Cal Crutchlow wrapped up his final race with the LCR Honda team on Sunday, finishing 13th and closing out the season in 18th position in the overall standings. The rider had announced at the beginning of the season that he would not be continuing with Lucio Cecchinello’s team for the 2021 campaign, drawing a line under a successful run of six seasons.
Cal Crutchlow and the LCR Honda team
The alliance saw Crutchlow and LCR Honda obtain the team’s first victory in the MotoGP class. Cal achieved a total of 12 podiums and three victories over the last six seasons, becoming the most important rider in LCR history.
Cal Cruthlow on the podium at Argentina in 2015
Crutchlow joined the LCR Honda CASTROL team in 2015 and was on the podium that same year in Argentina. Perhaps his crowning glory came in 2016 as he took the team’s first victory in Brno – and became the first British Grand Prix winner in 35 years.
A second win at Phillip Island followed this achievement in his second year with the team, which helped him secure Top Independent Team rider in 2016.
Crutchlow took the teams first win in Brno in 2016
The Briton finished on the podium once more in Argentina in 2017. In 2018, Cal secured his third victory, in Argentina, and followed it with two more podiums in Misano and Motegi. Then, in 2019, Cal added three more podium finishes in Qatar, Germany and Australia.
Crutchlow was also on the podium at Phillip Island in 2018
The 2020 FIM MotoGP World Championship marks Cal Crutchlow’s last year competing in the premier class and he did it as an LCR Honda Castrol team rider aboard a factory-spec Honda RC213V.
Lucio Cecchinello
“It is a hard day for us because Cal Crutchlow has definitely been the most important rider in the history of the LCR Honda team. He has been the rider that has ridden for the longest consecutive period of time with us and, because of this, he is part of our family. Cal brought 3 stunning victories and 12 podiums in total to LCR. We were also able to support Honda by adding crucial points for the Constructor World Championship Title and with him, we won Best Independent Team in 2016. What Cal has done for the LCR Honda Team is simply extraordinary. During these six seasons together, we’ve had also some tough moments, difficulties, injuries… but this is all part of this incredible sport that gives us a lot of emotions, happiness and adrenaline. On the other hand, of course, it also gives us many headaches, fears and stress. If everything were smooth and perfect, we wouldn’t enjoy our job as much. I think that it is because of these emotions and mixed feelings, that we love MotoGP. Cal Crutchlow will always be part of our family. We wish him all the best in his professional future and in his private life with Lucy and Willow.”
After a long wait of 20 years since the last title with Kenny Roberts Jr. in 2000, Joan Mir has brought the MotoGP World Championship title back to Suzuki in emphatic fashion.
The young Spaniard, in only his second season in the top class, put together an incredible campaign with Team Suzuki Ecstar in what has been an extraordinary and highly-demanding 2020 season. He takes the much coveted crown one round ahead of the closing race, due to the 29 point advantage that he has over his closest competitors after the GP of Valencia.
Joan Mir
This Grand Prix weekend at Ricardo Tormo circuit sees Team Suzuki Ecstar reap the rewards of a superb 2020 season, in which the results obtained by Mir and Alex Rins has put Suzuki on the path to the ‘Triple Crown’: The Riders’ Championship, Teams’ Championship, and Constructors’ Championship.
The 2020 World Championship has seen Suzuki come full circle, celebrating success in what has been an important year in the company’s history:
It is the 100th Anniversary of Suzuki Motor Company.
It is 60 years since Suzuki began racing.
It is 20 years since the last World Championship title in the premier class.
The 2020 Riders’ World Championship is the 16th title for Suzuki and the second for Joan Mir, after his crown in the Moto3 class in 2017. Mir is the 10th rider in history to win a title with Suzuki considering all categories, and the seventh in the 500cc/MotoGP class.
Joan Mir
It is also a historical and momentous day for Team Suzuki Ecstar, as it becomes the first Team in Suzuki history to win the Teams’ World Championship.
Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki – President of Suzuki Motor Corporation:
“I would like to congratulate and express my gratitude to Team Suzuki Ecstar and Joan Mir for winning the MotoGP World Championship in such an unprecedented and tough season due to the COVID-19 situation in 2020. Also to Alex Rins, who has put together an extraordinary championship, being still in the fight for second place. This is Suzuki’s 100th anniversary and in this memorable year, we won the MotoGP championship, which is the world’s highest series of motorcycle racing. And motorcycle business to us is one of the key sectors our seniors started and have built up over many years. I would like to thank all the customers, fans and dealers who always encouraged and supported Suzuki, and all the suppliers and sponsors who supported us. Our team staff members, riders, and furthermore all the staff who backed this activity by Miyakoda and Ryuyo, Japan. Since returning to the MotoGP, I am very proud of the team that has overcome various hardships, made steady progress year by year, and finally became the champion.”
Joan Mir | 2020 MotoGP World Champion
Suzuki’s World Champions
Suzuki has its historical roots in another industry, far removed from motorcycles and racing. Founder Michio Suzuki was an innovator who built a weaving factory called Suzuki Loom Works in the small coastal town of Hamamatsu, in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, in 1909. The production focused on cotton fabrics.
However World War II and the post war period left Suzuki in crisis and forced large-scale restructuring. In 1952, as a result of this climate of uncertainty, Suzuki decided to manufacture their first motorised bicycle. By 1960 Suzuki made its racing debut at the Tourist Trophy in the Isle of Man, as the first ever race in which the manufacturer participated. All three Suzuki entrants finished the race.
Ernst Degner – 1962
Degner designed Suzuki’s new 50cc and 125cc racing machines in 1961, and remarkably the following year, in 1962, he became Suzuki’s first World Champion taking the crown in the 50 cc class.
Ernst Degner
In the final round of the racing calendar, New Zealander and former rugby player, Hugh Anderson also gave Suzuki their first win in the 125cc class. It happened at the Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hugh Anderson – 1963, 1964, 1965
After winning a host of titles in his native New Zealand, and three British titles, Hugh went on to claim four World Championships with Suzuki. He won the 125cc World Championship in 1963 and 1965 and the 50cc in 1963 and 1964.
1963 marked Suzuki’s second full year in the World Championship, while a development engineer in Hamamatsu, Mitsuo Itoh, took an extraordinary victory at the Isle of Man TT. This memorable feat went down in history, as Itoh was the first, and only, Japanese rider to have conquered the dangerous roads of the island.
Hans-Georg Anscheidt – 1966, 1967,1968
After the success of Anderson, in 1966 it was Hans-Georg Anscheidt’s turn to explode onto the scene. The German rode the fabulous RK66, a two-cylinder prototype capable of reaching 170 km/h. He confirmed his dominance in the 50cc category for three years, from 1966 to 1968.
Dieter Braun – 1970
The 1970 World GP 125cc Championship was won by Dieter Braun on a bike on loan from Suzuki.
The following year August 12th 1971, Australian Jack Findlay took Suzuki’s first victory in the 500cc class in Belfast.
Barry Sheene – 1976, 1977
British legend Barry Sheene took the Championship for Suzuki in 1976 with five superb victories, and again in the 1977 season with six. He remains the last British rider to become World Champion in the reigning class. Sheene was the first rider to become a celebrity outside of the race track. Considered by his fans almost like a ‘Beatle’ for his character, his lifestyle, and outlandish behaviour.
Barry Sheene
Marco Lucchinelli – 1981
In the 80’s Suzuki turned to Italy to extend their dominance. Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini both proved successful in a private Italian structure running Suzukis, called Team Gallina which was created in 1975.
Fighting with Kenny Roberts and Randy Mamola, Italian Lucchinelli was crowned the 1981 World Champion to take his place in MotoGP history. The charismatic Italian rider, nicknamed ‘Crazy Horse’ for his wild riding style, won the crown with an RG500.
