Teammates to the rescue!
In deciding a championship, it’s not just the success of those contending which influences the outcome. It also relates to how many others can squeeze themselves between the protagonists to inflict further damage. This is where Michael Rinaldi, Andrea Locatelli and Alex Lowes could play a crucial part.
Barcelona saw Lowes out-qualify Kawasaki teammate Jonathan Rea for the second time this year, while Toprak Razgatlioglu failed to make the front row for the first time and was slower than Locatelli. Reigning champion, Razgatlioglu, was beaten to a Sprint Race podium by Lowes and to second place in Race 2 by Rinaldi. “If you want something, you really have to fight for it,” Rinaldi said before singing his way across the paddock, trophy in hand.
It was a happy sight to see Lowes on the rostrum for the first time since Donington Park – and in the Sprint Race he challenged Bautista for victory before, for the second race in a row, allowing Rea to pass. Unfortunately, Lowes’ weekend terminated in the gravel in Race
2. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise very positive event.
Also back on the podium was Garrett Gerloff, ironically on the rostrum for GRT Yamaha having now been confirmed as a Bonovo BMW rider for 2023. So efficient was the Texan’s tyre-preserving ride that he chased Jonathan Rea all the way to the chequered flag. Sunday was less successful: tenth in the Sprint Race and crashing in Race 2.
There was lots of optimism for those not fighting for the title, although they remained inconsistent. Apart from Rinaldi, whose brake problems prevented the possibility of three podiums, the top three over a race weekend are very much still Bautista, Razgatlioglu and Rea.
‘If you want something, you have to fight’