MotoGP: Best Slow Motion

, these clips begin to tell the story of this year’s championship. At round 1 in Qatar, for example, we see Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista slide through a narrow opening between the red-and-white-painted curb and the space occupied by elbow-down reigning world champion Marc Marquez—his leg still mending from an off-season break. Bautista later crashed, while Marquez motored on to the first of 10 straight victories.

This footage is rich with valuable information. At Jerez, Marquez’s Repsol Honda teammate, Dani Pedrosa, approaches a right hander nose buried, his Bridgestone front tire compressed from braking, rear tire lifting off and, moments later, returning smoothly to the racing surface. At 1 minute, 53 seconds, Stefan Bradl’s glossy rear tire reflects blue-and-white alligator teeth as he and Bautista speed toward start/finish. Later, we see the spinning exposed clutch on Jorge Lorenzo’s Yamaha YZR-M1. Details!

In France, subtle differences in the styles of top riders are clearly visible. At Mugello, the front fender on Andrea Dovizioso’s Ducati flaps like a fish furiously gulping for air. In sharp contrast, a cast-off faceshield tear-off floats softly to the pavement. Images captured in England show factory machines rocking fore and aft on their suspension over imperfect pavement.

What is in store for fans this weekend at Misano? Your guess is as good as mine, but if the previous races offer any indication, we are in for a treat. In slow motion, of course.