MOTOGP FARAWAY TOUR PART ONE BEGINS: INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA, AND THAILAND
The demanding, busy last leg of the MotoGP begins with six races in seven weeks. Three back-to-back events twice, which will put the resilience of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Gianantonio to the test as both riders are still dealing with some aches.
The Spaniard is recovering for the triple fracture in the left side of his ribcage suffered during the Indian weekend, while the Italian had a few days to rest and work on his sore left shoulder. The #73, in particular, will need green light from the doctors this Thursday before eventually taking part in the weekend action.
Mandalika, Phillip Island and Buriram will host the Indonesian, Austrian and Thailand GPs, respectively. The three tracks – equally appealing – are very different to each other, with Team Gresini MotoGP aiming first of all to get back in perfect shape to battle for important results. The goal is to get back in the championship’s top ten for the 73 and in the top 15 for Diggia – both 11 points shy of their respective targets.
Both rider have been on the podium at least once before at one of the tracks in these first three events, but we need to go back in time to find these results: it was 2018 when Fabio DI Gianantonio won in Thailand and scored second at Phillip Island (Moto3), while for Alex Marquez we need to go back all the way to 2014, when he was second in Australia (Moto3).
ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (11th in the championship standings with 108 points)
“These three back-to-back races will be a build up as we’ll get to Indonesia with the idea of testing my physical condition. The goal will be to be on top form already from Australia so this is why Mandalika will be crucial in order to see at what point in the recovery process we are. I’m eager to return to action after missing Japan. I love all these tracks and I know I can do well, so we need to find back the right feeling.”
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (16th in the championship standings with 53 points)
“We’re getting in the best part of the season, packed with races and we’re in good shape. Last year it was a good weekend in Indonesia for us so I can’t wait to be there. In what was the second race last year, I did get my first Q2 so there’s the desire to race there. Then Australia and Thailand are two very good tracks, especially the first one. We’re ready!”