Franco Uncini – 1982
In a year that saw the grid full of further legendary names including Freddie Spencer, Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene, Uncini took the title on his Suzuki with five victories and seven podiums.
Kevin Schwantz – 1993
Another of the talents nurtured by Suzuki, Schwantz had one of the most spectacular riding style ever seen in the World Championship. He pitted his huge talent against his compatriot Wayne Rainey, with whom he maintained an extraordinary rivalry throughout the years. Texan Kevin Schwantz made history when he was crowned World Champion after epic battles with Wayne Rainey, in a year full of well-known names, including Mick Doohan, Luca Caladora, Alex Barros and Alex Crivillé. The Texan had extraordinary charisma and his style remains unforgettable. Not least due to his “full gas” attitude on the bike and his seemingly impossible braking at the limit of physics!
Kevin Schwantz
Kenny Roberts Jr. – 2000
Kenny Roberts Jr., son of the famous ‘King’ Kenny Roberts won the 2000 Championship after a total of four victories. That title, the sixth for Suzuki in the premier category, was very special as it put an end to a drought of seven years without a crown. Kenny won it ahead of promising youngster Valentino Rossi!
After winning the title in 2000, Kenny Roberts Jr. made history when the Roberts family became the first Father/Son World Champions.
In 2002 the Motorcycle World Championship changed its name to MotoGP, but that wasn’t the only change as new rules saw the introduction of 1000cc four-strokes. After a bedding in year where both 500cc two-stroke engines and 1000cc four-stroke engines were allowed, it became immediately clear that the latter had more potential, and all manufacturers focused their development in that direction.
Australian Chris Vermeulen would give Team Rizla Suzuki an epic victory in the rain at Le Mans, achieving the brand’s first MotoGP victory in 2007.
After a three year break from the World Championship (from 2011 to 2015), Suzuki returned to the scene with Team SUZUKI ECSTAR. Spain’s Maverick Viñales flourished, achieving another win for Suzuki, this time at Silverstone. By 2019 Alex Rins managed to win two races during the season (Austin and Silverstone) to finish the year fourth in the Championship.
Joan Mir – 2020
In an extraordinary year, with a shortened and condensed calendar, the Mallorcan’s incredible consistency and impressive focus paid off at the end of the 14 races and he took the Riders’ World Championship in style for Suzuki after a 20 year wait for the factory. This achievement was made even more special as 2020 marks the 100th anniversary since the Suzuki company was founded, and the 60th anniversary of their start in racing.
Joan Mir
Joan Mir
“World Champion? It’s really hard to find the words at the moment, but I must say thank you to so many people; to Suzuki for this opportunity, I’m so happy to give them a title! To be the person who brings them another crown after 20 years is an unbelievable feeling and a true honour. The entire team did an incredible job, and I’m just so overjoyed with this championship win. I’ve come a long way since being a child with hardly any money to go racing, and my family are to thank for this. I worked very hard to get to the top and this reward is amazing. Today’s race wasn’t easy, but I got the result I needed and I hope to have a great end in Portimao. It’s time to celebrate but we must do it responsibly.”
Joan Mir with fellow Suzuki champion Franco Uncini
Positive Covid test sees six of Yamaha MotoGP engineer team members isolated
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Racing Srl have announced that six Yamaha MotoGP Group engineers, including YZR-M1 Project Leader Takahiro Sumi, will be unable to attend this weekend‘s Grand Prix de France.
Due to restrictions in travel, several of Yamaha‘s MotoGP staff are frequently staying in Andorra in the breaks between the back-to-back rounds. On this occasion, after taking the usual PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test on Monday before the planned departure from Andorra, one member of Yamaha‘s engineering staff received a positive test result for Covid-19 on the Tuesday. The other five members of the YMC engineers group received negative test results.
24 hours later a further test was done to double-check the first test results. The test results were identical, confirming the initial positive Covid-19 test result for one member and negative results for the other five members.
