The Keys to the Sachsenring Sprint

1. The difference in approach between Martín and Bagnaia.

While the Spanish driver took the race by accident, the Italian consoled himself by wanting to save the rear wheel for the end of the race. Because of this, he was overtaken first by Martín and then by Oliveira. “In the end we were all at the back, and because I was riding behind Oliveira, the pressure on my front tire increased, which made it impossible for me to catch up with Miguel. I made a mistake today…”

2. Bradl’s maneuvering in Q1.

Physically weakened, Marc Márquez devoted his energy to the maximum in Q1. When at the end of the session he left to try to get into Q2, during his fast lap he found a slowing Stefan Bradl in the middle of his trajectory. Márquez qualified 13th on the starting grid, ruining his chances of a good result in the sprint race.

3. The loss of Aleix Espargaró.

His decision not to start the race after Friday morning’s test led the data analysis and performance technicians who normally work for him to provide assistance to Miguel Oliveira in the satellite team. Coincidence or not, the Portuguese got a surprising podium. The first since he arrived at Aprilia.

4. The collapse of Viñales in Q2.

He has been very fast since he arrived at the Sachsenring, breaking the circuit record yesterday. Now in Q2, the Aprilia rider suffered a spectacular fall. He went to the circuit hospital where he was cleared to start the race, and his start in this one wasn’t bad but as the laps went by he lost positions, finally making it to seventh at the finish line.

5. Tire pressure in front of Raúl Fernández.

The rider of Madrid had everything to complete the best training sessions since he joined MotoGP with a good result in the sprint race, but an error in the tire pressure strategy in the front where he started the race failed any expectations. Looking to finish on or near the podium, he crossed the finish line 14th.