In the aftermath of the first two races of the season, between news, triumphs and falls (in every sense) our report cards for the riders and bikes
March 27, 2023
Francesco Bagnaia: 10
We truly are close to absolute perfection. The feeling is that it has margin to manage, a margin that it uses at the right moments and always in the best way. An overwhelming superiority from all points of view: has the ability to open a cycle. And to think that there are still those who say that he wins only because he has a Ducati. Unbeatable.
Maverick Vinales: 7,5
A premise: the judgment takes into account, as always, also of qualifying and from Saturday also of the Sprint race. That’s why the rating is so “low”: considering what he did on Friday and Sunday, could have done more. But the start of the championship is unquestionably convincing: if he finds consistency, he can aim for great results. Top Guns.
Marco Bezzecchi: 7
Too bad about the crash in the Sprint, but in the real race he made up for it. I like his way of approaching racing, he transmits power and speed. He’s still missing a little something, but we’re really at a high level. Nice pilot.
Johann Zarco: 6
In the end, it closes with a good result, but seems slower than in the past. It doesn’t excite, but still proves to have good qualities. It can do more.
Alex Marquez: 6
Arrived in Portimao with high expectations, he starts off well right away, but has a major gap on Saturday. Then come back fast on Sunday with a race of substance. This is one of the tracks where he was also strong with the Honda, let’s see in the next ones. Careful.
Brad Binder: 6
Francesco Guidotti is right when he says that tests are practically zero for him. Even in the Sprint he struggled, but on Sunday the “dog” we know is back. New tires are his nightmare, but if he finds pace, it’s difficult to contain him. Sweet Sunday.
Jack Miller: 7,5
I wondered why KTM chose him, in Portimao I got the answer: why go strong; because in qualifying make the most of the bike’s potential; because if there’s the possibility of overtaking, he does it without thinking too much about it. He has to improve in the final stages, but his GP was more than positive. Proper purchase.
Fabio Quartararo: 6
It does what it can, but it can’t work miracles. Let’s hope he holds up and doesn’t “drop the chain”. Without motorcycle.
Aleix Espargaro: 6
It is clear that he could have done better, but he has more than one excuse: the brother’s accident on Saturday, the contact with Binder in the first lap of the race. He makes a good comeback, sets the fastest lap of the race, but picks up very little. Conditioned.
Alex Rins: 5
He defends himself somehow, but with the Suzuki he was used to something else. Rogue nostalgia.
Joan Mir: 5
It was Saturday in qualifying psychologically destroyed by his teammate and never recovered. And in certain overtaking he is really too aggressive. Difficult coexistence.
Franco Morbidelli: 4
Unfortunately, the way out is not seen: at the moment it is difficult to think that he can recover. Unrecognizable.
Marc Marquez: 2
It is not justifiable, in any way. He was the protagonist of an excellent Saturday from a sporting point of view, but also in this case with many doubts about his way of doing it, about this continuous, scientific research of the wake of others. Sunday’s mistake is ugly, beyond all limits. Then he apologizes, but only to Oliveira, without saying a word about Martin. Astounding in all respects.
Miguel Oliveira: 7
In the end he collects very little, only a seventh place in the Sprint, but he excites the large Portuguese public. After some difficulties during the winter, seems to already have the Aprilia in hand. If nothing else, he didn’t get (too) hurt. In the viewfinder (by Marquez).
Luca Marini: 4
The premises were those of an exhilarating GP, however it was devastating, with a double crash, the first in the Sprint also involving Enea Bastianini. That incident probably also affected Sunday: a mistake, but please don’t make inappropriate comparisons. Bad start.
George Martin: 8
Perhaps he threw away the win in the Sprint, with that tiny mistake on the last lap, but his weekend was convincing until he was hit in the race. Fast.
Ducati DesmosediciGP23: 9.5
Great bike, nothing to say. It has lost some top speed, but has grown in driveability. How beautiful.
Aprilia RS-GP: 9
It’s not far from Ducati: The engine pushes hard, drives well, is effective in many respects. Good job.
KTM RC16: 8
It seemed destined for a season of great difficulty, but it was the positive surprise of the GP.
Honda RC213V: 5
If Marquez is ageing it’s also because RCV is not competitive. It takes more to get to the top.
Yamaha M1: 5
The situation is critical, very critical. In fact, the M1 of 2022 has remained, but the opponents who are going fast are much more than last year. At the back of the group.
