De Jesus Sanchez Santos / Motosan.es
This Grand Prix without Marc Márquez offers us the most open weekend in a long time. Anything can happen on Sunday. Let's observe the rhythms of the protagonists.
Fabio Quartararo dominated in Jerez with two clear victories, ahead of Viñales who obtained 40 points. As they say there are never two without three, and the Frenchman starts as favorite to win the race in Brno, but he did not show himself as strong as in Andalusia. In fact, he was unable to get the pole, which was taken away from him by his compatriot Johann Zarco. This weekend is the key to consolidating his position as MotoGP leader. Alet's analyze the race paces, because there are surprises.
On the first two rows of the starting grid, we find four drivers who stand out. The duo Quartararo and Morbidelli showed good pace, roughly 1'57. The Frenchman with 11 laps and the Italian with 14. Both fell, without consequences. On their side, the Espargaró brothers also stand out, although having done many fewer laps at race pace. The “poleman” zarco, even if he starts in the lead, will not compete for the podium. The same applies to Casa Particular in Viñales with obvious problems.
After the first two lines, we find other candidates. Great performance from the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira on the KTM, who will go far but gain positions. Valentino Rossi took a big step forward when it comes to pace, as he admitted after FP3. He showed it on Saturday while he usually improves on Sunday. His lap performance is similar to that of his Yamaha teammates, Quartararo and Morbidelli. With a good start, he could therefore gain the upper hand.
The other two names to consider are Joan Mir, who tends to progress in the race even if he does not generally place very high in Q2, as well that Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian will start 18th, one of the worst rankings of his MotoGP life, but this would not surprise anyone if tomorrow he could come back and enter a TOP 5 at the end of the race. Despite the problems he encountered today, the track in principle suits him and the Ducati well.
Once again, Yamaha riders are those who stood out the most in number of laps at race pace. Quartararo and Rossi with 28, Morbidelli 27. On the other hand, Viñales confirms his lack of rhythm, having spent a lot of time in the box trying to get the bike up to speed: only 18 laps at race pace. As per usual, Pol and Dovizioso are the drivers with the fewest laps on pace racing, spending more time tuning their motorcycles.
Of these laps at racing pace, what percentage of laps were at a high pace, say below 1'58?
Morbidelli and Oliveira stand out, followed by Pol Espargaró, Quartararo, Aleix, Dovizioso and Rossi. Generally speaking, a huge equality is perceived and, tomorrow, the start will be the key to enter the race and establish the pace.
I must admit that I am the first to be surprised today. It seems like private testing sessions carried out with KTM and Dani Pedrosa a few weeks ago on the Brno track are perceptible. Pol Espargaró and Oliveira showed good pace. The Portuguese with more laps, although he has the disadvantage of starting on the fifth row of the grid.
The Yamaha de Quartararo, Morbidelli and Rossi were very solid and we will have to count on them tomorrow . As we will also have to closely monitor everything thatAndrea Dovizioso is able to move up, from 18th place; he will surely reach the leading group. This race can be won by any of those named.
This week-end, there was no clear leader like we had with Marc Márquez in the Spanish GP and Fabio Quartararo in the Andalusian GP. Which opens up options to have a very competitive Brno GP. Rossi can take his 200th podium tomorrow in the premier class of motorcycling, But… What if he won?
Don't miss the race for any reason, because anything can happen.
