Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1282019
MOTOGP FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 5 / AUGUST 21-23, 2020 RED BULL RING / SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA P74 SUZUKI STRONG From 2016 to 2019 Suzuki's best finish at the throttle-happy Red Bull Ring was sixth place, 8.6-seconds behind the leader. For a machine that looks for sweet handling over outright power, the speed of both Alex Rins and Joan Mir at the Aus- trian venue has come as a surprise. But the last two rounds have shown that the Japanese factory has made real progress with the front end of the GSX-RR in the braking zone. Punch out of the corner is now much better than before, allowing it to stay within touch of the Ducatis on the straights before making time through the twisty sectors three and four. "They have more grip in acceleration. When they open the throttle, they are able to exit the cor- ner in a better way than us. We spin more," noted Valentino Rossi. And Andrea Dovizioso noted, "They are so good in middle of corners and they become better in the braking." ZARCO AND BAGNAIA A week on from the shocking news that Andrea Dovizioso will split from Ducati at the end of this season, the factory confirmed it will look within for his replacement. On Saturday, Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti said an agreement is already in place between Ducati and Frances- co (Pecco) Bagnaia for 2021 and '22. They will also keep a hold of Johann Zarco for next year. Howev- er, Ducati bosses are yet to decide which rider will step up to the fac- tory team to partner Jack Miller in 2021. Jorge Martin has been signed by Pramac Ducati for next season and will be confirmed next month. Should Bagnaia step up to the fac- Briefly... (Above) For the first time since racing re- started at the Red Bull Ring in 2016, there was no Ducati winner. No Ducati on the podium, for that matter. Andrea Dovizioso struggled to get going in both races, and it was all he could do to take fifth at the flag. He can take solace in the fact he's only three points off the title lead heading to Misano. (Right) Like Dovi, Alex Rins (42) couldn't get it together in the Styrian MotoGP. Rins battled for the lead last week but failed to make an impression on the top five in either start this weekend. Still, a sixth place was better than throwing the Suzuki at the wall, like he did last week. les' brake failure, Monster Energy Yamaha's Valentino Rossi would trail home ninth, Fabio Quartararo (Petro- nas Yamaha SRT) 13th and teammate Franco Morbidelli in 15th. "I'm very emotional…there is so much I want to say but I cannot at the moment," Oliveira said. "A big thank you to all the people that believed in me, starting with my family, everyone in the team, sponsors and the Portu- guese crowd. Thank you so much for your support. This is history today for me and my country and I couldn't be happier to do it here in the home of KTM and Red Bull." In the championship, Quartararo still leads with 67 points, three clear of Dovizioso. Miller hoists himself to third with 56 following his two podiums in a row, with Brad Binder (who came in eighth) fourth at 49 and Vinales fifth at 48.