Above all, it demonstrated the
message of the second race of
the European season, and the
first one not to be badly affected
by the weather. After the topsy-
turvy phoney war of the first flya-
ways, the big beasts are back.
The "anyone-can-win" mantra
took a severe beating.
The resumption of Bagnaia/
Quartararo hostilities was anoth-
er proof. By the end of last year,
these two defined the champion-
ship. In the Spanish sunshine,
they also defined the weekend,
qualifying and finishing first and
second, and with the French
defending title-holder extending
his championship lead.
There's every chance the
same pair will end up contesting
the crown, just like last year. Par-
venus will have to wait their turn.
But how about the guy who
came fourth? More specifically,
how about the way he came
fourth.
The most significant moment
of Marc's race came after he
had seized a rostrum place in
the closing stages with a daring
overtake on Miller with five laps
to go, only to run wide into the
O
ne moment said every-
thing about the Spanish
GP. And potentially about
the whole of the 2022 season.
It was the moment when a mo-
torcycle magician did one of his
best tricks. Perhaps you've seen
the picture of a genius at work. If
not, it is worth hunting it up.
A moment when, single-handedly,
Marc Marquez transformed a tense
but entirely processional Sunday
afternoon at Jerez into a thriller.
P152
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
THE BIG BEAST
IS BACK
Marc Marquez's save at
Jerez is good proof the
"Beast" is indeed back to
form.
PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE
