The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit has hosted a Grand Prix every year since it was first included on the MotoGP™ calendar in 1992 and the annual visit to this venue is enjoyed by riders and fans alike, with a superb track producing great racing just 25km to the north of Barcelona, one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. This is the home venue for many of the sport’s biggest stars including Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Maverick Viñales, Dani Pedrosa and the Espargaro brothers Aleix and Pol.
The big question coming into the 7th round of 2021 season was whether anyone has an answer for MotoGP championship leader Fabio Quartararo’s speed. The Frenchman has been in sensational form this season, picking up three wins, the latest of which at Mugello saw him extend his championship lead to 24 points. Barcelona was the scene of the 22-year old’s debut Grand Prix triumph in 2018 and he won the MotoGP race there last year too.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo has taken his fifth-straight MotoGP pole in a tense qualifying for the Catalan Grand Prix on Saturday, beating Jack Miller who crashed late on.
No rider since Marc Marquez during his dominant 2014 season has scored five poles in a row, while no Yamaha rider since Jorge Lorenzo in 2010 achieved that feat before Quartararo ended that drought with a 1m38.853s in Q2 at Barcelona.
On Sunday’s race Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) returned to winning ways thanks to a perfect performance in a scintillating Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, as just 0.175s splits the race winner and second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) at the finish line. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was promoted to P3 at the end of the race as World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) is handed a three-second penalty for a shortcut at Turns 1 and 2.
Only 15 riders saw the chequered flag, Tech 3’s Iker Lecuona crashing out of ninth late on, joining Valentino Rossi (SRT), Danilo Petrucci (Tech 3) and Pol Espargaro on the Honda joining Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro on the sidelines.
Quartararo’s dramas have led to his championship lead being cut to 17 by Zarco, with Oliveira edging slightly closer in seventh and 64 points adrift.
CATALUNYA 2021 RACE RESULTS
MOTOGP STANDINGS
