#RacingAhead: are you ready for Jerez?

After months of anticipation, the ‘if’ became ‘when’. But now the biggest question is who’s ready… and who’s not

Monday, 13 July 2020

Since the flag flew to mark the end of the 2019 MotoGP™ season, it seems in some ways like an eternity has passed, or like our world has been stuck in a tiny infinity. Off season, preseason, training, team changing, gearing up and settling in – it had all been done and the stage was set for the throttles of the MotoGP™ field to twist in their first spectacular of the season. And then, they just didn’t. In some ways it feels like the Qatar Test was yesterday, and in others it feels like it might have happened in an alternate reality, aeons ago. This weekend though, we’re BACK.

The Gran Premio Red Bull de España will see the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto host our return to competition, with the question of when we would race again now replaced by a million more. Back in March, it was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in the spotlight as we wondered if the reigning Champion would be ready to go at 100% after shoulder surgery, but now eyes turn to key rival Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) after he injured his collarbone in training only a few weeks ago. Will he be ready? Can he afford to not be? Will Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) be straight back at the top of the timesheets? What can Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) do? Will Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins and Joan Mir turn up with the same searing pace they threatened in testing? Does Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) still have that target on his back from some ominous timesheets in preseason?

A one-day test at Jerez on Wednesday – for all classes – will give us some snippets and glimpses ahead of the race weekend, but these are the questions, and more, for which we will only truly start to get answers on Sunday. And there really are more! Have Honda got more up their sleeve than we saw in testing? Will Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) come out swinging, flush with his new 2021 seat at the factory Ducati team? Or will Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) make it his mission to leave the squad on a high? Can Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) convert raw pace into a first premier class podium this year, and right after his renewal with the team for 2021? And what about Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing)? Can the Frenchman get up to speed on his new machinery and overhaul teammate Tito Rabat?

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), meanwhile, will be aiming to strike early in the fight for top Independent Team rider against the likes of Petronas Yamaha SRT, so can he push to get back up the timesheets after some seemingly tougher testing? It looks like it could be his last season with the team, too. Will Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) be able to pull out the stops in his sophomore season and challenge the likes of Quartararo, Miller and Crutchlow? Will KTM turn up the wick and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) make their experience pay? Espargaro is now confirmed as off to Honda next season, so 2020 is his last chance to add more results to his tally with KTM. How will the new Aprilia fare after the encouraging signs in preseason – and this time in the hands of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and his teammate, replacement rider Bradley Smith?

All that is without even mentioning the new faces on the grid, too! Who will take the first spoils in the fight for Rookie of the Year? In 2020 it’s Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) vs Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) vs Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), with plenty on the line for each of them – and Marquez and Binder especially with some nice Jerez races on their past CVs. Marquez is also set to only race this season in Repsol Honda colours for now as well, after it was announced he has signed for HRC to race with LCR next season… so there’s that added incentive to boot.

Catch your breath, buckle up and get ready to find out. We will look different on track, but we’ll race just the same; race for the thrill and love of the fight, race for the adrenaline and the competition. Race for the points and the trophies, race to show what we’ve got as contract negotiations continue and questions hang in the air. Race to feel the air scything past us on track and the freedom of the bike beneath us, race to push the limits of technology and traction. Race for the people who have waited so patiently, the people we inspire and the people who inspire us. Race to create another chapter in a more than 70-year history, and race to push towards a future that had seemed on pause. Race for those who have cared for us and helped us, race for those who have been struck by the maelstrom of 2020 more than many. Race for those who support us and always have, race for the fans who can’t be with us trackside just yet. Race for you, and each other, racing together; ahead. For the sheer love of the sport, because MotoGP™ is racing… and MotoGP™ is back.

The stage is the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, and we cannot wait to see you. The curtain call is Friday the 17th of July, with race day set for Sunday the 19th.
 

Moto2™ reset, reload and get ready to race

The season opener was a stunner… so what’s in store in Round 2?

In March, Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took an incredibly popular win under the floodlights of Qatar, and he arrives into Round 2 at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto as the Championship leader. Now, he needs to find that momentum all over again – as do his rivals on the Moto2™ grid – after a long break that has doubtlessly been a mental and physical challenge for everyone. Can Nagashima pick up where he left off?

A very different track, searing temperatures and the shuffled pack of unknowns arising from the particular circumstances in 2020 say it’ll be a bigger challenge that most normally face after having taken the first win of the year. Nagashima’s teammate Jorge Martin will be one of the first hoping to hit back – and on home turf – as will the likes of Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Augusto Fernandez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) after their Qatar went awry. Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team), Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP), his teammate Marcel Schrötter and Jorge Navarro (HDR Heidrun Speed Up) will have their eyes on the prize too, and Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) will also be back in the mix. That mix made for pretty stiff competition even despite the drama in the desert that unfolded, too.

Joe Roberts (Tennor American Racing) put together an awesome weekend at Losail to come out swinging, only narrowly missing out on his first podium – and from pole – and the American will be raring to get back and track to show his form in the very different conditions of Andalucia. Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), meanwhile, also put in a stunner and took third, and the Italian was a standout performer in qualifying to boot. Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team Moto2) shone with an amazing debut in the intermediate class and can’t be forgotten either, especially racing on home turf. But then there’s Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40)…

The Italian took a second place to open his account in 2020, but Baldassarri also happens to be the man who won in Jerez both last year and the year before. Can he do it again as we prepare to blast out of hibernation and go racing again? Only time will tell…

After a day of testing on Wednesday, tune in for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España from the 17th to the 19th of July to see who comes out swinging in Round 2.

Moto2™ Championship Standings

1 Tetsuta Nagashima – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 25

2 Lorenzo Baldassarri – Flexbox HP 40 – Kalex – 20

3 Enea Bastianini – Italtrans Racing Team – Kalex – 16

4 Joe Roberts – Tennor American Racing – Kalex – 13

5 Remy Gardner – ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team – Kalex – 11
 

Moto3™ gear up for more mayhem and miracles

The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto beckons. Who’s going to come out swinging in the lightweight class?

If there’s one thing we can probably say for sure ahead of the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, it’s that the Moto3™ class will be far from rusty. Always walking the line between madness and genius, the lightweight class know how to put on a show and that will be no different as we get back on track – finally – for Round 2. From the floodlights of Losail we head to the baking summer of southern Spain, and as luck, or skill, would have it, it’s a Spaniard who arrives at the top of the pile.

Albert Arenas (Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3) is most definitely a veteran now, and his ride in Qatar stamped some early authority on the title fight as he took his third win in style. On home turf he’ll be keen to keep his advantage, but the cast of home heroes is a big one to contend with – from the more experienced likes of Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) to the younger guns like Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), all of whom will be fired up.

In terms of the Championship though, Arenas likely already has an eye on the man he beat to the top step in Qatar – John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing). And McPhee likely likewise. The Brit is another veteran who knows how to win and will be aiming for the top – but will also, like Arenas, know consistency is king. Especially in a season that already looks so different…

So who else could they be fighting? As it’s Moto3™, probably most of the field. But based on Qatar – and previous form – Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) should be one to watch. The Japanese rider gained traction in a big way throughout much of 2019 and began his sophomore season on the rostrum. Veterans and SIC58 Squadra Corse teammates Tatsuki Suzuki and Niccolo Antonelli will also be aiming high – and Antonelli’s emotional win at the venue last year was a stunner. Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), meanwhile, will want in, and the Rivacold Snipers Team of Filip Salac – who shone in Qatar – and Tony Arbolino – expected to challenge for the crown – can’t be overlooked. Rookie Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) also impressed in Qatar, so there’s no shortage of names likely to be fighting it out in the freight train.

There really is nothing in the world like Moto3™, so make sure you tune in for the test on Wednesday and the race weekend proper, from the 17th to the 19th of July at Jerez.

Moto3™ Championship Standings

1 Albert Arenas – Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3 – KTM – 25

2 John McPhee – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – 20

3 Ai Ogura – Honda Team Asia – Honda – 16

4 Jaume Masia – Leopard Racing – Honda – 13

5 Tatsuki Suzuki – SIC58 Squadra Corse – Honda – 11

HRC extend agreement with Alex Marquez

Honda Racing Corporation are proud to announce the renewal of Alex Marquez, extending his current agreement until the end of 2022.

During 2020, the former Moto3 and Moto2 World Champion will race in the premier class aboard his Honda RC213V in the Repsol Honda Team.

After winning the title in the middleweight class, Marquez has a whole season ahead to gain experience and make progress in HRC’s long term project, which sees the 24-year old Spanish rider join the LCR Honda Team at the end of 2020.

HRC would like to extend their thanks to Cal Crutchlow for his diligent and tireless work since joining HRC in 2015. With three wins and 12 podiums, the British rider has been a valuable asset on and off track – a constant source of excellent feedback for the engineers and a key part of developing the Honda RC213V in recent years. HRC wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:

ALEX MARQUEZ TO JOIN LCR HONDA CASTROL IN 2021

Alex Marquez will be an official LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2021 after renewing his contract with HRC for two more years. The deal will see the MotoGP rookie race in the LCR Honda Team with full factory support from HRC.

The arrival of Alex Marquez sees the LCR team embark on another new journey with an extremely talented young rider, something the team has vast experience of in the past, following in the footsteps of the likes of Casey Stoner, Stefan Bradl and even current rider Takaaki Nakagami.

With one half of an exciting 2021 project confirmed, the LCR Honda Team still remain focused on a successful 2020 season with their current riders Cal Crutchlow and Nakagami in the saddle. Cal Crutchlow has represented the team for the past six years and taken three victories – a feat unsurpassed by any other independent team rider – whilst Nakagami has made significant progress since making his MotoGP debut with the squad two seasons ago, and is fully fit once more heading into the eagerly-awaited race-action.

The first round of the revamped MotoGP World Championship campaign will take place this coming weekend at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto in Spain.
Alex Marquez 

“I am very proud to announce my renewal with Honda Racing Corporation. HRC gave me the opportunity to race in MotoGP and I am glad to join the LCR Honda Team at the end of 2020 and compete in a big team with great experience in MotoGP. I want to thank HRC and the LCR Honda Team for their trust in me to be able to continue in the Honda family, and I will work hard to prove their confidence with results. Now, I am eager to start the season in Jerez and I am completely focused on giving my best this year.”

Lucio Cecchinello 

“First and foremost I’d like to say that we are fully focused on the campaign ahead and look forward to a successful 2020. In Cal and Taka we have two fantastic riders who we believe in fully to shine in the shortened MotoGP season.

We are delighted to welcome Alex Marquez into our team next season. Alex is a two-time World Champion, a truly exciting prospect, and we are very happy and definitely proud that HRC has assigned us the task of helping him take his next important steps in his MotoGP racing career.

Over recent seasons LCR’s position as one of the leading independent teams in the MotoGP class has been confirmed with 12 podiums and three stunning victories for Cal Crutchlow. The team is excited about embarking on another project alongside Honda, and as ever we will do our very best to prepare someone who will undoubtedly be a star of MotoGP in the future.”

HRC sign Pol Espargaro

Honda Racing Corporation are pleased to announce the signing of Pol Espargaro. The former Moto2 World Champion will join the Repsol Honda Team on a two-year contract. He will join eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez aboard the Honda RC213V. Espargaro is one of the most experienced riders on the grid, having raced in the World Championship since 2006 and with 104 premier class Grands Prix contested.

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team retains Franco Morbidelli

PETRONAS Yamaha SRT will retain Franco Morbidelli for two years

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team is pleased to announce that Franco Morbidelli will be retained for the 2021 and 2022 MotoGP seasons.

The Italian rider, who was MotoGP Rookie of the Year in 2018, joined PETRONAS Yamaha SRT in 2019 for the team’s debut MotoGP season.

The year saw Morbidelli make four front row starts and claim seven top-six finishes aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. In addition to this, Franco was also vital in helping to secure the 2019 Top Independent Team honours for PETRONAS Yamaha SRT, finishing 10th in the riders’ championship with 115 points to his name.

The Malaysian-based team now looks forward to being able to see Franco back in action at the first MotoGP round of 2020 in Jerez (17-19 July).

Razlan Razali

Team Principal

We are delighted to confirm that Franky will continue with us next year. He is an extremely talented rider and a great asset to the team as we look to build on our rookie season. Franky was always in our plans for the future so it is beneficial for us and him to be able to confirm that he will ride for us in 2021 and 2022 now.

Franky has the potential to reach the top step of the podium and this is what we’ll all be working hard to achieve. We have absolute faith in Franky even before this season has started. We are confident that Franky has what it takes to be competitive from Jerez and know that he will develop and mature in all areas through the years ahead. Franky will provide the team with stability and competitiveness and we can’t wait to be back on track!

Franco Morbidelli

I’m very pleased to be renewing with PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team as we had such a great season together last year, working with a great drive to achieve success. I think it’s important for me to continue with the same team, bike and environment going forward as it feels great to work with them. We all work well together and it’s great fun to work with all the PETRONAS SRT crew. I want to thank them for this opportunity that they are giving me as it’s such an honour to ride for them. I will be working hard to give them even more and even better results than we achieved in our first year together. I’m now looking forward to getting racing again to show our potential and I’m just so happy to have the chance to keep on doing what I love to do with a team I love.

Statement from FIM, IRTA and Dorna

To all the MotoGP™ Family,

The Covid-19 pandemic is and has been one of the biggest challenges our sport has faced. Very soon it will be time to get back on track with two consecutive GPs in Jerez, and we are very excited for the restart of our sport.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every single member of the MotoGP™ family, including manufacturers, teams, riders, officials, circuits, marshals, volunteers, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, sponsors, partners, service companies and organization staff for their incredible efforts during this difficult time, and for the hard work put in by so many to make it possible for us to go racing again.

After a lot of hard work and effort, in conjunction with authorities we have been able to produce an accepted protocol for events with the aim of minimising the risks of infection. We must take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of the safety measures and medical procedures in place that enable us to get back on track.

Before we arrive at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, we remind everyone that once you have been tested, each member of the paddock must self-isolate as much as possible and avoid all unnecessary contact with others until such time as we arrive at the circuit.

When we are at the circuit, the race weekend and the paddock will look different, as our comprehensive medical protocol ensures the highest safety standards for everyone present at the event.It is essential that all confinement rules are followed strictly, and all participants must only go to the circuit and hotel.

We will be missing many members of the paddock, and we’re grateful for their work from a distance, and of course, for now we will unfortunately also be missing all our fans in the grandstands.

This medical protocol must be read and followed to the letter, inside and outside the circuit. Any breaches of the medical protocol will be taken extremely seriously and immediately acted upon by the organiser.

The health of all members of the paddock is our top priority, and we thank you for your cooperation in ensuring we can get back on track safely for another incredible weekend – and season – of racing.

Every single participant is responsible for the future of our sport.

FIM President Jorge Viegas, IRTA President Hervé Poncharal & Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta

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