MotoGP | StyrianGP | Round Two at the Red Bull Ring!
As we head into the #StyrianGP, Ducati’s impeccable record at the Red Bull Ring remains intact. Can anyone end Ducati’s reign?
After the drama of last weekend’s #AustrianGP, as Dovizioso rocked the MotoGP world with the news that he would not be signing with Ducati next season, he stamped his authority over the Red Bull Ring by sealing Ducati’s 50th Grand Prix win.
As Ducati dominated last Sunday’s #AustrianGP, with Dovizioso’s win and Miller leading much of the race, the efforts of KTM and Suzuki cannot be ignored.
Suzuki are arguably the dark horses for this weekend’s #StyrianGP, as Mir took his first premier class podium, and Rins challenged at the front before sliding out of contention. However, as P. Espargaro lead the Grand Prix prior to the red flag, KTM must not be counted out at their home Grand Prix. The #CzechGP winner Binder stormed through the field to finish 4th in Austria, as Lecuona took his best finish in 9th.
It’s difficult to know what’s in store for Yamaha this weekend, as they appeared to struggle in the opening stages of last weekend, before Viñales and Quartararo qualified on the front row. It would be Rossi who would emerge as top Yamaha on race day.
With reigning champion M. Marquez sitting out another Grand Prix, Honda look to Nakagami to lead their title challenge, he took an impressive 6th position at the #AustrianGP. Rookie of the Year contender A. Marquez added another point scoring finish to his impressive start of the season. As Crutchlow continues his recovery from a scaphoid break, sustained at the #SpanishGP.
Both Aprilia riders scored points last weekend, which seems to be a step forward for the manufacturer. With A. Espargaro and Smith looking to improve on last weekend’s results, it’s set to be a strong weekend for Aprilia.
Over the last 2 Grand Prix weekends there have been several incidents involving several riders, the FIM MotoGP Stewards began to summon riders in order to understand the circumstances of each situation, as well as analysing the video footage. The FIM MotoGP Stewards panel is made up of Bill Cumbow, Freddie Spencer, and Ralph Bohnhorst; they will continue to summon all the riders concerned as soon as possible ahead of this weekend’s #StyrianGP.
Petrucci and A. Espargaro each attended a hearing on Saturday 15th August. After a terrifying incident during Sunday’s #AustrianGP, which included two motorcycles narrowly missing Rossi and Viñales, as Zarco and Morbidelli collided. Zarco and Morbidelli will both attend hearings on Thursday 20th August. Following the crash, it has been reported that Zarco has a broken scaphoid and has undergone surgery ahead of the #StyrianGP with hopes of competing.
P. Espargaro has been involved in 2 incidents across the #CzechGP and the #AustrianGP involving Zarco and Oliveira respectively. P. Espargaro and Oliveira will each attending hearings before the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel on Thursday 20th August.
This weekend’s #StyrianGP will host the 900th premier class race, following last weekend’s breath-taking Grand Prix, can Ducati maintain their perfect record, or will someone else rain on their
