The 2019 German MotoGP has arrived! The ninth race weekend of the calendar is starting this Friday at the Sachsenring circuit. Overall sweetheart Marc Marquez, is even more of a favourite is in Germany than anywhere else.
Marc, the king of Sachsenring
The Spaniard has won every single race since 2010 and across all the different categories at the German track. The very technical and fast layout of the Sachsenring is perfectly suited to his driving style and over the years it has become the Spaniard’s very own little fort.
The German track demands a lot of determination from pilots, particularly on its left turns at the back of the track and Marquez has bucketloads of boldness and courage. To succeed at the Sachsenring, you also need a good chassis and a very powerful machine, and Mark’s Japanese bike has got all that.
On top of it all, the five-time MotoGP champion is in the middle of a triumphant strike. He leads the table with overwhelming superiority. After his second position in Holland, he is 44 and 52 points ahead of the Ducatis of Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci respectively and has 59 points more than Alex Rins.
The other pilot at the Honda box hasn’t been so lucky. Jorge Lorenzo continues with his very own penance journey. He will not be able to compete in Germany after suffering a dreadful fall in Holland where he fractured a vertebra. The local hero and factory rider Stefan Bradl to replace him.
The pilot from the Balearic Islands is convalescing at his Swiss home and having to wear a cumbersome orthopaedic corset. The RC213V has been to Lorenzo something of an indomitable beast so far, and one that sends him flying every time he tries to squeeze all the juice out of it.
Dovi must assert his authority
Ducati’s leader must shorten the distance with his Spanish rival immediately if he wants to stand any chance. His first opportunity to do so is now the German GP. If he doesn’t manage it, the championship will be very much decided in favour of the Honda #93.
Dovi is painfully aware that if Marquez accrues his 10th consecutive victory at the German track, he will arrive at the next race in the Check Republic, and halfway point of the season, more than 50 points behind him. A death sentence.
Perhaps his teammate Petrux could be instrumental in finally defeating their common enemy. After sealing three victories and a fourth position over the last four races, Danilo could well be a deciding element in the Italo-Spanish battle. Petrucci is also very comfortable in the Sachsenring where he almost got a podium in 2018.
Yamaha, same objective; opposing sensations
Yamaha’s pilots are hoping to repeat last year’s performance in Germany where they took both the second and third positions. Maverick Viñales won the Dutch GP after an 8-month winless draught and arrives in Germany in very high spirits.
Meanwhile, his teammate Valentino Rossi, who crashed out last week at the Cathedral, will fight for the second position that he got in 2018. Names aside, the satellite Japanese machines could also contend at the lead of the race. Fabio Quartararo, podium in the last two races, and his box neighbour Franco Morbidelli could pay an unwelcomed visit to those fighting for the win.
Suzuki and Rins need to climb up the points ladder
Alex Rins arrives at the weekend with the utmost need of climbing up the points ladder and getting a bit closer to the leading trio. His fateful crash in Holland, as he was leading the race, has pushed him down the standings to 59 points behind Marquez.
Rins must climb back up the podium in Germany, something hasn’t done since Jerez, and that was 5 GPs ago. The Suzuki pilot needs to cut back his distance to the winning trio if he doesn’t want to be left behind. He is only 7 points behind third-classified Petrux and 15 behind second- classified Dovi.
Imahes: Honda, Ducati & MotoGP.com
Leave a Reply