Yamaha YZR-M1
As a consequence, all six YMC engineers in this travel group are now self-isolating in Andorra and will not be attending the upcoming race weekend in Le Mans, France. Yamaha Motor Racing Srl is arranging for alternative staff to come to Le Mans during the coming days to support the riders at the French GP.
YZR-M1 Project Leader Takahiro Sumi and the five GP support engineers will stay in touch with the team staff at the Le Mans track using the new communications tools that the team has used since the restart of this Covid-19 affected 2020 MotoGP racing season. This new communications system allows them to stay remotely connected with the team crew and the riders in the pit box before, during, and after each session on track. Thanks to this technical solution, the self-isolating engineers will still be able to share their expertise and offer their best support to the staff present in Le Mans.
The infected engineer does not currently show signs of illness but will continue to be monitored by his colleagues and medical staff in Andorra. The situation will be reviewed in the middle of next week with a view to the group‘s participation at the coming MotoGP events in Aragon, Spain.
The Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France is ready to go and ahead of track action, it was pre-event Press Conference time at Le Mans. Championship leader – and home hero – Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was joined by closest challenger Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Catalan GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Pramac Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia, home hero Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) and newly-announced 2021 MotoGP rider Jorge Martin, riding in Moto2 with Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Fabio Quartararo
“Finally it was a great moment to have my third win in Barcelona and I think that was the most important. We had some difficult moments in Misano, Brno and Austria. It was great to be back at a track that I really like. Last year here was really positive, the result was not that great but in the race we showed our pace was really fast, if we check the lap time we had the pace for the podium. That’s really good, we hope for the same this year. I’m really confident, the weather doesn’t look that bad so I’m happy and confident to be here.”
Fabio Quartararo
Why did he not ride at the Portimão Test?
“First of all it was to avoid any kind of injury, I think it was a bit risky two days before doing three races in a row. I was there six years ago and also we have a long FP1 and FP2 when we’re there so that’s the reason I didn’t go to Portimao and also it was a different bike.”
On Joan Mir as a teammate back in Moto3:
“For sure we are in a much better position than back then. That year, less for Joan, but for me it was a total disaster. It’s great that we keep a relationship since then and right now we are 1-2 in the championship, we were rookies last year and now we fight for the championship so it’s a cool story.”
Mir was asked about that first, too:
Joan Mir
“Yeah, it’s so nice, I remember that year really well because it was not easy at the beginning because it was my rookie year. We both struggled a lot the first half the season and then at the end it was a bit better and my season was not bad for the first. But yeah, it is nice that both of us are fighting for the championship and I’m really happy.”
Joan Mir
What’s his focus? Winning races or the title?
“Honestly, I think in the World Championship we are really close but to fight for the Championship you need to win races and that is a fact. At the moment we are competitive, focused, consistent and fast, but we don’t have a victory yet. I am fully focused on that, fully focused on trying to get my first victory. Meanwhile it is important to score points and continue this way and like I said, just focus on the victory.”
And finally, on Suzuki getting two machines on the podium last time out:
“It was so nice especially because both of us were on the podium and the celebration was all the team, so it was special like you said some funny moments and I expect to repeat it this weekend.”
Rins picked up from there…
Alex Rins
“Yeah for sure it was super nice for both Suzuki riders to finish on the podium, then all the team were super happy because as you know, this doesn’t come from the work we’re doing now, it comes from the work they’ve done since they were racing. It was super nice to do a double podium in Montmelo. To celebrate with Ken, Davide and all the team it was super. In Suzuki the relationship is quite nice, it’s like a family.”
Alex Rins
Next up, the Spaniard talked about his ongoing recovery:
“For sure the podium in Montmelo gave me extra motivation and power. About the shoulder, I would like to say I’m at 100% but still not 100%. I’m happy to not feel pain on the bone but with this sort of injury you have to stop and recover for 2-3 months to be perfect. We didn’t stop with this season full of races, on the bike I’m not feeling enough muscle on the right arm. So we need to finish this season and fully recover for next season.”
