INDIA in F1

Category: Moto GP

Moto GP, the Motorcycle World Championship

  • Miller stuns in Jerez to silence the doubters in style

    Miller stuns in Jerez to silence the doubters in style

    The Thriller cashed in on Fabio Quartararo’s issues to take a first MotoGP victory since the 2016 Dutch TT

    Jerez (Spain), 2 May 2021: He was written off and slated from every angle after a turbulent start to 2021. But Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) silenced every single one of those critics by shocking the two-wheeled world and taking an unlikely win at the Red Bull Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. The Australian was the ultimate opportunist as he pounced all over a serious problem that saw Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) fall from a comfortable two second lead to outside the top ten in just a handful of laps. Joining Miller on the podium was new MotoGP™ World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia, making it the first Ducati 1-2 in three years, and Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli.

    Starting from the outside of the front row, Miller grabbed the holeshot as poleman Quartararo went backwards off the line. The Frenchman was swamped into the first corner and found himself down in fourth, just ahead of Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro who had a strong start to find himself in fifth. Down the back straight for the first time then and it was Miller who lead the way from Morbidelli and Bagnaia.

    LCR Castrol Honda’s Alex Marquez crashed out on the opening lap to make it three DNFs in the first four races of 2021 for the HRC man. He was joined in the Jerez gravel by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, who crashed out at the start of Lap 2. At the front, Bagnaia and Quartararo began to swap places time and time again over third. First, the Frenchman moved up the inside in the opening sector before the Bologna bullet of Bagnaia motored back past down to Turn 6. Then, for a second time, Quartararo got in front of Bagnaia, this time at the final corner before going defensive into the first corner to make sure it stayed like that.

    On Lap 3 we had faller three of the Spanish GP as Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) made it a fortnight to forget with a second consecutive crash. The Suzuki man was wide at Turn 6 and the front-end washed away to end his Jerez hopes. Further forward, Quartararo dived up the inside of former teammate Morbidelli for second, with Aleix Espargaro finding a way through on Bagnaia for fourth at the same time.

    El Diablo’s plan was coming along nicely as he hit the front with an inch-perfect move on Miller into the final corner. Alarm bells were surely ringing for Morbidelli in third as the factory Yamaha man put the hammer down immediately and stretched out four tenths over the Australian in the space of a lap. A new lap record around the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto a lap later and Round 4 of the MotoGP™ World Championship was following the 22-year-old’s script to a tee.

    The Australian has admitted in recent weeks that he’s been in the trenches following a disappointing start to the year, but he was certainly gritting his teeth and digging in here. Quartararo was only able to be a tenth quicker than the Ducati man with the gap at three quarters of a second with seven laps completed. As Quartararo edged his lead out to over a second for the first time, Aleix Espargaro slipped a place back to fifth after falling into the crosshairs of Bagnaia’s Ducati down the back straight. As one Ducati rider moved forward, another crashed out: rookie Enea Bastianini hit the deck at Turn 2 – his first DNF of the year.

    Bagnaia had seen off the close attention of Aprilia’s Espargaro and had attached himself on to the rear wheel of Morbidelli’s A-Spec Yamaha M1. His first look up the inside came down the hill into Turn 6, but no way through. Binder then suffered his second crash of the day having remounted earlier; MotoGP™’s Mr. Sunday having an atypical afternoon in Andalucia. The pair of VR46 Academy partners continued to be inseparable in the fight for the final podium place, before Bagnaia finally got his own way at the final corner. He capitalised on a mistake from the Petronas man perfectly.

    Suddenly at the front, it wasn’t the plain sailing we’ve become accustomed to for Quartararo. The Frenchman’s lead was cut from nearly two seconds down to nothing in the space of just one lap. It was well and truly game on for Spanish GP glory with ten laps remaining. Incredibly, Miller then took the lead down the start-finish straight to start Lap 16 of 25, with an unknown error surely halting Quartararo’s progress. In the space of half a lap, the Australian was half a second clear. Bemusement was etched across the faces of everybody watching the drama in Jerez as Quartararo began dropping like a stone.

    Miller was 1.5 seconds clear in the blink of an eye. Quartararo behind was nearly a second slower than Bagnaia and Morbidelli and hopes of a podium finish had evaporated. He was a sitting duck as both the Ducati and Yamaha men scythed through. They were queuing up behind the World Championship leader soon and with seven laps to go Nakagami, Mir and Espargaro all pushed their way past to demote him down to seventh – Espargaro the key loser in that fight as the Aprilia man lost out to both Nakagami and Mir whilst being held up by factory Yamaha man.

    Five laps of a remarkable Spanish Grand Prix were remaining and Quartararo was pushed outside of the top ten by Pol Espargaro; a statement that was unthinkable just ten minutes earlier. A couple more laps ticked by and surely there wasn’t going to be yet more drama as Miller’s lead was cut down to just a second by teammate Bagnaia. Could the Thriller hold on for a first Ducati victory? They were a nervy final few laps but the number 43 held on and, for the first time since the 2016 Dutch TT, Miller took the chequered flag of a MotoGP™ race – Ducati’s first in Jerez for 15 years.

