Rennie Scaysbrook | October 18, 2020
Sunday
MotoGP
Eight winners in the last eight races. MotoGP in 2020 delivered once again as Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon honors in a stunningly tense premier class encounter. Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) picked up his second consecutive MotoGP podium to finish 0.2 seconds behind Rins in P2, as the championship takes another twist. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar, third today) now leads the overall standings, the first Suzuki rider to do that since 2000 after polesitter Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) takes the checkered flag in P18.
Rins (42) held off a charging Marquez for the Aragon win.
2020 Aragon MotoGP Results
| 1 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
|
| 2 |
Alex Marquez |
(Hon) |
+ 0.263 |
| 3 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 2.644 |
| 4 |
Maverick Vinales |
(Yam) |
+ 2.880 |
| 5 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 4.570 |
| 6 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Yam) |
+ 4.756 |
| 7 |
Andrea Dovizioso |
(Duc) |
+ 8.639 |
| 8 |
Cal Crutchlow |
(Hon) |
+ 8.913 |
| 9 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 9.390 |
| 10 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 9.617 |
Moto2
Another took place in the fight to be crowned 2020 Moto2 World Champion at the Michelin Aragon Grand Prix, as both Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) took full profit off SKY Racing Team VR46’s double disaster with a one-two finish. Following Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi’s crash, now just five points separate the top three riders in the title chase with only four rounds remaining.
Lowes inherited the win after Bezzecchi crashed with two laps to go.
2020 Aragon Moto2 Results
| 1 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
|
| 2 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Kal) |
+ 4.195 |
| 3 |
Jorge Martin |
(Kal) |
+ 4.340 |
| 4 |
Jake Dixon |
(Kal) |
+ 9.298 |
| 5 |
Remy Gardner |
(Kal) |
+ 14.765 |
| 6 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(Kal) |
+ 15.130 |
| 7 |
Hector Garzo |
(Kal) |
+ 15.192 |
| 8 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 17.024 |
| 9 |
Tetsuta Nagashima |
(Kal) |
+ 19.000 |
| 10 |
Simone Corsi |
(MVA) |
+ 20.206 |
Moto3
Making history at Aragon was Leopard Racing’s Jaume Masia as the Spaniard became the 100th different Grand Prix winner for Honda across all classes. Starting from P17, Masia produced a masterclass to eventually beat Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power) by 0.091 seconds as Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) bags his maiden Moto3 podium in P3.
Masia (5) came home for the Moto3 win.
2020 Aragon Moto3 Results
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Hon) |
|
| 2 |
Darryn Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 0.091 |
| 3 |
Raul Fernandez |
(KTM) |
+ 0.196 |
| 4 |
Romano Fenati |
(Hus) |
+ 0.327 |
| 5 |
John McPhee |
(Hon) |
+ 0.368 |
| 6 |
Jeremy Alcoba |
(Hon) |
+ 0.385 |
| 7 |
Albert Arenas |
(KTM) |
+ 0.385 |
| 8 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 1.933 |
| 9 |
Celestino Vietti |
(KTM) |
+ 2.389 |
| 10 |
Dennis Foggia |
(KTM) |
+ 2.461 |
Saturday News
Dovizioso, Danilo: A Love Story
Frustration in Ducati bubbled over on Saturday afternoon when Andrea Dovizioso narrowly missed out on a place in Q2. What really irked the Italian was the behaviour of team-mate Danilo Petrucci, who not only followed him during three flying laps in Q1, but lapped faster than him, costing him a place in the all-important top two.
Danilo wasn’t Dovi’s favorite person after qualifying.
“He did a lap time behind me 3 times because he didn’t have the speed,” said Dovizioso. “Without me he couldn’t be that fast. If you gain a tenth because you follow me 3 times. Means you try to be in Q2 with my speed. If I’m only Ducati rider (able to win title) and we have a good relation because I helped him with lot of things, it wasn’t smart move. I didn’t ask for help.”
