Rennie Scaysbrook | May 28, 2021
2021 Italian MotoGP News – Friday
Marquez talks about “year of transition”
After the heroic comeback in Portugal in April, Marc Marquez emphasized the need for patience. But it seems that the eight-time champion’s recovery to full fitness will be longer than expected.
The Catalan took a 600cc motorcycle for a private test on the Circuit Mora d’Ebre circuit in Spain ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. But there were problems with his right shoulder – not his upper arm, which he broke in July 2020 – was spoken out. Marquez injured his joint in late 2019 and underwent corrective surgery in December of that year. “I understand that I can’t ride in a good position because when I do that the pain in my shoulder is much bigger,” he said.
Marc Marquez is having a very difficult time with his shoulder.
Marquez announced in France that this particular injury resulted in permanent nerve damage. And team manager Alberto Puig admitted that he could withdraw from this weekend if his situation got worse. “We know he’s in pain. Obviously, if the situation that arises somewhere suggests that it is better to stop, then he will obviously stop. When the moment came it would be examined, but we are thinking about how it will develop. “
Friday was a tough day with Marquez finishing twelfth. “Where I lose more – it’s the 3 big changes in direction that make me lose 0.2 compared to 2019.”
Revive KTM
After a difficult start into 2021, the KTM factory riders started the Italian Grand Prix on purpose. Both factory drivers finished in the top six on Friday. The reason was the conversion to a new chassis, which was tested for the first time after the race in Jerez.
Binder and KTM are slowly crawling out of the chaos they found themselves in at the beginning of the year.
“The Jerez test was a big step for us,” said Motorsport Director Pit Beirer. “Massive – I mean really small changes to the chassis and small parts, the swing arm area and the way we mount the engine. We took a step there. We still have both versions in the garage this weekend. The drivers want to compare. But from what I’ve seen in the lap time it’s pretty clear – we’ve taken a step and hope we can carry that over to the next races. “
Brad Binder talked about the chassis upgrade. “The goal of the frame was to help us align the bike a little better to get out of corners better and it seems to be working well at Mugello.” The factory RC16s were also a match for the Ducati due to the speed traps. Miguel Oliveira set the second fastest speed in FP2, Binder the third. “The chassis helps us a little because it allows us to orientate the exit of the corners a little better. But what’s more, we got new fuel and that gave us a bit more speed, ”explained the South African.
Moto3 penalties for MotoGP?
Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Joan Mir all called for Moto3-like penalties to be distributed to a number of MotoGP riders after Friday’s end of FP2 was marked by touring on the side of the track.
“If you can’t get the lap time, don’t.” Miller (center on the red bike) was understandably angry at the Moto3-like riding of some MotoGP riders.
Quartararo was clearly annoyed by the antics. Up to eight drivers toured the outside of the track, forcing the French to abandon one of his flight laps. “We have to take the same action in all categories,” said Mir. “It sure is a dangerous situation.”
Miller was even louder, claiming the MotoGP riders should set an example for the other categories rather than succumb to their worst habits. “There were so many people in a group. There is no need for it. We don’t need slipstream and it doesn’t make any difference to us. You’re just looking for tow and it’s ridiculous. If you can’t do the lap time, don’t do it. I understand if there is one out of two, but a group of eight? That shouldn’t be the case and I think we have to punish and set an example that they get that in MotoGP too. That is not right.”
Friday
MotoGP
Francesco Bagnaia contested Alex Rins on the opening day of the Italian MotoGP 2021 in first place on Friday in Mugello and set a 1: 46.147 at the end of FP2.
Bagnaia finished the session 0.017 seconds ahead of Suzuki rider Rins, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha) setting the third fastest time despite having the slowest bike in terms of top speed on the grid. The Italian was about 19 km / h slower than the early FP2 pacemaker Miguel Oliveira (KTM). down the straight.
Francesco Bagnaia continued Mugello’s Ducati dominance with P1 on Friday.