Bagnaia was first asked about his 2021 move to the factory Ducati team:
Francesco Bagnaia
“Very good! I’m happy I think I deserve this position because the races I have finished I have been strong and in front. We have done a great job this season. We have had a bit of bad luck with the broken leg and the engine failure so we are not in the position we deserve but I think our potential is very high, our bike is very strong, and we can be happy with the work we are doing. We need to be more consistent and finish the races, but we are there.”
Francesco Bagnaia
And last time out?
“I’m not happy with the result because it was my mistake, Friday I was struggling with the conditions and it was my mistake not to adapt to the conditions. I started to move the settings on the bike too much. That Saturday I tried something different on the bike but it didn’t work and Sunday when I decided to go back to my standard bike I was strong in the race. Not in the first part because we already know Suzuki and Yamaha were better in the first part of the race because they heated the front tyre before and for us it was a little bit more difficult. And then in the last laps I closed the gap to the front. I think 3 seconds. So, we can be happy about the race but not happy with the weekend. My leg at the moment is riding at 100% but walking less.”
Zarco also began by talking about his 2021 machinery:
Johann Zarco
“It makes me feel good to know where to go next year and on a winning bike. I still have many things to learn on the Ducati and from the last races, the work was good but clearly on Sunday I didn’t get good results. I still need to put things together but I believe I’m on the good way and thanks to Ducati, all the things I’ll do this season, will be useful for next season. I’m also happy for Pecco that with these three races that he did, he showed the factory team was for him. I have this step with the bike, getting a new bike but similar for next year. Happy and fully motivated, one year ago this was not the situation in October, I know where I’m going and that makes my target really clear.”
Johann Zarco
How’s his injured wrist healing?
“The injury on the wrist was quickly getting well but then there are some ligaments that are still giving pain. I think it doesn’t disturb when riding but for the opinion of the physio, it’s disturbing a little bit the body is adapting and trying to compensate in another way. I think the not good results in the last races weren’t due to the wrist and still, as Alex said, when you have an injury you should stop for a few months but with our work you can’t. I’m feeling ok, still really taking care of it.”
And finally, is there any home pressure?
“At the French GP, the pressure is for Fabio I think, not for me. I have everything to win, we have 5,000 people here on Sunday which is better than nothing and it will give us some good energy. We will see the weather, not think too much and try to perform!”
First on Martin’s agenda was also 2021, when he’ll be moving to partner Zarco at Pramac.
Jorge Martin
“Super excited. After a long career I have finally arrived to MotoGP. It’s great, I’ve been racing with some of these guys in the past and I know them. I think it was the moment, I felt quite strong in Moto2 so I think it was the right moment to make the jump and I think going into MotoGP was my best option.”
Jorge Martin
So what’s the target for the rest of 2020?
“I think I have nothing to lose. I will try to win or be on the podium every race. I don’t have the pressure to make a mistake because my future is decided. I have the potential to win, not the Championship as I’m 71 points away, but for sure the top three is there and I will try to get into it.”
Le Mans Facts and Stats Update
Le Mans has hosted a Grand Prix on 32 previous occasions, including the “Vitesse du Mans” GP in 1991, which is the only year that two GPs have been held in France in the same year. Le Mans was first used for a Grand Prix event in 1969, when the 500cc race was won by MV Agusta’s Giacomo Agostini, who lapped all the other riders. This is the 21st year in a row that Le Mans has hosted a motorcycle Grand Prix event, starting in 2000.
Jack Miller & Valentino Rossi at Le Mans
There are seven other circuits that have hosted the French GP: Paul Ricard (13 times), Clermont-Ferrand (10), Nogaro (2), Reims (2), Rouen (2), Albi (1), Magny-Cours (1).
Honda’s last premier class win at Le Mans wasMarc Marquez in 2019 from pole position, which was the 300th win for Honda in the premier class. Marc Marquez also won in 2018 at the track.
