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Marquez back on top with dominant win in Germany

2021 MotoGP Round Eight Sachsenring


581 days ago, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) stood atop the MotoGP podium in Valencia. It was a normal Sunday for the eight-time World Champion, another notch in an ever-increasing roll call of history made and victories earned. There was no Covid-19, the grandstands were full and always had been, and the number 93 was on top of the world. Three surgeries, nearly a season on the sidelines and a whole different world later, Marquez is back on top of that rostrum – and he did it in style. Taking over at the front early on and then putting the hammer down even as rain threatened, the number 93 withstood ever-increasing pressure from Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to take his 11th win in a row at the Sachsenring, which is also his eighth in a row at the venue in the premier class. 30 laps leading to 25 points, prefaced by 581 days.

Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez

This is one of the most important, and hardest, moments of my career. Today I knew there was a great opportunity to do something. When I crossed the line I just enjoyed it and then arriving with my whole team there, emotional, it helps a lot after such a difficult situation. It’s impossible to come back alone, you need people, you need a good team, a good team of doctors, a physio, Honda, Honda respect me a lot. Alberto Puig, Emilio Alzamora, my family, they helped me a lot. Now it’s time to enjoy this weekend, we were looking for a petrol station but now we found one and the fuel tank is full again. It’s extra motivation for me, for Honda, for the engineers, for the team and let’s see what the future brings. When I saw some drops of rain on lap four of five, I said; it’s my race. I started pushing at this point and then when it started to rain harder, I pushed even more and then the second race with Oliveira began. He pushed so hard and was very fast, it was hard to keep concentrated because all the memories, everything I have lived over the last year, came into my mind. But we did it. We will do it again.”

Marc Marquez

Oliveira pushed as much as he could but makes it three podiums in a row as he comes closer than most ever have – or will – to taking the throne from the King of the Ring, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) increasing his Championship lead in third place.


Sachsenring GP Race Report

Marquez squeezed up the inside of Quartararo in tun one

It was Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) who took the holeshot from the off though, with Marquez blasting through into second and standing Quartararo up as the number 93 made it immediately clear he’d be racing to win in Germany. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) then struck against Quartararo too as El Diablo initially lost out a little, with one man doing the opposite: Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The South African stormed up from P13 to seventh on Lap 1.

Aleix Espargaro took the lead early on

By the end of said Lap 1, there was another move further ahead as Marquez struck for the lead at the final corner. Past the Aprilia of Aleix Espargaro there and staying ahead into Turn 1, it was a statement of intent but the number 93 couldn’t shake him off just yet. Next time around the two went toe-to-toe again, but Marquez retained that lead… and then began to grow it as the white flag came out.

Marquez leads

The Sachsenring is no stranger to spots of rain, and as a few began to fall the flag showed that riders could, if they so chose, come in to change bikes. Marquez’ reaction to that, as Aleix Espargaro dropped back, was to push even more – and sure enough, the bravery paid off with a nice cushion leaving him with some breathing space at the front.

Marquez started to break away as some light drops of rain fell

Meanwhile, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Oliveira had made their way past Quartararo and then Zarco before also slicing through on Aleix Espargaro. By a third of the race run, Oliveira struck against Miller too, the Portuguese rider taking over in second and inheriting the task of trying to chase down Marc Marquez at the Sachsenring. But boy, did he try.

Jack Miller, Aleix Espargaro, Fabio Quartararo

Two seconds became 1.9 became 1.8, with the KTM rider in the groove as he tried to haul in every meter possible on a charge for the front. Chipping away a tenth here and a tenth there, it seemed to be a matter of time, surely, before the Portuguese rider caught up? The gap was steadfastly going one way: down.

It started to look as though Oliveira would run Marquez down as he reduced the gap

With only a handful of laps to go, it looked like game on. From hovering at 1.2 to suddenly only nine tenths, Oliveira showcased more great racecraft to back up his stunner in Barcelona. But Marquez wouldn’t be fazed. It went back up over a second as the eight-time World Champion responded and then, suddenly, that seemed it was it: one more tenth, then a few more, and suddenly the Honda had a second and a half in hand once again. Now, all that was left was to bring it home.

Oliveira got the gap down to just under a second but Marquez responded

That Marquez did, with a nod of his head to the Repsol Honda Team waiting on pit wall as he secured that incredible eighth premier class win in a row at the Sachsenring. An achievement that would have made headlines alone, if not for 581 days and career-endangering injury in between his trips to the top step of the MotoGP podium.

