title. In terms of 2022, Dovi is there to stay with a factory spec bike although we are still yet to find out the name of the team, who is involved and how the independent Yamaha team is to be run in the following season. Dovi needs to utilise the five races to his advantage, gain as much data, analysis and track time as possible to improve. With that said, Cal Crutchlow will be trackside to feed data, test the Yamaha and bring more insight towards the key Yamaha riders. The goal is to win titles again and 2021 could be the start of that for the Japanese manufacturer.
Andrea Dovizioso:
“Although I didn’t expect to be back in MotoGP like this, I never closed the door on it and it’s good to be here with Yamaha and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT. I wanted to try to enjoy a new situation and I’m really happy to be back. It will be interesting to be on a completely different bike to that I rode before and I’m looking forward to the experience. I visited the team in Aragon and it felt almost like it was 2012 again and sitting on the Yamaha bike felt just as good. It was great to have a first sit on the bike and do the initial adjustments, so that we’re already one step ahead of FP1 here at Misano. I will need to get on track to understand the details and it would have been better to have had a test before jumping into a race, but I start with no pressure and it will be great to get going in Misano for the final five races of the season. The level this year is so high and everyone’s times are so tight, but I’m going into these final five rounds with no pressure. I think it will take a bit of time to get used to the bike and adapt my riding style to the Yamaha. You can’t change these things overnight, but I’m really happy that I have these five races to see what I can do. I have no goals in terms of results, for me the important things are to have a good feeling with the bike and to understand it. Of course, if I can be in the top-ten then that would be great, but we’ll see. Overall I’m just happy to be back in MotoGP, for it to be with PETRONAS Yamaha SRT and that my first GP will be a home race.”
Teammate Rossi and also the Doctor in a way for Morbidelli is ready for an important weekend with lots of fans by his side. For so many this weekend, it may be the last time they get to see the Doctor on track from a racing perspective. Whilst the sponsorship for his Ducati team in 2022 is still relatively blurry and unknown, Rossi is there to enjoy the last five races of his career, looking to gain some points and wrap up his legacy in a humble manner. There will be tears shed when he crosses the line for the last time, with that said, lets enjoy a home race that will feature a sea of yellow! There is no doubt in our minds that Rossi has created some brilliant young riders over the years and is continuing to guide them towards success, in particular Bagnaia, Morbidelli and Luca Marini as examples. Every lesson they learn and every tip they acquire from Rossi is a golden nugget because it can be the reason why you end up faster than the other rider and winning. Misano this weekend has mixed conditions predicted and this is sure to wreak some havoc across the varying manufacturers. The rain will be a benefit for some and a knee into the side for others who find it difficult to navigate their machines in mixed conditions.
It will not be ideal for the likes of Johann Zarco who has been suffering from arm pump and will have surgery next week to relieve the pressure building up. With the Championship no longer within reach, it is imperative that Zarco is fully fit as soon as possible. There are many riders out there who can relate with injuries impacting their overall performance. French rider Quartararo and Australian rider Miller know the benefits of the surgery mid-season and with regard to arm pump, so it will be very insightful to see how Zarco shapes up at Austin after going under the knife.
Valentino Rossi:
“I’m looking forward to this weekend’s race because not only is it a home Grand Prix, Misano is my home track and it’s only ten kilometres from my house in Tavullia. It’s a special place for me because it was where I rode a big bike on track for the first time, and it’s a feeling that I can never forget. It’s a difficult track, and also a physical one, but it’s somewhere that I really love and enjoy. We did have consistent pace at Aragon during the Free Practice sessions but we couldn't also show this in qualifying and the race, so hopefully this weekend will be even better for us.”
With regard to Morbidelli joining Yamaha, he will be learning a new bike and also adjusting after being away from the sport. Will his knee hold up? The track time is sure to test the Italian rider regardless of whether he loves the circuit because when you analyse a MotoGP rider, their knee is an essential ingredient to succeeding in the sport let alone race distance and battling with rivals at the same time. The rain could also play against Morbidelli by forcing him to push even when he does not feel comfortable, so we anticipate this weekend will be more about learning the machine than aiming for an unlikely result. With so many changes already in place, do you think Morbidelli has a chance or will he be in the shadows of Quartararo and caught out by the speed of Maverick Vinales who is finding his feet with the Aprilia? The games will continue as Morbidelli inherits the crew of Vinales whilst Dovizioso inherits the crew of Morbidelli. The dynamics need to be right in order for the rider to feel comfortable and excel.
