Ogura hides behind his Aprilia when they try to spray him with champagne. He coughs on the podium, enveloped in a choreographed cloud of smoke that he doesn’t seem to like very much. Off the track, he’s not exactly a showman, but when he rides… well, you’ve all seen what he does when he rides.
THE GOOD – Ai Ogura made history without even realizing it. Samuel Beckett would've loved the Japanese rider’s interviews, but when he gets on the bike, it’s a whole different story. Then there’s nothing to laugh about, especially if you’re racing against him. Kudos also to Raul Fernandez who earned the two-year contract extension pn the track that he had wanted.
THE UGLY – Sometimes the bike stops, other times the rider does. The final months of the partnership between KTM and Acosta are in danger of dragging on terribly. Pedro is set to undergo carpal tunnel surgery... hoping that someone will finally decide to make some changes to the RC16, as well.
THE BAD – To celebrate his 200th Grand Prix, Maverick Viñales chose to tell KTM to go to hell. It’s his call, but his boss, Günther Steiner, didn’t take it too well. And we understand why. The Top Gun has always had turbulent relationships with his employers, and he’s reserved the same harsh treatment for what might be his last one.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT – All good things come in threes. Bagnaia proved the old saying right by, once again (for the third time, in fact), experiencing a problem that made it “difficult to slow the bike down and bring it to a stop". A way of saying “brakes” without actually saying “brakes.” Too bad, because the race wasn’t going badly... until then.
THE CONFIRMATION – Di Giannantonio is the only rider who candidly admits to thinking about the title, and, on the track, he proves he can afford to. He’s not perfect, but he clings to every point like a mastiff, never gets discouraged, and even puts on a good show. Long live honesty!
THE ERROR – All’s well that ends well. For Marco Bezzecchi, getting back up from that fall with just a few bruises is already a victory. However, in the last two Grand Prix races, he’s given away too many points to his rivals.The scorching MotoGP summer isn’t the right time to dress up as Santa Claus.
THE OVERTAKE – Assen never disappoints in this regard, and, for once, we’re spoiled for choice. We’re highlighting David Alonso’s overtake on Manu Gonzalez because it happened at the final chicane, on the outside, and it secured him the victory. Hats off to him.
