From lights out of the first race to the chequered flag of the last, this year’s MotoGP season had it all and a whole lot more.
The season was supposed to start in Qatar in March, however, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic put an immediate halt to those plans. Marc Marquez and Honda were firm favourites to win the title once more, having done the same every year since 2016. Yamaha was expected to take a firm second thanks to the star-studded lineup of Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi, with the Petronas satellite team full of talent too. Suzuki and KTM seemed to gain a pile of pace over the offseason, and the title was probably one of the most open in recent history.
So the season was on hold until July, but finally, MotoGP was back at Jerez on the 19th. It was the first of a dramatically shortened 14 race season, not leaving Europe for the first time in over 30 years.
Round 1: Spain
The drama began in qualifying. A massive crash at the end of the session ruled both Alex Rins and Cal Crutchlow out of the race. Rins would recover from his injuries, but Crutchlow had problems all season. Pole for the season opener was taken by Petronas Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo.
Off the start, they went, and it was Marquez who got the better of the start and took the lead, which he kept for the early stages. Vinales moved to second with Quartararo dropping to fourth behind Miller. Then a monster moment for the Honda rider through the incredibly fast turn 3. He saved the bike in a way only Marquez could do but was chewing gravel on his way back onto the track, in 18th. What followed was a masterclass by the maestro, going from 18th to third in 17 laps. He pushed too hard though, and on lap 22 his rear end had enough, and he high-sided off his bike. He initially seemed reasonably ok, but he broke his arm, which he then aggravated and it put him out of the entire season. The master would not defend his crown.
It was Quartararo though, who opened his account with the pole and took the win with it. 25 crucial points went to him, with Vinales second, and Dovizioso third.
Round 2: Andalucia
The next round was the Andalucía Grand Prix, at the same venue, Jerez. After a thrilling first round, could the track deliver twice in a row?
Rins and Crutchlow were back, but qualifying was a Yamaha 1-2 in favour of Quartararo again. Vinales was second and Francesco Bagnaia an impressive third.
The lights went out, and the win never looked in doubt for Quartararo in a race not quite as entertaining as the previous week. KTM had a torrid time of it with three of their four bikes crashing out, but the worst luck had to go to Bagnaia. Running a comfortable second in the late stages, his Ducati coughed and began to belch smoke. Luck cast her eyes with an evil glow on Bagnaia and a certain podium went begging as he pulled to a stop and out of the race.
Image Credit: Petronas Yamaha
The win went to Quartararo, with Vinales and Rossi making it a Yamaha lockout on the podium. A 50 point clean sweep for the Frenchman put him 10 points of Vinales when MotoGP left Spain for the first time. Yamaha led the manufacturer’s standings by 24 points from Ducati, with Honda third, and Petronas Yamaha led the team’s standings.
Round 3: Czech Republic
The next round was the Czech Grand Prix at Brno, and the riders were appalled at the track conditions. Bumps and bikes don’t go well together, and riders were crashing out of nowhere when hitting dips and mounds.
The mouths of fans around the world hit the floor in qualifying, when Johann Zarco, driving a year old private Ducati, took pole on Saturday afternoon. Beating the likes of Quartararo and Morbidelli, with Aleix Espargaro putting his uncompetitive Aprilia fourth. Poor old Bagnaia had a bad crash and was out for the next three races. His championship charge was over.
Away they went, and Morbidelli was the early leader. It came undone for Zarco on lap 9 as he punted Pol Espargaro out of fourth place, earning himself a long lap penalty. He took it absolutely perfectly though, being right on the white line all the way through, losing as little time as humanly possible. Morbidelli had to concede first, but it was whom he conceded to that was the big talking point. Brad Binder, the rookie, on the KTM which had never won a race before. He did it, too. In only his third MotoGP outing, the kid from South Africa won his, and KTM’s first MotoGP race. Morbidelli took second, and Zarco took a fine third with a fading rear tyre.
Seventh place for Quartararo ensured he led the title race by 17 points from Vinales. Yamaha still led the manufacturer’s standings, and Petronas still led the team’s title. One could be forgiven for thinking the championship was over at this stage, but it most certainly wasn’t.
Round 4: Austria
Next, the championship went to Austria for the first of two races. Pole for the first race was taken by Vinales, from Miller and Quartararo, but it was Espargaro who led the early stages. Then on lap 9, the race was stopped after a horrible crash for Morbidelli and Zarco. They came together at 300km/h through turn 2, and their bikes catapulted through a gaggle of riders, missing Rossi and Vinales by millimeters.
All riders were thankfully ok, and after a delay to clean up the remains of the motorcycle, the race was back underway. It was a three-horse battle at the front between Miller, Dovizioso, and Rins. Unfortunately for Espargaro, he was pushed out of the race by Miguel Oliveira. Then Rins went down the moment he took the lead, and 25 points went begging as Dovizioso took an unchallenged win after. Mir took second from Miller on the last lap, while the Australian stayed in third. It was another disappointing display for Quartararo who was down in eighth.
