The beautiful Tuscan countryside sets the scene for the Oakley Grand Prix of Italy as the MotoGP™ World Championship returns to our screens following a weekend away. Last time out, a wet and windy weekend saw a barnstorming race unfold in Le Mans, but as we approach Round 6, we set our sights on warmer climates at Mugello International Circuit.
As the Grand Prix action returns, so does MotoGP™ Fantasy for another round of fun, and as always, we are here to lend a helping hand as you try to navigate your way to the top.
Check out your team and all you need to know here!
What was the Dream Team from the French GP?
It was double Ducati delight in Le Mans for MotoGP™ Fantasy managers, with factory riders Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller earning 37 points each. Aussie Miller earned his through a wonderful weekend performance which saw him start on the front row and then take the win, while his teammate took a more scenic route into the Dream Team, collecting the majority of his tally through overtaking points, as he went from P16 to P4. The excellent performances from the duo also saw Ducati rake in 37 points as the best constructor for Round 5.
The flag-to-flag race proved difficult to master for many, but not so for our Silver rider selection, with Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) earning 36 points, while 2020’s French GP winner Danilo Petrucci (Tech 3 KTM factory Racing) pocketed 35 points. Similar to Bagnaia, both started further back the field but collected their impressive hauls due to advanced grid position points.
We hope you were paying attention as we earmarked both men as wet weather specialists ahead of the French Grand Prix.
Which constructor should I choose for Mugello?
There is only one place to start here, and that is Ducati. The Italian circuit is the home of the Bologna bullets, and they have taken three wins from their last three visits here. With a number of straights complementing the power of the Desmosedici, it isn’t hard to see why the track is a favourite of theirs. Couple their recent history at the Italian track with their current form, sitting on the podium on at least one occasion in each race to date, then it is obvious to see why they are pundits’ choice coming into this one.
Who should I put as my Gold riders?
Once again it is difficult to look past Ducati here, with Jack Miller the form rider in the Championship thanks to back to back wins in Jerez and Le Mans. The Aussie has put an end to a four-year wait for victory in emphatic fashion, and it would be hard to bet against him making it a hat-trick in Mugello. Miller was the most transferred in rider last time out, and we would expect that trend to continue.
Johann Zarco also looks a smart choice, with the Pramac Racing rider perhaps best poised to challenge Miller for victory. The Frenchman has three podiums to his name this season but is still chasing an elusive first premier class victory. Pecco Bagnaia is also chasing a first win in MotoGP™ despite sitting second in the Championship standings, and either of those men would act as fine choices for a gold rider.
Outside of Ducati, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) could represent good value at just $3.3m as he showed us a glimpse of his old self in France two weeks ago. The Spaniard certainly has form in Mugello, finishing on the rostrum three times since debuting in 2014 while also holding the lap record at the circuit.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) leads the Championship but is something of an unknown at Mugello. Having raced here just once on his YZR-M1 back in 2019, finishing P10, it is hard to tell if he will have enough to challenge the race favourites this weekend. Conversely, many thought the same when the rain came in Le Mans a fortnight ago, before he went on to take a podium finish, so it may be worth keeping him in your team.
If you’re looking for something of a differential, then Alex Rins may be your best bet. The Team Suzuki Ecstar rider was fourth last time visited Mugello, finding himself right in the thick of the leading group battle in 2019. Two years later, he returns on a stronger GSX-RR than then, while he has shown plenty of promise this season too. However, he comes with a caveat as he has crashed out of good positions in his last three outings.
With plenty to ponder ahead of Round 6 of the MotoGP™ World Championship, make sure you choose wisely for the winning strategy ahead of the Saturday deadline.