Portimão MotoGP Subscriber Notes: Pecco's Perfect Weekend, And Marc Marquez Messes Up

By David Emmett | Tue, 28/03/2023 - 01:33

The first weekend of MotoGP sprint races proved so packed with action and controversy that it is hard to know where to begin. Add in the vagaries of MotoGP life – travel to and from circuits and airports and other commitments – and it is hard to give the opening round at Portimão the full detail it deserves.

So in note form, a few very quick thoughts on the race on Sunday, and how it played out. I will expand on some of these in the next couple of days.

Dream start for Bagnaia

After taking victory in the sprint race on Saturday, Pecco Bagnaia dominated the grand prix on Sunday. It took him one lap to take the lead, and once he did, he controlled the race completely. Maverick Viñales – an impressive ride from the Aprilia man – pushed Bagnaia hard for the first half of the race, but the Ducati rider inched away from him in the second half of the race, before extending the gap in the last few laps. You never had the sense that victory was under threat.

He didn't see it entirely that way, of course. "We worked so well in the test, so everything was prepared for the race," Bagnaia told the press conference after the race. "We were so on the limit compared two years ago. Last year the race distance and the race time was so much faster, by seconds. It was quite tough. Also the tires were working so perfectly, but in the end everything was destroyed, everything finished. But I’m happy. Everything went perfectly. This new bike suits my riding style very well, better than the old one."

The famous (and probably apocryphal) Gore Vidal quote, "it is not enough to succeed; others must fail" applies to Bagnaia's dream weekend as well. While Bagnaia scored the maximum 37 points, his potential title rivals all stumbled, some fairly badly, and not all through their own fault. Fabio Quartararo trails Bagnaia by 29 points. Aleix Espargaro by 26 points. Marc Marquez by 30 points. The only rider within 20 points of Bagnaia is Maverick Viñales.

1
2023
MotoGP
Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo
Francesco Bagnaia
CormacGP

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Comments

Yep, common sense I'd say. Good. Regardless of that, it will probably add to his eagerness and aggression, so it may get hairy. But who knows, maybe he'll tune it down to a slightly safer level. I think having a difficult motorcycle does not mean you're allowed to ride more dangerously 'because you have to, to keep up with the front runners'. According to that reasoning, everybody who is not in front (for whatever reason) is allowed to ride more dangerously. Being in front is not a right.

IMHO race direction sucks. I saw the punishment text and it’s actually written that it must be served in Argentina. So why postponing it to the next race? Just for political reasons, not to make fans thinking RD have a special treatment for MM93. I’m not defending him, not a fan, but punishments should be more uniform, clearly described, and shouldn’t be interpreted after being issued. 

If the original penalty was worded the Same as it is for everyone else, then instead of Revising it (sounds like they haven't done this before) they should make a statement that the penalty is in alignment with every penalty they have issued previously, and they don't want to be improper either positively or negatively. 

This revision hurts their credibility, but in the opposite way by catering to (non-) fans.

 

It was 2:15am and I ran out of steam. Need to write about the KTMs, for example.

Busy schedule the next few days. Flying to Bologna today to interview Claudio Domenicali for the Paddock Pass Podcast with Adam Wheeler tomorrow, then Argentina happens. Will try to get a few notes up tonight.

In the meantime, you can also read this blog I wrote for On Track Off Road about the perils and pleasures of sprint races.

 

Well, punishment mean to establish consequence. The way things turned out, MM missing the Argentinian MotoGP, he wouldn’t have felt the consequence —even if his points disadvantage would grow. Because the season, having become so inhumanly long (777 points to the winners) allows easily for such disadvantages, especially in the beginning of it. So, correctly did the RD move the DLLP to the next race. The purpose is to push some sense into his riding decisions, not to neutralize him. He still is the most splendid rider, but his hunger, ego and whatever else, blind him. Despite the humble wording that he cannot challenge with this bike, he clearly yearns (uncontrollably? unconsciously?) to return on top of the world. And as for the American round, if he earns a sprint win and a sixth place, so be it. He will be worth it.

“ I watched Moto3 and Moto2 qualifying from track side, and the number of riders who outbraked themselves at that corner was phenomenal.”

Qualifying is qualifying, you’d expect mere mortals to out-brake themselves. Marc should have known better & he’s the greatest of his generation when f not of all time. He got to off lighlty. How Luca escaped a similar fate is beyond me.