Enea Bastianini has blamed Johann Zarco for their spectacular collision on the warm-up lap of the Italian MotoGP at Mugello, saying he made a ‘great error’ with his actions on the run to the grid.
In what will no doubt go down as one of the series’ most bizarre moments to occur in any race, let alone before it had even begun, Bastianini was caught out by Zarco ahead of him snatching the brakes hard - and almost coming to a stop - as they neared the grid.
Not reacting to the fast advancing Pramac Ducati he was now heading straight for, Bastianini was forced into an emergency stop but that just brought the rear of his Avintia Ducati up and over, sending him into a somersault as he struck Zarco’s bike at point blank range.
Neither rider was injured in the spectacular collision, with a visibly shocked Zarco not realising what had hit him (literally). Nonetheless, he was able to keep his bike upright, the title contender going on to start the race with no issues and even briefly leading the encounter en route to finishing fourth.
A bizarre incident eliminated @eneabastianini before the #MotoGP race had even started #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/pnjjnyGvkG
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) May 30, 2021
Bastianini, meanwhile, sprinted for the pit lane to get his second bike but would crash out on lap four while attempting to catch the pack. Then 2020 Moto2 World Champion was in no doubt that Zarco was at fault, saying he shouldn’t be grabbing the brakes so close to the grid formation
“I was very unlucky. Zarco for me did a big error because after the last corner, [he was] very hard on the brakes and it was impossible for me to not bring him [down].
Zatrco, meanwhile, says he surprised to not only stay on the bike but continue with only superficial damage to the tail-end.
“Difficult to say exactly what happened,” Zarco remarked. “The exit of the last corner we all open the throttle and brake hard to keep the tyres hot for the start and first corner.
“I was braking, then I got a pretty strong hit on the back of the bike. I checked my bike and there was some damage but it didn’t stop me from racing.”
