MotoGP Emilia Romagna GP – Preview, Session Times and Where to Watch?

MotoGP returns to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli just a couple of weeks after previously racing at the Italian circuit, a race which saw Marc Marquez take the chequered flag.

With the last MotoGP race taking place at Misano, a thrilling weekend of action which culminated in Francesco Bagnaia ultimately closing the gap to championship rival Jorge Martin – how will things differ in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the same circuit just two weeks on?

The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

Named after the late, great, Marco Simoncelli who raced in MotoGP in the early 2010’s, and achieved two podium finishes in 2011 before his life would be tragically lost in a crash at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – the Misano World Circuit boasts one of the best and most iconic venues on the MotoGP calendar. 16 corners, with 10 to the right and 6 to the left – The circuit certainly suits riders who favour their right hand side.

The main overtaking hotspots will be at Turns 1 and 2, the fast flowing nature coming off the home straight allows for riders to take multiple different types of offensive and defensive lines into the opening corners, with a fast right-hander of Turn 3 leading to another overtaking hotspot, the tight Turn 4 right-hander.

Turn 8’s slow left-hander coming after the main back straight will also be another main overtaking zone, with the double right of Turns 9 and 10 likely also producing an opportunity for a rider to outbrake another. Turn 11’s flat out “Curvone” corner is also one of the more difficult overtaking zones, however it is not an unfamiliar sight to see riders attempting a move at this corner.

Turn 14’s somewhat slow right-hander is also the final late-braking opportunity for riders to pass, with many different racing lines also being available at this corner. The final corner at Turn 16 is an incredibly unlikely overtaking zone, but we have seen overtakes at this corner before, like Marc Marquez attempted on Nico Bulega at the Ducati Race of Champions just one month ago.

Can Marquez do the double in Misano? 

Just a fortnight on from his last victory at the very same circuit, Marc Marquez rounded off the San Marino GP with a commanding victory, braving the changing weather conditions as some riders made major strategy blunders. Marquez had also won the Aragon GP just a week beforehand as well, and will be looking to make it three in a row.

If Marquez is able to take another victory and close the gap in the championship, then the Spaniard may just pose as a genuine outside challenge for the World Championship against Martin and Bagnaia.

Bagnaia vs Martin at Misano, Part 2

After Jorge Martin scored just a single point at the San Marino GP after making a huge tyre strategy error, the Spaniard will be looking to improve upon his last performance at this very circuit. Martin looked to be on the back foot throughout the weekend, something that the current championship leader will want to correct heading into this weekend.

As for Francesco Bagnaia, the Italian will race at home once again and this time, will want to try and take a victory at his home race, after missing out to Marc Marquez just two weeks ago. The gap between the pair is just seven points in the championship, the pair therefore separated with a points difference of first to second place in a race.

MotoGP Emilia Romagna – Session Times – UK Time

Friday:
FP1 – 09:45 – 10:30
FP2: 14:00 – 15:00

Saturday
FP3: 09:10 – 09:40
Qualifying: 09:50 – 10:30
Sprint Race: 14:00

Sunday
MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Start Time – 12:00pm

Where to Watch the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix?

UK viewers can watch all the racing action on TNT Sports, which is also available on Discovery Plus.
U.S viewers will be able to watch on truTV via TNT Sports, as well as the action being streamed on Max.

Featured Image: Red Bull Content Pool