Gear up! iMotorbike brings you the top talking points for the MotoGP 2021 season.
Experience the live and exclusive coverage of the new MotoGP 2021 season from March 26th on FOX Sports 2 (Astro: CH 836 (SD) | CH 816 (HD), Unifi TV: CH 707 (HD)).
The 2021 MotoGP World Championship will begin this weekend at the Losail International Circuit. After a whirlwind of change last year, audiences can expect a paradigm shift in terms of performance this season. iMotorbike has taken the liberty of bringing you the most important changes we can expect this year.
Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the global crisis had resulted in no further measures being taken in the first half of the season of last year. Fans around the world had to adapt to virtual reality, with riders facing a challenging #StayAtHomeGP where Alex Marquez of the Repsol Honda team dominated the opening race. The season continued with a combination of virtual races and track races to demonstrate the exceptional ability to maintain the championship. So 2021 has a lot to offer.
VALENTINO ROSSI USERS INTO THE NEW DECADE WITH MALAYSIA
Source: MotoGP
One of the massive and exciting changes was Valentino Rossi, who lined up for PETRONAS Yamaha SRT. The Italian has not been on a works team for almost 20 years.
Speaking to Fox Sports Asia host Edward Russell, he said that this is undoubtedly a great moment for the Malaysian team – to have one of the greatest riders of all time lining up for their colors.
“From his first MotoGP start in the KL Twin Towers with two aspiring riders to The Doctor on the team, this is definitely a moment to celebrate.”
The rapid shift has made the Malaysian team a strong and high-profile competitor in just a few years.
“The doctor has been in a drought for some time, since 2009 there have been no championship wins and since 2017 no more race wins. Even so, the fresh start could prove beneficial for him and the team. Rossi has felt the pressure in the past to be the man to lead the team and the development of the bike. However, the new scenery with the satellite team means that he can focus on races with less pressure, ”adds Edward.
In the pre-season tests in Qatar, Rossi set his fastest lap to date on the Losail International Circuit. He expressed the degree of happiness when he was back on his bike like a real rider. Rossi is easily one of the strong competitors this year and there is no doubt that this milestone with PETRONAS would bring about positive changes.
CAN THE WORLD CHAMPION KEEP HIS TITLE?
Joan Mir, MotoGP races in Europe, November 8th 2020
Joan Mir impressed the crowd by winning the World Cup last year. The Spaniard managed to take his first title in his second season, finishing 12th overall without a podium last season. Going from there to World Champion in less than 12 months is incredibly impressive, but while the Team Suzuki Ecstar rider is a favorite this year, whether or not he can repeat his win weighs on the other end of the spectrum. Given last year’s unique season and no rivalry with defending champion Marc Marquez, it is difficult to gauge the factors behind his triumph. Nevertheless, all eyes are on the reigning defending champion at the season opener.
The Repsol Honda Team recently announced that Marc Marquez will not be competing at the season opener. He will take time to further recover on the advice of his medical team. It’s not sure when Marquez will make his comeback on the right track, but there is no doubt that it is the most anticipated comeback.
JACK MILLER – A DEMON ON A DUCATI
Ducati’s latest signing could be just what they need this year. Taking over the Desmosedici is probably not an easy task. Last season Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci were rather conservative and cautious with the bike and didn’t go all out to win the championship. Jack Miller could turn Ducati’s fate around with a fiery challenge.
“You have to be a real demon to ride this Demosedici,” Edward is setting the bar.
We can assume Miller is pedaling the metal to make this mastery possible. He has a lot to prove to be with a new team and was at the top of the list in the pre-season test. In terms of race wins, Pramac didn’t seem to be doing well, despite finishing last season with two consecutive runner-ups. This time he dares to use the Ducati machinery.
FABIO QUARTARARO SET ATTRACTIONS WITHDRAW
Fabio Quartararo was an important contender for the title last year with an excellent start to the season. He kept his momentum for a while before things fell apart towards the end.
“I spoke to him about what went wrong and he fully admitted that he couldn’t do justice to the pressures to split up his season. He was busy winning the title and making stupid mistakes and his challenge fell away, ”Edward tells us.
“This year he brought a sports psychologist with him to clarify his mental state. If Yamaha can solve the mechanical problem and Quartararo tunes in properly, it can be a real threat to the season. “
Yamaha did well before at Losail, so we can expect an All-Yamaha podium at the opener.
It’s light and off we go as the Qatar Barwa Grand Prix kicks off on Friday, March 26th. Are you ready?