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MotoGP analysis: How Quartararo won his first GP amidst Marquez drama
Bengaluru, July 20: Fabio Quartararo won the Spanish GP in a race full of drama, thrills and spills as the 2020 FIM MotoGP World Champioship finally started after long break forced by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Quartararo's victory had many firsts to his credit. It was the Petronas Yamaha SRT rider's first MotoGP victory, France's first since 1999 which also saw an Independent Team Yamaha on the top step for the first time in MotoGP. It was also Petronas Yamaha SRT team's first win.
The Frenchman capitalised on a Lap 5 mistake from race leader and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as he suffered a run off and Quartararo did not look back - pulling the pin to stamp some authority on Round 1 for the premier class.
The race also saw a stunning comeback from the No. 93 after his mistake, with the reigning world champion unleashing unbelievable pace mid-race - but he then suffered a huge crash at Turn 4 with four laps remaining, breaking his right humerus and soon heading for surgery.
Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) put in an impressive performance to bank 20 points and take second in the wake of the drama, with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) completing the podium after a late lunge on Jack Miller (Pramac Racing).
With Dorna Sports inputs myKhel.com looks at how the race unfolded as the 2020 FIM MotoGP World Championship kicked off in style, but with some serious drama on the side.
Great start
Vinales got off to a great start from the middle of the front row and grabbed the holeshot into Turn 1, with Miller getting his Ducati off the line like a rocket to initially go P2.
The Australian was wide though which let Marquez come through into second after a fairly average getaway, with pole-sitter Quartararo slotting into P3 at Turn 2 as he then got the better of Miller.
Toe-to-toe
However, the Desmosedici grunt saw Miller get up the inside of Quartararo down into the Dani Pedrosa corner, as Vinales got out the seat around Turn 8 in an early scare for the number 12.
Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) was then past Quartararo on Lap 2 as the Frenchman initially fell back, but he was back through at the final corner on that lap as Marquez and Vinales went toe-to-toe at Turn 4, before Marquez managed to make the move stick at Dani Pedrosa corner.
Another twist
Coming across the line with four laps remaining, Marquez was plotting his move into P2. However, there was about to be another twist - and a vast one at that.
Coming out of Turn 3, Marquez was launched off his RC213V in a vicious way. Tumbling heavily through the gravel, the reigning champion was taken to the medical centre - and has a broken right humerus, for which he needs a surgery.
Battle for podium
Back at the front, Quartararo crossed the line to take an incredible maiden MotoGP victory, making some history and converting some searing premier class pace into a winner's trophy.
Vinales took P2 from Dovizioso, with Miller leading Morbidelli and Espargaro over the line. P2-P6 were covered by just 2.3sec.
Story first published: Monday, July 20, 2020, 10:15 [IST]
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