MotoGP – Australian Grand Prix – Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) falls and gives up his throne to Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), 3rd

This may well be the turning point of the season. And he clearly does not lean in favor of Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Factory), author of two errors which propelled him to the ground after ten laps of racing on the narrow track of Phillip Island, Australia. Very quickly tense on his machine despite a successful take-off, “El Diablo” could only observe from his box the podium of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), overtaken in extremis by a Spanish duo.

If Alex Rins (Suzuki) was able to contain Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) to the line, the Turinese, third, is the big winner of the day. The latter takes power in the standings with a 14-point lead over Quartararo, two rounds from the end of the season. Nothing is lost for the Habs, but the dynamic is clearly red.

Quartararo, one mistake too many

Already forced to retire three years ago on the last Australian edition, the Frenchman did it again this Sunday, when the winding route presented by the “Aussie” setting beaten by the waves of the Indian Ocean seemed to correspond perfectly in the style of his Yamaha. Author of an excellent action (3rd at the first corner), “El Diablo” then gradually tensed on his mount, downgrading in the still very compact line of pilots at Phillip Island.

Until the first quack, which occurred after four laps. Quartararo nearly crashed and, trying to straighten his bike, was forced to shoot straight into the grass. A rescue that was very expensive since the Habs had to start again beyond the 20th position. It therefore took a few overtakings and the brutal collision between Alex Marquez (LCR Honda) and Jack Miller (Ducati) to see the Niçois back in the points (15th). Except that by dint of pushing, Quartararo chased forward and finished the helmet in the gravel after ten laps of the race. The disappointment is up to the desire deployed by the reigning world champion to limit the damage against his great rival, Pecco Bagnaia.

We see a little more clearly in the fight for the title

The Piedmontese relied on an impressive Desmosedici in the straight line to build his podium. Never worried or torn in his choices, Bagnaia offered a few breathless passes with Marc Marquez and Alex Rins. In a sense, Quartararo will be able to thank the bottom two, blowing out first and second place from Borgo Panigale’s protege on the final lap. A time protected by Marco Bezzecchi (4th, Mooney VR46), the Turinese believed to hang a 7th victory this season which would have allowed him to add nine points to his counter.

With “only” 14 lengths ahead of his runner-up, “Pecco” is far from having brought the title to the Bologna firm yet. If the dynamic is clearly leaning in favor of the men in red, the last two races can still redraw the contours of a fight destined to last until the twilight of the season. A fight in which Alex Espargaro (9th, Aprilia), Enea Bastianini (5th, Gresini) and Jack Miller (Ducati) are no longer part. The first two are still mathematically in the game, but the delay seems too big (27 and 42 points).

In front, Alex Rins went for a fourth career victory in front of a Marc Marquez (2nd) definitely back in business. The Spaniard took advantage of a receptive Honda at Phillip Island and should be a strong contender for the title in 2023. Eighth-placed Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac) will also look to next year to finally secure premier class success , the Cannes resident has been chaining irregular scores for a few Grands Prix. In the meantime, Quartararo will try to raise the bar in Malaysia, starting next week.