Reacting to Dovizioso’s fury, Petrucci admitted was using his team-mate for his own benefit. But he explained, “For sure I used Andrea like a target, but it’s like in Barcelona and since yesterday that I lose almost 3-5mph on the straight so I need a slipstream to not lose too much. I’m so sorry for Andrea that lost his access to Qualifying 2.”
Lorenzo to replace Rossi?
As Valentino Rossi recovers at home from Covid-19, attention turned to a possible replacement rider. Could Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha’s test rider for 2020, step back into the factory squad for next week’s Teruel Grand Prix?
It’s unlikely Lorenzo will be back in place of Rossi.
In some respects, the move makes sense. But Lorenzo’s recent test at Portimao – his first outing for Yamaha’s test team since the Sepang test in February – didn’t bode well, with the five-time world champion finishing three seconds off Aleix Espargaro’s fastest time.
And Rossi noted recently, “Jorge in Malaysia in February was not so bad. Because he did a good job and he was strong with the M1. He was close to us, to the normal riders. But after, he said that he never rode the bike until Portimao. So I think that Jorge is a great opportunity for Yamaha because he has a big potential, but if you want to make the test rider he needs to train, to use motorcycles. Because if you stay eight months without touching a motorcycle, after it’s impossible to bring a MotoGP bike to the limit. So I think if Jorge wants to continue, he needs to test and to ride some other type of motorcycle during the season.”
Franco: bike upgrade for Christmas?
In light of recent excellent performances, Franco Morbidelli has made his Christmas wish known to team bosses: an upgraded Yamaha M1 spec for 2021.
The Italian currently runs a ‘A’ spec M1, a step down from the full factory bikes as Maverick Viñales, Valentino Rossi and Fabio Quartararo. The most obvious difference in the engine design, with a different air intake shape than the others. Morbidelli has also been lagging behind in terms of top speed, even compared to his factory stablemates.
Morbidelli wants a full factory bike for 2021.
Considering his showings this year – one race win and a further podium finish – Morbidelli is still hopeful he will receive a full factory spec M1 for 2021, even if Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis recently said that would more than likely not happen.
“Well, it’s not said yet that I’m going to have this (‘A’) spec in 2021,” Morbidelli said. “I spoke with Razlan (Razali – Petronas SRT Yamaha Boss) and I spoke with Wilco (Zeelenberg – Team Manager). I told them my wish for Christmas already. It doesn’t depend just by my performance on track. It depends on some other things. Of course my performance on track makes a huge difference on the choice and on the level of effort the team is going to make for me. Saying that, my aim is to control what I can and put down on track best performances I can to make the team think very well about the machine that they want to supply to me next year.”
Saturday
MotoGP
Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) is a MotoGP™ polesitter for the 10th time. Despite a heavy FP3 crash that saw him take a trip to the medical center, the Frenchman was once again on fire in Q2 to set a 1:47.076, enough to beat second fastest Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) by just 0.046 seconds. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was back in parc ferme on Saturday afternoon to claim his first row since the 2019 Americas GP.
Quartararo broke through the pain barrier to take pole at Aragon.
2020 Aragon MotoGP Results—Qualifying
| 1 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
1:47.076 |
| 2 |
Maverick Vinales |
(Yam) |
+ 0.046 |
| 3 |
Cal Crutchlow |
(Hon) |
+ 0.229 |
| 4 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Yam) |
+ 0.241 |
| 5 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 0.337 |
| 6 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 0.603 |
| 7 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 0.683 |
| 8 |
Danilo Petrucci |
(Duc) |
+ 0.848 |
| 9 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 0.912 |
| 10 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 0.959 |
Moto2
A record-breaking Moto2 lap saw Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) claim his second Saturday P1 of 2020. The British rider left it late to slam in a new MotorLand Aragon lap record, his 1:51.651 enough to beat Championship rival Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) by 0.148 seconds. Fabio Di Giannantonio (MB Conveyors Speed Up) competes the Moto2™ front row.
Sam Lowes broke the lap record to take pole at a circuit he loves.
2020 Aragon Moto2 Results—Qualifying
| 1 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
1:51.651 |
| 2 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Kal) |
+ 0.148 |
| 3 |
F. Di Giannantonio |
(Spe) |
+ 0.219 |
| 4 |
Jake Dixon |
(Kal) |
+ 0.348 |
| 5 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(Kal) |
+ 0.515 |
| 6 |
Jorge Navarro |
(Spe) |
+ 0.516 |
| 7 |
Luca Marini |
(Kal) |
+ 0.537 |
| 8 |
Jorge Martin |
(Kal) |
+ 0.584 |
| 9 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(Kal) |
+ 0.697 |
| 10 |
Remy Gardner |
(Kal) |
+ 0.750 |
Moto3
Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took pole in Moto3 Qualifying with a 1:57.681, after another dominant performance.
The Spaniard sealed a fourth pole of the year and has shown excellent race pace all weekend, and surely now must be considered among the favorites as he seeks to secure a first victory of the season. He will be joined by Championship contenders Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) and leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3)
Another pole for youngster Raul Fernandez.
2020 Aragon Moto3 Results—Qualifying
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(KTM) |
1:57.681 |
| 2 |
Celestino Vietti |
(KTM) |
+ 0.059 |
| 3 |
Albert Arenas |
(KTM) |
+ 0.510 |
| 4 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Hus) |
+ 0.531 |
| 5 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.587 |
| 6 |
Romano Fenati |
(Hus) |
+ 0.591 |
| 7 |
Carlos Tatay |
(KTM) |
+ 0.634 |
| 8 |
Ai Ogura |
(Hon) |
+ 0.684 |
| 9 |
Gabriel Rodrigo |
(Hon) |
+ 0.868 |
| 10 |
John McPhee |
(Hon) |
+ 0.869 |
Friday News
The cold catches up
A consequence of ending the season with six races over October and November means track conditions are colder than anything we’ve seen before. Saturday and Sunday’s schedule was pushed back after the Moto3 grid endured track temperatures of just 44 degrees on Friday morning.
Quartararo was one of a number of riders caught out by the cold on Friday.
Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro was believed to have refused to go out for MotoGP FP1 at its scheduled time of 9:55. A delay of 30 minutes was eventually called after conversations with Safety Advisor Loris Capirossi. “In Le Mans we struggle a lot, a lot, a lot, in the warm up in the morning to make the tires work and we had 53 degrees. When I saw (44) or (46) it was no way to go. They did a good job. But we just gained 2 degrees on tarmac.
“I can say to you guys it was very difficult. I don’t like to use the word scary but in FP1 I was very close to be scared for first time in my life on a MotoGP. Today was very difficult, very, very difficult.”
More Andrea Iannone Delays
Any hopes of Aprilia’s Andrea Iannone returning to competition in 2020 were served a further blow on Friday when the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) announced it would finalize its decision on the Italian’s case until mid-November.
More limbo for Andreea Iannone.
Iannone’s appeal against an 18-month ban given by the FIM was heard by the CAS on Thursday and Aprilia had hoped to know their decision as soon as possible. The ban stemmed from the one-time MotoGP race winner testing positive for a prohibited substance last November. The matter is complicated as the World Anti-Doping Agency reacted to Iannone’s appeal by pushing for an extended sentence of four years.
Bradley Smith, Iannone’s stand in, spoke of how this is affecting the squad. “It plays on team’s mind. Knowing what’s going to happen going forward, it’s what the project needs to have that stability and that focus in terms of knowing what 2021 could look like. Conversations are always if this or if that. Once it’s clear, there are no ifs and maybes. Ifs and maybes in elite sport is a nightmare. Confidence in everything is important thing. We’re lacking that inside our team because of this.”
Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow are on Aprilia’s radar for 2021 should Iannone’s ban be upheld.
Arbolino negative, but out
More unfortunate than Valentino Rossi’s absence at the Aragon GP, was Tony Arbolino’s. Unlike Rossi, the Moto3 title challenger tested negative for Covid-19 three times but is currently self-isolating. The Italian teenager was sat near a positive case when flying from France to Italy on Sunday after finishing second at Le Mans.
Arbolino’s title challenge could be over following his self-isolation.
FIM Medical Officer Giancarlo Di Filippo explained, “(Tony) was informed by the Italian authorities that he was close to someone on the flight that was positive. The national rules of Italy and Spain state he needs to be considered as someone that had close contact, meaning he has to be treated like he tested positive. The Spanish rules are for ten days (of isolation).”
Not only is it unfortunate in the extreme; the result is cataclysmic for Arbolino’s title chances. He sat 20 points back of title leader Albert Arenas coming into this weekend.
“The story of Arbolino is a great example that you can’t do anything to escape this problem,” said Francesco Bagnaia.
“He’s negative from three tests. He’s in the hotel doing quarantine. It’s very difficult because even when you’re a negative you stay at home. You can do everything to be OK but then you receive a call from the Health Minister of Italy and you have to stay at home. Tony had very bad luck because he’s fighting for the championship.”
Friday MotoGP
Day 1 at the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon belonged to Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Yamaha. Viñales topped both FP1 and set a 1:47.771 in FP2 to be the only rider into the 1:47s. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was 0.249 off Viñales after feeling no effects from his fast FP1 crash. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completed the top three as all three Yamahas sit pretty at MotorLand Aragon, the same can’t be said for Ducati though – no Desmosedici riders claim a top 10 spot on Friday.
Vinales ran hot on Friday for the fastest time.
2020 Aragon MotoGP Results—Friday Combined
| 1 |
Maverick Vinales |
(Yam) |
1:47.771 |
| 2 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 0.249 |
| 3 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Yam) |
+ 0.447 |
| 4 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 0.730 |
| 5 |
Cal Crutchlow |
(Hon) |
+ 0.827 |
| 6. |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 0.899 |
| 7 |
Pol Espargaro |
(KTM) |
+ 0.975 |
| 8 |
Alex Marquez |
(Hon) |
+ 1.052 |
| 9 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 1.053 |
| 10 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 1.068 |
Moto2
MB Conveyors Speed Up’s Fabio Di Giannantonio cemented Moto2 top spot on Friday at the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon, the pace was upped in FP2 as the Italian set a 1:52.748 to fend off second fastest Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) by 0.045 seconds. FP1 pacesetter Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) finished P3 on the combined standings, but the Le Mans winner’s afternoon was slightly marred by a Turn 7 crash—rider ok.
Fabio was flying on Friday in Moto2.
2020 Aragon Moto2 Results—Friday Combined
| 1 |
F. Di Giannantonio |
(Spe) |
1:52.748 |
| 2 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Kal) |
+ 0.045 |
| 3 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
+ 0.106 |
| 4 |
Edgar Pons |
(Kal) |
+ 0.269 |
| 5 |
Luca Marini |
(Kal) |
+ 0.300 |
| 6 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Kal) |
+ 0.392 |
| 7 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(Kal) |
+ 0.505 |
| 8 |
Remy Gardner |
(Kal) |
+ 0.506 |
| 9 |
Jorge Martin |
(Kal) |
+ 0.577 |
| 10 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 0.586 |
Moto3
Raul Fernadez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) once again showcased his pace on a Friday as the man who has picked up three pole positions so far this season will be hoping to convert it into podium glory ahead of the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon.
Fernandez topped Friday action yet again on the Red Bull KTM.
Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Championship leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team) also managed to record rapid times to complete the Top 3 on the combined timesheets before FP3, however, neither could get close to Fernandez’s 1:58.144.
2020 Aragon Moto3 Results—Friday Combined
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(KTM) |
1:58.144 |
| 2 |
Romano Fenati |
(Hus) |
+ 0.438 |
| 3 |
Albert Arenas |
(KTM) |
+ 0.532 |
| 4 |
Darryn Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 0.545 |
| 5 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.619 |
| 6 |
Sergio Garcia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.700 |
| 7 |
Jaume Masia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.828 |
| 8 |
Ai Ogura |
(Hon) |
+ 0.839 |
| 9 |
Celestino Vietti |
(KTM) |
+ 0.879 |
| 10 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Hus) |
+ 0.974 |
Click here for all the latest MotoGP news.