A big day for HRC and everyone in Honda’s MotoGP effort after some very difficult times

Tears, cheers and some serious emotion poured out as one of the truly great comebacks saw the eight-time World Champion wrap up another premier class victory.

And then of course there is the relief felt by this man…

Oliveira, after calling time on his charge, came home in second for yet another podium – his third in a row – ahead of Quartararo as the Frenchman made up some previously lost ground to round out the rostrum. Just behind him, Brad Binder came home fourth to make it an even better day for KTM.

Marquez takes a moment to compose himself

Fifth place went to a Ducati, but not the early scene stealers. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was near the end of the points on Lap 1, the Italian seemingly out of the fight for the front. But he made steady and impressive progress to eventually pip teammate Jack Miller to the final place in the top five, the Aussie forced to settled for sixth. Also seemingly somewhat forced to settle were Aleix Espargaro in P7 and, in the end, Zarco down in eighth, losing some ground to Quartararo in the standings.

A big day for Marquez and HRC

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) likewise made an early charge into the top ten, but the reigning Champion’s challenge bottomed out before he could attack any further forward, the number 36 taking home ninth although just two tenths behind Zarco. A little further off that duel, Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) completed the top ten.

Look at the relief in those eyes

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), despite his injury struggles, came home in P11 and just fought off the attention of the likewise-returning Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing). The number 89 was top rookie at the Ring and took some solid points after earlier fighting further forward. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemutsu) was 13th ahead of Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT), the Doctor taking two points. Completing those points was Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia) as he beat fellow rookie and teammate Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) to P15 by a tenth.

And then the jubilation

There are a few usual front runners missing from that list. After a difficult qualifying, Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) had their day go from bad to worse at the start as they were running last. It didn’t get better from there either, with both staying on but coming home as the final two finishers split by a few tenths. Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) also failed to score after they crashed out together, and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) slid out.

Marc Marquez and Repsol HRC celebrate

2021 Sachsenring MotoGP Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Marc MARQUEZ Honda 41m07.243
2 Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM +1.61
3 Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha +6.772
4 Brad BINDER KTM +7.922
5 Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati +8.591
6 Jack MILLER Ducati +9.086
7 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia +9.371
8 Johann ZARCO Ducati +11.439
9 Joan MIR Suzuki +11.625
10 Pol ESPARGARO Honda +14.769
11 Alex RINS Suzuki +16.803
12 Jorge MARTIN Ducati +16.915
13 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda +19.217
14 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha +22.3
15 Luca MARINI Ducati +23.615
16 Enea BASTIANINI Ducati +23.738
17 Iker LECUONA KTM +23.946
18 Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha +24.414
19 Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha +24.715
Not Classified
DNF Lorenzo SAVADORI Aprilia 25 Laps
DNF Danilo PETRUCCI KTM 26 Laps
DNF Alex MARQUEZ Honda 26 Laps

2021 MotoGP Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha 131
2 Johann ZARCO Ducati 109
3 Jack MILLER Ducati 100
4 Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati 99
5 Joan MIR Suzuki 85
6 Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha 75
7 Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM 74
8 Brad BINDER KTM 56
9 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 53
10 Marc MARQUEZ Honda 41
11 Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha 40
12 Pol ESPARGARO Honda 35
13 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 34
14 Alex RINS Suzuki 28
15 Enea BASTIANINI Ducati 26
16 Alex MARQUEZ Honda 25
17 Jorge MARTIN Ducati 23
18 Danilo PETRUCCI KTM 23
19 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha 17
20 Luca MARINI Ducati 14
21 Iker LECUONA KTM 13
22 Stefan BRADL Honda 11
23 Lorenzo SAVADORI Aprilia 4
24 Michele PIRRO Ducati 3
25 Tito RABAT Ducati 1

Moto2


Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) waited a little while to take to the top step in 2021, but the Australian has now done it three times in a row and is the first from his nation to do so. Another imperious performance saw him enjoy what looked almost like a track day at the Sachsenring, with team-mate Raul Fernandez initially on his tail before sliding out. Aron Canet (Aspar Team Moto2) returned to the intermediate class podium in second, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) locking out the rostrum in third.

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Podium
1 Remy Gardner- Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 39:39.191
2 Aron Canet – Aspar Team Moto2 – Boscoscuro – +6.158
3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +7.030

It was a big day for the fathers/sons of a few Aussie motorcycling legends over the weekend. Remy Gardner, son of 500cc World Champion Wayne; Oli Bayliss, son of three-time World Superbike Champion Troy took his first ASBK Superbike victory; and Jack Doohan, son of five-time 500cc World Champion Mick, took victory in the FIA Formula Three Championship.

