MotoGP Round 14 Preview: Aragon in 60 seconds

Aragon is another of those circuits that looks better on race day than it does any other day of the year. It's not a brilliant layout, it's not massively exciting, but once again the entire championship makes it look much better than it is.

I can't really add much more than that about the circuit, it's not one of my favourites. Instead, we have plenty to talk about.

Championship Chances

The main championship concern this weekend sits in Moto2, where a win for Johann Zarco, combined with anything less than a second for Tito Rabat, would see the Frenchman win the 2015 title. There are other ways he can claim the trophy (second, with Rabat finishing fifth, for example), but winning is the easiest. A nine point swing towards Zarco gives him the title, and even if Rabat finishes second, the gap will be 98 points with four races left.

Danny Kent should have been in a similar position by this point of the year, but has seen his gap evaporate. He now leads Enea Bastianini by 55 points in Moto3, but a win, coupled with a low finish for the Italian, could see Kent win in Motegi next time out. The constructor's title can be claimed though, if Honda finish 11 points ahead of KTM. Unlikely but possible.

MotoGP is probably going to the last round of the year, we don't need to worry about that yet.

In The News

Add Stefan Bradl to your list of confirmed riders for 2016. He will continue on the Aprilia Gresini bike, a role initially earmarked for Sam Lowes. The Brit has signed with Gresini, but will be on board their Federal Oil Moto2 bike for 2016 before moving up to GP in 2017.

Elsewhere, Miguel Oliveira is confirmed to be riding in Moto2 next year for Leopard Racing's new pursuit, with Danny Kent rumoured to be joining him there, although he is still being linked with the Aspar Honda team in GP. Aspar's current Brit, Eugene Laverty, has a contract for next year, but is understood to be concerned by a lack of communication from the team. Don't go there Danny.

Your GP facts for the weekend can be found at the following links (MotoGP/Moto2/Moto3).

...and finally, because why the hell not, Maverick Viñales has followed in his namesake's footsteps and gone all Top Gun on us, flying in a Spanish fighter jet. Check it out here.

Last Time Out

At the circuit bearing his name, we had three races fit for the great Marco Simoncelli. Check out the recap here.

Predictions

Marc Marquez to throw the title hunt even more open by winning again - the last non-Spanish rider to win a Spanish MotoGP was Casey Stoner.

Johann Zarco will win the Moto2 race, and possibly wrap the title up when Tito Rabat finishes third.

Miguel Oliveira may return to form in Moto3, and pip his potential team mate for next year to the 25. Bastianini will finish outside the top three though, allowing Kent to increase his championship lead.

Race Times

We have your usual race times for European races this weekend.

Due to not working this weekend (hurray!) I'll have a full recap up on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the racing.