NOTES FROM THE DESERT
It’s fair to say the world has been a pretty mad place for the last 12 months. We’ve had more than enough of the C word to last a lifetime. If there’s one thing we’re all looking forward to, it’s a gradual return to some semblance of normality.
Well, I’m delighted to be the bearer of glad tidings. After what feels like the longest of off-seasons, MotoGP is back – and it’s back to normal. Normal in this context is totally and absolutely bonkers. While 2021 still looks set to be a year of upheaval away from the track, on track it potentially has all the ingredients to be another vintage year across all three classes.
So, what did we learn from the opening salvos fired in the season opening Qatar double header? Have Yamaha solved their woes? That remains to be seen, but despite being well outgunned in terms of raw speed by the Ducatis, it was Maverick Viñales in round one and Fabio Quartararo in round two who took the headlines and the spoils, with a pair of off-the-scale performances.
Viñales’s victory in the opener was arguably his finest ever performance on the M1. While Quartararo and Viñales appeared to have it all their own way, their Yamaha stablemates, Morbidelli and Rossi, on the SRT Petronas satellite machines, certainly didn’t. Neither rider managed a top 10 finish in either race.
There was certainly plenty of head scratching in the Petronas box. If things don’t pick up quickly, then speculation will only increase that Rossi may finally decide to call it quits at the end of this year, particularly with the standard of the whippersnappers coming through.
On the subject of fearsome whippersnappers, Jorge Martin had a memorable start to his Ducati career, taking a maiden Pole Position for Pramac in only his second outing. A podium finish followed, which Martin dedicated to the late Fausto Gresini, whom we sadly lost to Covid during the winter. The loss has left a huge hole in the paddock, and Martin is one of many who owe a huge part of their success to the Italian. He will be missed.
It was Martin’s Pramac teammate and Quartararo’s fellow countryman, Johann Zarco, who left the Arabian Peninsula with the Championship lead, however. Zarco and Quartararo belting out La Marseillaise under the floodlights will live long in the memory. I’m betting it won’t be the last time we see it this year.
The faith that Ducati has put in Zarco following a disastrous 2019 with KTM is already looking like a stroke of genius. Quite what has happened to KTM over the winter is still a bit of a mystery.
Having made huge leaps last year and picking up a bunch of victories, early indications are that they appear to have lost their way a little. They won’t be too worried just yet, but they’ll be looking for a strong response in Europe.
Talking of worried bosses, it was a pretty forgettable start by Honda. They are missing a certain Marc Marquez more than ever. So are we! As good as MotoGP consistently is, it just ain’t the same without the gravity-defying lunacy and genius of the eight times world champion.
Signs are looking good for a strong return for Marquez imminently. Whether or not he’s still got it is the question, but there aren’t many people writing him off just yet.
The best of the action wasn’t confined to the MotoGP class. The 2021 Moto2 and Moto3 championships look like little belters. It was a perfect two from two for Sam Lowes in the Moto2 openers. The Lincs lad was back to his absolute best on the absolutely stunning MarcVDS machine.
In a series that’s faster and more powerful than ever, consistency and staying free from injury will be everything when the rounds start coming thick and fast. With Remy Gardner and teammate Raul Fernandez, Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio all looking like genuine contenders, we may get our Moto2 Sundays looking more like Moto3 Sundays.
Fate dished out an equal and opposite reaction to Moto3’s favourite Brit, John McPhee. The Scot was blamelessly taken out twice through no fault of his own, both times while firmly in contention. Understandably, McPhee reacted badly to the race two wipeout, having been smacked in the face at 100mph by Alcoba’s bike.
The resulting handbags saw McPhee receive a penalty of a 10-second delayed pitlane start for Portimão – further hampering his title hopes.
Oh, MotoGP you magnificent beast. How we’ve missed you. It’s great to be back to normality. So, Marquez for the title anybody?