As the title fight tightens up between two Ducati
riders…
Unless there’s a MotoGP race weekend that
doesn’t conflict with IndyCar Broadcast-wise, I tend to lose track of the
latest news surrounding it. Especially since I still haven’t managed to find a
decent MotoGP News website that works favourably with my screen reader, “Zoey
the Princess Warrior”.
With an “Off” weekend IndyCar-wise, I decided
to tune into both the TT Circuit Assen’s MotoGP sprint and main races a
Fortnight ago.
And whilst I wasn’t surprised that Pecco’
Bagnaia swept the weekend, and continues to claw His way back towards the
championship points lead. Emulating Max Verstappen with a “clean” sweep of the
weekend by leading every single session, i.e.; practice, qualifying and both
races wire-to-twire!
Now trailing Jorge Martin by only 10 markers
following the Dutch Grand Prix, having shaved eight points off of Martin’s ever
shrinking points lead at Assen. While Martin hopes to stem the tide at the
following Sachsenring round in Germany.
I was surprised by the news that Prima Pramac
Racing is leaving Ducati after a twenty year partnership to become Yamaha’s new
Satellite team for 2025.
Yet Pramac will receive current Factory spec
machinery, giving Yamaha four current Scooters’ on the grid to speed-up
development of the YZR-M1, in hopes of returning Yamaha back to the podium’s
top step.
As there’s no word on who Pramac’s riders will
be next year, albeit the team sounds like they want experienced riders versus
rookies next year. Giving KTM’s recently ousted Jack “thriller” Miller and others
good opportunity for next season, with Miguel Oliverira’s name having also been
mentioned.
As Franco Morbidelli sounds somewhat resigned
to not returning to Pramac next year, leading me to believe they’ll have an all
new rider line-up next season…
Meanwhile Aprilia announced that Marco Bezzecchi
will join Jorge Martin as it’s two werks’ rider for next year, with both signed
to de riggour “Multi-year” (two year) contracts…
This sees Maverick “Top gun” Vinales joining “the
Beast” Enea Bastianini at what will become the rebranded KTM Tech 3 Satellite
Squad next year. With Pedro Acosta previously having been announced as Miller’s
replacement alongside Brad Binder in the Factory KTM team.
Although KTM a la Yamahhopper’ will supply top-flight
Werks’ specification Scooters’ for all four of it’s team riders. Also hoping to
make a step forward with it’s RC16 race bikes.
And that’s just some of the latest NotoGP news
I’ve learned over the Assen TT race weekend. Whilst I’m certain Thars muc more
I’ve missed…
Meanwhile, tuning into the Sachsenring action,
Martin put an audacious pass upon Bagnaia during the sprint race, with Michel
Oliveira doing likewise. Then holding off Bagnaia to the end of the race to
claim His first podium finish of the season, with Bagnaia settling for third
place.
Martin gained five points on Bagnaia prior to
the main race on Sunday.
Inexplicably, Martin crashed out of the German
Grand Prix whilst leading with two laps remaining! And with Bagnaia winning His
fourth consecutive MotoGP race, Pecco’ now leads Jorge 222 to 212 points! While
Marc Marquez is 56 markers adrift in third with 166 points.
It was Bagnaia’s 200th Grands Prix start, with
the Italian rider becoming Ducati’s most successful winner.
While brother Marc and Alex Marquez who
finished second and third respectively, becoming the first brother pairing to
share a podium since 1997.
As Martin will have a month’s time to rue His mistake. As MotoGP goes on it’s Summer’s “Holiday” until resuming action at Silverstone on august 4th.
