Cycle News

Cycle News 2021 Issue 37 September 14

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/1410086

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 104 of 149

ROUND 13 / SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2021 MOTORLAND ARAGON / TERUEL, SPAIN P104 MOTOGP I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The Italian's sixth place was hard fought as he defended against Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) and championship leader Quartara- ro, who once again suffered at Aragon. Aragon was the scene of Quartararo's championship undoing last year when his front- tire temperature went sky-high, and grip issues affected him again this year, although he did salvage eighth place. Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Idemitsu Honda) rounded out the top 10. In what looks like the end of his championship hopes, Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) dropped out of the points in 17th, one place ahead of the returning Maverick Vinales, who took 18th on his Aprilia debut. In the championship, Quar- tararo is still in charge on 214, but Bagnaia's win hoists him up to second on 161 with Mir third on 157. Moto2 In what has to be one of the gutsiest Moto2 performances for many years, Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) blitzed the field at Motorland Aragon a mere seven days after undergoing sur- gery for a fractured metacarpal on his right hand. The Spaniard rode a perfect ZARCO'S ARM PUMP On Friday Johann Zarco re- vealed arm-pump had also played its part, leading him to contem- plate surgery, possibly before the season is out. "In Austria and Silverstone, I got an arm pump problem," he said. "I often say if I feel good on bike, I won't have arm pump. This kind of problem it seems now is part of our sport. It's almost like doping. Fabio is a good example. Now it is com- ing with all the bikes because we have better acceleration. We can brake very hard and slow down so much. If you do it so relaxed you don't bring the bike anywhere." On when he may do the operation, Zarco said, "I have two choices. Can be the end of season or the break between Austin and Misano. I will see. I still believe I can control it." HONDA TESTING DIFFERENT CHASSIS CONCEPT Honda continued experimenting at Aragon as it seeks strong de- velopment direction for 2022, with Marc Marquez trying a third dif- ferent chassis spec in five races. Briefly... Jack Miller held third for the first half of the race but dropped to fifth at the finish as Aleix Espargaro (41) and Joan Mir (36) both pushed past.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Cycle News - Cycle News 2021 Issue 37 September 14