Remy Gardner

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Race Report

As the lights went out it was Fernandez and Gardner who got the jump down into Turn 1, whilst Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) got a terrible getaway and was left mired down in fifth. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was up to third ahead of Bezzecchi, who held position from his starting place. It was also a good start from Jorge Navarro (+EGO Speed Up), likewise holding his position from the start of the race.

Moto2 Sachsenring 2021

It became clear from the early stages that the race would be between the two Red Bull KTM Ajos, with Fernandez leading until Gardner got ahead of him at Turn 12 on Lap 2. Whilst both were racing away at the front at a rate of around a second a lap, it would be a mistake that would see the title pendulum swing in favour of Gardner: suddenly, Fernandez tucked the front at Turn 3. The rookie faltered for the first time in 2021 and the Australian was left to race against concentration, and himself. Crossing the line for his third win in a row with some real breathing space, he got the job done and now leads by 36 points over Fernandez in the standings…

Fernandez and Gardner broke away

Canet was left in second and the Aspar rider pushed to stay there, with a big gap slowly but surely diminishing as the race went on. Bezzecchi was the man on the chase but just came up a second short, nevertheless taking the podium after repelling the attentions of Di Giannantonio, who was forced to settle for fourth.

Remy Gardner

Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pinched fifth place in the closing stages to deny Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), although the home hero had fought valiantly from 17th on the grid. Jorge Navarro, Albert Arenas (Aspar Team Moto2), Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) completed the top ten, that for Arenas a first Moto2 top ten and Beaubier giving America a third top ten of 2021.

Remy Gardner

The final lap also saw numerous positions squandered, as Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out of sixth place at Turn 1. Then, further down the order, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) crashed from 11th, also at Turn 1. Then, at Turn 8, it was Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) who crashed out from fifth, promoting Lowes vs Schrötter.

Remy Gardner

There was also drama for Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) earlier in the race as the two collided at Turn 12, resulting in Dixon running off and Fernandez going down.

The winner of the 200th Moto2 race is Remy Gardner!

Before the race my brother messaged me, ‘yo go win it today! You’ll be the first Australian to win three consecutively in the intermediate class!’ I guess I’m making history so that’s cool! Honestly I expected a hard battle today, Raul’s been really strong all weekend, I thought Diggia would be there, I don’t know what happened. Especially in Warm Up Raul had better pace than me so I was expecting a good long fight. I knew Raul would struggle a bit with the front tyre but I saw I had a bit more pace in the first laps so I passed him and just tried to go, but being smooth. Then a few laps later I saw plus 4 and a half, or something like that, and I was just trying then to not lose concentration. It was a really long race, a lot of laps around here. Happy to get those 25 points, it was an extremely important day for us.

Remy Gardner
The winner of the 200th Moto2 race is Remy Gardner!

Before the race my brother messaged me, ‘yo go win it today! You’ll be the first Australian to win three consecutively in the intermediate class!’ I guess I’m making history so that’s cool! Honestly I expected a hard battle today, Raul’s been really strong all weekend, I thought Diggia would be there, I don’t know what happened. Especially in Warm Up Raul had better pace than me so I was expecting a good long fight. I knew Raul would struggle a bit with the front tyre but I saw I had a bit more pace in the first laps so I passed him and just tried to go, but being smooth. Then a few laps later I saw plus 4 and a half, or something like that, and I was just trying then to not lose concentration. It was a really long race, a lot of laps around here. Happy to get those 25 points, it was an extremely important day for us.

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 39m39.191
2 Aron CANET Boscoscuro +6.158
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex +7.03
4 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex +8.145
5 Sam LOWES Kalex +9.888
6 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex +10
7 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro +16.039
8 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro +19.394
9 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex +21.718
10 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex +26.393
11 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex +26.732
12 Alonso LOPEZ Kalex +26.835
13 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex +28.034
14 Barry BALTUS NTS +28.984
15 Celestino VIETTI Kalex +31.414
16 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex +33.176
17 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS +33.425
18 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex +39.638
19 Thomas LUTHI Kalex +39.682
20 Stefano MANZI Kalex +44.613
21 Jake DIXON Kalex +47.416
Not Classified
DNF Ai OGURA Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Xavi VIERGE Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Joe ROBERTS Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 14 Laps
DNF Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex 22 Laps
DNF Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 22 Laps
DNF Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex 24 Laps
DNF Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro 25 Laps

