The hills are alive with the sound of Aprilia, And a crashing KTM
Saturday in Austria belonged to Jorge Martin as he fought back in the championship battle with a pole position and a Sprint win to once again lead the standings, but by only 3 points as rival Marquez follows him home.
The day started slightly damp, after an overnight shower, but a dry line ensured a real battle for the all important pole position at the tight mountain circuit.
Qualifying 1 saw Johann Zarco progress and perhaps surprisingly be joined by Pecco Bagnaia, who was chased all the way by Raul Fernandez and the impressive Pol Espargaro.
The race for pole in Q2 was not as clear cut as Pedro Acosta set the early pace, confirming many peoples expectations that the Spaniard would make the top step.
Marc Marquez had other ideas. As Marc so often does, and he beat his countryman time by only 5 hundredths of a second.
Martin, however, went faster still by a mere 15 thousandth of a second to secure another pole for the former world champion. Despite losing his championship last week in Misano, where he suffered in the race with arm pump, Jorge believes he can be champion again this year and become one of the few riders to achieve this feat on different bikes.
He looked focused. He looked fast. And he like like the old Jorge.
With Martin, Marquez and Acosta on the front row, the Sprint was eagerly anticipated by the now sun drenched crowd in the Styrian hills.
Everyone knew Marquez would do a 'Marquez' and try to lead as soon as possible.
Jorge had other ideas and led after the first corner. Marc made his move on turn 2 and pushed Martin wide, who then completely lost his momentum and became a sitting duck for the rest of the field.
On the very next corner, Acosta gave Marquez a taste of his own medicine as he forced his KTM underneath the Ducati, pushing him slightly wide. By turn 4 Acosta had held the lead, Marquez in 2nd and Bezzechi hot on his heels in 3rd.
Jorge Martin was now way down in 8th. And angry! And, as we all know, an angry Jorge is a fast Jorge.
One by one, Martin picked off the riders in front of him, mostly outbreaking them into turn one.
Zarco first, then Bagnaia, then Ai Ogura, then Alex Marquez and by lap 7 he was behind his team mate Bezzechi in 4th place.
Meanwhile Acosta had broken the chasing Marquez and opening up a commanding lead at the front. Surely now he would give his Austrian factory and sponsor a Sprint win to celebrate at their home track.
2 laps later Martin had passed both Bezzechi and Marquez into 2nd place, perhaps intentionally forceful on the latter, but it looked like Acosta was too far away to catch.
Two laps to go and the victory belonged to Pedro. His 2nd Sprint win was there for the taking. But if this season has proved anything, it is the only thing predicable about MotoGP is its unpredictability, and Pedro emphasised this by entering turn 2 far too fast and crashing his KTM and handing Martin the victory. From 8th place half way round one, the Spaniard was delighted.
Not today for Pedro. But there's always tomorrow.