The previous two-time winner in 2021, Fabio Quartararo, finished the first day at Mugello in fourth ahead of the Red Bull KTM pairing Brad Binder and Oliveira
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) is the only Honda rider in the top 10, the Japanese rider to lead FP1 pacemaker Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Vinales didn’t improve his time in FP2 as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) occupy the two remaining provisional automatic Q2 spots.
Notable names outside the top 10 in combined FP1 and FP2 times were Johann Zarco of Pramac Ducati in 11th, Joan Mir (Ecstar Suzuki) in 12th and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) in 13th.
It was another disastrous start to the weekend for home hero Valentino Rossi, the Italian who finished 21st out of 22 riders on the second Petronas Yamaha.
2021 Italian MotoGP results – Friday
| 1 | Francesco Bagnaia | (Duc) | 1: 46.147 |
| 2 | Alex Rins | (Suz) | + 0.071 |
| 3 | Franco Morbidelli | (Sweet potato) | + 0.184 |
| 4th | Fabio Quartararo | (Sweet potato) | + 0.225 |
| 5 | Brad Binder | (KTM) | + 0.289 |
| 6th | Miguel Oliveira | (KTM) | + 0.437 |
| 7th | Takaaki Nakagami | (You) | + 0.446 |
| 8th | Maverick Vinales | (Sweet potato) | + 0.446 |
| 9 | Aleix Espargaro | (Apr) | + 0.508 |
| 10 | Jack Miller | (Duc) | + 0.541 |
Moto2
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) had a successful Friday in Mugello and will lead the Moto2 field into qualifying day. Lowes’ late 1: 51.365 was 0.184 seconds better than second fastest Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo), while Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) was third on day one.
Lowes is very busy in the Moto2 championship and started on the right foot at Mugello.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Kalex) finished fourth on the first day despite a highside crash, while Cameron Beaubier (American Racing Team Kalex) finished the opening day 30th.
2021 Italian Moto2 results – Friday
| 1 | Sam Lowes | (Cal) | 1: 51.385 |
| 2 | Raul Fernandez | (Cal) | + 0.184 |
| 3 | Jorge Navarro | (Forest) | + 0.308 |
| 4th | Joe Roberts | (Cal) | + 0.361 |
| 5 | Marco Bezzecchi | (Cal) | + 0.465 |
| 6th | Tony Arbolino | (Cal) | + 0.591 |
| 7th | Remy Gardner | (Cal) | + 0.599 |
| 8th | F. Di Giannantonio | (Cal) | + 0.622 |
| 9 | Xavi virgin | (Cal) | + 0.696 |
| 10 | Augusto Fernandez | (Cal) | + 0.966 |
| 30th | Cameron Beaubier | (Cal) | +2.458 |
Moto3
Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was only two tenths away from the Moto3 lap record in Mugello, as the South African had a successful day at the office in Mugello on Friday. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) shot into second place on his final flight lap, tying the two Petronas Sprinta Racing drivers, John McPhee, the man in third place.
Darryn Binder desperately needs a win in Moto3 and set the fastest time on Friday.
World championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) suffered a fall in the last corner, 15 minutes before the opening day the young Spaniard was uninjured and finally shuffled into 16th place.
2021 Italian Moto3 results – Friday
| 1 | Darryn Binder | (You) | 1: 56.661 |
| 2 | Dennis Foggia | (You) | + 0.196 |
| 3 | John McPhee | (You) | + 0.281 |
| 4th | Romano Fenati | (House) | + 0.509 |
| 5 | Gabriel Rodrigo | (You) | + 0.595 |
| 6th | Tatsuki Suzuki | (You) | + 0.636 |
| 7th | Marine Oncu | (KTM) | + 0.664 |
| 8th | Niccolo Antonelli | (KTM) | + 0.719 |
| 9 | Andrea Migno | (You) | + 0.836 |
| 10 | Jaume Masia | (Red KTM) | + 0.882 |
More MotoGP news and results can be found here