The official website www.motogp.com sent us a huge file concerning the crashes that occurred this season in the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 categories. In total, 90 pages of data that we will use this winter but we can already draw out the few main facts…
First of all, there were 722 crashes this year, or 249 fewer than during the 2019 season. Given the number of Grands Prix organized this year, a little less than 14 (Qatar did not include the MotoGP) in instead of 19 last year, we must put this good news into perspective and calculate the average of falls per Grand Prix.
This appears to be increasing in MotoGP, to 12,8 in 2020 compared to 11,6 in 2019, as well as in Moto2, to 19,4 in 2020 compared to 18,3 in 2019. Paradoxically, only young Moto3 riders are are shown to be more cautious than their elders, with an average of 16,6 in 2020 compared to 21,3 in 2019. Well done young people!
Since we're talking about drivers, let's take a look at those who hit the tarmac the most often...
In MotoGP, Johann Zarco holds this sad honor, with 15 falls, two fewer than last year, compared to 14 in Alex Marquez 12 to Aleix Espargaró, 11 to Iker Lecuona and 10 to Brad Binder, Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith.
Conversely, Danilo Petrucci proved to be the most reliable, with only two falls, just like Marc Marquez, but for the latter we know what they cost him…
For its part, fabio quartararo made mistakes six times, the world champion Joan mir 5 times.
In Moto2, Kasma Daniel wins all categories combined, with 20 falls, ahead Jorge Navarro one unit behind. Sam Lowes, notably calmer, only arrives in 5th position tied with 14 contacts with the ground. Conversely, Will Bendsneyder for example, appears like a metronome with only one fall, but, among the leading men, we note that the world champion Enea Bastianini et George Martin only made mistakes five times...
In Moto3, Gabriel Rodrigo stands out with 18 falls in front Alonso lopez (15) Celestino Vietti (14) Tatsuki suzuki et Kaito Toba having been surprised 13 times. Much more careful, Tony Arbolino only fell three times, Ai Ogura five, just like the world champion Albert Arenas and the impetuous Darryn binder.
In terms of circuits, know that it is for the second year in a row the Bugatti Le Mans circuit which holds the record for loss of control, with 100 units this year compared to 90 last year!
Let us even point out that this season saw 30 falls at the Dunlop chicane (season record), 15 at the Raccordement and 13 at the Green Garage.
A subject for reflection…
