MotoGP Misano: Race preview

Rumble on the Riviera: will Misano host another key showdown in the fight for the MotoGP crown?

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli has already staged some crucial showdowns between Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia, and the colourful Adriatic stage is more that set for another. Bagnaia arrives from three wins in a row and could become the first Ducati rider ever to make it four, while Quartararo arrives from a truly stunning ride to second; also Yamaha’s best ever result at the Red Bull Ring. Oh, and for Bagnaia, Misano is home turf…

The Italian has shown incredible speed and won at the venue before, that speed unrivalled despite some bad luck. But the Frenchman made for close company, Yamaha is the most successful factory at the track and Quartararo also won the title at the venue last year, forever making it part of his story too. So will the two come face to face once again, and could we see a proper duel to the flag? We’ve not yet seen the gloves come off between the duo as yet, but both are more than ready to rumble.

Elsewhere at Yamaha, Monster Energy’s Franco Morbidelli has his own good memories of Misano as he’s won there, and it’s a home venue, so he’ll be looking for more than his recent struggles. WithU RNF’s Darryn Binder will also want more points at a venue that should suit the Yamaha, and there’s an emotional farewell brewing for Andrea Dovizioso on the other side of the RNF garage.

After the second highest tally of premier class starts ever, wins on two different bikes and podiums on three, the time has come for Dovi to hang up his leathers. One of the biggest protagonists of recent years, the Italian has had a tougher return with RNF but