Bang! We’re going racing… Unlike Moto 3 and 2, the premier class did not get to race at Qatar, so Jerez kicks off the year for the big boys.
Quali, well who’d have guessed it, Fabio Quartararo, the sensation of 2019, blasted his way to pole position, well he would, because we have been pro fabulous Fabio from the start. Next to him on P2 Maverick Vinales and P3 Marc Marquez. We had already lost Alex Rins with a nasty crash and a nasty injury, so come Sunday, they lined up for the race, a lot of nerves jangling, as it’s been eight months since they were last here.
Maverick shot away with Marc Marquez in close pursuit, and Fabio third, which then soon changed to fifth when Miller and Francesco Bagnia both took him. Unusual to see Fabio lose ground, as Maverick and Marc pulled a bit of a lead over the Pramac bikes. Early on we lost Joan Mir to a crash, leaving Suzuki with nothing more to look forward to over the weekend, Rins already sidelined.
Couple of laps in and Marquez sliced by Vinales, Maverick hit back but only briefly, with Marquez taking the lead once more, and pushing hard, possibly aware that Fabio would not sit too long before finding his rhythm. Then it happened, sweeping into a left-hander, missing his marker, he hit the kitty litter at astonishing speed and, well yes, kept going. Last place for the World Champion.
This left Vinales, Miller and Fabio Quartararo in the top three, and Fabio set about finding his rhythm, which soon had him slide past Miller, with 18 laps to go. Meanwhile, as expected, Marquez was picking them off one by one, making his way back to the front, the only question being how far he could go.
Fifteen laps to go and Vinales had a moment, and Fabio pounced, taking first place which was an inevitability with his pace and style, smooth as fromage frais.
Fabio’s pace was inexorable, posting almost exact times lap after lap, Miller and Maverick now flailing in his wake. Rossi pulled up with a mechanical issue, and it’s significant we have not mentioned him before, because, sadly, he was in a different race. With his expected but still incredible pace, Marquez was on for a second-place, having sliced past Miller, he set after Maverick. Four laps to go, and bang, the pushing had pushed too much and Marc was launched off the bike and into the kitty litter, the bike following and hitting him hard on his arm.
So last lap and final corner, it was Fabio Quartararo over the line first. We have been waiting and wanting to say that for some time. Well deserved, well-executed, and the most welcome win in the paddock. His victory celebration punch set off his suit airbag and you could see the emotion pouring out of this likeable 21-year-old.
1st. Fabio Quartararo Petronas Yamaha SRT 2nd Maverick Vinales Monster Energy Yamaha Moto GP 3rd Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Team.
Post-race we know Marc Marquez has a fractured elbow and other injuries sustained mostly when the bike hit him. We wish him well for a full and speedy recovery.
See you in a week, in, oh yeah Jerez!
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Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
