2021 Emilia Romagna MotoGP, Misano - Race Day LIVE!
The 2021 MotoGP title could be decided today at Misano.
Fabio Quartararo arrives with a 52-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia and will be crowned champion on Sunday if he can maintain an advantage of at least 50-points on Sunday.
But the Frenchman will start a career-worst 15th place after a cold and damp qualifying, with Bagnaia on pole position.
Bagnaia also won September's first Misano contest, but only after withstanding a late charge by Quartararo as rookie Enea Bastianini surprised by completing the podium on a 2019-spec Ducati.
Might team-mate Luca Marini be able to do the same after a debut front row in qualifying?
Whatever the outcome, the chequered flag will mark the end of an era for nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who is competing in his final home race before retirement.
Countryman Danilo Petrucci is also be bidding farewell to the home Italian fans, before heading off-road in 2022, while returning triple title runner-up Andrea Dovizioso will be keen to measure his progress as he returns to the scene of last month's Petronas Yamaha debut.
After a nightmare weekend in COTA, Aleix Espargaro will be looking to revive his pace-setting Misano test form in Aprilia's home event, which will also see Maverick Vinales back on track with the RS-GP.
Marc Marquez will arrive on a high from his and Honda's second victory of the season in Austin, but a podium this weekend would be his first on a clockwise track since last July's right-arm injuries.
Tyre choice will be the same as at the previous Misano round but after rain throughout Friday and then Saturday morning, Sunday is forecast to be dry.
