A thrilling battle between rookie Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and veteran champ Marc Marquez (Honda) played out on the Misano circuit for most of the race today. Quartararo took the lead early with Marquez closely in tow. Marquez made his move for the lead near the end of the race and the protagonists exchanged the lead before Marquez ultimately took the win with Quartararo a close second.
Although Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) grabbed the hole shot from pole position, he was soon passed by Quartararo and Marquez, and fell behind their blistering pace in the middle laps. Viñales finished in third position, roughly one second behind the leading duo.
Marquez extends his championship points lead, and appears ready to clinch the title early this year with several rounds remaining. Follow this link to full race results. For additional details and points, visit the official MotoGP site.
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What’s it going to take to get Yamaha to pull out their billfold and sign Fabio next year? Eventually, they’ll have to ask themselves if they want to sell more yellow T-shirts or win races.
He’s already happily locked into the Petronas satellite team for next year and will likely get a full spec factory bike next season that will be improved over the current units. You only had to see the happy face on the Yamaha president at the finish to know that they see Q as the future replacement for Valentino and will do what it takes to keep him in the Yamaha fold. Now, if you see Vale pack it in at the end of the season then there might be a deal made to let him hop over as Maverick’s teammate. I think that Vale knows he is done and no more championships will be coming and is just hanging on to win one more race. If he can manage that this season he may just leave as the winner he is.
Yep, I think we definitely saw a future world champion in action today. He’s got the rhythm and is cool under pressure. I’m impressed.
Just goes to show that you never really can tell who will be a great premier class racer. Quartararo came from nowhere and and adapted to the Yamaha instantly. Morbideli and Bagnaia were two very strong Moto3 and Moto2 hotshots and aren’t making much of an impression.
Wow Quartararo is the real deal, and quite showing up the factory Yamahas although they finished 3rd and 4th which isn’t bad. Thought he might pull it off, but there are tricks a 7 time champion learns and uses. Add in Marquez’s intense desire to win, and it’s a fool’s money lost to bet against him most of the time.
Great job by Pol Espagaro on the KTM for a superb qualifying and great race. Raced with the big boys most of the race. Hey Zarco, here’s how you ride the KTM.
Quartararo’s rhythm was fantastic! He made Marquez ride on the edge the whole race.