    There were huge grins on Ducati’s three wise men of Dall’Igna, Tardozzi and Ciabatti when Bagnaia came across the line in second too. A first 1-2 for Ducati in just under three years and the first they’ve ever had at Jerez. There was huge delight for Morbidelli in third as well – another man to silence some doubters. The Italian thumped his chest with joy and declared it “as good as a victory” in Parc Ferme afterwards. There was yet more Jerez delight for Takaaki Nakagami as the LCR Honda Idemitsu man matched his career-best MotoGP™ result with fourth place. The Japanese rider saw off a late charge from World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who was forced to settle for fifth.

    Aprilia finished the closest they have ever been to a MotoGP™ race winner but it’s hard not to think it was a missed opportunity for Aleix Espargaro. The Spaniard coming home in sixth place, only 5.164 seconds adrift of Miller. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales clinched seventh place, ahead of Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco in eighth. Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez bounced back from his Warm Up crash to take a commendable ninth place. The final place inside the top ten went to the eight-time World Champion’s teammate Pol Espargaro.

    Quartararo eventually limped home in thirteenth and, as a result, surrendered the lead of the MotoGP™ World Championship. As we head to Le Mans for Round 5, Bagnaia leads the premier class title chase for the first time in his career but has just a two point lead over what will be a fired-up Frenchman on home soil next time out.

    Top ten:

    1. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)

    2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 1.912

    3. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) + 2.516

    4. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) + 3.206

    5. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 4.256

    6. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) + 5.164

    7. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 5.651

    8. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 7.161

    9. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) + 10.494

    10. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 11.776

    All the action from MotoGP will continue on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD with the SHARK Grand Prix de France. The qualifying race is on Saturday, 15th May and the main race is on Sunday, 16th May 2021. The same will be live streamed on discovery + app.

  • Pedro Acosta takes 3rd straight win to make history in Jerez: Moto3

    Pedro Acosta takes 3rd straight win to make history in Jerez: Moto3

    The rookie sensation extends his lead with another milestone win as huge final corner drama shakes up the podium

    Jerez, 2 May 2021: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is no stranger to making some history in 2021, but the rookie sensation has done it again in the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, fighting through to the front and escaping some final corner drama for his third win in a row. He’s the youngest rider ever to do that, and he’s also the first rider ever to take four podiums on his first four Grand Prix appearances. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) took second as the veteran got his gloves off at the front, with Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) overcoming two Long Lap penalties to complete the podium.

    Pedro Acosta: “Normally here I have some problems to get the pace for my racing style but the team worked so hard because in Warm Up we were changing the setting a bit to be competitive in the race. Öncü and Romano were in another world, they were so strong, but in the end I knew what the strategy for the last lap was: trying to cross the finish line first. And we’re here again!”

    As the lights went out it was Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who took the holeshot from pole, the Japanese rider leading the freight train away shadowed by Andera Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3). Rodrigo hit quick for second though, before the Argentinean duelled for the lead and took it after a few exchanges.

    Drama then hit for John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) as the Scotsman crashed out, and more drama wasn’t long coming. After a shuffle just behind saw Rodrigo pull out a small gap, disaster struck as the pack started to close back in. A crash at Turn 7 saw the early leader out the running, with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) taking over at the front as he and teammate Ayumu Sasaki made early gains.

    By 17 to go, two key contenders were out, those with penalties had started taking their Long Laps, and Acosta was on a charge. Up into second behind the fellow KTM of Öncü, the Championship leader had made short work of his P13 starting position to slot into the front four, and he soon hit the front for the first time not long after.

    The freight train was 14 riders at the front as the classic Moto3™ melee began in earnest, but in another blink of an eye a second group managed to tag on to make it 19 riders fighting for 15 points-scoring positions once again. The next man out of that train was sadly polesitter Suzuki though, with the Japanese rider crashing and able to rejoin but then heading into pitlane. 

    Meanwhile, at the front it was a story of three KTMs and things were getting spicy between Öncü, Acosta and his teammate Jaume Masia. Fenati made for close company in fourth, with Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Sasaki and Migno the last in a now-breakaway group of seven fighting for the win. That spice, however, made life and pace harder work at the front and soon enough the concertina drew the pack back together. There remained, however, a distinctly orange flavour to the gaggle at the front…

    At the exit of Turn 6 on the penultimate lap, there was a heart in mouth moment for Acosta as he had a big moment, leaving Öncü duelling Masia for the lead and a gap back to Fenati and Acosta. After the final corner and the slipstream down the straight, however, the two leaders were back pegged to Acosta and Fenati… and in that order.

    Heading into Turn 6 for the last time, there were no repeats of his moment a lap earlier for Acosta. As Öncü defended too hard from Masia, a tiny gap opened on the inside and Acosta needed no invitation. Slamming into the lead it was the number 37 on the verge of history once again, but there was more drama coming at the final corner.

    Öncü, after losing the lead earlier, was looking ready to make a lunge and the Turk went for it up the inside, then losing the front and sliding out with a domino disaster: Masia was first collected before Binder also got swiped, with all three down into the run off and Acosta left with a clear run to the line. In the right place at the right time, the Spaniard had closed the door to perfection for his third win in three races.

    Fenati avoided the skittle to come through for second, with Alcoba gaining from the crash ahead to convert a difficult race into an impressive ride back through to the podium. Fourth went to Migno as he retained his impressive 2021 consistency, with Sasaki in fifth after another good turn of speed from the Japanese rider fighting at the front.

    Carlos Tatay (Reale Avintia Moto3) took sixth ahead of an impressive seventh for Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP), with Niccolo Antonelli (Reale Avintia Moto3), Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing) and Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert PrüstelGP) completing the top ten and the front group. Izan Guevara (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team), Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team), Sergio Garcia (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) and Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia) completed the points.

    That’s it from Jerez and another stunner from the man of the moment. What awaits in Le Mans? We’ll find out soon enough with just one weekend off before the French Grand Prix.

    Moto3 top-3:

    1 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 39:22.266
    2 Romano Fenati – Sterilgarda Max Racing Team – Husqvarna – +0.417
    3 Jeremy Alcoba – Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 – Honda – +527

  • Suzuki puts in a stunner for third successive pole: Moto3

    Suzuki puts in a stunner for third successive pole: Moto3

    Three’s a magic number for the Japanese rider as he makes it three poles in a row at the venue, ahead of Alcoba and Migno

    Jerez, 1 May 2021: Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) seemingly can’t stop taking pole position at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel-Nieto. The Japanese rider took a stunning third straight pole at the venue in qualifying for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, hitting the top early and no one able to depose him. Via a trip through Q1, Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) nabbed a late second place, with the front row completed by Portimão polesitter Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) after more impressive speed from the Italian on Saturday.

    On a sunny but cool day at Jerez, Q1 got qualifying going and the first big question since his pitlane start in Doha was asked of Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the Spaniard found himself looking to move through. Seemingly immune to the pressure, however, the number 37 topped the session with his last flying lap and headed for Q2 ahead of fellow rookie Izan Guevara (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team), Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) and eventual front row starter Alcoba to fight for the top 18 positions on the grid.

    Once Q2 was underway, it was 2020 Spanish and Andalucia GP polesitter Suzuki on top with exactly two tenths in hand over Migno after the first runs for most, but there was one bit of drama not long coming for Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing). The South African had a mammoth highside at Turn 7 – rider perfectly ok – but lost his chance to improve further, stuck watching the timesheets to see how far his 1:46.288 for a provisional P4 would get shuffled down the order.

    As it turned out, it wouldn’t be by that much. The field headed back out with only a couple of minutes remaining on the clock but only a handful of riders were able to make it count, with many missing the cut once again. The first improvers were Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and teammate Deniz Öncu as they moved into the top ten, but as the clock ticked down there was a dearth of red sectors and only a few more riders to cross the line. Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) was one of the few improvers as he shot up into third for a provisional front row, with Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Alcoba looking like the only two remaining threats on the top – in that order on the road. Could they make an assault for pole?

    Fenati was first over the line and he did enough to shoot up into fourth at least, but it was short-lived as Alcoba blasted over the line just behind him. From Q1, the Spaniard took second and with that just pushes teammate Rodrigo onto Row 2, to start just ahead of Fenati.

    And so Suzuki remained unthreatened at the front and the Japanese rider takes a third straight pole at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, ahead of Alcoba in second and another impressive Saturday from Migno as the veteran Italian completes the front row. Rodrigo is shuffled down to head Row 2, which is completed by Fenati and Petronas Sprinta Racing’s John McPhee.

    Binder, despite his earlier crash, was seventh quickest and only lost a few places to his forced exile on the sidelines, and he’s joined on Row 3 by Sasaki and 2019 Jerez winner Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3). Öncü completes the top ten ahead of the last of the late lunges from Q1 graduate Izan Guevara, who pipped Filip Salaç (Rivacold Snipers Team).

    That means that Acosta is forced to settle for P13 for his first Moto3™ race on home turf, with veteran teammate Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) also facing a fight back from 15th. Will that be a hurdle on race day or does the freight train forgive more easily once the fight’s underway? Find out on Sunday as the lights go out for the Moto3 race at 2.30 pm IST (11:00 GMT +2).

    Moto3 Front Row:

    1 Tatsuki Suzuki – SIC58 Squadra Corse – Honda – 1:45.807    
    2 Jeremy Alcoba – Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 – Honda – +0.125
    3 Andrea Migno – Rivacold Snipers Team – Honda – +0.200

  • Gardner lays down a lap record as Diggia and Bezzecchi home in: Moto2

    Gardner lays down a lap record as Diggia and Bezzecchi home in: Moto2

    The Championship leader takes pole in Jerez, with the front row split by just 0.086 and Lowes crashing out

    Jerez, 1 May 2021: Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) may have only described his pole position lap at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España as “decent”, but the 1:40.667 is actually a new lap record at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto and secures the Australian his first pole of the season. It was close though, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) just 0.071 off and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) within 0.086 as they complete the front row. Polesitter in the first three races, Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed out but will start the fourth showdown of the season from fifth.

    Q1 saw rookie Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) take to the top and the American moved through along with teammate Marcos Ramirez, Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) as the Italian denied compatriot Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP 40) on his last push for the top.

    So the stage was set for Q2, and the pace was hot from the off as Gardner slammed in a 1:40.667 to lead the way. Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi got within a tenth, but the Australian held on at the top as the clock ticked down. Some drama then hit for Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team) as he slid off, although he was able to get back out, before Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) also hit the deck but was also able to rejoin. 

    Meanwhile, red sectors started to appear for Lowes. Two tenths under in the third split, the Brit was making a march for the top – but a bobble at the final corner put paid to that. He did improve but stayed fourth, and not long after suffered more drama as he crashed at Turn 2, out the fight. And that was all she wrote, with the front row unchallenged and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) then pushing Lowes down a place further to fifth.

    That means Championship leader Gardner takes his first pole of the season and becomes the first rider other than Lowes to start from the front this year. ‘Diggia’ takes second, with Bezzecchi back in the mix in a big way on Saturday to take a front row in third and within 0.086 of the top. Raul Fernandez is fourth, ahead of Lowes who is at least in sight of some of his biggest rivals. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completes the second row.

    Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took P7 ahead of Roberts and rookie Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), with Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completing the top ten despite an earlier crash. Canet, another crasher, took P11 ahead of Jorge Navarro (Lightech Speed Up).

    Click here for full results!

    The title and race favourites all near the front, Lowes looking to recover his imperious form from Qatar, and Gardner now the man on a charge as he heads into the race as the points leader. What will Moto2 bring at Jerez? Find out at 3.50 pm IST (12:20 -GMT +2) on Sunday.

    Moto2 Front Row

    1 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 1:40.667    
    2 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – +0.071
    3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +0.086

  • Quartararo, Morbidelli, Miller: Jerez front row split by a tenth

    Quartararo, Morbidelli, Miller: Jerez front row split by a tenth

    It’s four from four for the Frenchman but just 0.105 is all that splits the top three on Saturday, with some surprises further down the grid

    Jerez, 1 May 2021: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has now taken every MotoGP pole position that he’s contested at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, with this year’s Gran Premio Red Bull de España seeing the Frenchman make it a full house of four in a row since he entered the premier class in 2019 – including two last year, both of which he converted into wins. It was close as ever though, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) pulling a stunner out the hat to take second, just half a tenth back, and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking third and with it his first front row of the year. The three are split by just 0.105 in the qualifying session on Saturday ahead of the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship on Sunday.

    First, however, came a blockbuster Q1 with a good few key names looking to move through – including eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Morbidelli, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT). Marquez found himself there after a high speed trip into the gravel in FP3 and via a double-check at local hospital, but the Spaniard was fit to contest the session and that he did.

    However, neither he nor fellow frontrunner Binder had an answer for Morbidelli as the Italian got into the 1:36s, topping the session to bounce back from a late cancellation of his best lap in FP3. Binder took second and slammed past Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) at the final corner in more of a Sunday move than a Saturday one, but the South African moved through as Marc Marquez languished, suffering his worst qualifying ever in the premier class so far in P14.

    Once the pole shootout of Q2 was on, it was a familiar duo at the top though: Quartararo and Morbidelli. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was hanging on in third as his impressive Jerez pace continued, but Miller was on a charge and tagged onto the back of teammate Francesco Bagnaia. That would prove the key change in the final minutes as Quartararo found himself competing against only himself, shaving a little off his best but looking impervious and imperious as the Ducati duo pipped Nakagami down to fifth.

    And so it’s four from four in Jerez for Quartararo now, even though the Frenchman said the lap wasn’t perfect, and it’s his former teammate Morbidelli alongside him on the front row in a familiar but now different liveried sight. Miller takes his first front row of the season in third and pips Bagnaia to the honour as the Italian is forced to settle for fourth, but both Bologna bullets will likely be huge threats once the lights go out.

    Nakagami’s return to the 2020 chassis seems to be going rather well as he lines up fifth, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) for company on the outside of Row 2. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) had a more muted day at the office and lines up seventh, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) for company in P8 and P9 respectively.

    Reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) starts tenth despite some FP3 heroics to make a big leap up the timesheets, with more work to do on race day once again… although he’s no stranger to a podium taken from further back. Binder shook off his final corner divebomb to take P11 in Q2, and HRC test rider and wildcard Stefan Bradl impressed as ever, taking 12th.

    Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) bounced back from a carbon copy of his teammate’s Turn 7 crash, and not long after him, to qualify 13th, just ahead of said teammate Marc Marquez. Rookie Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) takes P15 as Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) saw himself relegated to 16th after having a lap scrubbed for track limits. Rossi starts alongside the Portuguese rider, down in P17.

    Four in a row and two wins last year are quite some benchmark from Quartararo, but the points are given out on Sunday. Can the Frenchman continue his masterclasses of late, or can the fast-starting Ducatis and/or his former teammate give him a real run for his money? We’ll find out on Sunday at 5.30pm IST (14:00 -GMT+2) as the closest, most competitive era of MotoGP ever goes racing at Jerez once more.

    MotoGP Front Row:

    1 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 1:36.755
    2 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – +0.057
    3 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +0.105
    *Independent Team rider
  • Bagnaia blasts past Quartararo to top Day 1 in Jerez

    Bagnaia blasts past Quartararo to top Day 1 in Jerez

    The Italian’s speed impresses once again on Friday as he denies Quartararo, with Aleix Espargaro putting Aprilia in the top three

    Jerez, 30 April 2021: fter Day 1 of the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, it’s an increasingly familiar name on top: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). After some explosive flashes of speed so far this season and last year at Jerez – a track not known for best suiting Borgo Panigale machinery of late – the Italian was top of the pile once again to deny double 2020 Jerez winner Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) by 0.168. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completes the top three as the Noale factory continue to impress with the nearly all-new RS-GP.

    In FP1, it was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickest out the blocks as the South African pulled out nearly two tenths on Aleix Espargaro to go fastest, with KTM showing a step forward early on at the venue and Aprilia retaining impressive pace. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was third in FP1, ahead of Bagnaia and Quartararo, with five factories in the top five and 17 riders split by just eight tenths of a second as action began.

    FP2 saw more pulling the pin for a time attack, however, with FP3 expected to be dry but nevertheless many pushing early to at least end the day in the provisional top ten. That saw Bagnaia blast to the top late on as the Italian cut chunks off the previous best, once again showcasing his impressive step forward this season as his riding style continues to shine. Quartararo tried to reply but the Frenchman was forced to settle for second, on Friday at least.

    Aleix Espargaro’s speed leaves him beaming and expecting to carry it into Saturday too, although it got a lot closer from third down. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) slots into fourth as the Italian retains his Portuguese momentum, half a tenth off the Aprilia ahead, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completing the top five.

    Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was reportedly spotted on the 2020 chassis without the carbon fibre insert and took a big step forward as he ended the day in sixth and not just by virtue of a single push. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) turned the tables on teammate Binder to take P7 overall on Friday too, with Binder nevertheless still within that top ten and provisional Q2 graduation zone as the South African slipped into P10 late on, denying HRC wildcard and test rider Stefan Bradl.

    Between the two KTMs, Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was eighth and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) ninth, with that leaving a few key names outside that top ten…

    The first is Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The reigning Champion ends Friday in P13, right behind Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) as both look for more, although Mir has so far taken more MotoGP™ podiums from outside the front two rows of the grid than from on them. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, ends the day in P16 but seemingly didn’t push for a fast lap, leaving everyone guessing on what he’ll have in store for qualifying… especially when it’s a single lap for glory and less a question of stamina for the recovering Spaniard. Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) finds himself down in P21, looking for much more as his struggles continue despite being the venue where he took his most recent podium.

    That creates another tantalising FP3 though, with the session sure to bubble into a shootout at 9:55 (GMT+2) before qualifying starts at 14:10. Has Bagnaia got pole in the bag, or will Quartararo strike back? And what has Marquez got in the locker for Day 2? We’ll find out soon!

    MotoGP top-five on Friday:

    1 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 1:37.209
    2 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.178
    3 Aleix Espargaro* – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia – +0.437
    4 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha –+0.495
    5 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.517
    *Independent Team rider

  • Sam Lowes lunges late to lead Gardner, Dixon: Moto2

    Sam Lowes lunges late to lead Gardner, Dixon: Moto2

    The Brit saves his best until the very last action of the day to depose Gardner, with Dixon denying Bezzecchi and Roberts for third

    Jerez, 30 April 2021: Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) left it late on Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, but the Brit’s last lunge in FP2 sees him end Friday on top of the combined timesheets of Moto2 by just over a tenth and a half ahead of Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) leapt up the timesheets in FP2 to complete the top three, denying Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) by hundredths.

    FP1 saw Gardner rule the roost and the Australian was back on top in FP2 until that last lunge from Lowes, showing consistency across both sessions once again – and it’s actually Gardner’s marginally quicker FP1 time that was his best, although his FP2 lap would also have put him P2. Dixon’s FP2 push, meanwhile, made it two Brits who moved up as crunch time for the crucial Q2 provisional places hit, moving from outside the top 20 to sit second in the session and then third as Lowes took over at the top.

    Bezzecchi is another whose FP1 lap was quicker, the Italian’s by a few tenths to put him fourth overall on the combined timesheets but just 0.012 behind Dixon. Roberts completes the top five by another tiny margin as the American’s FP2 best was just 0.016 off Bezzecchi’s fastest from FP1.

    Portugal winner Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is within a tenth to take P6, beginning a run of riders whose best efforts were set in FP1. The rookie sensation just pipped veteran Jorge Navarro (Lightech Speed Up) by an infinitesimal 0.008, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2’s Fabio Di Giannantonio is even closer in P8 and only 0.006 back, with Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) 0.030 in arrears in ninth. All four were faster in FP1, with Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) completing the top ten and the next rider with a fastest lap from FP2. The Italian also has a Long Lap Penalty to serve in the race for causing a crash last time out on the Algarve.

    Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP 40) complete the fastest 14 so far, currently set to move through to Q2.

    Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), rookie teammate and reigning Moto3™ World Champion Albert Arenas, and Flexbox HP 40’s Hector Garzo are next on the timesheets, currently all set to miss the cut by just hundredths. Canet and Garzo also crashed, as did Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Tommaso Marcon (MV Agusta Forward Racing), riders all ok.

    Can those just on the cusp hit back on Saturday morning in FP3? Find out at 10:55 (GMT +2), before qualifying for the intermediate class from 15:10.