Yamaha’s last premier class win at Le Mans was Maverick Viñales in 2017, from pole. Yamaha have had 10 premier class wins at Le Mans, including three in a row with Jorge Lorenzo (2015 & 2016) and Viñales in 2017, the latter of which was the 500th win for a Yamaha rider in Grand Prix racing.
Maverick Viñales took Yamaha’s 500th victory at Le Mans in 2017 – Image by AJRN
Suzuki’s last premier class win at Le Mans was Chris Vermeulen in 2007, in the wet. Prior to Maverick Viñales winning at Silverstone in 2016 and Alex Rins in Austin and Silverstone in 2019, this was the only MotoGP™ victory for Suzuki since 2002. Viñales finished third at Le Mans in 2016 (the most recent premier class podium for Suzuki here), which was the first podium for Suzuki since Loris Capirossi was third at Brno in 2008.
The best premier class results for Ducati at Le Mans are seconds for Loris Capirossi in 2006, Valentino Rossi in 2012, Danilo Petrucci in 2018 and Andrea Dovizioso last year.
KTM’s best MotoGP result at Le Mans was Pol Espargaro, sixth in 2019, which was also their best result that season. Aprilia’s best premier class result at Le Mans: Noriyuki Haga, eighth in 2003.
Pol Espargaro
There have been five wins at Le Mans for French riders: Jean Auréal (125cc – 1969), Guy Bertin (125cc – 1979), Patrick Fernandez (350cc – 1979), Mike Di Meglio (125cc – 2008) and Louis Rossi (Moto3™ – 2012).
The best MotoGP result for a French rider at Le Mans is second for Johann Zarco in 2017; the third premier class podium for a French rider at Le Mans after Raymond Roche was second in 1985 and Christian Sarron third in 1987.
Of the 18 MotoGP races held at Le Mans, nine have either started in wet conditions or rain has started during the race. The only years that the MotoGP™ race at Le Mans has been run in full dry conditions are: 2004, 2010, 2011 and from 2014 onwards.
Most successful Le Mans riders
Jorge Lorenzo – 6 wins (5 x MotoGP, 1 x 250cc)
Marc Marquez – 4 wins (3 x MotoGP, 1 x Moto2)
Tom Lüthi – 4 wins (2 x Moto2, 2 x 125cc)
Dani Pedrosa – 4 wins (1 x MotoGP, 2x250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Valentino Rossi – 3 wins (3 x MotoGP)
Solo motorcycle races
MotoGP – 18
500cc – 14
350cc – 2
Moto2 – 10
250cc – 22
Moto3 – 8
125cc – 22
80cc – 1
50cc – 5
Premier class wins
Honda – 15
Yamaha – 10
Suzuki – 5
MV Agusta – 2
MotoGP Facts and Stats
There have been six different winners in the opening eight MotoGP races of the year, equalling the record of different winners over the opening eight races set in 1974 and 2000.
2020 Catalunya MotoGP podium 1 Fabio Quartararo – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha 40:33.176 2 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.928 3 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +1.898
13 different riders have stood on the podium since the opening race of the year in Spain, which is the highest number of podium finishers in the opening eight races of premier class season since 1976 when there were 16 podium finishers after the opening eight races.
10 different riders have qualified within the top three in the MotoGP class over the opening eight races, which is as many as last year in the first eight races. Five have qualified on pole, which is two more than the whole of 2019.
Only two different riders have led the Championship over the opening eight MotoGP races: Fabio Quartararo and Andrea Dovizioso.
Andrea Dovizioso took Ducati’s 50th MotoGP victory at the Red Bull Ring
10 different riders have led at least one lap across the line since the opening MotoGP race in Spain, one more than the whole of both 2019 and 2018. Fabio Quartararo leads the way, with 58 laps.
21 riders competing full-time in MotoGP have scored points since the opening race in Spain. The only one who started the 2020 season as a permanent rider who hasn’t scored any points yet is Marc Marquez.
