Petrucci returns !
Fan favourite Dnilo Petrucci was back on a MotoGP machine in Thailand after stepping away from the class at the end of 2021 as he replaced Joan Mir , who still hadn ’ t recovered from the foot injury sustained in his ugly Austrian GP smash . The Italian , who last rode a MotoGP machine last November , didn ’ t have much time to prepare . “ I got the call before the race last Sunday in Alabama , when I was still fighting for the [ MotoAmerica ] title ,” he explained . “ So I said : ‘ Let me think about it !’ because I ’ m retired now and the race in Thailand was tough when I was fully fit . Now I ’ m an old man it will be even tougher ! “ But then after the [ finale ], after the media things for the last race of the season , I went back to the tent at 6pm and my manager said : ‘ We have to decide now because there is no time go to Thailand from the USA ’. I said : ‘ OK , we will go ’. “ From this moment on it was like putting myself into a washing machine to get to Thailand .”
2023 CALENDAR CONFIRMED
The provisional calendar for the 2023 season was released on Friday . In it there were a few surprises , including two new venues in two new countries . The Sokol
International Racetrack is slated to host the first ever Kazakhstan GP between 7th- 9th July , while the Buddh International Circuit could host the inaugural Indian GP on 22nd-24th September . The series will start in Portugal ’ s Algarve International Circuit on 24th- 26th March a trip to Argentina on 31st
March-2nd April and Austin ’ s the Circuit of the Americas on 14th-16th April . The season will end with an exhaustive overseas run , where races in India , Japan , Indonesia , Australia , Thailand , Malaysia , Qatar and Valencia are held in just ten weeks . Sepang will host the Malaysian on 10th-12th November .
Miller flying
Despite a painful crash out of his home GP , Jack Miller has been in the best form of his career as of late , leading to a 45-point haul from the two races in Japan and Thailand . At the Chang International Circuit , Miller revealed some subtle changes to his riding style after scoring a fifth place at Aragon have been a factor behind his good form . “ The step forward in Japan was more my style of riding ,” he explained . “ The boys after the race in Aragon , all sat on the plane and gave me a big list of analysing , breaking down everything . And I got to sit down , study that , and understand where I need to improve . I made a relative step , to get that feeling on the bike , to allow me to carry more speed into the corner , to brake later and maybe focus a little less on the exit , and focus more on hitting my braking markers and getting the thing stopped and then let that exit sort of come to you .”
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