    Moto2 top-five on Friday:

    1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 1:41.515
    2 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.160
    3 Jake Dixon – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Kalex – +0.270
    4 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +0.282
    5 Joe Roberts – Italtrans Racing Team – Kalex – +0.298
  • Gabriel Rodrigo pulls the pin to rule Friday: Moto3

    Gabriel Rodrigo pulls the pin to rule Friday: Moto3

    The Argentinean leads Antonelli by a margin and the rest by even more as he lays down a marker on Day 1

    Jerez, 30 April 2021: Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) was once again the fastest Moto3 rider on Friday as the Gran Premio Red Bull de España got in gear at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, the Argentinean ending the day 0.256 clear of 2019 Spanish GP winner Niccolo Antonelli (Reale Avintia Moto3) on the combined timesheets. It was another tenth a half back to another former Jerez winner in the form of Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in third too, with Rodrigo once again showing some serious speed on Day 1.

    Friday at Jerez was cooler than the usual for the time of year but it remained largely sunny with a few clouds, and it very much remained a serious step down in temperature compared to the 2020 events. This time around, most therefore improved in the afternoon and FP2 saw a good few late lunges up the timesheets, including for Fenati as he took third in the combined standings late on. The top two remained the same in FP1 and FP2 however, with Antonelli topping FP1 from Rodrigo and the Argentinean reversing the order in the afternoon and overall.

    A few riders who would go on the end the day within the provisional Q2 graduation zone also showed their first flashes of speed in FP1, with Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP) starting the day in P3 and ending it fourth overall by the close of FP2. His teammate Ryusei Yamanaka likewise impressed, ending the day in sixth. Splitting the two CarXpert PrüstelGP riders was Championship challenger Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), who ends Friday in fifth overall despite an FP2 crash, rider ok.

    Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) showed more consistent speed as he ends Friday in seventh, ahead of Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P8. Both Acosta and teammate Jaume Masia improved in the latter part of FP2 to take provisional places in Q2 and put in some laps together during the session, with the number 5 completing the top ten as Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) managed to split the two Ajo machines to take ninth.

    Currently on to join them in Q2 are Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) as he gained nearly two and a half seconds in FP2, Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) by virtue of his best lap from FP1, Filip Salaç (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3). Alcoba in P14 has the exact same laptime as the rider currently set to miss the cut – Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) – as both set a 1:46.000. The Spaniard, with his second best effort, just makes it through and the Japanese rider is left to rue an FP2 crash.

    Suzuki will be one contender looking to hit back in FP3, as will the rider he just beat to the Andalucia GP win last year: John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing). The Scotsman and ended the day in P17 and will want to make his mark on Saturday to move straight through to Q2.

    Find out how the pack shuffles in FP3 from 9:00 (GMT +2), before qualifying from 12:35 to decide the grid for another stunner at Jerez.

    Moto3 top-five on Friday:

    1 Gabriel Rodrigo – Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 – Honda – 1:45.651
    2 Niccolo Antonelli – Avintia Esponsorama Moto3 – KTM – +0.256
    3 Romano Fenati – Sterilgarda Max Racing Team – Husqvarna – +0.409
    4 Jason Dupasquier – CarXpert PruestelGP – KTM – +0.421
    5 Darryn Binder – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – +0.537

  • Another chapter is about to begin in Jerez’s history books

    Another chapter is about to begin in Jerez’s history books

    The leading protagonists in MotoGP kicked off the Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain with everyone ready to put 2020’s spectacle behind them

    Jerez, 30 April 2021: It has played host to many a MotoGP moment down the years, but the drama that unfolded under the Andalucian sun in 2020 was some of the finest Jerez has ever seen. A season-ending injury for the, at that time, World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), the first taste of MotoGP glory for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and the, soon to be, World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) becoming the first faller of the season.

    But, according to the leading protagonists, that has all been assigned to the history books. Nothing can be taken for granted in MotoGP was the key takeaway from Thursday’s Press Conference, as the Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain officially got underway. Five MotoGP stars and the headline-grabbing rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took centre stage with the World Championship leader Quartararo starting proceedings.

    The Frenchman arrives at the scene of his back-to-back victories last year having just secured another brace of victories, however, El Diablo won’t be letting his 2020 successes affect his focus this year: “I’m feeling pretty excited. First of all, because I love this track but also because I’m feeling great on the bike and great with the team. I’m just thinking about, you know, working the same way as we did in Qatar and not thinking that last year I won both races here because we saw Miguel win in Portimao last year and then have some struggles this year, so I just want to focus in working in the same way and be ready for Sunday. It means nothing that we won both races last year.”

    A lot of things have changed in the space of twelve months for the 22-year-old. But he says the biggest difference is his change in mindset thanks to his turbulent season last year: “I feel like 2020 helped me a lot because a lot of things happened. In 2019, everything was perfect and I enjoyed it a lot with seven podiums and six pole positions. 2020 was more up and down though. We started well but then we had some engine problems, some electronic problems and I lost my mind a little bit. Then we got it back but the end of the season was a total disaster and I feel like I’ve learned a lot.

    “Staying calm is the most important for me because when I get a little bit angry on the bike, my comments to the team are not clear. Being much calmer on the bike is working much better for me and the results at the first races show that, so I want to keep working like this. I know it’s not easy but I’m feeling great and I feel like we are going in the right direction so I’m happy.”