Fabio Quartararo became the first Yamaha from an Independent Team to win more than twice in a single premier class season since Garry McCoy in the 500cc class, who did it three times in 2000. With Fabio Quartararo (Spain, Andalucia and Catalunya), Miguel Oliveira (Styria) and Franco Morbidelli (San Marino), this is the first time that there are five (or more) wins for Independent Teams riders in a single MotoGP season since 2004, when there were seven wins.
This is the first time that Yamaha riders have taken three successive wins in MotoGP since the last race of 2016 in Valencia with Jorge Lorenzo and the opening two races of 2017 with Maverick Viñales.
In addition, with Franco Morbidelli (San Marino), Maverick Viñales (Emilia Romagna) and Fabio Quartararo (Catalunya), this is the first time ever that Yamaha have taken three wins in a row in the premier class with three different riders.
Franco Morbidelli
Joan Mir crossed the line in second place equalling his best result in MotoGP from Austria and Emilia Romagna this year. This is his fourth podium finish in MotoGP and the first time he’s done it in three races in a row, becoming the first Suzuki rider to do so since Kenny Roberts Jr. in 2000 (Malaysia to Spain).
Following the Catalan GP, Joan Mir is second in the MotoGP Championship which is the best place for a Suzuki rider since Akira Ryo was also second after the opening race of 2002 in Japan. Prior to that, it was Kenny Roberts Jr. when he took the title in 2000.
At the French Grand Prix, Joan Mir will be aiming to become the first Suzuki rider to take four premier class podiums in four successive races since MotoGP Legend Kevin Schwantz did it in 1994 (from Japan to Germany).
Alex Rins crossed the line in third at the Catalan GP, which is his best result since he won the MotoGP race at the British GP last year. This is Rins’ ninth MotoGP podium and his 49th overall in GP racing, one less than Geoff Duke and Ralf Waldmann.
Alex Rins
With Joan Mir and Alex Rins, this is the first time there are two Suzuki riders on a MotoGP podium since Misano in 2007 with Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins.
With Andrea Dovizioso crashing out on the opening lap at the Catalan GP, only one rider has now scored points in all eight of the MotoGP races in 2020: Takaaki Nakagami, who has also always finished in the top ten.
Since the opening race of the season in Jerez, no Honda riders have been on the podium. This is the first time there has been no Honda rider on the podium in five or more successive premier class races since Honda came back to the premier class of GP racing in 1982.
None of the Honda riders have won at least one of the eight opening MotoGP races this season. The last time that happened and Honda did not have a win in the first eight races of the year was in 2007, when MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa gave Honda their first win of the year in Germany, which was the tenth race of the season.
Marc Marquez following surgery
Fabio Quartararo is now leading the MotoGP Championship with 108 points, the lowest score for a Championship leader after the opening eight races of a premier class season since the current scoring system was introduced in 1993.
Fabio Quartararo is 72 points ahead of Johann Zarco in 15th place; this is the closest top 15 after the opening eight races of the season in the premier class since the current scoring system was introduced in 1993.
At the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Maverick Viñales is scheduled to make his 100th start in the premier class.
Two of the three rookies in MotoGP this year have previously won a Grand Prix race at Le Mans, in any of the smaller classes: Brad Binder won in Moto3 in 2016 and Alex Marquez took victory in the Moto2 race in 2019.
Topping the Portimao Test on Day 2 – the final day – of testing was Ducati test rider Michele Pirro, posting a 1:40.435, just a few tenths short of the fastest ever lap, set by Aleix Espargaro the previous day. It wasn’t all about laptimes, of course, but Pirro was also a few tenths clear of the competition on Thursday, with the Italian riding a GP20 and gathering data for the season finale, as well as trying out a few 2021 parts…
Sylvain Guintoli
Stefan Bradl was second on the timesheets for Honda and the German put in a 1:40.833 as his fastest lap, the second and final rider in the 1:40s. He only rode in the morning – then heading up to Le Mans for Grand Prix duty – and was on the 2020 Honda. The number 6 especially praised the new asphalt at the Algarve venue, with Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli having already said ahead of the test that some bumps in the previous surface were its only downfall. Bradl’s comments seem to confirm that’s now more than fixed at the stunning rollercoaster of a circuit.
