Gloves come off on Algarve as MotoGP ready for Round 2 vs rollercoaster, Marquez sidelined

Two Grands Prix remain, and there are also the Team and Constructor crowns to be fought for.

Interestingly too, the next stop is a return ticket to the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the paddock gears up for the Grande Premio Brembo do Algarve, so there is already a point of comparison from this season to get a possible glimpse of what to expect.

And now it will not include the added presence of a stronger Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the six-time world champion in premier glass is sidelined as a precaution, having suffered a slight concussion in training.

An exact re-run of the Portuguese GP would probably suit newly-crowned champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) just fine though. The Frenchman dominated on our first visit, and headed a top three on the podium that mirrors the 2021 standings exactly.

If there has not been a shake up since then, that is no problem at all for El Diablo – especially as the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team arrive 13 points clear in the Team standings.

But Quartararo was already in his stride as the season began, something that, arguably, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) hit a little later.

The other obstacle for Bagnaia’s charge to stay with Quartararo on take one in Portugal was a rollercoaster qualifying that saw one lap chalked off for track limits and another for a Yellow Flag.

That dropped him ten places behind Quartararo on the grid, and Bagnaia and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) charged from 11th and ninth to second and third, respectively. Now, Bagnaia arrives with the last four pole positions in his pocket… so the sensible bet is against the Italian having to repeat his comeback on take two.

The 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship is settled, but there is plenty more spectacle remaining.

Tune in for the Grande Premio Brembo do Algarve at the earlier time of 1pm local time (6.30pm IST) as the rollercoaster returns to deliver another stunner!