500 cm3 World Champion in 1999 on Honda, after having been in 1989 in 125 on JJ Cobas, Criville is now a consultant, notably for the Spanish sports newspaper Trademarks. He thus analyzed the current situation in the MotoGP World Championship.
Criville knows the discipline well having won 20 Grand Prix (15 in 500 and 5 in 125), being on the podium 66 times, having achieved 12 pole positions and 20 best laps in the race. He finished in the top three in the 500 World Championship three times. Alex was the first Spanish rider to win the supreme title in the highest category.
For him, Valentino still retains all his chances for the title: “ He has already driven at Misano where he was able to complete a few laps and he is considering the possibility of racing at MotorLand. Valentino is brave. Of course he won't be 100% if he runs. Rossi will try to be at the front of the race to try to score as many points as possible. There are still 125 points in the game and anything can happen. »
Criville does not underestimate the potential of Marc Marquez in Aragon: “ Marc is performing very well on the MotorLand circuit, where he has already won three times and where he also won last year. All this indicates that Marquez can get ahead of his rivals and open up a small gap. »
According to Alex, one should not underestimate Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati: “ If Dovizioso wants to fight for the Championship, he will have to fight with Márquez at MotorLand. This circuit is favorable to the Ducati engine, which pushes well and Dovizioso can be very efficient. Everything will depend a little on the weather during the weekend."
With its 16 points behind, Maverick Vinales can he hope to win in Aragon? “ I think so because he is one of the favorites. There are still five races and 125 points are at stake. Maverick Viñales is only 16 points behind Marc Márquez and Andrea Dovizioso. Maverick could fight for the win at MotorLand, but that's also the unknown because there are a number of drivers who have plenty of opportunities to also fight for the win. »
Title photo © Yamaha
3 photos of Alex Criville above © Repsol
Source: marca.com
