Pecco vs. Marquez—Avoiding Chaos
S
unday's MotoGP at Jerez
was a full-blooded affair,
with Pecco Bagnaia and Marc
Marquez each saving their best
performances of the year for
a Spanish GP classic. And the
Spaniard later revealed he had
learned from their controversial
crash in Portugal by not forcing
the issue when the pair thrillingly
came together on lap 21.
"I was smart enough and gave
up at the correct time, because if
not, Pecco or me or both would
have crashed," said Marquez.
"When I went in on Turn 10 and
received the impact from his
front wheel, on that moment it's
two things: I crash because I
lose the rear, or he crashes like
(Saturday). So, I just gave up."
Bagnaia, meanwhile, stated he
knew he had to fight fire with fire.
"The fight with Marc was in
-
tense. You know perfectly when
you are fighting with Marc, you
have to put your elbow out."
Neil Morrison
WIND
IN THE
P28
The thrilling Jerez race
showed hard and fair racing
is alive and well between
Francesco Bagnaia and Marc
Marquez.
PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE
Jerez Stewarding
Controversy
T
he FIM Stewards and Freddie Spencer in
particular faced criticism, once again, at the
Spanish GP for controversies in the Sprint (Brad
Binder on Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez on
Joan Mir) and feature race at Jerez.
In Sunday's GP, Aleix Espargaro took Johann
Zarco out at turn five. And rather than feel rage
toward the Catalan, the Frenchman was infuriated
by Spencer's response when they met post-race.
"I went to the Race Direction and Freddie Spencer
was watching the action with us," Zarco said. "And
it seems, he was looking me, that he wanted to
know what I wanted. But I said to him that he is
not good for this job because he don't take the
right decision in the right moment. So don't ask
me what you have to do! Freddie Spencer is not
the right guy at this place."
Espargaro admitted he had to restrain Zarco in
the heated meeting after the double Moto2 World
Champ lost his head. "When I saw Johann doing
that, I took him outside, to try to help him. But I
could understand [the anger]."
Neil Morrison
Johann Zarco was
not amused with
Freddie Spencer's
indecision at
Jerez. Photo:
Gold & Goose
