Move and bewitch like a fado that is played by one person for 25 rounds, until the last applause. We always expect a lot from Marc Marquez, but maybe this time he outdid himself at Portimao. It is clear that he has not lost his touch and is already expecting an encore in Jerez.
Meanwhile Quartararo, Bagnaia and Mir demonstrated on the track who is responsible in their respective boxes, with the help of teammates who either lay down or got lost. Between dips in the pool and toasts on the podium, the three men set the record. On the other hand, Valentino Rossi’s race was grim, but he’s in good company.
THE GOOD – Nine months of gestation for Marc Marquez’s rebirth. He cried like a new man and removed all his fears along with the tears. We could talk about his seventh place, just 13 seconds behind the finish line, his driving style and other technical details, but instead we just give him a big applause. Marc needed MotoGP, his MotoGP: They met again in the best possible way.
THE BAD – – Yamaha acts more like a dealer than a team. Either pay for the options or get the base model. This happened to Franco Morbidelli, who perhaps only in Iwata did not know that he was the runner-up in the World Cup. Hop on an old bike and just start pedaling (he did well in Portimao). And just think that even some dealers give discounts …
THE UGLY – Dura lex, sed lex (‘The law is hard, but it is the law’). The ancient Romans understood this maxim, we will have to deal with it too. That yellow flag, however, took away the possibility of a memorable duel between Quartararo and Bagnaia. Pecco made a virtue of necessity because the Italian always learns from his mistakes and that lesson only made him stronger.
Disappointment – – Big hopes and big disappointments, for Miller and Rins the summary is short and negative. While Jack can be excused for his arm (something he didn’t want), Alex didn’t even have that. Ducati and Suzuki were looking for their pack leader, but after three races none of them is …
THE ERROR – You started the race in Portimao at the top of the world championship and finished it in the dust. Johann Zarco and Sam Lowes have much to blame, but only to themselves. This cracking habit is common to both of them, they need to get rid of it …
THE SURPRISE – Kudos to Raul Fernandez for winning Moto2 in just his third race. This year the rookies are all big shots, but the Spaniard has shown more than expected.
THE CONFIRMATION THE VERIFICATION – We had already seen a lot of flashes (of brilliance), but we always had to see a beautiful light. It looks like Fabio Quartararo now knows where the switch is positioned and he doesn’t seem to want to turn it off. You not only need balance on the bike, but also in your head. It looks like the French found it.
THE PASS – Pedro Acosta is on Dennis Foggia: aggressive but within limits, a maneuver that showed how much the young Spaniard likes to win. Fortunately, it happens a lot and good luck has nothing to do with it. There are plenty of comparisons with the World Cup elite and, for once, they are deserved.
THE CURIOUS – Lorenzo Savadori scored his first two points in the world championship. The Aprilia works and he learns, the falls have helped but for a rider who has been catapulted to sizes with no experience (and with some physical problems in winter) they are worth a medal.
I TOLD YOU – “Tomorrow I can stay near Quartararo,” said Zarco after qualifying. He was probably referring to the seat on the flight home …