VOLUME 58 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 10, 2021 P59
with Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro,
with neither resulting in a crash.
Espargaro would later retire with
engine trouble.
Marquez headed home broth-
er Alex (LCR Castrol Honda) and
the remarkable Dani Pedrosa,
who took a top 10 after being
away from MotoGP competition
for nearly three years.
Yet again, it was a disastrous
day for the second Monster En-
ergy Yamaha rider of Maverick
Vinales, who stalled on the re-
start grid and would have to start
from pitlane. He would come
home 19th and last, the second
time in two races the former title
contender has brought up the
rear of the field.
MYOWNRACE
consistent with his lap mes, so I want to
congratulate him. In the end I'm sa sfied,
and I feel very proud of the team and the
factory who have made a great job over
the summer. I'm happy to know that the
new device is working, we have more ac-
celera on, and it puts us on a more level
playing field—this gives me hope for the
next races. Star ng the second part of the
season with a podium is a nice feeling and
I feel confident for next weekend."
20 FABIO QUARTARARO
3RD MOTOGP
"It feels so good, because when there is
a red flag it's tough, even if it's not a big
crash," points leader Fabio Quartararo said.
"I made an impressive overtake in race
one, turn six. I was a li le bit on the limit
and to repeat this was so difficult. I knew
that Jack Miller was so fast. I was extreme
-
ly good on braking in turn three. I knew
that that was a good point to overtake if I
was given that possibility. The goal was to
finish on the podium, and we did it! I am
so happy for Jorge Mar n, and as a bonus
he took some points from Joan Mir."
33 BRAD BINDER
4TH MOTOGP
"Today was a bit of chaos for the first race
back!" Brad Binder said. "I almost crashed
on the sigh ng lap of the first race. I don't
year, mid-way through a two-year
contract, with Aprilia being his most
likely destination. Even still, no con-
firmation came over the five-week
summer break. But it is believed
Vinales has signed a one-year deal
to race the much-improved RS-GP
next year.
MORBIDELLI GETS
UPGRADED
Yamaha has confirmed that Franco
Morbidelli will take over the seat
vacated by Vinales in the Monster
Energy Yamaha team for 2022. In
an interview with Motomatters.com,
Yamaha Managing Director Lin Jar-
vis signaled this was the factory's
intention. Morbidelli's departure,
couple with Valentino Rossi's retire-
ment means Petronas SRT Yamaha
is now seeking two new riders,
and not just one. Moto2 contender
Marco Bezzecchi has been one
name linked. On who Petronas
Yamaha should hire, Yamaha test
rider Cal Crutchlow, deputizing for
the injured Morbidelli in Austria,
rued Toprak Razgatioglu's decision
to stay in World Superbike. "I think
the obvious choice was Toprak.
It would be great to see him in
MotoGP. He's a fantastic talent. He
would've been a breath of fresh air
for the championship," he said.
Briefly...
Martin leads Jack Miller and Joan
Mir in a triple M sandwich. Miller,
however, would not make the finish.
