We had a spectacular weekend in Motegi marked by a double from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who reduced his overall gap to Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) to just 10 points with four rounds remaining. Here are the main statements from a Japanese GP full of twists and turns.
“Marc, Vale, Lorenzo and Dovizioso… the Championship is coming back in this direction! »
After the race, Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín shared a moment in the cool room, where the Italian challenged his rival to approach the last round of the campaign with equal points, which the “Martinator” accepted with pleasure ! During Sunday’s press conference, Pecco Bagnaia highlighted the differences between the Championship battles over the years and the fact that this season is similar to some legendary struggles we have witnessed in the past, with the emergence of several contenders throughout the campaign.
Francesco Bagnaia: “When you watched the races in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, the battle was between Marc [Márquez]Vale [Rossi], [Jorge] Lorenzo and [Andrea] Dovizioso. They were always in the top four, or before with Casey [Stoner]. It was something different compared to today’s Championship. I think the Championship is moving back in that direction. The strongest are always at the top. Three or four races into the season, we started to see that Jorge and I were still in the lead, before Marc and Enea [Bastianini] does not narrow the gap. We still occupy the first four places. If you look at the gap today, we made the difference again.”
“This is the saddest moment of my career”
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) had a particularly frustrating weekend in Japan. The rookie took his first pole position but was unable to convert it into success due to crashes in both the Tissot Sprint and the main race while he was in contention for a big result. Despite this disappointment, No. 31 tries to focus on the positive.
“For sure, it was my most competitive weekend, so we learned and saw the difference. It’s also the saddest weekend. We were closer to the Ducatis and more comfortable, so… We know that we are not at the level of the Ducatis at the moment, but we saw that it was not impossible to get to this level and that they were not untouchable. We must understand that everything is done in stages. We have to be a little calmer while continuing to attack.”
“It’s definitely the saddest moment of my career. On the other hand, it was a weekend where I had the best feelings. It pains me to say it.”
“In less than three years he will be fighting with us in MotoGP™.”
Away from the premier category, David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Moto3™) made history by becoming the very first Colombian rider to win a world title. The new Moto3™ Champion went to take the crown in style and his performances caught the attention of the very best riders in the discipline.
Francesco Bagnaia: “I think he won 10 times in one season in a Moto3™ category where the races are like a jungle. He is the master of the last tricks. I think he is much stronger than anyone else in this category. I’m happy for him and for the team, because it’s the same team I was with in Moto3™. The same technicians, the same mechanics, so I’m happy for them. They did a great job. They deserve everything that happens to them because I think that being titled in Moto3™ with four races to go is not something within everyone’s reach.”
Jorge Martin: “On Saturday, I saw him in the elevator going to his room to sleep and he was still asking me how to do it. He didn’t need advice, he already knew his strategy. Really, he’s very intelligent and I think he’s very mature for his age. I think in less than three years he will be fighting with us in MotoGP™.”
Marc Marquez: “I love David, especially because he’s the type of guy who is fast, super talented, charismatic but down to earth. He can become a great champion, and I’m willing to bet he will be. He is already a champion, but he will be even better in the future. For now, we have to appreciate what the kid is doing. Next year he will make some mistakes in Moto2™ but we shouldn’t put too much pressure on him because he is very young. I hope and wish that he arrives at the highest level, that is to say in MotoGP™.
“Unbelievable, it’s crazy what happened”
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) once again suffered a double retirement this weekend in Japan but the #36 could do little to avoid his crash on Sunday as his RC213V was taken away off track by the Ducati Gresini of Alex Márquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in a strange accident. The 2020 World Champion emerged frustrated from this incident.
“At turn 11, I took the opportunity to overtake Alex Márquez and when we changed direction, I was in the middle of turn 12, he hit me hard at the back and his bike crashed. stuck between my saddle and my swing arm. I went straight into the gravel: it’s incredible, it’s crazy what happened.”
“I’m waiting to hear from race management, probably they’re sleeping or eating or something, I don’t know what they’re doing, and then I’m waiting for an apology. I think I need it. When you ruin someone’s race, you should apologize if you are truly sorry. It’s normal for me to be angry, and this isn’t the first time this has happened with him. The action is similar to Aragon and what happened with Pecco. It’s not exactly the same because I was clearly in front and Pecco was trying to overtake but his bike got stuck in the same place. It’s crazy, it’s crazy, it’s crazy! »
“We still look a little stupid”
At Yamaha, the riders did not hide their disappointment with their performances at Motegi. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) ran out of fuel again late in the race, while Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and wildcard Remy Gardner suffered all sorts of grip issues .
Fabio Quartararo: “Still the essence, the strategy…”
“Yes, it seems we’re looking a little stupid again.” Twice in three races, I think it’s a bit too much.”
“It’s just that they’re not yet happy with the electronics.” They might want to try a few things, but they’re not doing it the right way, and I think the strategy [avec le carburant] what we’re trying clearly isn’t working.”
“I’m also talking about the lights on the dashboard, that’s the main problem. They don’t work as expected. The light came on when I was out of fuel, it was too late! »
“I don’t know what to say. I won’t say exactly what I think. I think it was a really tough weekend. I felt like I had a worn tire on the first lap. I didn’t feel any grip from the start and that’s something you don’t understand. The grip of our bike depends too much on the track and not on the bike.”
Alex Rins : “I don’t know what to say. I’m disgusted, I did all the laps with a heart rate of 190, I gave my all for that, it was so difficult.”
“We started the race with the Austrian settings to see if we could improve the braking and have more contact at the rear. It was a little bit better, I could feel the bike a little better. But then, until the end, as soon as the tire gave out, it was almost impossible to control the rotation.”
“I don’t know what to say. We have to find something because this is definitely not the right way to do it. This is not the right method. I’m not satisfied with the work we’re doing.”
Remy Gardner : “Honestly, the biggest problem at the moment is the rear grip”
“I have an important appointment to take stock of my state of health”
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had another successful weekend marked by a sixth place in the Tissot Sprint and an eighth position in Sunday’s race despite a persistent problem with his collarbone. The Italian has not ruled out surgery before the end of the season and could make a decision after a visit to the doctor this week.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “On Wednesday, I have an important appointment to take stock of my state of health for today and next year. After that, we will understand everything. Of course, as I have said many times, my goal is to do as many races as possible and finish the season in style, but the important thing is also to arrive at the first Test at 100%, so we have Lots of things to take into account.”
“I’m sad and emotional, of course. This is my last home GP”
This weekend was also an opportunity for Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) to bid farewell to his fans for his last home appearance as a MotoGP™ starter. On Thursday, number 30 predicted a sad and emotional weekend for him, and he was not wrong! Find behind the scenes of the latter in Motegi below!
