Marco Bezzecchi
Trackhouse boss Davide Brivio has explained how Marc Marquez’s comeback over the last month in the MotoGP standings has given Ai Ogura “great hope” in this year’s title race.
The Japanese rider claimed his very first win in the premier class on Sunday, expertly dispatching Trackhouse teammate Raul Fernandez and factory Aprilia rider Jorge Martin to claim the chequered flag in Assen by just over two seconds.
Here’s our rider ratings after a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix! 👀 Which scores would you change?
While the victory was important for Ogura on a personal level, it also put an end to Marquez’s two-race streak of winning the Grand Prix. Not only that, but it also bolstered the Trackhouse rider’s championship chances, too.
Ogura currently sits in P4 in the riders’ championship, just 25 points adrift of Martin after the Spaniard took control of the standings with his P3 finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. It’s very tight at the top of the table, and Brivio thinks this is to the 25-year-old’s advantage.
Davide Brivio says Marc Marquez’s recovery in the title fight has given other riders ‘great hope’
In Brivio’s post-race comments to the press inside the Dutch Grand Prix paddock, he noted how Marquez’s recovery in the championship standings has now given a multitude of riders “great hope” for their own title chances.
After returning from injury at the Italian Grand Prix in May, the reigning world champion has claimed 96 points, and the 102-point deficit he was looking at to the championship leader now sits at just 42 points.
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After being asked whether both his Trackhouse riders are now in contention for the title, he replied via Motosan, “Well, obviously, if you look at the standings there are loads of riders – probably ten or twelve – all in the fight for the World Championship.
“This weekend has been, in my opinion, interesting, because what we’ve seen Marc do… obviously, we’re talking about Marc Marquez, so with the utmost respect for him.
“But what we’ve seen Marc do – making up 62 points in just two Grand Prix races – gives everyone great hope, in my opinion, even those who are still 100 points behind.
“So mentally, for everyone, it becomes a very open world championship. In any case, mathematically, they’re all in the running, so it’s nice that everyone can dream and give it a go.”
However, Davide Brivio claims he doesn’t ‘dare to dream of a world title’ just yet
Brivio has ample experience in leading a team to glory in MotoGP from his days at the factory Yamaha team with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, as well as the Italian’s stint with Suzuki, where Joan Mir claimed a riders’ title in 2020.
Trackhouse could certainly spring a surprise akin to Suzuki’s, but Brivio has his feet firmly on the ground for the time being. “At the moment, I wouldn’t even dare to dream of a world title,” he added during his words to journalists on the weekend.
“As I’ve said, there are plenty of riders who could win, because let’s not forget that there are riders who are currently up there – perhaps even fifth or sixth – but we know they have huge potential. Obviously, it’s not as though we’re giving up; we’re still in the mix.
“The great thing about this year – and this is something I always say when we talk about it with Raúl – is that every weekend, every Thursday when we head to the circuit, there’s always the chance to do well.
“We’re not there by chance; it’s not as though we’ve landed a podium spot just because others have crashed, because it was raining or for some reason like that.”
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