INDIA in F1

Tag: Enea Bastianini

  • Bastianini unstoppable as Martin fends off Bagnaia in a tense Buriram Sprint

    Bastianini unstoppable as Martin fends off Bagnaia in a tense Buriram Sprint

    Buriram, 26 October 2024: Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) charged to victory in the Tissot Sprint at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, taking glory by 1.357s after a sublime performance escaping at the front to lay down the gauntlet. Behind, the top two in the title fight went toe-to-toe, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) just able to hold off Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the final two laps to increase his Championship lead to 22 points.

    The Beast stormed to glory in the Tissot Sprint as Martin triumphs over Bagnaia to increase the title gap to 22 points
    Once the lights went out, Bagnaia made a phenomenal launch from pole, taking a slight advantage on the run to Turn 1. However, Martin was on the attack, launching a move down the inside and sending both himself as his main title rival wide enough to allow Bastianini and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) through. The #89 was now left with work to do, dropping even further to fifth as Pedro Acosta (Re Bull GASGAS Tech3) also picked his way past and defended when Martin tried to move straight back through. 

    On Lap 2 Martin was back in fourth though, past the rookie before Acosta had overcooked it and slid out. The next target for the Championship leader was Marc Marquez. Martin made a textbook move at the final corner to overtake the #93, and it got close on the exit but the #89 kept it, digging in to now chase down the next target: Bagnaia in second.

    Martin began to edge closer to the reigning World Champion as Bagnaia, Martin and Marc Marquez were all glued close together on track. Once Martin was right on the tailpipes of the #1 though, he pounced at Turn 7. And there came some controversy as he ran slightly wide on the exit, that proving the next strike to award the Spaniard to a track limits warning. But he kept the position…

    It was building to be a tense finale, with Bastianini checked out at the front but the title rivals separated by a mere 0.350s on the chase. Bagnaia continued to pile on the pressure at every corner in an enthralling end to Saturday’s action, looking like he was going to be able to set up a move. 

    By the final lap though, Martin had reeled in Bastianini more than Bagnaia had managed to make ground on the #89, and in a tense final few kms the three sliced round Buriram. Ultimately, the ‘Beast’ kept it tidy to take a second Sprint win of the year in style, Martin held on under intense pressure to take second, and Bagnaia was forced to cede two more points in that Championship battle as he came home third.

    Marc Marquez crossed the line in fourth, grabbing some strong points after the #93 was unable to match the pace of the top three in the latter stages. The eight-time World Champion finished ahead of teammate Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who rounded out the top five positions after a sensational ride. The Spaniard had to work hard in the closing laps, with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) finishing a further 0.947s behind in sixth.

    Further back, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio had a battle of their own. The Italians fought it out throughout the Sprint as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) began to drop down the order after climbing to P6 in the opening stages. Bezzecchi took P7 in the end, a tenth ahead of his teammate as Binder was forced to watch on and settle for the final point in ninth.

    Another ding dong just behind saw Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) able to escape Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with the Australian then forced to fend off Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) by the flag as the Frenchman also stayed ahead of Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team).

    After another twist in the tale, make sure you join us as the world’s most exciting sport returns at 15:00 local time (UTC +7) on Sunday, where Bagnaia will launch from pole and attempt to close Martin’s advantage. It’s 22 points – and 25 are on the table tomorrow…
  • Bastianini wins last-lap thriller at Misano: MotoGP

    Bastianini wins last-lap thriller at Misano: MotoGP

    Misano, 22 Sept. 2024: High drama, another title fight twist and a last-lap clash: the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna was a stunner right to the wire. On the top step after a brutal last lap lunge, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) took Ducati’s 100th premier class win – and ensured the factory wrapped up the 2024 Constructors’ crown. He also ensures he cut his deficit to the top of the Championship, as his last lap attack was to defeat points leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

    Martin may not have taken that win but he does leave with a bolstered 24-point advantage in the title fight after reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) slid out of third when on a charge to catch the duel at the front… promoting Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) to third.

    Martin took the holeshot with another stellar start from the middle of the front row, but Bagnaia wrestled the lead back at Turn 2, shooting round the outside and putting the hammer down in the lead in classic style. But Martin managed to hold off Bastianini to keep second in the aftermath, and those three started to build a small gap as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) charged up, and Marc Marquez too.

    Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the first drama in the front group as the South African crashed out, rider ok and rejoining, but ceding in the battle against Acosta and Marquez. Acosta would do the same a few laps later, rider ok but not able to rejoin.

    In the meantime, there were fireworks at the front. Still with 25 laps to go, the top two in the title fight were taking the gloves off. Martin homed in and launched it, but Bagnaia cut back immediately. In the aftermath the Spaniard was nearly sandwiched between the two Ducati Lenovo machines as Bastianini also looked to try his luck, but it stayed as you were. For now…

    Next lap around, Martin went for a dive up the inside at La Quercia, and this time made it stick. Bagnaia looked to respond up the inside but was forced to slot back into second and defend from Bastianini instead – and from there the reigning Champion had a few scrappy corners, sectors and laps. Bastianini got past and set off after Martin, and it seemed Bagnaia was going to have to look over his shoulder for Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) starting to reel him in.

    Or maybe not? As Bastianini shadowed Martin at the front, Bagnaia started putting in the fast laps. Leaving the #93 and #72 behind, he was cutting three or four tenths off the leading duo’s advantage. Then it was Martin only as Bastianini got his own hammer down to glue back onto the Pramac… but then the #1’s dream was over in some seismic Championship drama.

    After getting the gap to the front down below two seconds and then struggling to cut any more into it, there was suddenly a cloud of dust streaking into the air – and a reigning Champion in the gravel. Rider ok, but Emilia-Romagna GP over, Bagnaia was forced to watch the duel for Ducati’s 100th win from the sidelines, wondering if his deficit was going to be 24 points or 29 by the end of play.

    At the front, the chess match raged on. Martin in the lead, Bastianini his shadow. With five to go, the #89 then lost every last inch of advantage as he headed slightly wide and Bastianini was almost alongside. A grandstand finish was in the making.

    They stayed like that through another lap, and another, and another, and at times it looked like Martin had just been able to stretch out enough tenths to ensure he’d reach the flag without coming under attack. But Bastianini managed to find an answer every time, and onto the last lap it was almost nothing in it. But where would the move come?

    The answer was Turn 4, and it was brutal. The Beast sent it, Martin had to sit up, and the #89 was sent well wide, hand in the air as Bastianini sailed away into a nice cushion of time in the lead. Controversial or decisive as it may be for some, it wasn’t so for the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards, who declined to investigate. The #23 takes a brutally-fought home win – extending his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at Misano, cutting his deficit in the title fight, and ensuring his teammate lost five less to Martin. As well as, of course, securing Ducati’s 100th MotoGP™ win and sealing that incredible sixth Constructors’ crown.

    Martin was left to seethe at the move but celebrate the new 24-point advantage at the top, and Marc Marquez was bumped up to the podium after Bagnaia’s crash, another shift that has a say in those top echelons of the Championship. Just behind that, Bezzecchi took fourth, not quite able to stay with the #93 but putting in another solid weekend.

    Fifth place, until the very last sector of the race, looked set to go to another stunning ride from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). But a late issue, reportedly running out of fuel, saw the Frenchman trying to hold on round the final corner and then forced to watch Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pip him to the line. Quartararo nevertheless equals his and Yamaha’s best of the season so far: P7.

    Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) completed the top ten. Next up, an impressive P11 for Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) equal’s the factory’s best so far this season, and teammate Luca Marini was in touch behind him too. They both beat Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) and a sore Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who also had a Long Lap due to track limits, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) completing the points scorers.

    That’s a wrap on a dramatic weekend at Misano, and the paddock is already on the way to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit for the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. There, the battle continues for another 37 points – and there are still plenty on the table as the momentum continues to shift and the drama sets us up for a fascinating final stint.

  • Bastianini storms to Tissot sprint victory: MotoGP

    Bastianini storms to Tissot sprint victory: MotoGP

    Silverstone, 3 August 2024: Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) stormed to an incredible Tissot Sprint victory at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, taking his first Saturday podium in some style: on the top step. Beast mode was very much engaged as the #23 denied Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), although the #89 claws back some crucial Championship points after drama for points leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) saw the reigning Champion slide out.

