MotoGP 2021

[GORDON STREETER]

Maveric Vinales has withdrawn from this weekends race in the USA after the death of his young cousin last week.
Immediately after the accident at Jerez, World Supersport rider Michele Fabrizio took to Instagram to announce his retirement out of protest – while also blaming Marquez’s own on-track actions over the years in MotoGP for causing dangerous riding in junior categories.
I suppose it's rather like youngsters watching the BTCC over the years, although they don't seem to be as bad lately.

[S griffin]

Maverick's got a lot of stick lately, but this is not something you wish on anyone. He's making the right decision not to race this weekend, he has nothing really gain by doing so

Marquez is not happy with Fabrizio's comments, saying it's a 'waste of time' trying to justify them

[GORDON STREETER]

Marquez fastest in FP2, "iffy" weather given for tomorrow

[S griffin]

Riders are criticising the track surface, even going as far as it being worse than Silverstone 2018

[E.B]

Fast turns with ripples and bumps across the track are a nightmare on a bike. Just watching slo-mo replays of the way some of the bikes were lurching and pitching across the track on full lean was quite a scary sight. I can understand why they are complaining.

[GORDON STREETER]

Well Marquez certainly showed his old form with a clean ride from start to finish without anyone near him, as I am in Spain at the moment he is the super hero on the TV !
It's looking like Quatararo will be the champ this year riding sensibly as he is, good luck to him in the last few races,

[justracing]

I'm wondering whether the fast sweeping nature of the COTA circuit helped MM with his shoulder issues as opposed to some of the tighter hairpin circuits in Europe which have obviously been a lot more difficult for him. For whatever reason that was superb ride last weekend but surely Quatararo has this year sown up.

[S griffin]

It's a good point. Certainly Marquez has still got the winning in him, but I'll wait till next season to see if he can rediscover his old mojo.

As for the title race, it's pretty much all over bar the shouting. Fabio has one hand on that trophy

[E.B]

So Bagnaia crashes out of the lead, with it finishing any title chance, MM93 takes another win in a Repsol 1-2, and Quartararo takes the 2021 title with 4th.

[justracing]

Faultless race from Bagnaia right up to that difficult turn 15 where I guess the hard front let him down, his lap times were metronomic and he appeared to have the measure of the chasing MM, his time will come no doubt but a great ride from Marquez to take the win today and a very balanced ride from Quartararo to take the title.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by justracing

Faultless race from Bagnaia right up to that difficult turn 15 where I guess the hard front let him down, his lap times were metronomic and he appeared to have the measure of the chasing MM, his time will come no doubt but a great ride from Marquez to take the win today and a very balanced ride from Quartararo to take the title.

With a bit of luck we will have a really good championship next year.

Marquez fit, Bagnaia and Quartararo just for starters.

[S griffin]

It's hard to predict what will happen next year. Will have to wait and see. We'll see if Marquez can get back to his best, because, despite a few wins, looks like he won't reach previous heights.

Bagnaia will be interesting to watch and we always knew how good Fabio was since he came into the series. He always had it in him to do the job. Very exciting rider too

[GORDON STREETER]

Well another season done n dusted ! at least Vali had a reasonable ride to finish his career however it has been painful to watch him for all (or most) of the season touring at the back ! Acosta was riding his usual brilliant self and it was a shame to see him fall at the last knocking although it was really his own fault with that type of move, however that is why he has got where he has and hopefully he can continue his form in Moto2 for 2022.
Gardner did all he needed to do to take the Moto2 Championship keeping himself out of trouble riding with a "cool" head.
Ducati ruled the roost in MotoGP and filled the podium after the Suzuki team tried their best. Next year will be interesting with all the rest of the teams having to up their games to compete especially Yamaha if Quartararo hopes to defend his title and what will Honda do ? and who will be riding for them ?
Roll on 2022 !!!!

[Dani Filth]

i was there and it was great .. not Italy great bust still, everywhere yellow and 46
really think the championship was Peco's to win, Misano last year if he won and started the season with that ..

[S griffin]

Great end to the season for Bagnaia. First time Ducati have locked out the podium would you believe

Nice to see Vale end his career with a fine 10th place. Not a great result, but certainly seemed more up for it than Jorge did in his last race a couple of years ago, especially if Morbidelli's comments are anything to go by. Seeing all the riders on the slowing down lap pull up to give him a send off was very fitting for a rider of his legendary stature. It will take time to get used to the fact he won't be on the grid next year

Nice championship for Gardner, can't wait to see how he goes in MotoGP next year. Plenty to look forward to, but right now I want to reflect on a great season, which gave us another new champ in Fabio