Image Credit: Red Bull
Dovizioso’s win moved him up to second, only 11 points away from Quartararo. Yamaha remained firm in the manufacturer’s title, but Petronas were under pressure from the works Yamaha operation, now only 12 points behind.
Round 5: Styria
The next round was the Styrian Grand Prix, and what a race it was. Espargaro put his KTM on the pole, for the first time in KTM’s MotoGP career. Takaaki Nakagami was second, and Zarco third on paper, but he started from the pitlane as punishment for causing the crash the previous week. Mir would start the race third.
Off the start, it was Mir who led, and seemed perfectly in control of the race from lights out. Then, for the second time in a week, the race was stopped. A massive brake failure sent Vinales’ bike into a barrier at 250km/h. Vinales was ok but the barrier needed repairing. Mir decided not to change tyres under the red flag, and it cost him the race win. The win though was undecided until the last turn. It swapped between Espargaro and Miller almost every lap, with Oliveira breathing right down their necks.
On the last lap, the kitchen sink was thrown and fired up the inside at turn 3. Espargaro retaliated up the inside at 4, but Miller undercut him to lead again. Then Espargaro fired up the inside at turn 9, ran wide, Miller went up the inside and both ran wide. Oliveira took the last turn perfectly and out of the blue won one of the greatest races racing has ever seen. The first win for Oliveira, the first win for Tech3, the first win for a Portuguese rider, and seven passes for the lead on the last lap.
Only three points split Dovizioso and Quartararo in the title now, as another disappointing result for the Frenchman left him vulnerable to losing his title lead. Likewise, Yamaha only had a one-point advantage over Ducati in the manufacturer’s title, but Petronas were still reasonably secure in the team’s title battle.
Round 6: San Marino
MotoGP then headed off to Misano for the San Marino Grand Prix in the first of two weekends on the Rimini coast. Bagnaia was back from injury, but unfortunately, Crutchlow was out with injury after having surgery on his arm.
Qualifying was a Yamaha front-row lockout. Vinales on pole from Morbidelli and Quartararo, with Rossi in fourth too. Yamaha looked strong going into the race.
Off the line, it was Morbidelli who led in a reasonably calm race. It was all kinds of disaster for Quartararo though. The Frenchman hit the deck twice in the race and was out. What was once a 20 point title lead, was completely gone. It was an easy Morbidelli win though, and seventh for Dovizioso meant he was the new title leader by 6 points. Miller was third, 6 points further back, and Mir fourth.
Only 18 points separated the top 5 in the riders’ standings now. Yamaha still led the manufacturer’s race, and Petronas was still ahead in the team’s title.
Round 7: Emilia Romagna
An unchanged venue, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was held the very next week. Stefan Bradl had a practice crash, and he joined Crutchlow o the sidelines.
Qualifying proved Yamaha on top yet again. Vinales on the pole, but Miller was second followed by Quartararo.
The race started, and although the early leader was Vinales, Bagnaia picked up his pre-crash form and took the lead. Rossi and Binder crashed while fighting for the podium, but the real drama happened on lap 21. Bagnaia was leading the race easily, but then he crashed out, meaning his first MotoGP win, at his home race, went begging.
After that, it was Vinales’ race to the finish. The sixth winner in seven races. Mir was second, and Espargaro third. Fourth place for Quartararo meant that he was just one point behind Dovizioso
Image Credit: Yamaha
into the next round. Incredibly, he was tied with Vinales, and Mir was only 3 points behind too. One of the closest championship races in Motor racing history at the halfway mark of the season.
Round 8: Catalunya
Off to Barcelona, for the Catalan Grand Prix, and Crutchlow and Bradl were both back.
Qualifying was a stale tale, Yamaha on top. Morbidelli this time, from Quartararo and Rossi. People were starting to ask questions about the legality of the Yamaha engine.
The lights went out, and championship leader Dovizioso’s race ended at turn 1 when he was wiped out by Zarco. Morbidelli led away from Rossi and Miller. Quartararo made his way past Miller shortly after, and both Rossi and Morbidelli ceded their places so the Frenchman could take a handy title lead. Rossi then hit the floor in the late stages, but the win went to Quartararo, a win that could be crucial in the title race.
Mir was second, from Rins in third. Quartararo now had an 8 point lead in the standings from Mir, with Dovizioso losing three spots, behind Vinales to fourth. Yamaha still led the manufacturer’s title, and Petronas still led the team’s title.
Round 9: France
MotoGP then headed off to France for the French Grand Prix at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit. A formal investigation had by now been opened into the legality of the Yamaha bikes, as most teams and Dorna were questioning their qualifying performances, resulting in many front row lockouts.
