“Many people have asked me… I still don’t know”

Silly season gossip, Marc Marquez’s launch woes and Valentino Rossi’s presence were some of the main topics of conversation at the Austrian GP, as we take a closer look at some of the main talking points that surfaced from Chapter 11 of 2024.

“That chaos created everything”

It was a weekend that promised plenty more than a Tissot Sprint DNF and a Sunday P4 for Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) at the Red Bull Ring. Sunday’s start woes began 30 minutes before lights out, as the eight-time World Champion explained the domino effect a broken valve had that led him to have a technical issue just before lights out.

“Today we were unlucky because 30 minutes before the start, when the mechanics go to check the tyre pressure, the valve was broke. And then as you see in the image that they were running to Michelin to change tyre to another rim.

“But during that procedure, that was super good and they did a very good job, but the tyre temperature dropped a lot. And then that chaos created everything. I mean, on that sighting lap, I was more concentrated on putting temperature on that front tyre. Then on the last straight, I braked and engaged the front device well, but then I broke again and it disengaged. And then I didn’t have enough speed [to engage it again].

“Without that front device it was difficult to start well. And then I was super calm on the first corner. I said ‘OK, I will brake early to not exaggerate and let's see’. But then I received a big contact from the left side and then we went wide. And from 13th place, we started step by step.”

“We got tangled”

After the race, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) had his say on what happened at Turn 1 when both he and the #93 went wide following contact.

“When I arrived into Turn 1, Marc had the problem so he had a different speed and he went to the left when I was going through and we got tangled. Finally nothing happened and I’m happy about that.”

“It’s always important to have Vale with us”

In the post-race Press Conference, race winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was asked about having Valentino Rossi at the Red Bull Ring, and why the nine-time World Champion’s presence is such a good thing for the Italian and his fellow VR46 Academy riders.

“It’s always important to have Vale with us, but I speak a lot with him also when I start here. We text a lot. I think he’s super useful because I need his point of view. So when he’s here, it’s true that when he’s here he has to be more focused on his team, but we spoke yesterday evening and Friday evening. I need his point of view.

“Before the race, he just said to me that what I did yesterday was already good so to just try to repeat it. After the race, he was just very happy, also because Celestino won his first grand prix of the season. He wasn’t in a very good situation, so we are very happy for him. I think Bezzecchi did a good race, also. Frankie wasn’t the best race, but he managed to come back a lot. So I think it’s a very good weekend for the academy.”

“Many people have asked me… I still don’t know”

With Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) confirmed to be moving to Trackhouse Racing in 2025, there aren’t many seats left up for grabs on next year’s MotoGP™ grid. One that remains undecided is the IDEMITSU Honda LCR ride, with Somkiat Chantra’s (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) name being heavily mooted. Here’s what the Thai star had to say about the gossip in Austria.

“We’ve got some confidence in the bike”

Sunday may have sprung a crash for Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), but the Australian was back scrapping at the sharp end all weekend in Austria. The #43 detailed his current feeling with the RC16 after the race.

“It's been a gradual building, since all the way back, I wanna say just after Catalunya. Just trying to build confidence, trying to build a base that I'm comfortable with and I think we're there. We've got some confidence in the bike. Obviously today it bit us in the arse a little bit but that's bike racing.

“And you know, when you're there pushing at the pointy end. And like I said, I'd sacrifice a little bit in the acceleration zones just to try and stay there at the end. Kind of playing the long game and we didn't really get to show that today.

“But that's the risk you take when you're sacrificing on the exits. You got to kind of push it a little bit more on the entry and it bit me on the arse today. It is what it is.

“But definitely nice to be back fighting at the pointy end, going through Q1 and Q2 and then obviously P5 yesterday and I really felt confident, like I could fight for that P5 again today.”

A weekend off beckons before we return to MotorLand Aragon for Round 12 of 2024.