Moto2 Championship Points Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 164
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex 128
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex 117
4 Sam LOWES Kalex 86
5 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex 73
6 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex 59
7 Aron CANET Boscoscuro 55
8 Joe ROBERTS Kalex 50
9 Xavi VIERGE Kalex 42
10 Ai OGURA Kalex 39
11 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex 38
12 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex 34
13 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro 33
14 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex 30
15 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex 26
16 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro 18
17 Stefano MANZI Kalex 17
18 Celestino VIETTI Kalex 16
19 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex 16
20 Jake DIXON Kalex 11
21 Hector GARZO Kalex 11
22 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex 11
23 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex 10
24 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS 8
25 Simone CORSI MV Agusta 7
26 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 6
27 Alonso LOPEZ Kalex 4
28 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro 4
29 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 3
30 Barry BALTUS NTS 2
31 Thomas LUTHI Kalex 2
32 Yari MONTELLA Boscoscuro 0
33 Tommaso MARCON MV Agusta 0
34 Miquel PONS MV Agusta 0
35 Fraser ROGERS NTS 0
36 Taiga HADA NTS 0
37 Piotr BIESIEKIRSKI Kalex 0
38 Keminth KUBO Kalex 0

Moto3

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took back the Moto3 momentum at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, the rookie sensation slicing through to fight at the front and then holding off Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) on the final lap. Toba took his first podium since his 2019 win in Qatar after an impressive Sunday’s work, with Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) completing the podium after leading much of the race and then seeing Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) get a one position penalty for exceeding track limits and then failing to give the place back.

Aussie youngster Joel Kelso made his Moto3 debut from the eighth row of the grid. Taking advantage of the mistakes of his rivals, the young Australian crossed the finish line in 17th place.

Joel Kelso
Joel Kelso – P17

I’m happy with the work we did this weekend. We made progress and closed the gap to the leaders in every session. I’m still getting used to the bike and we need to keep working like that. We suffered a lot during the race but we are taking the positives from it. We learned from the team and the bike. Every time we go faster. This is the right way to work. We will be closer in Assen and we can enjoy our weekend even more.”

Joel Kelso
Alain Bronec (CIP Green Power Team Owner)

A fantastic weekend! Yesterday, Kaito was fifth fastest. He crashed, he had a sore shoulder, but everything went well in the race. We knew he could be there and that he could be in front. But now he clearly showed us that he was on top. As for Kelso, for his first Grand Prix, he improved in every session. The race was difficult, because the pace was high. He had a bit more difficulty because these races are different from the ones he has done so far. Yesterday we were one-second off, this morning we were nine-tenths off. Everything is going well and we will continue to work in Assen.”

Moto3 Race Report

By the exit of Turn 2 it was Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) into the lead, the number 24 fighting off Toba through Turn 1 as the two made an initial break, but soon the number 27 fought back and headed through to lead the train at the front. Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) soon bolted into pitlane for his ride through as Foggia hit the front, before Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia) crashed from the lead group after he found himself on the outside of Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Masia got a Long Lap penalty for the incident not long after.

Meanwhile at the front, it was Foggia vs Acosta but the Italian held strong, leading a few laps with no one able to get past. When they did though, it was once again Toba and Acosta on the attack, the two making their presence felt in the early stages.

With 15 to go, a multi-rider shuffle at Turn 1 saw Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) make contact with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and the Turk crash, as well as Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) as he got caught up in it. Öncü was able to rejoin down the order, before even more drama hit not long after. Masia overcooked it at Turn 1 and slid out, and Yamanaka crashed tagging Stefano Nepa (BOE Owlride). That also caused Fenati to run off in avoiding action. The Italian got back on track in P13 but ten seconds off 12th, and then received a Long Lap penalty for his earlier contact with Öncü.

After the carnage and run offs, there were 10 riders in the front group, followed by the duo of John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Elia Bartolini (Avintia Esponsorama) a few seconds. The Scot had earlier been shuffled down the order avoiding the Öncü incident. Fenati was another eight seconds behind them, with Andi Izdihar (Honda Team Asia) in P14 and then Binder, with the South African on for a point after a drama-free ride past the crashes and run offs that had been ahead of him.

