2019 MotoGP Rd6 preview: Mugello

The MotoGP world championship heads to beautiful Mugello this weekend, where one of the biggest power struggles of the season is likely to ensue.

Set in the magnificent Tuscan hills, Mugello is an out-and-out horsepower circuit, one that has heavily favoured the Ducati’s prodigious acceleration and top end grunt in the past.

However, this year, the brilliant combination of Marc Marquez and his Repsol Honda could turn the tables.

Honda is benefitting from significant engine upgrades during the off-season, and promises to be a force to be reckoned with at traditional horsepower circuits including Mugello and Catalunya.

Marquez leads the championship by 8pts after five rounds, and has high hopes of extending his lead at the Italian Grand Prix, a track that has dealt him mixed fortunes in the past.

“Obviously from Qatar until Le Mans we keep improving and we are here in Mugello with a very good feeling,” the five-time MotoGP champion said.

“We know that Mugello is one of the tracks we have struggled with in the past. Last year we were not so bad… we will check this year, we have another bike and another engine and this should be better. Here is important for Ducati and is important for the riders, I know they would like to win the race.”

Mugello is undoubtedly a highlight of the calendar for the grid’s Italian cohort. For Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, this weekend also poses an important opportunity to wrest back the championship lead from Marquez – or at the very least minimise it – from second place.

“In the last two years, we’ve done something really really good here,” said Dovi, whose remarks stir memories of Jorge Lorenzo’s breakthrough win on the red machine in 2018, and his own a year earlier.

“I think all the Ducatis can be competitive here this weekend, a lot of riders will be able to fight for the podium and also the victory. Anything can happen.”

Fittingly, Dovi will notch his 300th MotoGP start in Mugello.

At the other end of the spectrum, Yamaha has openly struggled with straight-line momentum this year – though the blue machine is much stronger in handling and electronics – with Valentino Rossi openly talking about the factory team’s disadvantage last time out in Le Mans.

Rossi always gives his best at Mugello, however, having managed a record seven consecutive victories between 2002 and 2008. The veteran hopes to continue a strong start to the season, sitting fourth overall in the standings.

“It’s always difficult to understand things before the weekend,” Rossi said.

“Last year was good and I was good across the weekend. This year, the bike has improved very much so we will see.”

Mugello is one of the quickest and most demanding circuits of the year, and one where the Michelin Power Slick tyres are faced with hard braking zones, heavy acceleration areas and off-camber corners, plus a medium-severity surface, all of which place specific demands on the tyres.

One man who is becoming increasingly well versed in tyre preservation is Australia’s Jack Miller, whose race craft is clearly maturing as he spends more time at the pointy end of the field.

Miller will be looking to capitalise on three top-four finishes this season with another strong result in Mugello. The Pramac Ducati pilot says he is carrying plenty of confidence after dicing for the lead with Marquez last time out.

“It was nice to be at the front from the start. Le Mans is a track that suits my style, it was nice to get some decent points back on the board,” he said.

“It was nice to battle with Marc, even if it was only for a lap and half. Let’s try and make it a little longer next time.”

Meantime in Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner is looking to put a string of crashes behind him and resume some strong opening hitouts.

“Really looking forward to Mugello. I really want to finish the race in Italy and get as many points as I can,” he said. “I think we have a very good set up after the test we did in Catalunya. I love Mugello and I believe our set up is going to be great for the Italian track.”

The Italian Grand Prix will be broadcast on Network 10’s channel, 10 Bold, from 9.30pm AEST on Sunday, while Fox Sports will commence coverage from Friday evening.