Let's Talk MotoGP: Here's Everything You Didn't See From the Bastianini/Martin Incident

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is ​​now over. In the end, the MotoGP race was quite interesting; it is true that we were treated to a great fight until the last lap between Bastianini and Martin, which is rare enough to be highlighted. However, a bitter feeling has not left me since the presentation of the checkered flag. I cannot be happy with the way this race turned out and not just the finish, as you might expect.

 

A strange generation

 

It's hard for me to understand the Pecco Bagnaia weekend, to begin with. His umpteenth mistake during the Grand Prix will not make me say that he cracks easily under pressure., or that he is not a double world champion MotoGP brave because it is quite the opposite. On the other hand, it was probably one of his most avoidable falls.

Of course, he didn't want to fall either, he didn't want to lose points so easily. But still, how can we explain this demonic pace he had, when everything was lost. Even Marc Marquez, during the post-race press conference, did not seem to understand what motivated Pecco Bagnaia.

 

 

In a future article, I will come back to his title chances at this point in the season and more. It seemed important to me to talk about it because I have the impression of witnessing, this season, to a race for the crown leveled down. As I said in a previous part of Let's talk MotoGP, the points gaps are not made in tenths, and are even less caused by the breathless jousts between the two protagonists of this season. No, rather, this championship is only animated by errors – and some, quite gross – of Bagnaia and Martin. It is part of their attacking style and Bagnaia proved, at his expense, that my analysis about him was correct: he never calculates anythingThis makes them a formidable opponent in a round, but easier prey to tackle on a championship scale.

The refereeing of a title race by moments of weakness makes me more sad than impatient to discover the next episode., Sadly.

 

An attack unworthy of Bastianini

 

Now let's move on to the moment that has been talked about so much. On the last lap, Enea Bastianini attempted a very risky maneuver on Jorge Martin to gain first place. "It's MotoGP," you might say.. Except that I didn't like anything about this excess, from its execution to the reactions of the two people involved.

First, the paint swap. Bastianini decided to attack at turn 4, a fairly tight right-hander that requires a very technical sequence, but in which the Italian was clearly faster than his opponent. It was all in all crude, done in haste, instinctively, when he seemed about to develop his plan that had been in the works for several laps. This is not at all like Bastianini, who was, in 2022, one of the cleanest in battle.. Not only did the two touch – it's clear in the video below – but Jorge Martin was forced to get up, move away at the edge of the gravel trap, and come back several seconds behind. Bastianini also had to leave the track (!), and yet this did not alert the race management.

 

 

I did not understand. On the one hand, we have already seen riders lose a place because they bit the green part on the last lap, and no later than yesterday morning! Daniel Holgado, in Moto3, had to give up his third position in this way, while he did not take advantage of his exit at all. Also remember Brad Binder at Assen in 2023, on Saturday and Sunday. But a rider who attacks so improperly, who is forced to go out because his braking is so uncontrolled, all for the victory in the final loop, is not sanctioned? Honestly, I don't get it.

Jorge Martin then slowed down considerably. This caused a five-second gap between the two men at the finish. For form's sake, Bastianini could have been given a long penalty and walked away with the win. But not even that, why bother doing justice to drivers who have suffered sometimes more than unjustified penalties in recent months. Please note that I am not claiming a penalty for "Bestia", because I would prefer that the race direction only intervenes in cases of great necessity; simply, I want to highlight the irregularity and inconsistency of their decisions.

 

 

And then, this celebration of Enea Bastianini, let's talk about it. On the one hand, I understand his joy because he had never won a Grand Prix at Misano in MotoGP. After all, Pecco Bagnaia had blown his nose on the line - and fairly - in 2022, there is reason to celebrate. But in this way, after such an outrage, I struggle to conceive of it. You surely have in mind the incident between Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo at the last corner of the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. For a second place at home as a rookie, Marquez did not hesitate to make a tile on "Por Fuera" in the last corner of the last lap. Marc, although young and carefree, at least had the necessary restraint to contain himself following his act.. It's not a question of mentality, because they are all killers.

 

Jorge Martin's reaction, equally sad

 

Then came the final act. The "Martinator", very angry at the time, gave the finger at the finish line. Perhaps this was the birth of the new rivalry that has been so long awaited in MotoGP? well no. He was calm in the closed park, and did not hesitate to explain himself cordially with Enea Bastianini. Although I admire the stoic current that affects this new generation, I cannot help but regret the absence of real irritation in the face of a situation that deserved it. If this had happened fifteen years ago, with the actors from fifteen years ago, we would still be talking about it!

 

 

I don't want to blame Jorge Martin for his way of being. I just think it's a shame that MotoGP, particularly – although this argument also applies to Formula 1 – has lost that overly competitive spirit that animated him far too many springs ago. Rivalry is essential, it even saved some disciplines like basketball in the 1980s. However, it is totally absent from our favorite sport, as if in front of the cameras, everyone was friends. Did you push me in the last lap? No problem, I'll try again next time. Finally, when I see some people deplore Martin's gesture on the line, I wonder if it's not me who is a prisoner of my nostalgia. If you were outraged by this little gesture, then you're going to love the years to come with Liberty Media at the helm, I assure you!

I'm curious to know what you think about these questions, then, tell me in comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: MotoGP