Criville: "Honda, yes or no, needs results"

Ambassador Woonkly and the only Spanish 500cc world champion Alex Crivillé reviewed the news of the Italian Grand Prix, the eighth round of the season that will take place this weekend at the legendary Mugello circuit and where he defeated Max Biaggi, who this Friday named MotoGP Legend, on the last corner in 1999.

Mugello is synonymous with Ducati territory. The Borgo Panigale factory won three times in a row until Fabio Quartararo’s win last season. Who do you think is the Ducati rider with the most options to win the Mugello?

Obviously the Mugello is a 100% Ducati circuit, as this is their test track and it fits very well into Ducati conditions. Pecco Bagnaia is one of the favorites because he’s one of the fastest at Mugello, but obviously you have to rely on Enea Bastianini because he hasn’t failed lately. He won three of seven races. He is a very effective rider, he makes some mistakes and this indicates that he will join the group of favorites.

Enea Bastianini shows exceptional performance and at Le Mans she won her third victory of the year. Do you think the fact that his technical boss is Alberto Giribuola, who was on the side of Andrea Dovizioso in his three runner-up finishes, was influential?

Fausto Gresini’s team has a great technical structure, as Gigi Dall’Igna has said many times. It was a very well organized team and, in this case, Enea Bastianini had the best. His technical chief worked last season at Pecco Bagnaia and this could make it easier for him to set up, by having on each circuit what works well and what doesn’t. In this regard, you can find yourself at ease once you reach the track. It certainly plays a point in your favor.

Fabio Quartararo came to Mugello leading the overall MotoGP classification with just a four -point advantage. Will he be able to handle the push of Aleix Espargaró and Enea Bastianini?

Fabio Quartararo arrives at Mugello leading the overall MotoGP classification. It’s a circuit he knows very well and which he won last season, but he also knows it’s not easy because Ducati has high speeds and straight up they’ll be tough for him. On the other hand, Yamaha has strengths like turning corners and changing direction. There are points in Mugello where Yamaha is a very agile bike and makes good track users. In the last corner, if you come out with traction and good speed, I think Fabio Quartararo is in his favor. On the other hand, he needs to qualify well on the grid and not leave space at the start for Ducati because otherwise it will be very difficult.

Aleix Espargaró took his third consecutive podium at Le Mans and became a serious candidate for the title. How far is the Spaniard capable in a match where the top three are separated by eight points?

Aleix Espargaró has shown this season that he has a great team and a great bike. He was the most rider and he clearly found the balance of the bike. Aprilia worked on a fast, agile bike with good traction. I think it has it all. From there, we’ll see how far he can go and if he can be with Ducati. I think he will be close to the top riders.

Honda’s situation became alarming and Marc Márquez asked the Japanese factory for a new chassis. When do you think the news will come?

Honda, yes or no, needs results now because it is a leading and winning team with Marc Márquez and Repsol. I bet Marc Márquez because he’s a winning driver in everything he’s done. Most likely, he is not yet 100% physically and has certain limitations. You have to think that HRC doesn’t stop working; it is a factory working day and night. Even if the engines are frozen, they can work on other aspects like the chassis, electronics … A small improvement could be a few tenths on the track allowing them to land on top. We need to trust that Honda is improving and can compete with the top group.

What is the most important memory you keep in your Mugello memory?

My biggest memory of Mugello was in the 1999 season. On the last lap I fought Max Biaggi, I passed him into the last corner and took the win. It was a great success in front of the tifosi and in the grandstand of the circuit at full capacity.

What is your prediction for the MotoGP podium at the Italian Grand Prix?

I bet on a new victory for Enea Bastianini, closely followed by Pecco Bagnaia and third place for Fabio Quartararo, since last season he won.

Augusto Fernández won Le Mans and recorded his first victory after three years, since Misano 2019. Do you think he will once again join the fight for the Moto2 title?

Augusto Fernández may be in contention for the Italian Grand Prix podium, but he will add more drivers like Celestino Vietti. He’s one of those riders to remember because he races at home. Soon we need to see Pedro Acosta win races. He showed it at Le Mans, where he was leading the race and made a mistake due to tank -filled numbness. I bet on a great return from Pedro Acosta.

With his victory at Le Mans, Jaume Masià became the most dangerous rival for Sergio García in the fight for the Moto3 title. What has changed in Masià?

Jaume Masiá is back, he has been hooked on Sergio García Dols and has options for the title. This person has matured a lot. Perhaps last season he surprised Pedro Acosta, his teammate and with whom things went so well. Jaume Masiá is beautiful this year. He has the best bike, he is fit and has more experience against young riders.