CAN AGNAIA EAT A IO TO THE TITLE
Not so long ago the smart money said Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo would have a clear run at the 2021 crown, but is Pecco Bagnaia about to throw a Ducati-shaped spanner into the works?
With a 48-point lead Quartararo remains the clear favourite, but it’s not in the bag. Over the past two rounds Bagnaia has outscored his French rival by 22 points and his last two races have shown he’s the fastest rider in the world right now. We know Quartararo cracked under the pressure last year and while he’s showing no signs of that happening in 2021 – this is the first time he’s had any real threat to the title supremacy he’s enjoyed since round five. Bagnaia also has other strings to his bow. Unlike Quartararo, who is most definitely flying solo onboard his M1, Bagnaia has a glut of fellow Desmo riders seemingly keen to assist. Factory teammate Jack Miller has already pledged his support with fellow riders reading from the same script. Ducati are leading the constructors’ title race, but the accolade they seek is the rider championship – their one and only glory came in 2007 thanks to Casey Stoner. 14 years is a long time in anyone’s book, so expect the Italians to be pulling out all the stops and doing everything they can and more to get their golden boy over the line.
Last year, with Marquez gone, Fabio Quartararo started strong – early title favourite. It only took a few races to go wrong. And while he came back to win again, his off days were so far off he dropped to eighth overall.
This year he is a very different rider. Psychological coaching over the winter combines with another year of experience to present a challenge that hasn’t faltered – even when stricken with arm-pump at Jerez or that weird zip incident in Catalunya. Along with tyre pressure problems in Aragon (8th), those were his worst results. But he dealt with them differently from before, staying calm and confident, coming back completely unfazed. Nine podiums including five wins tell the story, compared with Bagnaia’s six podiums and two wins. The Italian is a worthy rival. But too late, and too inconsistent. With a 48-point lead, one no-score would mean Fabio would still only have to follow Pecco home for the other races, even if the Ducati rider were to win all four. Which he won’t.
‘Ducati will be pulling out all the stops’
MICHAEL GUY
MCN Sports Editor
‘Quartararo is confident and unfazed’
MICHAEL SCOTT
MotoGP pundit