Let's talk MotoGP: Quartararo vs Bagnaia, already settled? Part 2

This article follows the analysis published yesterday. For once, one doesn't go without the other and we strongly encourage you to take a look at the first part just here to understand the issues of the study.

If you momentum is greatly favorable to Bagnaia, all is not lost however. Quartararo, in reality, has several solutions to approach these three crucial rounds in an optimal manner.

III) Bagnaia, already titled?

First, we concluded that the mind was decisive in the quest for good dynamics. If Bagnaia's is excellent, Fabio has nothing to be ashamed of, and has already proven it to us in the past, particularly since his rebirth in 2021.

Then, and even if everything seems to work in favor of “Go Free”, momentum is not eternal. The best way to see this is to watch a football or basketball game. Both teams will, sometimes inexplicably, have 10, 12 or 15 minutes of complete domination, and this can change several times to the advantage of one or the other. Note also that in the last minutes of a match, it is often the same team that presses, and not necessarily the given favorite.

 

 

So what can you do “El Diablo” facing the tidal wave? We could imagine that it would be enough to puff out our chests and pretend that our confidence has not been altered. In reality, this is the worst way to react. What the history of sports teaches us is that it takes a turning point, a shocking moment to quickly turn the momentum around. Timeouts, in American sports, are a good example and are taken during these insurmountable moments to get some fresh air.

Of course, we are not authorized to give advice to Quartararo, make no mistake. However, in general, you have to tackle the problem head on, and not dodge it. This could translate into saying to yourself: “I can’t compete in pure speed with Bagnaia. I have to manage the championship, and do my best not to win the races but just to slow down its progress. » This is the technique that had been used Danny Kent in Moto3 during the 2015 season. In the last races, everything was smiling Miguel Oliveira. Instead of giving everything for the win and risking a fall, Kent opted for ultra safety and even crossed the line of the Valencia circuit in 9th position, but champion.

The problem in this specific case is that Quartararo does not have as big a lead as Kent with three races remaining. This solution is therefore not viable. The situation is more comparable with that of Scott Redding in 2013, which could not, in this way, contain the return of Pol Espargaro two-thirds of the way through the Moto2 season.

What to do ? Beat Bagnaia at his own game. Speed ​​and a fight in the final moments. Bagnaia is one of the most formidable in the braking phases. Not from this year, but from the decade. This is one of its strong points on the bike. Beating Pecco in a head-to-head race would, based on historical examples, be the best way to regain that momentum.

 

 

However, this is not automatic, since Dovizioso had failed to turn the tide even after the battle of Motegi in 2017. This process worked for Jorge Lorenzo in 2018, where he built magnificent momentum after a duel won at Spielberg (three consecutive poles). It is good to note that this acquired confidence had not been tainted by three poor race results.

Luckily, so to speak, the Phillip Island track lends itself to the Yamaha and the tuning fork firm should not be in as much difficulty there as it was at Motegi or to Aragon. This is the perfect opportunity to kick the anthill and play with Bagnaia, even if it means trying everything for everything, letting a kind of brilliant madness speak, which, mastered and supervised by the generational talent of Fabio , can lead to a legendary moment and the gain of momentum for the last two races.

If neither of them leaves the Australian track with a crown, it is a safe bet that we will know the name of the champion at the end of the race, as it is so decisive in terms of dynamics. Please let us know what you think about the matter! All relevant comments will be read and discussed.

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport