Who will be the new boss of Sachsenring?

As mid-season quickly approaches, the MotoGP seeks its new king at the Sachsenring. Since 2013, the German Grand Prix has been exclusively dominated by one man, Marc Marquez, who has made this circuit where left turns are legion (10 out of 13), his favorite toy. Even in 2021, when the Spaniard was returning from yet another arm injury, he was able to gain the upper hand over the competition, after more than a year and a half without a victory. This year, a new driver will finally see the first step of the podium offered to him. Workforce review.

Yamaha, latest winner

Despite constant domination by Marquez and Honda in Germany, the race looming this weekend should probably escape them. Neither Pol Espargaro, nor Stefan Bradl who replaces the Spaniard, or Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami seem able to achieve this, especially given their current form. However, the Japanese manufacturer has built unchallenged hegemony at the Sachsenring, with 15 victories in 19 editions of the Grand Prix.

Apart from Honda, the latest winner is none other than Yamaha, author of a double in 2009 with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo at the helm. A sign for fabio quartararo ? The Frenchman will at least have the advantage of dynamics, he who won with disconcerting ease in Catalonia, two weeks earlier, and who is taking control of the championship step by step. In two participations in the Saxony Grand Prix, the Nice native appeared once on the podium, last year, behind Marc Marquez obviously, and a certain Miguel Oliveira. In 2019, he was forced to retire.

READ ALSO: Free will Randy de Puniet – GP of Catalonia

Let us remember, however, that in 2021, in the pole position exercise on Saturday, another Frenchman stood out. Johann Zarco. The Pramac driver had also put an end to his compatriot's five consecutive poles. The next day, the Grand Prix proved more complicated for Zarco, who only finished the race in eighth position, but his speed over one lap was not lost on anyone. He will obviously be one to watch this weekend, he who is still chasing his first victory in the premier category.

Surprise at the start of the season, Aleix Espargaró can also have his say, despite his blunder in Spain – the Aprilia rider stopped one lap before the end of the race. He was the third man to slip into the front row last year, behind Zarco and Quartararo. Given his performances this year (1 victory and 5 podiums in 2022), the Catalan is increasingly expected. Just like Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing), one time leader of the championship and whose last two races ended in retirement, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati). The two drivers are struggling to capitalize on their last good performances, it would be time to put them into practice in Germany and in Assen (Netherlands) next week, before the summer break.

In the meantime, the drivers will return to action this Friday at the Sachsenring. The first session is scheduled for 9:55 a.m. in the morning, before Sunday's Grand Prix delivers its long-awaited verdict.