For the first time this season, the race start was wet. An unexpected shower hit the track about 10 minutes before the race start and a fine mist lingered over the track all race. Off the start, it was Crutchlow who came from nowhere to lead through turn 1, but it was Miller who led into turn 2. Rossi went down mid-pack and the rain shook the field up massively. It seemed as though Ducati were the best in the wet, and Yamaha was useless.
All of a sudden though, Rins popped out of nowhere to take the three Ducatis in one corner and lead the race. Suddenly, it was six riders separated by a second, as Alex Marquez and Pol Espargaro wanted a piece of cake as well. Then Rins crashed from the lead. Again. Miller retired from second with a problem, and suddenly Marquez, who had been nowhere all season, looked like he could win the race. He couldn’t, though, and it was Danillo Petrucci who won by just over a second from Marquez, with Espargaro third.
Quartararo held his lead over Mir by 10 points, while a strong showing from Dovizioso put him back in the title race.
Round 10: Aragon
Only five rounds were left in 2020, and the series moved on to Aragon for the first of two races there. Rossi tested positive for covid-19 and was out for the next two rounds. This meant that for the first time since 1999, no world champion lined up on the grid.
Quartararo was on pole, from Vinales and Crutchlow. Most of the race was tame, but the final laps more than made up for it. Rins and Marquez battled away for the race win, but Marquez just
Image Credit: Repsol Honda
couldn’t quite get close enough to fire up the inside. Rins would win the race, but only just. Third place went to Mir and with it, the championship lead, with just four races to go in the title. Crunch time was now.
Suzuki also took the lead in the team’s title, taking it from Petronas.
Round 11: Teruel
The next weekend was the same track, the Alcaniz Grand Prix. Nakagami took his career first pole on Saturday, breaking the Yamaha stranglehold. Morbidelli was second and Rins third.
The race start was a disaster. Miller and Binder crashed at turn 2, and polesitter Nakagami shortly after. The race was once again calm. Rins tried to attack leader Morbidelli but couldn’t get near enough. It was heartache for Marquez though. After scything through the field he crashed out of fourth place. A third podium in a row went begging.
It was an easy win for Morbidelli though, with Rins second and Mir on the podium yet again. The Spaniard was breaking clear at the front of the title race, 14 points ahead of Quartararo.
There was off-track drama before the final leg of the championship. Yamaha was docked 50 points for an illegal engine after an investigation from the FIM. Petronas were docked 37 points and Yamaha 20 in the team’s race too. This effectively handed the title to Suzuki with three races left.
Round 12: Europe
The next round was the European Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo track in Valencia. It was the first race of the last triple-header of the year. Espargaro put his KTM on pole from Rins and Nakagami.
Off the start, it was Espargaro who led away from Rins and Mir, but the big talking point happened at turn 14. Quartararo wiped out Aleix Espargaro and they both went down. Quartararo’s title was now virtually over. The race then settles into a Suzuki battle out front, and eventually, Mir made a break as poor old Marquez fell again. Crucially though, Mir did breakthrough to win his first MotoGP race from teammate Rins.
Suddenly, from 4 points covering the top four, Mir had an almost unassailable lead. Fourth place in the next round would seal the deal no matter who finished where. Suzuki led the manufacturer’s title and won the team’s title.
Round 13: Valencia
The next round was also at Ricardo Tormo, the Valencia Grand Prix. Iker Lecuona finished a dismal rookie year early after testing positive for covid-19, so KTM test rider Mika Kallio took his place for the last two races.
Pole was taken by Morbidelli, from Miller and Nakagami. Mir was an uncomfortable 12th, but crucially his title rivals Rins and Quartararo were also out of the top 10.
Only nine laps into the race, it all unraveled for Fabio Quartararo. He was down and out of turn 6. Not just out of the race, but now officially out of title contention. Nakagami was on the podium for all of half a second before he crashed at the last turn, but it was the top two that put on the real show. Morbidelli only just led for the last two laps, but Miller reeled him in like a fish and they battled away on the final lap.
Image Credit: MotoGP
He fired up the inside of turn 1 but ran wide and fell behind. Then he fired it at turn 4, but Morbidelli found non-existent room at turn 5 to take it back. He held steady and took a tense win by only a tenth from the Australian. Mir came home seventh, and with that, he took the first Suzuki championship since 2000.
Round 14: Portugal
It was then the last hurrah, the final round of 2020, and the first Portuguese Grand Prix since 2012. Homeboy Oliveira looked strong, taking his first pole on Saturday. Morbidelli and Miller joined him on the front row.
Sadly, the final race of the year seemed to be the most unspectacular. Oliveira dominated the race and the only action at the front was Miller passing Morbidelli for second on the last lap. Espargaro finished his KTM career well with a fourth, while Dovizioso ended his career with a sixth. It was a tough race for champion-elect Mir, who retired early on with an electronics failure.
So it was then, MotoGP 2020 was over. One of the most unbelievable seasons anyone has seen in their lifetimes. A new star is born in the name of Joan Mir, Ducati took the manufacturer’s title, denying Suzuki the title hat-trick.