    One end of the spectrum to the other, next was Marc Marquez. Turn 3’s highside during last year’s Spanish Grand Prix very nearly ended his career. Nine months of hardship followed but now he’s back. And he’s back to right the wrongs of 2020. But, in typical Marquez style, he’s playing down expectations before anyone starts tipping him for what would be on eof the great MotoGP victories at the scene of his horror crash 285 days ago.

    “Portimao was a special weekend but here I feel like everything is a bit quieter,” began the eight-time World Champion. “This is important, it feels like a normal weekend. It’s not like my physical condition are completely different, they are very similar, but I hope to ride in a better way from FP1 and my target is to hopefully be more stable with my physical condition during all the weekend. I have good and bad memories here, of course, but better memories than worse memories, so this will be important. There’s no target, no clear target, just ride the bike, have more kilometers, try to feel better the position of the bike. We know where our limit is now and it’s not with the bike or the tyres, it’s more about me. We know where the limit is and we know where we need to improve but we need time, days and kilometres on the bike.”

    World Champion Mir was one of many to struggle in the heat of the Andalucian summer last year but, a drop of almost twenty degrees, he believes will play into his hands: “Last year was a difficult start to the season here. It’s true that the heat of last year made it pretty difficult for everyone and it looks like this year it will be colder. This is something that can be good for us. Everyone knows this track really well and it’s always really difficult to make a difference but well we will try to do our best with the package that we have. Our goal is to finish on the podium, to fight for the podium and then we will see. It’s true that last year here was not really good but also Portimão was not too good and I was able to make a good result, so I will try to do my best.”

    It’s not only Mir and Marquez who are looking to shake off the demons of 2020, with Francesco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati Team) more than ready to put behind him the horrors of last year. With only a handful of laps remaining, the Italian was robbed of a debut premier class podium after an engine issue and he admits he’ll be using that as added motivation this weekend. He sits second in the Championship having taken two podiums so far, a feat that has earned him a lot of new fans including former MotoGP™ star Ben Spies. The American has been singing the praises of Bagnaia on social media, much to his delight.

    “I’ve seen the tweet from Ben,” started the factory Ducati man. “It’s always nice to see past riders say something about us and I really appreciate it. Already last year I started to try to ride the Ducati in a different way, and I understand better now how to do it. Last year in the second part of the season I was struggling a lot and it was difficult to accept it and understand what was happening. But then in pre-season testing, I started to have the same feeling again and maybe all the work we’ve done this winter with training and in the gym with the others from the Academy has given me extra motivation and confidence.

    “In the first race in Qatar, I was trying to manage the tyres but I learned from that race I had to use the tyre in a different way. In the second race, I was faster than the first but made mistakes and lost the opportunity to win. In Portimão I was very confident with the bike and felt great on everything, we know our potential is great in acceleration and braking and I tried to concentrate more on that area, and the bike, if you push, is turning well. It’s strange but something that with our bike is working well.”

    Just like Quartararo, Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli has had to overcome some difficult moments not only throughout his career but in 2020 too. A glimmer of hope appeared in Portimao and the Italian is ready to use that result as a springboard for the remainder of the season. He then went on to explain whether he believes his mental, more philosophical approach key to overcoming tougher times. “It’s the story of my life trying to overcome difficult times. It’s happened in the past and it will happen in the future, and I hope to be hard enough and ready enough to overcome the difficult moments I will face.”

    Finally, it was a debut appearance in the pre-event Press Conference for 16-year-old wonderkid Pedro Acosta. The Spaniard made Grand Prix history in Portugal by becoming the youngest rider ever to clinch three podiums in his first three races and was rightly given a place on the top table with the premier class gladiators as a result. After receiving advice he will cherish forever from heroes Marquez and Mir, and also joking about the size of his sphincter due to his nerves ahead of the Press Conference, he revealed the secret to his Grand Prix success.

    “I feel incredible,” said Acosta. “After a good preseason, we knew we could do good results but nothing like this finally when you come to the world championship, you don’t think about winning races in the first part of the year or something like this. We have to keep working. A few minutes ago I was nervous, but if I am here it’s because we’re working well.”

    Now all attention will switch to the action on track as the Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain roars into life on Friday morning. After 2020 delivered yet another spellbinding chapter in the venue’s storied history, you don’t want to miss the next one this weekend.

    Action from MotoGP Gran Premio Red Bull de España Qualifying Race will be live on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD from 16:00 Hrs (04:00 pm IST) onwards on Saturday , 1st May 2021. The same will be live streamed on discovery+ app. 

  • There’s no target… just ride the bike: riders ready for a new challenge in Jerez

    There’s no target… just ride the bike: riders ready for a new challenge in Jerez

    Quartararo, Bagnaia, Mir, Morbidelli, Marquez and Acosta take stock and look forward to the Gran Premio Red Bull de España

    Jerez, 29 April 2021: After another rollercoaster round in Portugal, the grid are ready to get back in business for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) headlined the Pre-Event Press Conference, joined by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), top Independent Team rider in Portugal Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Moto3™ rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

    Here are some key quotes:

    Fabio Quartararo: “I’m feeling pretty excited, first of all because I love this track but also because I’m feeling great on the bike and great with the team. I’m just thinking about, you know, working the same way as we did in Qatar and not thinking that last year I won both races here because I we saw Miguel win in Portimão last year and then have some struggles this year, so I just want to focus in working in the same way and be ready for Sunday. It means nothing that we won both races last year.

