MotoGP preview: Rd7, Catalunya, Spain

Ding, ding: settle in for round two of the Ducati-Honda bout. The MotoGP circuit moves from picturesque Mugello over the border to Barcelona this weekend (June 14-16), and many eyes will be drawn to the respective Repsol Honda and Mission Winnow Ducati camps.

Mugello was a battle for the ages, playing host to a race-long duel between Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) and eventual race winner, Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati).

Catalunya’s long straights and critical tyre wear sets the scene for another intriguing race.

Marquez currently holds a 12-point advantage in the championship over Dovizioso, so in some respects, Barcelona is an opportune time for the Italian to strike back.

Ducati carries good form into the weekend, having won in Catalunya in 2017 (Dovizioso) and 2018 (Jorge Lorenzo).

“Twelve points behind Marc in this moment of the championship is really positive,” Dovi said.

“We have been very consistent but for sure we want to come back here and win. Because if you want to fight with Marc you have to be up there in all the races.

“I’m happy to be back here, it’s a really nice track and I’m confident. We will see.”

Marquez bagged crucial points from his second place in Mugello, and moving forward the Spaniard sees this weekend’s home race as another golden championship opportunity.

“I’m happy to arrive this way at my home GP. After Mugello, we arrive happy because we always struggle there – this year we struggled but we were up there,” Marquez said.

“This weekend we will try to work in our garage to get the best out of the bike and make a podium.”

The Catalunya circuit is notoriously difficult on the right edge of the Michelin tyres, but for Alex Rins, it is the circuit’s long straights that could be more problematic. Suzuki struggled with straight-line speed in Mugello, but were strong in preserving tyres.

Rins’ Achilles heel remains qualifying, but the Spaniard carries confidence from a fourth place during his last outing.
“Well for sure we had an incredible race,” said Rins.

“When I finished I was very…I thought I was able to win! I fought with all the Ducatis and Hondas but we already knew we would suffer. Positive is we finished less than one second off the win, I enjoyed it a lot, overtaking these guys a lot and it was very fun.”

Fresh from his debut premier class win at Mugello, a candid and relaxed Danilo Petrucci is beaming ahead of Barcelona. Not surprisingly, the Italian hopes the breakthrough result will springboard him towards more success.

“Fortunately, the celebrating has been not so crazy. I was sleeping at my mother’s house so it was important to come back on Sunday in a conscious way! It’s been very nice to win in Mugello after a good race,” Petrucci said.

“I just started to think that Mugello was the first of good racing. The last three races we always fought for the podium and we want to continue like this. I think here will be more difficult than Mugello, we are four maybe six riders who can fight for the win every race.”

Petrucci and Australian Jack Miller are in the midst of a well-publicised showdown for the second factory Ducati seat in 2020. However, with the Italian’s recent success and Miller unfortunately crashing out at Mugello after running top five, its seems a fait accompli.

If ever Miller was to change the Ducati factory’s minds, now will be the time. But regardless, the Australia will ride a GP20 machine next year, even if he stays with Pramac Ducati.

As a contrast, Jorge Lorenzo arrives in Barcelona in search of race pace. But the Spaniard believes he is slowly moving in the right direction, having taken a brief trip to Honda HQ in Japan to try and find a better set-up with his Repsol Honda machine.

It was a busy period for rookie Fabio Quartararo too. The Frenchman underwent a surgical procedure to reduce dreaded arm pump in his forearms, and has been declared fit for the weekend’s race.

On the subject of Yamaha, factory rider Maverick Vinales has shown glimpses of brilliance this season, shaded by plenty of disappointment. But the Spaniard arrives in Barcelona hoping to turn the tables.

“I can’t wait to be at my home GP,” said Vinales, whose best premier class finish is a fourth from 2016.

“Montmeló is a very special track for me, it’s a circuit that I really like and enjoy. There I can feel all the support of my fans, it has an amazing atmosphere. I hope that I can respond with a good result, and why not with a podium?

“That’s always our goal. Mugello was a very difficult race because it was very physically demanding. We have to keep working hard to be able to find the sweet spot of the bike, so we’ll be able to continue fighting to be towards the top of the standings. So let's keep focused, and we’ll show the best side of us for our fans.”

In Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner hopes to put an end to a string of mediocre results and crashes, having started the season in career-best form.

Channel 10 will broadcast the Sunday’s MotoGP race from 9.30pm AEST on 10 Bold, while Fox Sports has coverage from Friday practice.