RideFast Dec 2019

PADDOCK NEWS
Brought to you by
Why do Yamaha continue to
ignore Marc Marquez? By Peter MacKay
Marc Marquez’s dominant
crusade on the 2019 Moto
GP championship is arguably
the finest season ever seen
in motorcycle racing. 12 wins,
6 second place finishes and
only one crash in Texas. From
a commanding lead. Although
rookie sensation Fabio
Quartararo has proved the
sharpest thorn in Marc’s side,
Honda’s precious asset has
staved off each attack with ease.
No rider has been able to mount
a consistent challenge to the
superhuman Spaniard.
Since joining the premier
class, as a 125cc and Moto 2
champion in 2013, Marquez has
consistently stunned the field. A
world title in his rookie season
and 6 world championships
from 7 attempts is an
astounding strike rate.
Cervera’s most famous export
has been backed by Spanish
oil giant, Repsol, since his early
teens. Moto GP powerhouse,
Honda, have enjoyed the
backing of Repsol since the
1990’s. In hindsight, it’s hard to
imagine Marc Marquez riding
for anyone else.
Valencia 2017 was the last time
a team mate of Marc Marquez
won a race. When, the now
retired, Dani Pedrosa claimed
the top step of the podium. Over
the last 7 seasons, the other
Honda riders have scored just
12 victories. Marquez has won
56 races over the same period.
For further context, Ducati riders
have scored 17 victories. Yamaha
riders climbed to the top step of
the podium on 37 occasions.
If you want to win, Marquez is
your man. But, bizarrely, Yamaha
team boss Lin Jarvis recently
stated the Hamamatsu factory
will not make a bid for the
Spaniards services in 2021. Jarvis
revealed that Yamaha’s goal is
to beat Marquez and his beloved
Honda with their own rider. To
fulfill such an ambition, a special
rider will be required.
Fast Frenchman, Fabio
Quartararo, shocked the
Moto GP paddock in 2019 with
dazzling one lap pace and seven
podium finishes. Unsurprisingly,
Quartararo has risen to the
top of most Moto GP team’s
shopping list for 2021, when
most riders are out of contract.
Riding the Petronas Yamaha
machine, Quartararo has
punched well above both his and
his bikes weight on a number
of occasions. Inflicting constant
pressure on Marc Marquez in
the process. However, glaring
weakness in the M1’s power has
left Quartararo defenceless to
Marquez’s rapid Honda.
Yamaha will undoubtedly be
delighted with their 20 year old
protégé’s progress. However, the
Japanese factory may fall victim
of their own success with the
French youngster.
Italian factory, Ducati, look set
to bid to poach yet another
Yamaha superstar. Both Rossi
and Lorenzo were lured away
from the homely feel of the
Yamaha M1 saddle by Bologna
top brass. Since then, Ducati
have a far stronger pitch as far
as their motorcycle is concerned.
Dubbed “The Bologna Bullet”,
Ducati’s Desmosedici holds
an ace card in close combat.
Horsepower. During this year’s
contest at Aragon, this power
advantage was exhibited in
blatant fashion. On the never
ending back straight, Ducati’s
Andrea Dovisioso enjoyed a
14kph advantage over Fabio
Quartararo’s Yamaha. A lifetime
in modern day Moto GP.
Ducati reportedly wish to pursue
not only Quartararo but factory
Yamaha rider, Maverick Vinales.
This raid on Yamaha’s roster will
certainly unsettle the crusade to
dethrone Marc Marquez.
Jarvis and Yamaha’s stance of
shunning Marquez is certainly
puzzling when considering
the Japanese manufacturer’s
long and illustrious history
in grand prix racing. Back in
2003, Yamaha were in a similar
situation to where they currently
find themselves. Minimal
success and outpaced by rival
Honda and their star rider,
Valentino Rossi. Sound familiar?
After a long courting process,
Yamaha managed to pluck
Rossi from Honda for the 2004
season. At the very first race,
in South Africa, Rossi won on
the M1 after a titanic rival with
bitter rival Max Biaggi. Rossi
then romped to a world title
with Yamaha at the first time of
asking.
Making a move for the Italian
legend, spawned 4 world
titles in 6 seasons for Rossi
and Yamaha. Shortly followed
by 3 world titles from Jorge
Lorenzo. Given this history, I find
it baffling that Yamaha would
not at least bid to prize Marquez
away from the Honda nest.
Marc Marquez has clearly
proven that in Moto GP, the
standout rider makes the
difference. Rossi proved the
same at Yamaha. As did Casey
Stoner at Ducati.
If Quartararo is seduced by big
horsepower and big bucks at
Ducati, Yamaha’s all in strategy
with the Frenchman will backfire
spectacularly. Currently, no
other challenger to Marquez has
emerged. Therefore, the chances
of Yamaha knocking the 8 times
world champion from his perch
remain slim.
Peter MacKay is the host of
The Peter MacKay Motorsport
Podcast. Follow the show via
the link below and never miss an
episode: geqvgm.podbean.com/
16 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 17