Qualifying:
Quali was looking familiar at the Red Bull track, with Jorge Martin on pole, Fabio Quartararo P2 and Francesco Bagnaia P3. Away from that, the big news for the weekend was that Maverick Vinales had been suspended from the Yamaha Factory Team, for “inappropriate use of the motorcycle”. At the last round in Austria, where he was in last place, his apparent frustration got the better of him, he revved the engine to the limiter on four occasions. Whether he was trying to blow the engine, who knows, but he could have, with dire consequences for him and the other riders. Post-race it was announced he HAS signed for Aprilia for 2022, so let’s hope with a clear head space, we will see the proper racer Maverick back at his best… Since then, Yamaha and Maverick have mutually decided to part ways as of immediate effect, leaving questions like, Will Cal Crutchlow ride the second bike for the rest of the season and will Maverick take his Aprilia seat early with Savadori out injured? Only time will tell.
The Race:
It was declared a flag to flag race, and as the riders took their positions on the grid there were already spots of rain and ominous looking clouds around the Styrian hills. Jorge Martin catapulted off the line to take the lead, with other riders going wide at the first corner, a collision was narrowly avoided. Francesco Bagnaia wasted no time in pulling into the lead on the first lap, with Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco completing a Ducati triple at the front with Marc Marquez P4 and Fabio Quartararo P5. Already the white flags were waving, indicating rain, and the choice of coming in for a wet set up bike.
Twenty two laps to go and Francesco Bagnaia was still leading with Fabio Quartararo P2 and Marc Marquez P3, yes he was back on form and looking feisty. Thunder was resounding around the track and the white with red cross flags were out, indicating significant wet conditions, and this was a flag to flag race, who would break first and head for the pits for a wet set up bike? Fabio Quartararo, with most to lose in the championship standings, was riding like he didn’t care and took the lead from Bagnaia, brave riding from the young Frenchman, but soon he ran wide and Bagnaia was back in P1, Fabio P2 and Marquez P3. These top three circulated for 11 laps in the same positions, until Marquez took Fabio for P2.
Nine laps to go and Johann Zarco crashed out, a blow for his championship fight with Quartararo. Brad Binder was sixth, watch this space. With five laps to go, this is where the race went into looney tunes mode, with Jack Miller and Alex Rins coming in for a bike change. Four laps to go, the leading group of Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Fabio Quartararo and Joan Mir all hit the pit lane for a bike change. There were exceptions and Brad Binder was foremost, electing to stay out on slicks.
Three laps to go and now in the lead was Brad Binder, Aleix Espargaro P2 and Takaaki Nakagami P3, and Valentino P4, then P3 which had the V46 fans in the stands very excited. Two laps to go and Marc Marquez went down even though he was now on wets, his bike change gamble not working out. Bagnaia was now flying on his wet shod Ducati and the same for Jorge Martin and Joan Mir, Quartararo a little behind.
Over the line, for a brave and exciting finish, it was Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. P2 Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team. P3 Jorge Martin Pramac Racing.
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Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
