Raul Fernandez waited four years to cry again, on the top step of the podium. Nearly 40 for Aprilia, to collect 300 trophies. Phillip Island is now twinned with Noale, spritzes, and shots with an ocean view. At least, they can toast, while the others are just drowning their sorrows.
THE GOOD - A great Aprilia, which was able to wake a handsome sleeping Fernandez, celebrating win number 300, exalting Bezzecchi, while putting salt on Ducati's tail. That's no small thing, and it wasn't a given. And to think that there were those who wanted to leave claiming he wasn't competitive. Imagine that.
THE UGLY - Pedro Acosta watched Aldeguer win in Indonesia and Fernandez in Australia. He's the only one missing, but the one who should've succeeded sooner and better than the others. You can't fault him for that, though. He squeezes the KTM, but the Austrian orange has little juice.
THE BAD - Espargarò does double duty as a tester and commentator, while he rides as a hobby. The problem is that, during his favorite pastime, he puts many riders to shame. Pol can celebrate. Those who came up behind or close to him had better think about it twice.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT - He raised everyone's hopes after the pole position but, instead, Fabio Quartararo failed to deliver on his promises. On Saturday, he mounted the wrong tire. On Sunday, who knows what. But, on both occasions, there was always a Yamaha rider faster than him. Things from another hemisphere.
THE CONFIRMATION - There's the mystery of Atlantis, the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle and, then, there's the mystery of Pecco Bagnaia. Engineers, cryptoarchaeologists, puzzle lovers, and assorted time wasters aren't getting any sleep trying to solve it. Forget chemtrails and alien abductions, the date for Halloween is in Borgo Panigale.
THE ERROR - He had done everything right, until Sunday. Then, he relapsed and fell, in his home GP. Poor Jack Miller.
THE SURPRISE - Let's give the prize to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who deserved it, but also sought it. Because, with another type of qualification, the trophy would've been much more prestigious.
THE OVERTAKE - An other-worldly Raul Fernandez turned the standings and predictions upside down. Bravo to him, Aprilia, and the team for always believing. It wasn't easy.
THE ANECDOTE - There's no podium in Australia without someone turning a boot into a stein. But let's not even talk about what that tastes like. O tempora, o mores.
THE I TOLD YOU SO - Marco Bezzecchi, THE realist: "To win with two long laps, you'd need a miracle." True, but he came close to sainthood.