MotoGP Austria 2 Race: Miguel Oliveira wins with intelligence

Pol Espargaro qualified on pole position, which is his first pole position since switching to MotoGP in 2014 and his first since he was on pole position at Valencia in Moto2 in 2013. He becomes the 10th rider different Spanish to qualify on pole in the premier class, and this is Spain's 175th pole position (since 1974, when pole position began to be officially recorded).

This is the first pole position for KTM in the premier class, which is the first time that a factory has taken its first pole position since the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix (Ducati with Loris Capirossi). Additionally, this is the first pole position for a non-Italian or Japanese manufacturer in the major class since Proton KR at Phillip Island in 2002 with Jeremy McWilliams.

KTM will he experience the joy of making things happen at home? Before answering this question, here is the table which reminds us of the facts known so far…

MotoGP™ Red Bull Ring 2	16/08/20	23/08/20
FP1	1'24.193 Pol Espargaro (See here)	1'23.859 Jack Miller (See here)
FP2	1'26.475 Jack Miller (See here)	1'23.638 Pol Espargaro (See here)
FP3	1'24.317 Maverick Vinales (See here)	1'23.456 Joan Mir (See here)
FP4	1'24.183 Pol Espargaro (See here)	1'24.450 Takaaki Nakagami (See here)
Q1	1'23.865 Johann Zarco (See here)	1'23. 609 Johann Zarco (See here)
Q2	1'23.450 Maverick Vinales (See here)	1'23.580 Pol Espargaro (See here)
Warm-up	1'24.365 Joan Mir (See here)	1'24.126 Andrea Dovizioso (See here)
Course	Dovizioso, Mir, Miller (See here)	Oliveira, Miller, Pol Espargaro
All time lap record	1'23.027 Marc Marquez 2019

Takaaki Nakagami qualified in second position as best driver Honda and a satellite team, which is his best and first front row start since moving to MotoGP in 2018.

This is the eighth consecutive race without a driver Honda on pole, a streak that began in Australia last year. This is the longest period without a pole for Honda since 2008, when the Japanese manufacturer missed the head of the starting grid 11 times in a row (from Mugello to Phillip Island).

Johann zarco qualified in third place as a driver Ducati best placed. This is the second time this year he has qualified in the top three, but he will start from the pitlane due to a penalty.

Joan mir qualified in fourth position, which is his best result since joining MotoGP last year. With the penalty of zarco, he starts from third place, which is his first front row start in the class. He finished second last week in Austria, his first MotoGP podium.

In peak position last week, Maverick Vinales qualified in sixth place as top driver Yamaha . This is the 14th consecutive time he has qualified in the top six. In his 13 previous starts in charge, he has been on the podium six times, including a victory in Malaysia last year.

Winner of the last two races on the Red Bull Ring, Andrea Dovizioso qualified in ninth position, but will start eighth. This is the first time that he has failed to start from the first two rows of the Austrian track.

Finally, the championship leader, Fabio Quartararo, qualified in 10th place, his worst result in MotoGP qualifying since Le Mans and Brno last year. With Dovizioso, Vinales, Nakagami et Alex Marquez, Quarterly is the only other rider to score points in every MotoGP race this season so far.

Before the hostilities begin, the big absentee and the one we are not expected to see again in two or three months gives his news...

It's 22,7° in the air and 37° on the track.

The drivers will set off for 28 laps under overcast skies but on a dry track for the moment.

Michelin announces that the temperature is falling on the track and that the clouds are arriving. Everyone is in front medium except Binder, Lecuona and P. Espargaro Hard.

Soft rear tire: Zarco, Bradl, Nakagami, Binder, Crutchlow, A.Espargaro, Rabat and Alex Marquez, the others in medium.

They are launched and it is Mir who comes out in the lead at the end of the first turn in front of P.Espargaro and Miller. Miller passes P.Espargaro Nakagami takes advantage, the two touch but no one falls.

