16-18
Round up of the events for this week ’ s Round 3 of MotoGP TM
MotoGP™ – never been more competitive !
Even by recent Qatari standards , this was hotly contested . By the flag just 8.9 seconds covered race winner Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira in 15th place . “ It was the craziest race ever ,” said world champion Joan Mir . The previous closest top 15 in premier class history came at this very track in 2019 , when 15.093s covered the point scoring positions .
But a six second improvement on the previous record is marked . The reason ? A competitive field like never before . Even Aprilia , the class ’ perennial underachiever , is capable of running toward the front . In terms of
machinery , the premier class has never been this closely matched . And then there is track time . And lots of it . After preseason testing at this track and round one , Sunday was the eleventh day of running at this track in the past four weeks ( the twelfth for class rookies ). “ 5 weeks here in Qatar ,” said Maverick Viñales . “ A lot of laps . A lot . Everyone can go fast !” Brad Binder said , “ when you do so many laps of testing at the same place it brings everyone together and much , much closer and makes the race more interesting for sure .”
Mir and Miller face off
Aside from the spectacularly close racing , Sunday ’ s big talking point was a coming together between Jack Miller and Joan Mir on the exit of the final turn . The reigning World Champion was forced to lift his Suzuki over the run-off on the front straight as Miller appeared to intentionally run into his side .
The move stemmed from Mir ’ s aggressive pass on the Australian six turns before , which forced the Ducati rider to sit up . “ It was the only place I could overtake ,” explained Mir . “ I took the right position . He decided to stay on the outside . He maintained his line . We touched a bit . I picked up the bike . I understand it was a risky manoeuvre . But it was not over the limits .” Miller claimed , “ I got hit I think 3 times already before that moment .“
But that couldn ’ t excuse what followed . Mir described the events : “ I was wide in the last corner . When I came wide , I saw Jack . He moved his head like he saw me . I went to the kerb , on the outside of the line as I could . But he just came across over me and we both touched . We almost crashed on the straight . It was super dangerous .”
The Majorcan was sure the move was intentional . And Miller didn ’ t exactly deny it . “ It was the way the race was going ,” he shrugged . After reviewing the incident , Suzuki decided not to appeal the FIM Steward ’ s decision not to penalize the Australian .
42 | MotoGP TM | This week ...