MotoGP Mugello: The best race of the year. Dates, times and info

Italian GP MotoGP Mugello – We're finally here, the Italian Grand Prix will take place at Mugello on Sunday.

The race on the French circuit of Le Mans upset the world championship ranking, giving the top spot to Maverick Vinales with 85 points, the result of 3 victories in the first 5 races. The race across the Alps dispelled the ghosts that had appeared during the Jerez GP; one of the most difficult races for Yamaha in recent years. But not every doubt has been dispelled, in fact, if on the one hand the French race showed off the dominance of the house of the three tuning forks, on the other, the new asphalt and the lots of grip could have slightly distorted the values ​​on the field, especially if you consider that over the course of the season we are unlikely to find such high grip values.

Behind the Yamaha Spaniard in the world rankings is Dani Pedrosa. The HRC rider seems to have found the serenity that was missing for years. Despite the terrible French qualifying, the race was something else entirely. Of course, the crashes in front of him helped him get to the lowest step of the podium, but the results are also built thanks to his consistency.

The one who has now lost his serenity is certainly Valentino Rossi. The champion from Tavullia has had a very difficult week. First the zero in France while he was fighting for the victory, then the injury in training resulting in 24-hour hospitalization. But now the home race arrives, and we need to clear our minds of thoughts and memories, especially those regarding the 2016 edition, and the engine in smoke when the victory seemed to be assured. Only one result can lift morale and the fate of the championship: victory.

Marc Marquez, like Rossi, arrives at Mugello with the need to do well. After a difficult start to the season, and the comeback that had brought him back to just a few points from the top of the standings, the zero in France reset everything, forcing him to start the comeback practically from scratch. The worst side of the situation is that in the French GP the acceleration problems, which are fundamental on the Italian track, recurred, forcing him to overdo it and crash.

Ducati's race in France wasn't bad, the problem was qualifying. Starting too far behind forces you to take the first laps very carefully. Andrea Dovizioso finished in fourth position, while his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, crossed the finish line in sixth position. Now comes the home race and the two standard bearers of the Red team are obliged to do well. Ducati came here to test a few weeks ago, collecting a lot of data.

Johann Zarco must now also be considered in the fight for the top positions. The French rookie achieved the first podium of his career in the premier class at the French Grand Prix, showing race management worthy of a veteran. Cal Crutchlow should also be considered in the list of drivers who have the potential to get on the podium. The English driver, who finished fifth in the French GP, has all the potential to be able to remain among the leaders on the Italian circuit too.

Back, a lot, too much: Andrea Iannone. The Suzuki rider is experiencing a very difficult moment, the bike doesn't seem to do what he wants, and every time he tries to take it to the limit it falls. At Mugello last year he finished on the podium, but this year the chances of repeating are few.

All of this will take place with a big hole in everyone's heart following the passing of Nicky Hayden less than a week ago. Even if the action on the track will be frenetic, like every weekend, in the few minutes of rest, his thoughts will always be with him.

Mugello weather
At the moment the weather situation gives us hope, despite tradition. Perhaps not everyone knows that in the hills around Mugello, there is the burial place of San Donato, which gives its name to the first bend. Legend has it that at the end of the seventh race it sends rain as "punishment" for the noise that ruins its peace. So at least one wet Friday morning will have to be taken into account.

Info Mugello
The Italian circuit measures 5,2 km and has 6 left and 9 right corners. The main straight measures 1142 m, one of the longest of the season; here in 2016 Andrea Iannone recorded the record speed of 354,9 km/h. The Mugello Grand Prix has now become an unmissable stage of the MotoGP, and one of the most loved tracks by riders and spectators. It entered the calendar in 1976 alternating with Imola and Monza, and in 1991 it became the permanent home of the Italian Grand Prix.
The undisputed king of the Mugello circuit is Valentino Rossi. Here the 9-time world champion triumphed 7 times, reaching the podium a total of 13 times in his career. Behind the Italian, Jorge Lorenzo with 5 victories.
The circuit record belongs to Marc Marquez, who in 2013 stopped the clock at 1'47.632; while the best pole goes to Andrea Iannone, who in 2015 started from first place with a time of 1'46.489.

Mugello GP timetable:
Friday 2 June
FP1 Moto3 9.00pm-9.40pm
FP1 MotoGP 9.55pm-10.40pm
FP1 Moto2 10.55pm-11.40pm
FP2 Moto3 13.10pm-13.50pm
FP2 MotoGP 14.05pm-14.50pm
FP2 Moto2 15.05pm-15.50pm

Saturday June 3
FP3 Moto3 9.00pm-9.40pm
FP3 MotoGP 9.55pm-10.40pm
FP3 Moto2 10.55pm-11.40pm
Moto3 qualifying 12.35-13.15
FP4 MotoGP 13.30pm-14.00pm
Q1 MotoGP 14.10-14.25
Q2 MotoGP 14.35-14.50
Moto2 qualifying 15.05-15.50

Sunday 5 June
Moto3 Warm Up 8.40pm-9.00pm
Moto2 Warm Up 9.10pm-9.30pm
Warm Up MotoGP 9.40-10.00
Moto3 race 11.00
Moto2 race 12.20
MotoGP race 14.00

Where to see the Mugello GP:
All sessions will be live on the Sky MotoGP channel, and will be streamed on the SkyGo platform. TV8 will also broadcast live the qualifications and race of the three categories.

Picture of Alex Farinelli