Top5 after 1 round: Miller, Mir, Nakagami, P.Espargaro, Rins. Quartararo made a mistake and is in 14th place. Zarco is 22nd.

Rossi set the lap record but is only in 10th position, his teammate is 7th. Dovizioso is 6th at the moment but is in a good rhythm. For his part, Fabio manages to overtake Petrucci, he is now 13th.

Zarco is at work and achieves the best lap time. Mir takes his destiny into his own hands and becomes Miller, the new leader of the race. Fabio passes Alex Marquez and thus scrapes 11th position, he now in his sights, Lecuona who is 10th. Rins passes Dovizioso, there is now a fight between the KTM rider Pol Espargaro and the Suzuki rider for 4th position.

Top 10 after 7 laps completed: Mir, Miller, Nakagami, Pol Espargaro, Rins, Dovizioso, Vinales, Binder, Oliveira and Lecuona.

It's hot between Oliveira and Binder, the Portuguese tries an offensive but it doesn't work. The South African falls back...the future teammates next year are already in the fight...Binder manages to hold the line in 7th position. Quartararo attacks Rossi, the Frenchman is now 11th.

There are 17 laps left to complete, before Mir widens the gap in front of Miller, Nakagami, Pol Espargaro and Rins. Soci technical for Vinales who raises his hand but leaves.

Zarco is 18th. Binder gets rid of Dovizioso, he is in 6th place, Oliveira does the same. The KTM rider is taking off. Miller suffered an attack from Nakagami who took 2nd position.

Before Mir unfolds, he is 2,3 seconds ahead of Nakagami.

Fall of Vinales in the viarge, he jumps from his motorbike, it catches fire. Brake problem? Red flag.

When the Yamaha rider jumps from his machine, he is traveling at 260km/h… Fortunately Vinales is not injured.

The race will restart for 12 laps at 14:45 p.m. This may suit Zarco. The positions on the grid will be resumed based on the 16th lap completed: Mir, Nakagami, Miller, Pol Espargaro, Rins, Binder, Oliveira, Dovizioso, Lecuona, Quartararo, Rossi, Petrucci, Alex Marquez, Crutchlow, Morbidelli, Zarco, Pirro , Smith, Rabat and Bradl.

For clarification, Zarco will start alongside Morbidelli.

They are ready for the last 12 rounds. Vinales will not leave. 

2nd race: 

It is Mir who once again takes the best position ahead of Miller and Pol Espargaro. Oliveira and Nakagami bring up the rear of the top5

Miller regains leadership ahead of Mir. Binder made a good start, he is 5th. Quartararo is 14th, Zarco is 16th. Dovizioso is 6th.

Zarco has passed Morbidelli, he is 15th, he is now in Quartararo's wheel.

Top10 after 4 laps: Miller, Mir, Pol Espargaro, Oliveira and Dovizioso, Binder, Nakagami, Rossi, Rins, Lecuona complete the top10

Pol Espargaro attacks Mir, he passes and takes 2nd place.

Oliveira produces his effort and doubles Mir, the Tech3 driver is virtually on the podium in 3rd position. In front Pol Espargaro tries to get the better of Miller but the Australian crosses again, he holds on to 1st place.

Pol Espargaro goes back and this time it works. He is the new leader of the race.

Binder makes a straight move. Dovizioso is fast, he is 4th, there are 4 laps left. Will he manage to do the double? Zarco is 14th, Quartararo is 13th.

2 more laps and Dovizioso is making the connection with Oliveira who is 3rd. Pol Espargaro is 1 tenth ahead as nothing at all, Miller is in his wheel.

Last lap... Miller passes... and takes the lead. Dovizioso misses himself

Pol Espargaro passes again but misses. Oliveira takes advantage, Miller is 2nd. The KTM rider finishes 1st

1st victory for Tech3 in MotoGP!

Top5: Oliveira, Miller, Pol Espargaro, Mir and Dovizioso.

 

 

Styrian Grand Prix standings MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring:

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com