MotoGP Virtual Race Two
Some of the biggest names in MotoGP put on another awesome show in the second Virtual MotoGP Race, with Pramac Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia coming out on top after the Red Bull Ring delivered yet another last lap classic! Bagnaia and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales went toe-to-toe, with the Italian taking this victory and a debut MotoGP win after diving up the inside of Viñales, on the grass, on the last lap.
The second #StayAtHomeGP was filled with yet more thrills and spills as ten premier class riders again put on a show to bring a little light relief and entertainment to a tougher time for many MotoGP fans around the world – with more than twenty households connected up behind-the-scenes to make it a reality.
MotoGP Virtual Race Two Report
The race got underway in chaotic style with nearly all of the field getting caught up in a huge crash going into Turn 1, with LCR Honda Idemitsu’s Takaaki Nakagami somehow emerging ahead and in the lead in the aftermath. It didn’t last long though, with first Bagnaia and Viñales both motoring past the Japanese rider, and then Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez also finding a way past to move into third.
Nakagami the early leader
At the start of Lap 2 though, Nakagami ran straight into the rear wheel of Marquez and took out the number 93, much to the nine-time Champion’s frustration. And it wouldn’t be the Japanese rider’s only controversial move! The number 30 stayed on but was quickly passed by Alex Marquez, who had his eyes firmly on the duo ahead, but Nakagami would then take out Alex as well after once again riding straight into the back of him. That allowed Marc Marquez back into the podium hunt and Nakagami started to drift back. Younger brother Alex had too much pace for the reigning MotoGP World Champion though and he eventually broke clear and settled into third place.
Pirro and Rossi duel
Back at the front and it was Viñales who was leading, eight tenths clear of Bagnaia with now just a handful of laps remaining. The win was in sight for the factory Yamaha, but disaster then struck when Viñales tucked the front end of his M1 and he crashed out the lead. Bagnaia didn’t need a second invitation to sweep through and retake control of the race, and the gap was quite something… surely it was done and dusted?
Not quite. Viñales found something to little by little cut the three-second gap down to nothing as the pair started the final lap. Remarkably he then took the lead from Bagnaia at Turn 3, plunging downhill and up the inside, but the Italian wasn’t tapping out and giving up. He immediately responded with a huge dive up the inside of the Yamaha, even taking a trip across the grass to do so, and that would prove the race-winning overtake. Viñales was able to cut the gap back down again, but a big slide out of the final corner put paid to any chance of him drafting past Bagnaia before the chequered flag…
Vinales was just beaten to the flag by an aggressive Bagnaia
It wouldn’t be another Virtual Race win for Alex Marquez, who came across the line in third place, but it was another trip to the rostrum and ahead of his brother Marc Marquez, who finished fourth. Behind them, three crashes cost Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo dearly as he ended up in fifth despite showing podium pace once again, just as he had at Mugello.
Sixth place was another tight fight and went right down to the wire as Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), both making their Virtual Race debuts, slugged it out. In the end, Petrucci came out on top despite The Doctor’s best efforts after the number 46 put in an almighty lunge at the final corner, that ultimately ending in the nine-time World Champion crashing out spectacularly and Petrucci able to escape. Nakagami slipped back to eighth after a few more exploits, making no friends on the virtual track in this race but providing some top entertainment, with Ducati Team’s Michele Pirro and Reale Avintia Racing’s Tito Rabat completing the top ten.
Petrucci had the wheelies sorted
Francesco Bagnaia – P1
“I had to concentrate so hard! When Maverick overtook me he was setting a really good pace, then when he crashed and I took the lead again I started to make a lot of mistakes. It was difficult to manage the grip but I tried to stay in front of him. On the last lap when he overtook me I gave it everything, also touching the grass a little, but the battle was so much fun!”
Maverick Viñales – P2
I finished third in the first MotoGP Virtual Race and today, in the second one, I finished second. These are good results, so I can be happy, though I really wanted to win today. I qualified in second place for the second race, and things were going well. The level at the front is quite high – you need to push hard. Especially Pecco Bagnaia is really good at playing MotoGP eSport. I tried really hard to break away from him when I was leading the race, but I made a small mistake and I crashed. Thankfully, in the game you’re able to get up quickly. I was able to fight with Pecco again, but in the end it wasn’t enough to win.
Alex Marquez -P3
“An exciting race! I’m happy to be back on the podium after an intense race at the Red Bull Ring. There were some very aggressive riders in the race and I crashed twice with the others. For sure being able to get a podium finish with two crashes is something very special so I have to really enjoy this, even if I thought I could have fought for victory again. This is racing! I hope everyone who watched had a good time, it was fun to go racing with everyone again.”
Marquez v Marquez
Marc Marquez – P4
“Like the first race it was really fun to race with everyone. We were in the top five so I’m happy with the consistency and we were a little closer to where we want to be. The most important thing is we put on a nice show for the fans again. Congratulations again to Alex for another podium.”
Valentino Rossi – P7
“Having a MotoGP Race on the PlayStation was really strange! It was a new experience for me. I like playing online with friends, but I’m more competitive with four-wheel games. However, I had a lot of fun. I tried to fight! I hope all the MotoGP fans had a good time. We need to continue to respect the quarantine rules, we have to stay at home so we can go back to ’normal life‘ as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing the fans again next time I do a virtual race!”
Valentino Rossi
Results – MotoGP Virtual Race Two
- Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) – Ducati 13:47.091 1:21.746
- Maverick Viñales(SPA) – Yamaha +0.074 1:21.114
- Alex Marquez(SPA) – Honda +9.762 1:21.877
- Marc Marquez (SPA) – Honda +12.572 1:22.015
- Fabio Quartararo (FRA) – Yamaha +35.418 1:22.351
- Danilo Petrucci (ITA) – Ducati NC 1:23.584
- Valentino Rossi (ITA) – Yamaha NC 1:23.820
- Takaaki Nakagami (JPN) – Honda NC 1:22:986
- Michele Pirro(ITA) – Ducati NC 1:24.221
- Tito Rabat(SPA) – Ducati NC 1:23.821
Source: MCNews.com.au