The MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix was another chapter in Honda’s struggles. Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) was their highest-placed rider in 13th, and besides the Spanish rider, only Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) scored points.

Speaking to GPOne.com, riders manager Carlo Pernat commented on the situation at the Japanese manufacturer, suggesting that the Misano test will provide insights into the future:

– Márquez seemed switched off, with [Joan] Mir losing the desire to ride this Honda. We will know more about the future of this Honda after the tests in Misano.

O conteúdo ‘Marc Márquez seemed switched off; Mir is losing the desire to ride this Honda’ – Carlo Pernat aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The recent crash of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia during the MotoGP race in Barcelona has reignited debates about the inherent risks of the sport. However, it also highlights the indomitable spirit of racers who often make miraculous comebacks after devastating falls. In the first ten races of 2023 alone, there were 515 falls across all categories, with 198 occurring in MotoGP. Despite these alarming numbers, advancements in safety measures have significantly reduced the severity of injuries.

Television coverage can’t fully capture the risks that racers take on the track. While it’s impossible to eliminate all dangers, what sets these racers apart is their resilience and ability to bounce back after horrific accidents. Their mental fortitude is just as crucial as their physical strength, allowing them to return to the track, sometimes almost miraculously.

After a severe fall and subsequent surgery, Enea Bastianini will miss the next three GPs. In contrast, Pecco Bagnaia, who was hit by Brad Binder’s KTM, is expected to race in Misano, a near-miracle considering the circumstances. The history of motorcycle racing is filled with such awe-inspiring comebacks. Enzo Ferrari once said, “Pilots, what people!” referring to racers capable of exceptional recoveries after harsh accidents.

Advanced medical treatments and therapies play a role in helping racers recover from physical and psychological traumas. However, the defining factor remains the racers’ extraordinary willpower and courage. There isn’t a single racer who hasn’t fallen and returned to the track, whether immediately or after enduring surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.

One historical example dates back 98 years when Tazio Nuvolari, considered by many as the greatest racer ever, suffered severe injuries during a test run. Despite his condition, he left the hospital to win a grueling 300 km race, thanks to a handmade leather corset that helped him stay on his bike. Such stories of courage and resilience have been a part of motorcycle racing from its early days to the modern era, proving that the spirit of the racers remains unyielding, regardless of the risks involved.

O conteúdo The Spirit of Motorcycle Racers: From Historic Comebacks to Modern Miracles aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Surprisingly, Francesco Bagnaia managed to avoid leg fractures despite being struck by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) following a highside crash at the start of the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix. Luck was not the only factor that protected the championship leader from serious consequences.

Michele Zasa, the medical director of the Clinica Mobile, explained to GPOne.com that three factors played a role in the outcome: ‘One component that definitely needs to be mentioned is luck because if a bike passes over you, it depends on where it hits you. Fifty centimeters make a difference. That said, there are two other components related to the athletic aspect. These are guys who train to ride at these speeds and they can have very fast reaction times, so those who follow, who don’t want to harm those in front of them, may try to avoid when possible. Then, riders do a sport where trauma is inherent from an early age, so they learn how to fall and, when they do, they position themselves in a way that minimizes damage. Obviously, this applies when they have an escape route, less so in a dynamic like Sunday’s. We must not forget about the protections, which have improved a lot in the last ten to twenty years’.

On the other hand, the doctor emphasized that riders have good physical preparation: ‘Looking at the footage, you can see that the bike went up onto his legs, and the tibia and fibula were at risk. But they are athletes well prepared physically and have muscle tone and elasticity that certainly helps. Let’s say it was a combination of several factors that came into play, and perhaps even the good Lord saying it wasn’t the time’.

O conteúdo The factors that protected Francesco Bagnaia from serious injuries at the Catalan GP aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martín and Prima Pramac have moved closer to securing the MotoGP Independent team Riders’ title with their podium finish at the Catalan Grand Prix.

The Spanish rider now holds a 21-point gap over Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati) in the Independent Riders’ Championship and has opened up a 69-point lead over his teammate Johann Zarco. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati) is the last one trailing by less than 100 points.

