For those sitting on the beach in Bali or others on the long flight home to see loved ones, there has been plenty of time to contemplate how they will cope in the next four weeks. It is a month that will test everybody involved in MotoGP™ to the absolute limit before that world title is decided. Thirty frantic days of racing for 148 World Championship points, hectic travel schedules, keeping healthy, watching what you eat, checking not too much air conditioning, and monitoring the weather. Never in the 75-year history of Grand Prix racing has so much been at stake in such a short space of time. It will be the classic survival of the fittest battle.
The introduction of the Tissot Sprint last year and those precious 12 extra points each weekend made the run-in to the title a hugely different proposition. With 37 points available at each Grand Prix instead of the previous 25 points, it looks certain the battle between Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) will be settled at the showdown in Valencia in one month’s time
Before then, it is three Grands Prix in two weeks at three venues where the weather is so contrasting and unpredictable. The magnificent Phillip Island circuit in Australia is legendary for being able to produce four seasons of weather in just one, let alone three days. Throw in the wind off the Bass Strait and you pack every item of clothing, and Michelin brings their full range of tyre selection. No wonder it was Phillip Island that staged that very first flag-to-flag race in 2006. Do not rule out another on Sunday. It is then straight to Thailand and Malaysia. One thing for certain—it will be hot, very hot, but the rain is not quite so predictable. When it rains, it rains. Those downpours can wreck practice and qualifying schedules and produce unpredictable flag-to-flag races. Then a week at home before Valencia as winter approaches. On the Mediterranean coast of Spain in November, it can be autumn sunshine and warmth or a cold reminder that winter is around the corner.
It is obvious the problems these unpredictable weather conditions produce for teams and riders once in action out on the track, but they also produce problems of a much more personal nature. Riders and team personnel are human beings, and keeping them fit and well is crucial when you are chasing a world title. Those contrasting temperatures, frequent flights, different food, and pure fatigue can wreck plans. I felt pretty lousy sometimes when commentating in the sweatbox of a commentary booth, jet-lagged and after enjoying too much of the local cuisine the night before, but it was nothing compared to what a rider or vital crew member had to battle through to produce the results. I remember during our first visit to Shah Alam in Malaysia having to visit the medical centre after spending a desperate day trying to find a flushing loo between practice sessions.
Chasing a world title was a vastly different proposition in years gone by. In 1983, Freddie Spencer and Kenny Roberts were fighting for the 500cc World Championship. After Spencer had beaten the ‘King’ on the last lap of the penultimate round at Anderstorp in Sweden, they were separated by five points going into the final round at Imola. The problem was there was a four-week gap between the two Grands Prix. Kenny went home to play golf and Freddie flew home to spend time with his family. They returned refreshed and rested. With just 15 points up for grabs, Freddie’s second place made him the youngest-ever 500cc World Champion, while Kenny won his last Grand Prix.
A totally contrasting final four weeks of the season for Martin and Bagnaia this time around. Kenny was more worried about improving his golf handicap than competing in three Grands Prix and checking the switch on the air conditioning.