Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia took the chequered flag first in a MotoGP race for the first time since last October, and managed to prove Valentino Rossi wrong by going against the grain with a ‘key’ pre-race decision.
The two-time world champion got off to the perfect start in Brno on Saturday afternoon, immediately usurping the lead from pole-sitter Ai Ogura as the lights went out to signal the start of the Sprint.
Francesco Bagnaia wins the Brno Sprint 🏆 But who was your rider of the race, and why?
Interestingly, there was quite a lot of strategy in play ahead of the start of the race. The grid was split exactly down the middle in their choice of compound for the rear tyres.
All three riders who featured on the podium opted to start on the soft compound of tyres, while the other half of the grid tried to replicate Marc Marquez’s heroics from Balaton Park by running the medium compound at the back of their bike.
- READ MORE: MotoGP Sprint results as Francesco Bagnaia wins at the Czech Grand Prix ahead of Ai Ogura
Valentino Rossi backed the riders who were using medium tyres in Brno Sprint
Of course, Bagnaia’s decision turned out to be the optimal choice for the grid. However, even Valentino Rossi admitted ahead of the race that he thought the medium compound tyres would have held up better on the Czech tarmac.
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The nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing world champion was seen chatting with his VR46 riders, as well as those in his VR46 Riders Academy, on the grid prior to the Sprint’s start.
After being collared by DAZN for a quick interview, he was asked about what he had been telling those close to him ahead of the ensuing race, to which he replied, “It’s a fantastic track, one of the most beautiful.
“All the riders are really happy to be racing here because it’s great fun. To be honest, I’m a bit undecided about the rear tyre because they want to use the soft one, but there are also a few who are using the medium tyre.
“That’ll be the key to the race – let’s see who makes the right choice. There’s a very long stretch of track where overtaking is possible, so we’re in for a really exciting race. I’m going for the medium, let’s see if I’m right.”
Unfortunately, Rossi wasn’t right on this occasion. Then again, a rider like The Doctor is renowned for being the difference when racing on two wheels, so he potentially could have ridden a medium compound rear tyre to victory under these circumstances in his heyday.
Francesco Bagnaia explains his tyre choice in Czech GP Sprint
In his comments to the press after the chequered flag in Brno, Bagnaia explained his tyre choice as he analysed his race.
“Fortunately, the race didn’t feel long,” he began, via Motorsport Espana. “When you’re feeling good, it goes by quickly. I knew that with the soft tyre I had to get a perfect start, and that the first three laps were crucial.
“We did a good job. I knew that Ogura, who was already second in the first few laps, was going to catch up. And when I got within a second, I told myself that I needed to ease off a bit, and that I just had to maintain a consistent pace.”
“The rear tyre hasn’t really lost much grip, but there have been a lot of vibrations, and they’ve bothered me a bit. But otherwise, I’m quite happy.
“It’s a victory that makes us really eager for tomorrow, and we have to take another step forward in the same direction we’re going today.”
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