The MotoGP series visited the Motegi track in Japan this weekend. The track is owned by Honda and is considered the home race for both the Honda and Yamaha factories. Both of these factories continue to struggle, however, and neither of them placed a rider in the top ten at the checkered flag of the Sprint or the full GP race.
Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) won both the Sprint and Sunday’s GP, cutting Jorge Martin’s championship points lead to ten points heading into the next round at Phillip Island.
Martin (Ducati) had an uncharacteristically poor qualifying at Motegi where he was forced to start both races from the 4th row of the grid. In the Sprint, he charged through the pack to finish 4th, and came all the way up to a 2nd place finish in Sunday’s race.
The podium finishers behind Bagnaia on Saturday included Enea Bastianini (Ducati) in second and Marc Marquez (Ducati) in third.
In Sunday’s race, the podium included Bagnaia and Martin finishing ahead of 3rd place Marquez.
For full results and points for Saturday’s Sprint race, visit the MotoGP site here. For full results and points for Sunday’s MotoGP race, visit the MotoGP site here.
I find it interesting how they put the podium finishers together in a room right after the race, prior to going onstage and receiving their trophies. The riders obviously know they’re being recorded, but they still have interesting banter and offer good insights to the race.
I also like how Bagnaia and Martin are cordial and relatively friendly afterwards. Some of it could be for show, but Pecco is genuinely a nice person, and Martin has matured as a rider and adult and seems easier to like this season than last.
In the end, while they are fierce competitors on the track, and I’m sure if they had bad blood after each race it would make for more dramatic television, but at the end of the day, they’re both richly rewarded in a profession that they both love, so what’s wrong with being friendly ? Hope it’s genuine, and hope it lasts after the season’s final race.
As to who I’m rooting for, I can honestly say I’d be pleased with either rider taking the championship trophy. They’re both each more than deserving, Pecco as mentioned is an all-around good guy, and while Martin still might be a little rough around the edges, being on the non-factory team means that his road has been somewhat tougher, and why not root for him to finally be the Champion this year? Bagnaia would become a legend with a third consecutive Championship, but it’d be nice to spread it around and see Martin get the recognition that only comes from winning the Championship.
No matter wheat else happens, we’re in for a treat during these remaining 4 races, and let the best rider win.
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I never did road race. Never thought much of the tracks. But I did race enduro and hare scramble, motocross, dirt track, observed trials, ice, supermoto and stuff like that. I have found that, with almost no exception, that racers are usually quite friendly among each other. I guess maybe motocrosers are a little more on the charged end of the spectrum while the observed trials guys would be on the absolute salt of the earth end. But yeah. Racing often provides you with a riding venue that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. But that’s only half of it. The other part is the great people you meet and hang out with.
It would be nice for Martin to win before getting a difficult bike. Quartararo won once. That was cool. He’s a good rider. Bastianini has a tough row to hoe. Poor guy.
Ducati is crazy for not hanging on to Martin and Bastianini. Too busy trying to dredge up the past to build a valuable future.
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