Stefan Bradl
Guintoli, for his part, had another positive day and was just as upbeat as he had been ahead of the test. The 2014 WorldSBK Champion has good experience at the venue and that in itself should be useful for Suzuki. The Frenchman staked that claim in the morning session as he put in his best lap of the day, a 1:41.153, and the Hamamatsu factory finished their testing programme by 1pm. Their main focus? Like most: adaptation, adaptation, adaptation – especially to the elevation changes.
Lorenzo Savadori, meanwhile, used some of the time to test 2021 parts for Aprilia. With prior knowledge of the venue already, the Italian was confident in splitting his time between the tasks and focused on the chassis and then the tyre selection for the GP. His best lap was a 1:41.483.
Lorenzo Savadori
At KTM it was superstar test rider Dani Pedrosa out on track, the number 26 putting in the laps in both the morning and afternoon sessions as he got used to the Portuguese venue and gathered a useful amount of data for the Austrian factory. His quickest lap was a 1:41.627 set in the morning, but the speed wasn’t the focus – adapting to the undulating track was. Pedrosa was also out on a carbon-black RC16 on Thursday…
Dani Pedrosa
Finally, another superstar test rider took the reins at Yamaha: Jorge Lorenzo. He was one of two to improve in the afternoon as he spent the time on a 2019 machine, getting down to a 1:43.163. Not on a bike since the Sepang test in February, the ‘Spartan’ was another who, like Pedrosa, took part in both sessions on Thursday. Most of the day was spent working on the gearbox and finding the right ratios, but Lorenzo also said he needed more time on the bike. Will we see the number 99 back on track again testing anywhere before the season finale?
Jorge Lorenzo
That’s it from Portimão until the paddock returns to take on the rollercoaster at racing speed in November.
Round Six of the 2020 MotoGP at Red Bull Ring proved a successful outing for the Aussies, with both Jack Miller and Remy Gardner on the podium, with Gardner racing to his second Moto2 career podium in the Styrian Grand Prix, after starting the twenty-five lap race from sixth on the grid.
After taking Pole Position at the Red Bull Ring a week ago, Remy Gardner had to be content with a second row start for the Styrian GP which was also held at the Austrian venue. A small spill, at the same turn that saw him slide out of podium contention, prevented any further challenge for P1 in qualifying, with Gardner nevertheless content with the work done leading up to lights out on Sunday.
Ending lap one in fourth, Remy was soon up to third and after setting the initial fastest race lap, he closed the gap on the front running duo, to join the battle for the lead with twenty laps to go. Ten laps in and after several laps following to lead two riders the #87 made his move, a perfectly executed overtake on the brakes at Turn 3 saw him progress into P2.
With race leader Jorge Martin escaping at the front, Gardner dropped back to third, regrouping quickly to race the final ten laps for the final place on the podium. Drama struck with Bezzecchi and Martin being shuffled around after Martin exceeded track limits, with Remy crossing the line to secure a well earnt second World Championship podium finish, clearly elated and leaving Austria now ninth overall in the overall standings.
Remy Gardner – P3
“We worked well on Friday, especially on race pace so I would say it was a positive opening day. I was on Pole last weekend but the mission this weekend was to get onto the top two rows, and we did that. Overall, I was quite happy, I found the limit towards the end of qualifying and had a small crash, but it’s better to crash not in the race. I am extremely happy with the work that we have done here in Austria. The team has done a great job and we have been able to show our potential both over one lap and over race distance. It’s a shame about last weekend as I really think we could have made it two podiums, but today makes up for it. I gave it everything, especially on the brakes so we need to find some more straight line speed but as I say, overall I am really happy to get this podium. Big thanks to everyone who is supporting me, my sponsors, and the fans. To now have over ten thousand followers on Twitter is insane. Let’s hope we can keep this momentum when we move to Misano!”
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