MotoGP: Miller wins thriller in Spain

MotoGP: Miller wins thriller in Spain

Miller delivered victory in true MotoGP fashion.

Jerez hosted Spain’s first iteration of the world’s most exciting motorsport in 2021 and it was superb. Motorsport differentiates itself from any other sport through its ability to deliver exciting and emotional storylines in bite-sized pieces. Thrilling sessions coupled with exceptional riding – this weekend had everything.

Heartbreak and exhilaration, packaged into 45 minutes of madness.

From the opening session, things were shaken up. Brad Binder, the South African, grabbed the quickest time in the first session of the weekend. The second Free Practice followed a more similar pattern. Title contenders, Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo led the way. Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro joined the party in third, which proved that we had an interesting weekend in store. Nakagami rounded off the sessions counting towards qualifying by blitzing the field, Quartararo put in the 2nd best time with Bradl coming in as the wildest of wild cards in third. Interestingly, Jack Miller missed most of the running in the final session before pressure was truly on (FP4) – often key for race preparation.

Scintillating Saturday

Let the shoot-out commence

Miller and Bagnaia to end Ducati drought?

The focus was on Yamaha as they started with a one-two. Quartararo was the clear favourite. Leading the way in the MotoGP World Championship and the quickest around Jerez consistently over the past 18 months or so. Franco Morbidelli has done wonders on an ageing bike with the two Ducati’s sitting pretty just behind them.

The starting phased resembled the opening few corners in Portugal. The Championship leader clearly struggles to get the best out of his holeshot device as he tumbled down the order after a monstrous start by the Italian stallions. However, as discussed in the preview article, the Frenchman maintained his composure to work his way back to the front of the pack. He broke the race lap record in the process.

By all accounts, it looked like Yamaha would romp to victory. But, the unpredictability of the MotoGP rose to the fore once more. Out of nowhere, Quartararo began to lose pace. Jack Miller had worked his way into second place courtesy of some brave riding and the beastly power of his Red Ducati. The Aussie munched into a one and a half-second in a flash and a blur. Initially, the commentators assumed that Quartararo had made an error off camera. From that point onwards, Miller was all over his French compatriot. Searching for the perfect overtaking opportunity which duly presented itself on the home straight. The powerful Ducati roared through and Jack could redeem his Championship efforts in 2021.

Miller sets the record straight

Miller’s destiny was now firmly under his control. Spain’s most challenging circuit got the better of Brad Binder, whilst Alex Rins suffered from another error-strewn weekend. Thus, the number 43, could do without a heart-in-mouth moment. Ducati had not won in Jerez for 15 years.

Enhancing the pressure.

Pecco Bagnaia started hunting Miller in true killer fashion. The young Italian is proving to be more of a threat as each week passes by. It took a lot of nerve for Jack to see off the challengers and claim his 2nd career win in MotoGP. Many, including myself, expected Miller to flourish in 2021. Unfortunately for him, luck and the big moments have gone against him. But surely his confidence will be sky-high following an emotional victory.

Fabio fixed up and raring to go

Thus, MotoGP delivered on its unwritten promise. Round 4 was yet another superb episode in the season-long spectacle that is the World Championship. It was confirmed that Fabio Quartararo suffered from an ‘arm pump.’ An injury that severely limited his braking ability in Spain. Fortunately, the young Frenchman should be firing on all cylinders when we return at his home race on the 16th of May. After four races, Pecco Bagnaia leads the way due to sheer consistency.

Joan Mir proved it last year – winning races is not what it boils down to. Finding a way to score a decent haul of points every weekend is more important. For context, Quartararo won three times as many races as Mir in 2020. However, we all know who will be happier with their Championship performance though right?

We are in for another crackerjack when qualifying 1 gets going at Le Mans – cannot wait.