Comebacks, Redemptions, and a Master Class in how to Win a Motorbike Race.

By Whit Bazemore

Bend. In a world of stereotypes, motorsport breaks most of the rules. Or does it? Maybe it used to. Compare a swarthy, bull-like 1960’s era AJ Foyt to the same era physically diminutive Mario Andretti and the contrasts make it impossible to physically stereotype superstar open wheel racers. Once the helmet was on, however, the Foyts and Andrettis of the day were one and the same: natural born racers with an absolute killer’s instinct.

In today’s modern MotoGP, it is equally as difficult to draw comparisons between top racers. Two-time and reigning World Champ “Pecco” Bagnaia looks somewhat bookish and is reserved. Walking down a street, you would never guess what he does or how good he does it.

Jorge Martin is different. He looks and acts like a winning athlete with an air of supreme confidence and cool that hits you in the face, full on. Is he brash? Yes. Is he fast? Yes, maybe even the fastest. He is a total bad ass and if you don’t get it immediately, he will make sure you understand upon a first meeting. It is a given that he will win multiple MotoGP World Championships.

Marc Marquez is a mix of the two. The greatest ever (or maybe the term “most gifted” is more appropriate) MotoGP racer ever (in the eyes of many who would know) has experienced a metamorphoses of sorts. Before this season — his first in a non-factory team not named Honda — he was always polite and accommodating, but came across as a super serious, highly intelligent racer. He reminded many of one of the other greatest ever racers — Ayrton Senna — both on the track and in the paddock.

These days, Marquez has lightened up his mood, dancing on podiums, while also publicly acknowledging that a podium — any podium — is a great result. Before his 2020 Jerez crash and the resulting career threatening injuries, Marquez would never have been content with a third place. Never. But now, with a self-professed new-found love for simply racing a motorcycle — as opposed to winning everything — he cuts a more relaxed figure in the paddock. Of course, when the helmet goes on, he is the serial winner he’s always been, with the same killer mentality as Foyt and Andretti. Only a fool would get sucked into believing otherwise.

In Barcelona, Marquez once again struggled in qualifying, ending up 14th. Bagnaia was 2nd, behind veteran Catalan Aleix Espargaro who, at age 34, had just announced his retirement the day before. Martin started from 7th, his worst starting position of the season thus far.

In Saturday’s Sprint race, Bagnaia crashed out of the lead on the final lap, in the tricky, off camber turn 5, handing the win to Espargaro. Marquez once again battled through the field, which included a scintillating last lap pass for third against rookie sensation Pedro Acosta. Martin? He was a somewhat low key fourth. The sprint was notable in that three different riders all crashed out of the lead - Raul Fernandez (American Track House Aprilia team), KTM’s Brad Binder, and finally, Bagnaia. It was crazy.

Sunday’s GP promised more fireworks and did not disappoint.

Bagnaia, no matter how cool and collected he is, surely started the race under more than normal pressure given the previous day’s mistake, and the more troubling fact that he had dropped from second in the championship to fourth. Martin still held a commanding 36-point lead. Could Bagnaia make amends? Racing sometimes looks easier than it is, but it is never easy. In this case, it’s fair to say not many people would have wanted to be in Pecco’s shoes. He made winning look very difficult.

Pecco led from the start, but was immediately having to fend off the fearless Acosta. Martin had a great start too and went from seventh to third on lap one, then moved past Acosta a few laps later. Both Martin and Acosta soon passed Bagnaia and opened a small gap. Barcelona is a very slippery track with a high degree of tire consumption. With the gap growing between the front two and Bagnaia, was the wily Bagnaia playing a waiting game, or were the two leaders just that much quicker?

On lap 10, with the two leaders almost as one, 1.4 seconds ahead of third place Bagnaia, Acosta crashed out of second. Pecco now had 14 laps to catch Martin, and the stakes were incredibly high. After 7 laps, the gap had narrowed and suddenly Pecco looked the strongest of the two. Clearly, he had in fact been saving his tires earlier while Martin had been running away in the lead with Acosta. A lap later, and Bagnaia was in Martin’s slipstream, and it was obvious a move was coming. It was.

Into turn 5, Bagnaia dove down the inside, out braking Martin in this trickiest of turns. The scene of his downfall the day before was now possibly the scene of a winning move. It took balls — big balls — but no one races motorbikes without them, no matter how bookish one might look.

Martin held on for second, while Marquez did what he is becoming known for this season: marching though the field from his mid pack starting positions for a podium finish.

Winner Bagnaia raced like the World Champion he is and proved his smarts by riding “slowly” early on and saving his tires, as well as proving his aggressive desire to win at all costs.

Meanwhile, Martin and Marquez are also battling for the second Ducati seat and a decision is eminent. Would Marquez be winning these races if he was starting from the front row? He is dealing with a several second deficit at the least, so most likely, yes. Is Martin ultra quick, and a future Champion? Absolutely. The back story is almost as exciting as the actual racing. Almost.

This weekend is Mugello, and you can bet the weekend will be every bit as nail biting as the last one. Bagnaia will arrive to his (and Ducati’s) home GP like he owns the place. But so will Martin. Marquez too. And Acosta. It’s a race weekend not to be missed.