MotoGP
Sachsenring king Marquez is missing: The competition is lurking
Missing through injury at the German Grand Prix: Spaniard Marc Marquez. Photo: Alessio Marini/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Without Marc Marquez, the dominator of previous years is missing. In the premier class there are numerous applicants for a win, but the German fans are hoping for a podium finish for Marcel Schrötter.
One thing is certain, even though the first motorcycle hasn’t even been started yet.
While Marc Marquez has always made it to the top of the podium at the Sachsenring in one of the three world championship classes since 2010, there will be a new winner this Sunday, at least in the premier class.
The Spaniard is missing due to injury. But that doesn’t change everything. Some questions and answers before the first German Grand Prix with spectators in two years.
Who are the favorites in each class?
A new “King of the Ring” is being sought in MotoGP. “On Sunday we will see for whom this place is no longer a black spot on the map,” said former motorcycle racer Alexander Hofmann of the German Press Agency. In addition to the overall leader Fabio Quartararo, the 2020 world champion, Joan Mir, and Aleix Espargaro are also among the highly traded pilots.
In the Moto2 series, Celestino Vietti and Aron Canet have been in good shape lately. And in the entry-level class, there are usually a dozen drivers among the aspirants to victory. Picking a favorite is almost impossible.
How is the Grand Prix accepted in Germany?
After the corona-related failure in 2020 and the ghost edition in 2021, the viewers are back. Around 200,000 fans are expected. “Sales are going well,” said spokesman Oliver Runschke from ADAC. Not only established sponsors could be kept. The organizers were even able to gain additional partners. The Motorcycle World Championship will be in Saxony until at least 2026.
What can be expected from a German point of view?
There are two local heroes. Stefan Bradl stands in for Marc Marquez. “It’s not an easy situation for Stefan. He is there almost more often than the actual regular pilot, »said Hofmann, who now works as an expert for the television station ServusTV. Bradl’s home race is all about surviving the first lap. In the end he didn’t succeed.
Marcel Schrötter could make an exclamation mark in the middle class. “The hopes of the German fans should rest on him,” said Hofmann. The shape curve points upwards, a pedestal is realistic.
Where can you watch the races?
ServusTV has expanded the transmission for the race weekend in Germany. The first free practice session in the MotoGP class can already be seen on Friday. The highlights are the three qualifications on Saturday from 12.35 p.m. and the races the following day from 11.00 a.m. With the exception of the warm-ups, the streaming provider DAZN will broadcast the sessions of all classes.