MotoGP Germany: Race preview

Who will be the new King of the Sachsenring? There’s an empty MotoGP throne up for the taking, with plenty of contenders ready for the challenge

There’s throwing down the gauntlet and then there’s Fabio Quartararo’s Catalan GP. The reigning champion is now 22 points clear after drama hit for the Monster Energy Yamaha rider’s key rivals Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing), plus that late race heartbreak for Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro that saw him cede more points than he thought… and now, it’s time for a new name on the top step in Germany for the first time since 2012.

Last year it seemed a long shot for King of the Sachsenring Marc Marquez to retain his crown, but retain it he did to make some more history on the Repsol Honda. Now, the number 93 is back on the sidelines after another big investment in his racing future, but that offers a huge opportunity for those on the chase, and most likely Quartararo.

The Frenchman’s form in the Catalan GP was immense, and he surely leads the list of candidates to take to the Sachsenring throne. With the tight and twisty track offering some respite from the long straights and horsepower measuring contests of some recent venues, Yamaha should be in a stronger position too. Can Quartararo extend that lead further this weekend? And can teammate Franky Morbidelli move forward? Rookie Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF) managed to pip the Italian to second Yamaha honours in Barcelona.

Last year, however, the resistance was led by KTM. Miguel Oliveira was within 1.7 seconds of Marquez to take second, no mean feat, and fellow Red Bull rider Brad Binder came home fourth to put Quartararo in an Austrian sandwich. Overall, the Mattighofen marque were the best