Back at the front, Foggia raced on. And by six to go the Italian was creating a little daylight behind him, with Acosta the man on the chase – directly followed by his closest challenger in the points, Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). It didn’t last long though, with the gap chopped down and Acosta back at the head of the train. Alcoba was on a charge through the order, but the Spaniard exceeded track limits on the way and was told to drop a position…

Onto the final lap, it remained the Championship leader in the race lead and the number 37 kept the hammer down. He held his nerve against Foggia, who tried a move for the lead at Turn 7 but ran wide. Alcoba also then pushed his way through before Toba followed suit, the Japanese rider then challenging Alcoba for second. He got him at Turn 12, before setting his sights on Acosta going into the final corner for the final time…

Pedro Acosta did it again

Acosta, however, couldn’t be stopped and increases his advantage to 55 points, as well as giving KTM their first Moto3 win at the Sachsenring since 2014. Second went to Toba, his first podium since the Teruel Grand Prix in 2020, and Alcoba crossed the line in third – but hadn’t complied with the penalty. He was therefore demoted, with Foggia onto the podium.

Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) took fifth behind Alcoba, with Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama) classified sixth as Sergio Garcia and Tatsuki Suzuki were demoted a place each into seventh and eighth, respectively. Rookie Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing) took ninth, in the end the last man in the front group, with Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the top ten a little further back.

McPhee was next up, just getting the better of an impressive ride from rookie and injury replacement Elia Bartolini (Avintia Esponsorama), with Fenati, Binder and Izdihar the final scorers.

Pedro Acosta – P1

It was a hard race, so long. it was difficult to manage the tyres, but I think the team gave me the best bike they could give me. I think I can only say thanks to the team, the guys that help me everyday to improve, and I can’t say more.”

2021 Sachsenring Moto3 Podium
1 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 39:38.791
2 Kaito Toba – CIP Green Power – KTM – +0.130
3 Dennis Foggia – Leopard Racing – Honda – +0.259
Kaito Toba – P2

It was a tough race. Up until qualifying we had done a good job. I made a mistake in Q2 and crashed. I was a bit sore, but I managed to push during the race. With six laps to go I felt more pain, but I stayed focused and pushed until the end. I finished on the podium and I am very happy. I would like to thank the team and all my mechanics. They did a great job and we will keep working like this.

2021  Sachsenring Moto3 Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Pedro ACOSTA KTM 39m38.791
2 Kaito TOBA KTM +0.13
3 Dennis FOGGIA Honda +0.259
4 Jeremy ALCOBA Honda +0.206
5 Andrea MIGNO Honda +0.459
6 Niccolò ANTONELLI KTM +0.728
7 Sergio GARCIA GASGAS +0.537
8 Tatsuki SUZUKI Honda +0.647
9 Xavier ARTIGAS Honda +0.864
10 Izan GUEVARA GASGAS +6.557
11 John MCPHEE Honda +7.512
12 Elia BARTOLINI KTM +7.576
13 Romano FENATI Husqvarna +20.902
14 Darryn BINDER Honda +37.855
15 Andi Farid IZDIHAR Honda +38.297
16 Deniz ÖNCÜ KTM +54.714
17 Joel KELSO KTM +58.423
18 Ryusei YAMANAKA KTM +1m27.070
Not Classified
DNF Stefano NEPA KTM 12 Laps
DNF Jaume MASIA KTM 13 Laps
DNF Riccardo ROSSI KTM 13 Laps
DNF Lorenzo FELLON Honda 15 Laps
DNF Filip SALAC Honda 15 Laps
DNF Gabriel RODRIGO Honda 17 Laps
DNF Adrian FERNANDEZ Husqvarna 20 Laps
DNF Yuki KUNII Honda 24 Laps

Moto3 Championship Points Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Pedro ACOSTA KTM 145
2 Sergio GARCIA GASGAS 90
3 Jaume MASIA KTM 72
4 Niccolò ANTONELLI KTM 65
5 Romano FENATI Husqvarna 64
6 Dennis FOGGIA Honda 61
7 Darryn BINDER Honda 60
8 Andrea MIGNO Honda 58
9 Ayumu SASAKI KTM 57
10 Jeremy ALCOBA Honda 52
11 Gabriel RODRIGO Honda 51
12 Kaito TOBA KTM 49
13 Filip SALAC Honda 35
14 Izan GUEVARA GASGAS 32
15 Ryusei YAMANAKA KTM 28
16 John MCPHEE Honda 27
17 Jason DUPASQUIER KTM 27
18 Tatsuki SUZUKI Honda 26
19 Deniz ÖNCÜ KTM 24
20 Xavier ARTIGAS Honda 23
21 Riccardo ROSSI KTM 16
22 Carlos TATAY KTM 14
23 Stefano NEPA KTM 14
24 Adrian FERNANDEZ Husqvarna 10
25 Elia BARTOLINI KTM 7
26 Yuki KUNII Honda 7
27 Maximilian KOFLER KTM 3
28 Andi Farid IZDIHAR Honda 2
29 Daniel HOLGADO KTM 1
30 Lorenzo FELLON Honda 0
31 Joel KELSO KTM 0
32 Takuma MATSUYAMA Honda 0

2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar

Round Date Location
Round 1 Mar-28 Qatar, Losail (night race)
Round 2 Apr-04 Doha, Losail (night race)
Round 3 Apr-18 Portugal, Portimao
Round 4 May-02 Spain, Jerez
Round 5 May-16 France, Le Mans
Round 6 May-30 Italy- Mugello
Round 7 Jun-06 Catalunya, Barcelona
Round 8 Jun-20 Germany, Sachsenring
Round 9 Jun-27 Netherlands, Assen
Round 10 Jul-11 Finland, KymiRing (subject to homologation)
Round 11 Aug-15 Austria, Red Bull Ring
Round 12 Aug-29 Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 13 Sep-12 Aragon, Motorland Aragon
Round 14 Sep-19 Sam Marino, Misano
Round 15 Oct-03 Japan, Motegi
Round 16 Oct-10 Thailand, Chang International Circuit
Round 17 Oct-24 Australia, Phillip Island
Round 18 Oct-31 Malaysia, Sepang
Round 19 Nov-14 Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Round 20 TBA Argentina, Termas de Rio Hondo
Round 21 TBA Americas, COTA

Source: MCNews.com.au

Marc Márquez identifies 2021 Honda MotoGP bike weakness. Marc Marquez says he was better able to understand the weak points of …

Marc Márquez identifies 2021 Honda MotoGP bike weakness.

Marc Marquez says he was better able to understand the weak points of the 2021 Honda MotoGP bike compared to its predecessor during last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

The six-time MotoGP world champion rode to eighth in last Sunday’s Jerez race, the second of his comeback from a nine-month injury layoff.

Though he is still not at his physical peak yet, he admitted his condition was better on the bike than it was in Portugal, and this allowed him for the first time this year to understand more about the 2021 RC213V.

Having followed teammate Pol Espargaro, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl and Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco in the Spanish GP, Marquez noted the 2021 RC213V is weak mid-exit of corners.

“I had the opportunity to follow Stefan, to follow Pol and also to follow Johann for a few laps,” Marquez said when asked by Motorsport.com where he found the bike to be weaker compared to the last Honda he rode.

“And where we are losing more is mid-exit corner.

“So, it’s where normally if you want to ride fast and consistent, it’s where you need to be strong and it’s where we are losing more.

“So, we need to understand why. Now we are trying to analyse all the thing.

“I mean, for me the key of this weekend is that I improved a lot my physical condition compared to Portimao.”

Marquez had hoped to further evaluate the bike in Monday’s post-race test at Jerez, but pulled out after just seven laps owing to pain in his neck from his big FP3 crash – which he admitted left him “destroyed” after the grand prix.

“So, we didn’t test. We just did one run and the second run I already felt something,” he said on Monday.

“My body was locked, especially the neck and also the right shoulder.

“It’s something similar but in a better way to Portimao. In Portimao I rode and I suffered a lot, and then on Monday I was completely locked. But here in Jerez I felt better.

“It’s true the crash I had on Saturday didn’t help the situation, but anyway I tried because I thought that maybe when the body got warm it would be ok.

“But immediately I saw I was not in a good level to ride the bike and try things.”

Honda riders had a busy test on Monday, with all of them trying various new parts – with the marque bringing five different aerodynamic fairings to evaluate.

After declaring his RC213V “a mess” in the Jerez race, Espargaro expressed frustration at the fact all Honda riders during the Spanish GP weekend were working with different packages and felt this is holding back development.


Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook

FINALLY THEY ADMIT IT!! HRC – Honda Racing Corporation ADMITS THEY ARE FACING ISSUES!!

FINALLY THEY ADMIT IT!! HRC – Honda Racing Corporation ADMITS THEY ARE FACING ISSUES!!

“We’re facing some issues” – Puig opens up on HRC drama
For the first time, the Repsol Honda Team Manager has openly admitted that the Japanese factory are up against it in 2021

Repsol Honda Team’s Alberto Puig, usually unyielding in his views, has admitted for the first time that HRC are “facing some issues”. His comments come after Pol Espargaró branded the weekend “a mess”, believing the three different packages running in Jerez were doing more harm than good, and Marc Márquez likewise admitting they were “struggling a lot”.

