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2024 MotoGP Round 6: Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Joined Apr 2015
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NJ
2023 Catalan Motorcycle GP Winner: Aleix Espargaro
2023 Winning Race Time: 38:56.159
2023 Pole Position: 1:38.639 (Francesco Bagnaia)
2023 Fastest Lap: 1:40.343 (Maverick Vinales, Aprilia, Lap 3)

Circuit_de_Catalunya_moto_2021.jpg


Notable Storylines: Marc Marquez, can he figure out a way to claim the top step of the podium finally or will Catalunya prove to be a bigger challenge than anticipated? The Martin and Bagnaia show are likely to continue here. Can Aprilia capitalize on their strong showings here the past 2 years or will Ducati finally rip it out of their hands and stamp their dominance yet again? Let's not forget Enea who is also fighting for his future as well. Will the VR46 riders finally keep their mouths shut and focus on actually racing instead of acting as water-carriers for Valentino? What will Pedro Acosta do after a no points finish in Le Mans? How will the rest of the KTM riders under threat from Pit go this weekend? Will they step it up, or will they make the case it's time for them to go? Who will be the winner of the Japanese Cup? Should be a fantastic race with who knows what in store for us.
 
A track that both Marc and Pecco dislike, with the latter having some awful memories of it (unprovoked DNF when he was leading in 22, Brad running over his legs in 23 and miraculously escaping from injury). Aprilia is strong here going by the last few years, Aleix should bounce from his somewhat mediocre form as of late.
 
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Last year showed this track suits the Aprilia

Sprint
1. A Esparargo
2. Bagnaia
3. Vinales

Race
1. A Esparargo
2. Vinales
3. Martin

Binder was nipping at their heals with a 4th in the sprint but had a mechanical in the race so we can't disregard KTM
 
This can be the track Acosta makes it to the top spot. Mark my words! :)

Viñales will show why he is top Aprilista. Miller will show why he is a shoe in for a WSBK/ASBK seat. Mir will show Brivio he still has some ability left, by being top Honda. Quartararo will show Yamaha where the limit of the bike is, again. Rins will battle hard with the Hondas. And Martin will do the double again.
 
To ad one thing to "Notable Storylines" of this Catalunya GP, I'm waiting a lot from Quartararo. I hope he will jump straight in Q2, and make a "remontada" during, at least, the long race. Yamaha and him seemed to have find something two weeks ago, just want to see if it was an "anomaly" or real improvement. This track is the best place to answer this, mainly when I remember how fast he was there...
 
Aleix Espargaro is holding a "Special Press Conference" at 3:15pm local time. Retirement announcement?
 
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I was listening to the Paddock Pass podcast yesterday, and the interview they did with Pol Espargaró. I didn't know that the Catalunya circuit is the most used of all the GP venues, more or less ridden on every weekend.

This though, makes the surface slippery, giving the Aprilia's the edge over the KTMs. Also Marc is one of the few riders to have won here in all categories.

With this race being one of the last ones before Aleix decides if he'll stay or not, he and Maverick will be on the front foot. Brad and Jack, being on the back foot, desperate to turn their fortunes around, are set to push, and maybe push too hard?

Diggia also needs to outperform his teammate and Alex needs to pick up points if Diggia keeps finishing in the top ten.

I might retract my Acosta prediction, swap with Marc's first win on a Ducati, and a crashfest in turn one, lap one, race one, ending someone's season's hope for a fight at the top end of the championship. So that means Brad, Jack, Alex, Aleix, Enea or Diggia.
 
This is a very abrasive track, so lots of tire wear, and very slick. On that information alone, you would expect Miller and Binder to do well, however Aprilia have found something here in the past with their aero package, as well as Ducati.
 
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Binder is already talking down KTM chances, saying they don't do well on slick tracks.
 

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