There’s an empty throne up for the taking, with plenty of contenders ready for the challenge
There’s throwing down the gauntlet and then there’s Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) Catalan GP. The reigning Champion is now 22 points clear after drama hit for key rivals Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), plus that late race heartbreak for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) that saw him cede more points than he thought… and now, it’s time for a new name on the top step in Germany for the first time since 2012.
REWIND: Chapter 9 – Agony & Ecstasy
Last year it seemed a long shot for King of the Sachsenring Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to retain his crown, but retain it he did to make some more history. Now, the number 93 is back on the sidelines after another big investment in his racing future, but that offers a huge opportunity for those on the chase, and most likely Quartararo.
The Frenchman’s form in the Catalan GP was immense, and he surely leads the list of candidates to take to the Sachsenring throne. With the tight and twisty track offering some respite from the long straights and horsepower measuring contests of some recent venues, Yamaha should be in a stronger position too. Can Quartararo extend that lead further this weekend? And can Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) move forward? Rookie Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team) managed to pip the Italian to second Yamaha honours in Barcelona.
Last year, however, the resistance was led by KTM. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was within 1.7 seconds of Marquez to take second, no mean feat, and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) came home fourth to put Quartararo in an Austrian sandwich. Overall, the Austrian marque were the best performing factory. What can they do this season? Barcelona saw more solid points as Binder took eighth and Oliveira ninth… but that’s not what KTM races for,…