Puig says “new parts” are coming and that was certainly the case at the Official Test with the Japanese factory unveiling five different aerodynamic packages, three different chassis and a whole host of other new items as they look to overcome their current predicament.

“The negative point is that we, as Honda HRC, understand that we are facing some issues with the bike” began the Repsol Honda boss. “But we have been able to already recognize them. We are trying our best, we are bringing new parts soon and we are willing, and already working very hard, to give our best to the riders for the next races.”

Puig, who was absent from Jerez with health issues, did, however, praise Honda’s leading light in Jerez: Taka_Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). The Japanese rider matched his career-best MotoGP™ result of fourth, making the absolute most of the 2020 chassis at his disposal.

“Certainly, the race from Nakagami was one of the very positive points of Sunday in Jerez,” admitted Puig. “He overcame his physical issues that he sustained in his fall in Portimao, and he showed that he is mentally very strong. Taka was not in a perfect condition, but he did a good race and was only 0.7s away from his first podium in the premier class.

“Another positive was that Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro were alright after they both had very big crashes. Marc, despite two very fast falls, was able to finish the race ten seconds behind the leader which, importantly, was three seconds closer to the winner than in Portugal.”

#MarcIsBack #MM93 #MMM93 #SpanishGP Marc Márquez Official Fan Club MALTA HRC – Honda Racing Corporation Box_Repsol

Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook

Marc Márquez doesn’t know when he’ll be fully fit on MotoGP bike. Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez admits he doesn’t…

Marc Márquez doesn’t know when he’ll be fully fit on MotoGP bike.

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez admits he doesn’t know when he’ll be fully fit this season after making his comeback from injury last weekend in Portugal.

The Honda rider scored an impressive seventh-place finish at Portimao in his first race in nine months since breaking his right arm in last July’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Marquez had only ridden a motorcycle three times since his aborted comeback at the second Jerez race last year and was off two wheels on the month prior to Portugal on doctors orders.

This meant he suffered in the latter stages of the Portuguese GP, admitting he couldn’t even get his elbow down such was his physical state.

Marquez has been ordered by doctors not to ride any bikes between races and keep his gym training light while the bone in his arm continues to strengthen.

This, coupled with the varying physical nature of MotoGP tracks, has made it difficult for Marquez to aim for a time when he expects to be fully fit again.

“Honestly speaking I don’t know, because it depends on the circuit, if it’s really physical track or not,” he said when asked when he expected to be back to full fitness.

“For example, the last seven laps [in Portugal] I was not even able to use the elbow to touch the ground.

“I was riding in a really strange riding style and I was not able to do anything.

“Another important point that we already speak with the doctors before this race, and the comeback to the competition means the training at home has to be less.

“So, that means now from race to race I will not ride any bike, I will just train at the gym three, four days maximum and with not a lot of weight [training] because the bone is ok, but the stress that we can put on the bone must be progressive.

“It cannot be every day and every week. So, this is another reason that will of course means it will take time to come back in a good physical condition.

“But I must follow the advice from the doctors because they give to me the opportunity a MotoGP bike.

“So, now I will just ride a bike race by race, and then after the next check we’ll see how the bone is and if we can do a little bit more.

“But the next check will be after Jerez.”

Marquez sits 14th in the championship on nine points after his comeback race with a not insurmountable 52-point gap to standings leader Fabio Quartararo.

In 2020, Joan Mir came from 48 points adrift in 14th after the first three rounds to win the championship, while Marquez overcame a 37-point deficit after six races in 2017 to win the title.


Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook

Marc Marquez out for ‘two to three months’

Marc Marquez and HRC change tack

In a statement released overnight HRC and Marc Marquez have drastically changed the previous return strategy and are now saying Marc will be out for ‘two to three months’.


Marc Marquez will continue recovering in the coming weeks. The MotoGP World Champion together with HRC, have consulted with and compared the opinions of a number of specialists in regard to the injury to the humerus of the right arm that Marc suffered on July 19 at the Spanish Grand Prix.

As a result, all parties have decided to modify the planned recovery process.

The objective of both Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team is to return to the World Championship when Marc’s arm has fully recovered from the serious injury that occurred in Jerez.

It is estimated it will take between two to three months before Marc can return to the RC213V. HRC has not set a Grand Prix for the return of the reigning World Champion and will continue to report on the evolution of his recovery.