As the overall leader, Prima Pramac is also the top Independent team. They have expanded the gap between themselves and the Mooney VR46 Racing Team to 37 points, while Gresini Racing is currently third among the Independent teams, 206 points behind.

O conteúdo Jorge Martín and Prima Pramac strengthen their lead among the Independents aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Massimo Meregalli was pleased to see Quartararo ending the GP at Barcelona in P7 and revelead the changes made on the bike were crucial to allow the rider to have such a good performance.

The Team Director first spoke about the chaotic start of the race: ‘Red flag situations like the one we had this sunday always add a bit of extra tension, but our riders handled the situation well’.

As the rider himself told, going back to the 2022 fairing and settings was super important: ‘They had a good start, especially Fabio. We made some changes to the bike, and it helped Fabio battle with other riders. Seventh place, coming from so far down on the grid, is a decent result’. 

O conteúdo Massimo Meregalli happy with the changes with the M1 that: ‘Help Quartararo fighting with other riders’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

After the MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix, the three riders who made it to the podium had the opportunity to watch the footage of some of the key moments of the race.

Cameras captured the reactions of Aleix Espargaró, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia), and Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) to these moments, such as the crashes at the first start or some of the crucial overtakes.

In the following video, you can witness the reactions and comments of the three riders.

O conteúdo Video: Podium riders reacting to key moments of the Catalan GP aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jack Miller was the sole man for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing to finish this sunday race at Barcelona and on top of that, the rider actually felt well even with new settings, assured Francesco Guidotti.

Owner of the eighth position, Miller had a novelty on his bike, related to the configurations he tried, which worked well, as the team’s Team Manager said:

– Jack started with a completely new setting. We said ‘we have nothing to lose’ and we went for it and after a few laps he was comfortable and started pushing. He recovered and just missed out on maybe two more positions if he knew it was the last lap! He has his feeling back, which is good.

O conteúdo ‘Jack Miller rode with a new setting, we had nothing to lose, and he got his feeling back’ – Francesco Guidotti aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Enea Bastianini will miss the next MotoGP round as he will have to go through surgery to treat the fractures on his left hand and ankle, as Davide Tardozzi, at San Marino.

Ducati Lenovo Team Manager spoke of the rider’s current situation, in a team statement: ‘Enea suffered a fracture in his left hand and one in his left ankle and both will require surgery. He will have the operations as soon as possible and will certainly have to miss the GP of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera‘.

The italian will then miss another round, after the chaotic start of the season in Portugal where he missed some races also due to injury.

O conteúdo Davide Tardozzi says Enea Bastianini will miss this next GP as he will have to undergo surgery aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martín grabbed the podium at the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix by finishing in third place. However, the Prima Pramac rider dealt with a less competitive Ducati than expected during the race, having no chances to compete with the two Aprilia that finished ahead of him.

In an interview with DAZN, the Spanish rider admitted that the Desmosedici GP23 didn’t perform as expected: ‘In other years, we were stronger, but not this year. It was the first time in years that the Ducati didn’t turn, we started having problems, or the others improved a lot. But to be five seconds slower than even our pole position lap times, I think it’s excessive’.

Despite the surprisingly underwhelming performance, Martín emphasized that nothing will change for the next round: ‘The track is not in a condition to take any drastic measures, so we will continue with the same plan, and surely everything will return to normal in Misano’.

O conteúdo ‘It was the first time in years that the Ducati didn’t turn’ – Jorge Martín aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The 2023 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix is in the history books as the first one with an Aprilia 1-2 finish, thanks to Aleix Espargaró’s win – beating his teammate Maverick Viñales in a direct fight.

The #41 expressed his pride in the post-race press conference, both for the historic moment and the collective work within Aprilia:

– I’m very happy also for Aprilia. I think it’s a very historical moment. I’m very, very proud of Aprilia, because we came from far, far away. And Aprilia has to be very proud of Maverick and myself because together we did an amazing and historical job. It’s not easy to have a good relation with your teammate when you are fighting for top positions and to develop the bike to fight against your rivals. So, I’m very happy. Congratulations to Aprilia.

O conteúdo ‘It’s a very historical moment; I’m very proud’ – Aleix Espargaró aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.