It will continue to be talked about for days, including the next GP in Misano at the end of next week. Of course, we are referring to the collision between Pecco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez that took both of them out of the race. The incident was broadcast and seen from all angles, and in the end put down as being a simple racing incident.
One may or may not agree, but in this case the Stewards could hardly have assigned certain blame. Both riders, in fact, could have been more careful. When Pecco passed Alex on the outside he was clearly faster. To the eye it is not possible to say what the difference between the two bikes was in terms of Km/h but certainly the Gresini team rider, clearly on the dirt, could not accelerate fully. On the other hand, Pecco established the trajectory so quickly, leaning in front of his wheel, that even the super reaction times of these fantastic riders were not enough to avoid contact.
Among the many images we were struck by this one - it is a screenshot - in which we can clearly see smoke coming from the rear tire of the Ducati #73, as if Marquez, even unconsciously, had applied the rear brakes. In the next frame the Ducati #73 rises into the air with the front end hooked by the GP24. Mind you we are not giving any responsibility, we often forget how quickly these accidents happen and the speed, and inertia of the bike and rider. Fortunately, no one was hurt!
Below is the statement from the FIM MotoGP Stewards.
First reactions:
Bagnaia: "I'm not feeling too well, I have pain in my left shoulder and we will see in these days to work to get to Misano in shape. With Alex we didn't talk to each other, he didn't even look at me. It's unpleasant because he went long, he saw that I was passing him, because he saw me, it's not true that he didn't see me, he gave a shot of gas because I felt it and then I asked to see the telemetry, and he came at me. That's not the best. I took advantage of his mistake and maybe I was wrong not to consider who he was, because he has already done several things like this. When someone catches you like that, he apologizes, but he told me where to go as well. He and I have a different view of things, but the dynamic is clear. When I was in front of him we were still straight, the curve had not yet begun. I made a line that was also quite wide, and once we got in I felt that he hit the gas. I wanted to see the telemetry: he didn't close the throttle until he was on the ground. I'm disappointed, it was a difficult weekend from the start from the dirty starting place, but I was recovering."
Alex Marquez: "I went a little long, but I was still inside, I didn't go on the green. At the change of direction in turn 13 I already had the body on the right and I didn't see anybody. I didn't know who it was because they don't indicate it to me on the board. Bagnaia closed the line so much from outside and after the contact I don't know what I did with the gas, I was just looking at the wall coming up. If anyone could avoid the contact, he was the one who saw me and didn't have to close. All he had to do was leave a meter and nothing would have happened and nobody would have crashed. I realize that he is fighting for a world championship, and it was a good chance to get on the podium. I am disappointed that we finished the race like that. However, it is not true that I told him where to go. He got angry, I am not angry with him. I didn't apologize to him, and he didn't apologize to me. I think it's kind of his fault, he thinks it's my fault. Those are two versions. If we talk about it, it will be in private, not in front of the cameras. I repeat: I didn't know it was Pecco, my board doesn't show me any names. If I had a chance to avoid that contact I would have done it, he saw me and knew where I was, I didn't know he would attack me from the outside."