Alberto Puig – Team Manager

There has been a lot of talk about Marc’s recovery and the various deadlines, but from the first day after the second operation we have said that the only objective that exists is for him to be one hundred percent. We do not want to rush. Once Marc is in a position to return and compete at the level he knows, then we will think about the next objective.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

Marquez and Puig explain withdrawal

Marc pulls out during qualifying

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has confirmed his withdrawal from the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia. Marquez, who broke his humerus in a crash during the Spanish GP, was declared fit to ride on Thursday but ultimately will not race due to the risk and pain caused by doing so.

After putting in his first laps back on track in FP3 and continuing in FP4, the number 93 then left his garage during Q1. The Repsol Honda Team confirmed he would take no further part in that session, before it was revealed he would in fact take no further part in the race weekend.

Marc Marquez

Of course, it’s something that I’m here. I already understood it would be very difficult to ride the bike, and to be able to finish the 25 laps in the race but honestly speaking after surgery I saw there was a small possibility so I needed to try. When you are a sportsman and you have a passion for something, you try, and today I will sleep well, because I tried. It wasn’t possible but what I did is only follow my body, my body said that I must try and that’s what I did.

“I spoke with Honda and this was the plan, try on Saturday morning, check the level and condition on the track and it was really good! I was surprised to ride a 37 and ride in a good way, but in the afternoon I started again, and in the first round I felt good, I was kind of surprised by the rhythm on used tyres! But for some reason I stopped in the box and when I went out again, immediate it went down, in the elbow; more than the bone it was the elbow, the nerve or something. I lost power and this becomes dangerous.

“What I did is what I did already all week – follow my body and my body in that moment said stop. I stopped in the box and said to Honda I will try one lap in Q1, and if I have the same feeling I will stop and we give up. And it’s what we did but I want to say thanks to all the doctors, the physios, to my team, because they did really hard work. We tried, it wasn’t possible, but already in the next hour I will start to work for the Brno GP.

Marc Marquez in action on Saturday

Alberto Puig, Repsol Honda Team Manager

This morning the objective was to make first contact with the bike and we saw that Marc could still be fast. In the afternoon the plan was to do a longer run. Either due to the heat or fatigue from the morning, he experienced more problems and found it more difficult. Obviously we have understood that it was better not to take more risks. We have followed the plan, which was to miss Friday and see how Marc felt today. Now we have analyzed the situation and made the decision not to participate in tomorrow’s race.

“We have followed the plan, always checking the physical condition of the rider. Marc has tried to listen to his body, to see how he responded. When he saw that he could not, we have all decided not to race tomorrow. Marc is very strong. He wanted to try, and we wanted to give him the opportunity to do it, we have supported him at all times. I think we have made the right decision at all times. A champion cannot stay at home if he thinks he has the option or a slight chance. Now he has a lot of inflammation, but it will pass. There are many races ahead and the goal is to arrive in Brno in the best way.”

Marc Marquez in action on Saturday

Source: MCNews.com.au

Marquez cleared of nerve damage after surgery

Successful surgery for Marc Marquez

After falling heavily on Sunday after an incredible come-back ride through the field after an earlier front-end save, Marc Marquez was diagnosed with a broken right humerus and travelled to Barcelona on Monday to the Hospital Universitari Dexeus.

Dr Xavier Mir and his team in collaboration with Dr Barrera performed an open reduction and internal fixation of a titanium plate to the right humerus. The radial nerve was untouched and did not need intervention.

Marc is now recovering from successful surgery and will remain in hospital for up to 48 hours.

His aim is to return to the 2020 World Championship as soon as possible with an expected date becoming clearer soon but his early hopes are to make a return to competition at Brno on August 9 for round three of this strangely truncated 2020 MotoGP Championship season.

Alberto Puig – Repsol Honda Team Manager

“Everyone who races in the World Championship has the unfortunate possibility of getting injured and having to go to the operating room. Unfortunately, it was our turn and it was Marc who has had to undergo surgery.

“Marc will take some time to recover but we are happy with how everything has gone. Doctor Mir and his team have taken care of the entire situation since the fall and performed a successful operation.

“This gives the Repsol Honda Team a lot of motivation, knowing it went well, but now we have to be patient to see how Marc recovers and to understand when he can return.”

“Cal Crutchlow also had an operation that went well and in principle, his intention is to test the wrist on Friday. We are optimistic about his participation in the Grand Prix.”

“This weekend we will be focused on Alex, helping him to take another step forward. When you are young and new in a category, every week you improve and grow. We hope he can close the gap to the front of the race.”

Alex Marquez will be the sole focus for Repsol Honda this weekend at Jerez

Source: MCNews.com.au