MotoGP Catalunya: Quartararo dominates over late podium drama

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo showcased sensational and commanding pace to claim the Catalan GP by over six seconds on Sunday.

Leading from the opening corner, the MotoGP Champion never looked back for the Monster-sponsered victory. A battle brewing behind with Prima Pramac celebrating double delight as Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro misjudged the race distance, celebrating one lap early as his second place dissolved. Jorge Martin collecting the spoils just one day ahead of going under the surgeon’s knife, with Johann Zarco a delighted and unexpected third.

A blistering Barcelona saw the premier class line up with tyre choice firmly on their minds. The majority opting for medium front and rear Michelins bar the quartet of KTMs running hard fronts. Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales and LCR’s Alex Marquez took the soft rear gamble with just six riders running hard for the 24-lap battle. Prime position on the RS-GP saw Espargaro in pole for his home Grand Prix with constant rivals Pecco Bagnaia and Quartararo alongside. A trio of Ducatis behind once again with Gresini rookie Fabio di Giannantonio impressive for two races in a row from fifth.

Lights out and Quartararo launched to the lead through the opening corner as Bagnaia crashed out of contention after Takaaki Nakagami skittled out an unsuspecting Alex Rins with the accident initially under investigation before deemed a racing incident. Espargaro held his nerve in second from the satellite Ducatis of Martin and Zarco with his younger sibling in fifth. The second Repsol Honda of Stefan Bradl crashing out at turn ten.

Martin was through on the Aprilia for second as the pace picked up. Mir doing likewise on the remaining Repsol as Luca Marini and Viñales headed the