MotoGP Austria: Race preview

Bagnaia on a roll, Quartararo under pressure: Austria awaits MotoGP as KTM race at home and Aprilia aim to keep the roll going at the Red Bull Ring.

A few races ago, Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo was starting to become the runaway favourite for the 2022 crown, but since his error at Assen and then a tougher race at Silverstone - both of which were won by Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia - the momentum has most definitely turned. Now the paddock heads to the Red Bull Ring and serious winning turf for Ducati, it could be another pivotal chance for Bagnaia to continue cutting that gap - especially as it’s often been tougher Sunday turf for Yamaha.

There is a new chicane to contend with, however, and that leaves lap records behind and adds an extra challenge to the weekend ahead. Still, the venue has seen many a Ducati win and for a handful of different riders, so the factory remains the favourite. With Bagnaia on form, teammate Jack Miller fresh from the podium, Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin already a winner at the track and Gresini’s Enea Bastianini back up into the battle at Silverstone, there is a long list of hopefuls and it doesn’t even stop there, with the likes of Pramac’s Johann Zarco and Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi likewise quick and eager to make their mark.

Another factory eager to keep the pressure on Quartararo is Aprilia. Aleix Espargaro didn’t manage to capitalise on the number 20’s eighth at Silverstone as he crossed the line one behind, but after a huge highside on Saturday left him racing with a broken heel, that became a job well done in difficult circumstances as he only lost one point to the Frenchman. And there was still an Aprilia on the podium…

After speed before bad luck in Germany and then