Quartararo finds redemption in 2021 after year of disappointment

Fabio Quartararo had never won a title in Moto3 or Moto2 but on Sunday the Yamaha rider became the first Frenchman to win the MotoGP world championship in spectacular and unexpected circumstances at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Quartararo's closest title contender Francesco Bagnaia was in the lead and looked set to shift the title fight to Portugal when the Ducati rider crashed with five laps to go, giving the Frenchman who finished fourth an unassailable lead. CALM AFTER THE STORM A move to the factory team this year after a straight swap with his idol Valentino Rossi proved to be the catalyst for both Quartararo and Yamaha as they looked to reel in the faster Ducatis and a resurgent Marquez who made a late charge. Where anger and frustration was a common feature last season due to technical problems, Quartararo was more relaxed this year after working with a sports psychologist.