    “I feel like the 2020 season helped me a lot because a lot of things happened. In 2019, everything was perfect and I enjoyed it a lot with seven podiums and six pole positions. 2020 was more up and down though. We started well but then we had some engine problems, some electronic problems and I lost my mind a little bit. Then we got it back but the end of the season was a total disaster and I feel like I’ve learned a lot. Staying calm is the most important for me because when I get little bit angry on the bike, my comments to the team are not clear. Being much calmer on the bike is working much better for me and the results at the first races show that, so I want to keep working like this. I know it’s not easy but I’m feeling great and I feel like we are going into the right direction so I’m happy.”

    Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m really confident because at the moment I feel good with everything; my bike, my team. Last year I was competitive here, most of all in the second race, and I had just back luck for having the engine failure but we were strong. I think it can be a positive weekend for us and I think we can try to stay in the top three again.”

    Has Pecco seen he has a big fan in former MotoGP™ rider Ben Spies, who says his riding style is something that gets the best out of the Ducati?
    “I’ve seen the tweet from Ben, it’s always nice to see past riders say something about us and I really appreciate it. Already last year I started to try to ride the Ducati in a different way, and I understand better now how to do it. Last year in the second part of the season I was struggling a lot and it was difficult to accept it and understand what was happening. But then in preseason testing, I started to have the same feeling again and maybe all the work we’ve done this winter with training and in the gym with the others from the Academy has given me extra motivation and confidence. In the first race in Qatar I was trying to manage the tyres but I learned from that race I had to use the tyre in a different way. In the second race I was faster than the first but made mistakes and lost the opportunity to win. In Portimão I was very confident with the bike and felt great on everything, we know our potential is great in acceleration and braking and I tried to concentrate more on that area, and the bike, if you push, is turning well. It’s strange but something that with our bike is working well.”

    Joan Mir: “Last year was a difficult start to the season here. It’s true that the heat of last year made it pretty difficult for everyone and it looks like this year it will be colder. This is something that can be good for us. Everyone knows this track really well and it’s always really difficult to make a difference but well we will try to do our best with the package that we have. Our goal is to finish on the podium, to fight for the podium and then we will see. It’s true that last year here was not really good but also Portimão was not too good and I was able to make a good result, so I will try to do my best.”

    Franco Morbidelli: “Portimão felt great, I felt amazing getting back to some top spots and positions, and it felt just great to do the race I did. I had a good fight in the beginning and then tried to maintain the most consistent pace I could throughout the whole race so it was nice. Here, we have good trust in this track. Last year I was close to the podium in both races, and unfortunately for two different reasons I didn’t manage to get it in either but we’ll see. I’ll try to do my best this weekend, try to keep the momentum that I hope started in Portimão, and we’ll see.”

    Is his mental, more philosophical approach key to overcoming tougher times?
    “It’s the story of my life trying to overcome difficult times. It’s happened in the past and it will happen in the future, and I hope to be hard enough and ready enough to overcome the difficult moments I will face.”

    Marc Marquez: “Portimão was a special weekend but here I feel like everything is a bit quieter and this is important, it feels like a normal weekend. It’s not like my physical condition are completely different, they are very similar, but I hope to ride in a better way from FP1 and my target is to hopefully be more stable with my physical condition during all the weekend.

    “I have good and bad memories here, of course, but better memories than worse memories, so this will be important. There’s no target, no clear target, just ride the bike, have more kilometres, try to feel better the position of the bike. We know where our limit is now and it’s not with the bike or the tyres, it’s more about me. We know where the limit is and we know where we need to improve but we need time, days and kilometres on the bike.”

    Pedro Acosta: “I feel incredible, after a good preseason, we knew we could do good results but nothing like this finally when you come to the world championship, you don’t think about winning races in the first part of the year or something like this. We have to keep working.

    “A few minutes ago I was nervous, but if I am here it’s because we’re working well.”

    Mir and Marquez were also asked about the rookie’s incredible performances so far:

    Mir on Acosta: “I imagine how he feels, I remember the first time I was in a Press Conference I was really nervous I think he’s the same! Pedro is doing a really good job, during the last year in the Rookies Cup I went there to see him and wish him good luck in a couple of races because one of my mechanics Fernando is a neighbour of Pedro and Fernando spoke a couple of times about him and that he’s fast. He was right! I think he’s doing a great job, I think he has a bright future in front of him. He rides in a really good way and he’s showing that even if he’s a rookie, he’s the main contender this year.”

    Marquez on Acosta: “I already spoke with him before and his riding style is good, his talent is good, he’s fast and this is obvious from the results! Being here in the Press Conference between MotoGP riders at 16 years old… I think it’s difficult to deal with because it’s maybe too much pressure but as I said to him: forget about everything, enjoy it now, you’re a young talented kid. If he wins on Sunday it will be ok, if he finishes top five or top ten, it will be ok. It’s his first year! Now is the time to enjoy it is my advice to him, he’ll have time to put pressure on himself and apart from that, also congrats because he’s riding amazingly and he will arrive soon! I’ll try to be there but he’ll arrive soon competing with us!”