Franco Morbidelli:
“I'm very pleased and happy about facing this weekend and this highly anticipated new chapter with the Factory Yamaha team. I've been trying to recover as much as possible for the final stage of this championship. I wanted to make my comeback at a track I know well and have great memories of, like Misano. I'm looking forward to jumping on the bike and starting my journey with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Of course, I need and I want to thank all the people who made this happen, starting with Ito-san, Lin, Maio, Sumi-san, the VR46 Riders Academy, and all other people who made this collaboration possible. The main feeling right now is that I'm really looking forward to jumping on the Factory M1. I really want to start working with the team and start making laps with the bike because it's been a long time that I haven't been riding, and I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. So I'm really looking forward to riding again. Moreover, my comeback is going to be in such a great environment - Misano is a circuit I know well and like a lot - and on a great bike. I'm really looking forward to practicing my sport again!”
Fabio Quartararo:
“I was a little disappointed with how the Aragon GP ended, but that was mainly because we did good work leading up to the race. But what’s done is done. It’s only natural that sometimes the lead decreases, and then it can increase again. I’m not worried by it. I just want to focus on doing a good race here this weekend. I really like Misano, and we will be racing here twice, so that’s something I’m quite excited about. For sure, we will work hard this weekend and do our best.”
The weekend is sure to be entertaining with Rossi mania plus conditions that change. If it does rain and the sun comes out, the circuit can dry quickly and riders can push without hesitation. Vinales is strong in the wet conditions especially when he is happy at a circuit he enjoys racing on. He is already showing some pace this weekend, feeling strong and happier than we have seen him in years. The same energy of excitement exists for Bagnaia who won last weekend. The Italian rider is securing himself a permanent role at the front of the grid and it is nice to see. Whereas Marc Marquez is doing everything he can to be fast and change the direction of the Honda machine for the better to make it more race competitive across the board. Both Marquez and Bagnaia have arrived this weekend with energy reflective of their hard work from the last race in Aragon. Every session will be vital to avoid setting a poor grid space, ensuring the bike is set up for all conditions and being prepared to pick a tyre and not have any doubts. Marquez is battling both the bike and the body. Nothing is the same as it was in 2019 and there are concerns his arm may never recover to 100% fitness. Therefore, various circuits will help him and others will cause chaos. The second-place finish was vital to his process to recover both in the sport and from a mental perspective. The road to recovery is ongoing. Questions are being asked about his condition, the feelings and if riding with pain is going to be permanent. Life for Marquez was stress free and dominant and right now, he is not enjoying it so much because of the fear of hurting himself and putting his body through some serious torment. If you compare Marquez to Aleix Espargaro, there is a gap between the level of fitness outdoors. On one weekend you may see Espargaro cycling for ridiculous kilometres, dirt bikes and more. Then you have Marquez restricted and finding it difficult to adapt, so we will be watching this with interest to see how the races play out over the coming months. Belief is key!
This weekend, Ducati will also be pushing hard from the outset to ensure they are competitive against their rivals. Miller and Bagnaia like the Misano circuit and speed in and out of the corners. It appears Miller has recovered from his leg issue that arrived mid-way through last race and the mixed conditions sure to put a smile on his face. The younger riders are raising the game, the bikes are faster, the job is harder and winning super important because momentum is everything on two wheels. We have a younger grid and multiple manufacturers improving all the time with riders who are even surprising their teams with quality results.
Marc Marquez:
“After a great race and a great battle like in Aragon, you arrive at the next race with a bit of extra motivation. Let’s see what this weekend will bring, in the past we have had some very good races here but it’s a demanding circuit. Also after the race we have two days of testing which will be very important for us and for HRC as we keep working to improve. It’s going to be a busy week on my Honda.”
Pol Espargaro:
“The forecast in Misano is looking hot so we know that we will have to work to improve out feeling to be closer to our Silverstone performance than our performance in Aragon. We have been making improvements in this area, but we need to keep on working to show our potential and the potential of the bike. I am also looking forward to the test, two days of just riding will be a big help because right now one of our biggest problems is the lack of testing we have had this year. Let’s make the most of it.”
Francesco Bagnaia:
"It's only been a few days since last Sunday's GP, but I'm already ready for another race weekend. The victory on Sunday at Aragón was incredible and gave me the right energy to face our second home race at Misano. My team and I are doing an outstanding job, and I feel very comfortable riding my Desmosedici GP, so I'm optimistic for this weekend. This is a track that I like a lot and where I often train with my Panigale V4 S. Also, last year, I got my first podium in MotoGP here! I'm very determined and ready to fight for the victory again in front of all our fans".
Jack Miller:
"I'm very excited to be back racing at Misano! It's our second home race, and the atmosphere is always incredible with our fans on the Ducati Grandstand. Last Sunday's GP at Aragon didn't go as we had hoped, but in the last few races, my feeling with the Desmosedici GP has been really positive, and that makes me very confident! I'm determined to finish our home Grand Prix with a good result!"
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