Japanese MotoGP: Fabio Quartararo: Enea Bastianini ‘super strong, but less of a contender’

Could the 2022 MotoGP championship battle become a four-way fight - Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro believe Enea Bastianini remains a real threat, although one who is ‘less of a contender’ with just five races to go.
Enea Bastianini, Ducati MotoGP Aragon
Enea Bastianini, Ducati MotoGP Aragon

After his sensational victory in Aragon, plus Quartararo’s misfortune, Bastianini is now only 48 points behind t𝔍he reigning MotoGP champion.

The current 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:MotoGP standings have the top three separated by just 17 points which is the smallest margin since the beginning of the season, and while 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Francesco Bagnaia might be Ducati’s best hope of securing a first title since 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Casey Stoner in 2007 since he’s just ten points down, Bastianini cꦅan’t be ruled out.

Since Assen, which was five races ago, Bagnaia has reduced his deficit from 91 points to just 📖ten, showing big points swings can take place. 

Of course, mistakes from Quartararo (Assen) and misꦜfortune last time out has played a big role in helping Bagnaia close that gap, as it has Espargaro and Bastianini, however, the Gresini rider is in as good a form as Bagnaia, so any mistakes from the top three could be punished in a big way.

Asked how he felt about Bastianini as a contender, Quartararo said: "Okay, like a rider he is super, super stron🍰g. As a rival, right now it’s five r🍃aces to the end and he’s less of a contender compared to us. 

"I think he is 48 points [behind], but then if some of us make a mistake then he will not be so far. I don’t think he is more of a contender because he made an amazing ra♏ce in Aragon. I see him as a riva🍌l but of course, a little bit more far than Aleix and Pecco." 

Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP 22 September
Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP 22 September

Espargaro had similar thoughts during the pre-event press conference in Motegi, saying: "He has a really high speed, he showed that in Misano and Aragon. Really high speed with a re♍ally strong bike and 𒈔anything can happen in this championship. 

"The thing is, it’s not going to be easy for Ducati in the championship to understand which is the best situation and he is still a title contender in the points, but Pecco [Bagnaia🍰] more than him. 

"We will see how they handle this but he is very, very fast. 48 po🍌ints to win the title in five races is going to be difficult for him."

Chance of becoming MotoGP champion ‘really small’ - Bastianini

With Ducati holding a big advantage over its rivals in qualifying trim, more situations like Aragon of Misano where Quartararo was stuck further down the order could 🍌take place.

And if other Ducati riders can put themselves between the likes of Bastianini and both Quartar⭕aro and Espargaro, then the soon-🌞to-be factory Ducati rider could become a serious threat before the final round in Valencia. 

After calling his 48 point deficit 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:'too much' following Aragon, Bastianini has relaxed th📖at thinking somewhat, although he'🗹s still convinced his chances of becoming MotoGP champion are very slim: "I think my chance is really, really small but I haven’t lost the championship for the moment. 

"We will see what happens in the future and i🙈t is important to do races in like Aragon and Misano. I try to do my best in every weekend and end the championship in a good position."

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