TALKING TOPICS – Australia: ‘I copied Casey’s style’

What a return for MotoGP™ to Australia! After a three-year absence, fans descended on Phillip Island in droves to welcome the circuit back to Melbourne’s coast, and the riders also kept their end of the bargain with a thrilling race. Several MotoGP™ legends were also in attendance, adding to the party atmosphere as we saw the Championship leaders change hands. Check out some of the biggest talking points of the weekend below!

Marc Marquez has spoken about the influence of two-time world champion and MotoGP™ legend Casey Stoner on his riding style in Australia. The Repsol Honda rider admitted he was inspired by the Australian, who was renowned for his drifting ability in tricky corners, particularly Phillip Island turn three.

“When I started MotoGP I had Casey’s data and I copied his style and that’s one of my strong points, the corners too.

“But now these bikes have to be ridden differently, I mean with these aerodynamics, even if I put the tail in the back. It was even different. So the bikes now – I talked to Casey – it’s a different ride.

“So, yeah, it’s different styles for the bikes, but Casey was really quick in that corner.”

An Australian Grand Prix podium combined with Fabio Quartararo’s DNF means Francesco Bagnaia has seized control of the championship and heads to Malaysia with his first match point in mind. What is the Ducati star’s strategy and how does he handle the pressure?

“If I start thinking about the pressure, it’s going to put pressure on me, so I won’t think about it. Just keep calm and have a weekend like we’ve always done in the past in this championship. Being smart will be the main key to be confident.

“My strategy is to be smart, try to do the weekend like we did all these races after the summer break, working session by session and trying to be very ready for the race to be competitive and to be ahead in the race.

After usurping Quartararo at the summit, Bagnaia also weighed in on the reigning champion’s recent struggles.

“He’s in a difficult moment because he’s always competitive in the races, he’s started to have problems. Also, in qualifying he fights more to be on the front row or to be among the top positions.

“It’s quite clear that Yamaha is having racing problems right now. Maybe because of the tires, maybe because of the pressure, or because their engine is a little slower than the others.”

Leading the championship for most of the season, Fabio Quartarara has dropped to second in the standings following the Australian’s DNF, but he refuses to give up with two races remaining.

“We need to turn the page and we only have one; one job and I’m trying to win and it will be the hardest job of my career but I’m ready to fight for it.

Despite questions to the contrary, the reigning champion believes his recent form is not down to cracking under pressure, but trying to get too much out of his M1.

“2020 (collapse) was mentally and technically and now I don’t feel mentally, whether I’m thinking too much or not. So mentally I don’t feel like it’s 2020.

“But just trying to do my best, and I’m overriding a little bit, so the risk of getting it wrong is very close. That’s what happened today.”

Australian Grand Prix winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) will not have a warm welcome at Honda. The Spaniard will join the LCR ranks from 2023, but that doesn’t matter much to HRC factory star Marc Marquez, who sees him as another rival.

“I won’t be giving any advice to Alex. He will be another opponent. It’s good that Honda is joined by a world champion and a race-winning rider with another manufacturer. So we will see exactly our level. I am working very hard to improve the 2023 project together with Honda. They also work very hard. I won’t say I wish Alex well. Let’s go, that’s all. He is another opponent. If not, it will be fake.

In Australia, home hero Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was sorely disappointed not to see the checkered flag after being destroyed by LCR Honda’s Alex Marquez. Speaking after the race, there appears to be no hard feelings between the two, with the Spaniard contrite and Miller taking a “C’est le vie” approach once he’s flushed the adrenaline from his system.

Alex Marquez: “It’s normal, I was angry! It was the talk of adrenaline racers and I have to keep that (in mind). Later, when I went to the box, I saw David Tardozzi and all of them, and they said, “Don’t worry, it can happen.” It’s just that. He has also done this in the past, and made some mistakes in his first year, so it can happen to anyone. But that’s no excuse, I made a big mistake today.

Jack Miller: “One minute I’m looking at the back of a Bezzecchi bike and the next minute I’m seeing stars. I got pretty weathered, feel good, just a little bruised and stuff. But we will be fine.”

“What’s wrong here? I mean, at the end of the day, we’re all trying to do our best. I understand that he may have gotten a little carried away trying to get around Luca Marini, but you know we’ve all made mistakes.

“I think he’s just as devastated that he didn’t finish the race, don’t get me wrong, but of course the first home Grand Prix in three years, it’s definitely not how I wanted to finish it.”

It was a weekend to remember for Miller, who had Phillip Island’s Turn 4 named after him, while fans from across the country flocked to Melbourne’s foreshore to catch a glimpse of him. Admitting that “I’m definitely not worth it, but I’ll take it,” even Miller could wryly smile at where his race came to an end.

“Selfies, handshakes, signatures. It was fantastic. To be honest, I like it all. Great to see motorcycling here in such good condition. I love this sport and it’s nice to see that everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

“That’s the irony of it all. But it is what it is. We will come back stronger next year.”