Comebacks, farewells and opening corner mayhem. Catch up on some hot topics from a busy weekend at the San Marino GP
The Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini has come and gone, and it has indeed been a busy weekend in Misano. From news of comebacks and retirements, four in a row feats to new adventures on the horizon, there was plenty that kept us talking over the past few days. Catch up on what was at the forefront of riders’ minds the past few days by checking out Misano’s main talking points below!
Marc Marquez’ comeback is almost complete: “The bone is fixed. Completely fixed”
One of the bigger stories broke on Saturday, with the Repsol Honda rider confirming his intentions to begin racing before the year is out, but first he will participate in the Official Misano Test on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I will test on Tuesday. Wednesday, I don’t know, it depends on how I will get up. It’s because the doctors say to me that is 100% safe and the bone is fixed – completely fixed.
“When I will return, it’s because I want to race all races. I mean, not one race and then stay at home. I mean when I will come back it’s because the intention is race all races.”
The enemy of my enemy is my friend: Quartararo awaits Marquez
On the topic of Marquez’ return, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) will welcome the eight-time World Champion back with open arms as he joins him in his crusade against the Ducatis.
“I hope he can be fighting with us pretty soon and try to destroy a little bit, the plan of the red bikes. I think he will race in Aragon and I think we all know Marc well and we all know that he will arrive at Misano Test on Tuesday and he will for sure want to stay in front.
“I think that if after the first day he will recognise that he’s already in a good situation, he will be part of Aragon GP. It’s something that we can be happy about, having have Marc back again.”
“The best Crew Chief in history” – Dovizioso’s exit leaves Forcada in limbo
MotoGP™ bid farewell to Andrea Dovizioso over the weekend, with the veteran Italian lapping up the applause post-race on Sunday. However, a consequence of his exit is that legendary Crew Chief Ramon Forcada is left without a rider, and unsure of what his next challenge is, or if there even is one. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had the pleasure of working with Forcada during their Petronas Yamaha days, and he paid tribute.
“I think Ramon is the best crew chief in history. I think I had the privilege to work with him for 2 and a half years. I learnt many things inside the track and outside the track. It was a great pleasure to work with such an experienced and particular and nice character. It was great to have race wins with him, to have great results with him. My relationship with him was just great.
“Every time I see him, a smile on my face comes out. It’s great to see Ramon. He is a bit old, but just in the numbers. He really isn’t on the inside. He has a great passion for sports – not just for motorsport. He’ll be missed for sure. I don’t know if this is over for him inside the paddock. He’s a guy who made this paddock much richer in knowledge, and learning for other people. He still has a lot to give.”
“In the worst moment of my career, Aprilia took me up” – Viñales
It’s been quite the redemption story for Maverick Viñales, and fitting that he took a podium at Misano 12 months on from his first point-scoring finish with the Noale factory. It’s three rostrums in his last four for the Spaniard, and he was quick to offer his graces to his team.
“We have a lot of confidence and I want to say really thank you to Aprilia because in the worst moment of my career, they took me up. And you see now, you know, we are fighting for victories. So that’s amazing. That’s incredible. And they give me that extra motivation that of course, I will improve a lot myself.”
No parties, but small consolations keep Aleix Espargaro’s title dream afloat
Consecutive sixth place finishes aren’t exactly title-winning results, but despite slipping to third in the Championship standings, Espargaro is keeping positive after Austria and Misano exercises in damage limitation.
“I’m happy, but it hasn’t been a disaster. I said from the beginning of the year that Austria, Misano and America will be very tough races. America was a big disaster. Austria and Misano finished sixth and sixth. Before the Assen race, I was at 32 points. Now I’m at 33 points, so it’s not that bad. You have to be positive.
“In the past when I finished sixth, we had a party in Aprilia! So very difficult circuits for me. I made a big, big, big effort, super focused, working and giving my best and I finished sixth in both races.
“So now it’s downhill. We go to a very good circuit where I have really, really good feeling with this bike, in the past also. So I can’t wait. It’s going to be a really nice last part of the Championship.”
Binder talks his role in Turn 1 Misano mayhem
“It was chaos in Turn 1. I went tight and I think when Zarco turned in, it all just got super bunched up, because I could see guys closing too. So I think he got sandwiched in the middle and, yeah, I’m sorry to be part of that.
“I thought my left boot (made contact), I think it might have touched his wing or something because I felt like a pull on the top of my boot. So I think that might have hooked his wing. Maybe that was just enough for him to wash the front. A pity to have been involved in the racing incidents.”
