VOLUME 59 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 P89
himself to third place, his third
podium in four races for the fac-
tory Aprilia team, as he headed
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46
Ducati) in the Italian's best ride
of the season.
Fifth was a despondent Fabio
Quartararo (Monster Energy
Yamaha), as the Frenchman lost
another 14 points to the relent-
less Bagnaia in the title chase.
Qualifying down in eighth, the
World Champion eventually
clawed his way up past Aleix
Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) but
couldn't close down Marini, ad-
mitting he was "on the limit" for
the entirety of the race.
Espargaro was sixth, losing
more ground to Quartararo and
Bagnaia in the title chase, ahead
MARQUEZ CONFIRMS
TESTING RETURN
Marc Marquez was back in the
paddock on Saturday ahead of an
appearance at the two-day MotoGP
test on Tuesday and Wednesday
(September 6-7). The eight-time
champ received the okay from
doctors on August 24 to step up his
training and return to riding motor-
cycles. He did two days of riding on
a CBR600. Marquez confirmed if the
test goes well, he could well return to
competition at Aragon in two weeks'
time. "When I will return, it's because
I want to race all races," he said. "I
mean, not one race and then stay at
home. After this test I will understand
how is my level and how is the reac-
tion of my arm and I will understand if
it's possible to race in Aragon or not."
APRILIA BOLSTERS
ITS RANKS
Aprilia and its soon-to-be satellite
outfit succeeded in signing its first-
choice rider lineup as both Miguel
Oliveira and Raul Fernandez were
confirmed at RNF Aprilia for 2023.
"They were both our first choice,"
said Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo
Rivola. "I rate Miguel as a top rider.
He already showed a lot of speed in
MotoGP. And Raul is a super-talent.
He didn't do the season he was
expecting. But hopefully we can put
him in the position to take it out. I
think we'll have a very strong mix."
GARDNER: KTM BROKE
MY HEART
Remy Gardner gave an impassioned
description of a tumultuous week
that followed the Austrian Grand
Prix, where he was informed that
his services wouldn't be required by
KTM in 2023. He was told "Sat-
urday afternoon in Austria." The
news came as a surprise. "Wasn't
expecting it, to be honest. I've
always given 100 percent and, un-
fortunately, I don't think it was good
enough for the standard. They said
I was not professional enough. I felt
like maybe there's not an apprecia-
tion for the world championship I
brought them, as well. It's definitely
hard to take."
Briefly...
It was another torrid race for Franco
Morbidelli (black bike) who crashed
out of his home event.
