The victory of a rider who was at risk a few months ago, his future in MotoGP more uncertain than ever. The podium for a brand teammate who underwent surgery in mid-July for a fracture. The second-place finish for the championship leader, thus extending his lead in the standings.
There were plenty of ideas at the end of the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix, where Raul Fernandez took his second career victory in the premier class. Leading from the first corner, the Spaniard from the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team, who a few days ago announced his renewal with the American team after several weeks of uncertainty, broke away and built a lead that exceeded four seconds, which he managed in the finale.
Never in doubt, Fernandez led the factory Aprilia Racing pair, with Jorge Martin second and Marco Bezzecchi third at the end of a race that put him to the test. Recovering from a broken left collarbone in qualifying for the German GP, the Italian admitted after the checkered flag that he nearly vomited while riding. He held firm and in return earned 16 points, which boost him to second place in the title race.
Martin and Bezzecchi.
Starting from pole position, Martin took the first corner shooting sparks from his RS-GP. The system used at the start likely failed to deactivate, dropping him back to fourth. He responded immediately, moving back to third place. But it took him almost halfway through the race to snatch second place from teammate Bezzecchi, who had overtaken him at the start.
The Italian then had to watch his back from Alex Marquez, who was moving up on the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati. During the twenty laps of the British GP, the number 73 rider was caught on more than one occasion by the direction while taking risks, his rear end not quite glued to the asphalt.
He passed Bezzecchi on the ninth lap, but then a shiver dropped him from third to fifth place behind Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). So it was all over again for him. He then managed to get away from his compatriot and in the final third of the race put the Italian from the Aprila Racing team back in his sights. He got closer, but was never able to find a gap. Thus, he finished just outside the podium ahead of Acosta, who in the finale had to fend off Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who was weak at the start but convincing in the closing stages.
And Marc Marquez?
Seventh place went to Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who had a defensive weekend. He was fourth after the initial skirmishes, but then gradually lost ground. It was also a difficult Grand Prix for the reigning world champion's teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, who crashed while running 15th.
Ogura Mistakes
Zero points also for Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team), who was second in the title race when he arrived at Silverstone. He also encountered a technical problem at the start, like #89, and struggled in the early stages. He crashed mid-race while running seventh.
The MotoGP standings
: In the world championship, Martin now holds a 31-point lead over Bezzecchi, who is ahead of Ogura, Marc Marquez, and Di Giannantonio, who is fifth, 41 points behind. Fernandez, who became the twelfth consecutive winner in the last twelfth round at Silverstone, trails the leader by 56 points.