    Completing the rostrum on Saturday was polesitter Aleix Espargaro as the Aprilia Racing rider ran the top two close, escaping the attentions of Bagnaia and having pulled ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) on the chase. The eight-time World Champion then also slid out late on to cede third overall in the Championship to Bastianini in a dramatic afternoon at Silverstone.

    As the lights went out it was a fantastic launch from Bagnaia, who pushed Espargaro wide on the entry to Turn 1. It was an immediate melee at the front, however, and Martin was able to sneak through and snatch the Sprint lead on the opening lap at Silverstone.

    There was drama behind too as Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashed on the opening lap after the former overshot Turn 1 and sent both sliding out. Both passed fit, but Morbidelli given a double Long Lap penalty to serve on Sunday.

    There was soon more drama in the fight just behind the podium battle too as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) clashed, with no harm done to either but a confetti shower of winglets sent into the air. The clash was also just enough for Marc Marquez to pry the door open and slice past both, needing no second invitation and at least briefly getting past the duo.

    At the front, Martin continued to lead from the chasing Bastianini, with the Italian hanging on to the tail of the #89 as Espargaro and Bagnaia shadowed the duo.

    The first title fight drama then unfolded, with Bagnaia losing the front on Lap 5 at Turn 4. Rider ok, but that was all she wrote and the Italian was forced to watch from the sidelines as teammate Bastianini started to harry Martin. Polesitter Espargaro was released from the pressure of having the reigning Champion sat on his tail too, and with Martin still at the front the #1 looked to have lost the Championship lead.

    However, after one failed attempt that saw Martin hit back immediately, the Beast then sliced through to the lead on Lap 6 and attempted to stretch away almost instantly. The #23 put together a series of impressive times inside the 1:58 bracket with a handful of laps remaining, gaining a little breathing space but Martin still very much in touch. A Bastianini win was a 1-point lead for Bagnaia in the title fight, a Martin win was the #89 back on top.

    Then, further drama for the top echelons in the standings: Marc Marquez lost the front at Turn 16. That brought an end to the Spaniard’s chance to earn some vital Championship points as he retired to the pitlane, leaving it as a KTM-GASGAS battle for fourth and likely about to drop out the top three in the standings given Bastianini was now holding station at the head of the field.

    With one lap remaining, all that was coming in was perfection from Bastianini. The #23 extended his lead from a handful of tenths to one second and that was that – a first ever Sprint victory secured at Silverstone. Martin consolidated second nevertheless, clawing back crucial Championship points to now sit just one behind Bagnaia. And behind him is now Bastianini in third.

    Binder and Acosta’s battle didn’t stop as they continued their fight until the line, with the South African pipping the rookie for fourth after the 10-lap dash. Alex Marquez took sixth, having homed in but not able to get the better of the two.

    It was a competitive battle for seventh place and the final point-scoring positions as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crossed the line just 0.185s ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with the latter taking that final point on Saturday.

    Now all eyes turn to Sunday for the British Grand Prix, with Bagnaia and Marc Marquez aiming for redemption and Martin well within striking distance of the lead. Who will come out on top on for 25 points? The stage is set, the style will be vintage and the action is guaranteed to be a modern spectacle. So make sure you join us at 13:00 local time (UTC +1)!

  • Beast mode engaged: Bastianini edges out Viñales for pole

    Beast mode engaged: Bastianini edges out Viñales for pole

    A front row split by a tenth, Bagnaia P4 and Marc Marquez P8 after a dramatic Q2 sets the stage for a spectacle in Portugal.

    Portimao, 23 March 2024:

    Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) continued his statement weekend at the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal with pole position on Saturday morning, Beast mode most definitely engaged. It’s close at the top, however, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) getting to within less than a tenth of the number 23 after a late charge. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) completes the front row only a further 0.024 behind, setting the stage for some serious fireworks on the Algarve.

    Q1 was a hard-fought battle to move through. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and home hero Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) were just some of those with more than a shout of moving through, and it went down to the wire. Acosta was leading the way until a late overhaul from AM73, with the Gresini taking over on top by an infinitesimal 0.005. No one could overhaul that or split the two, so Acosta and Alex Marquez moved through, leaving Espargaro P13 on the grids ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Oliveira..

    Q2 began with sheer expectation and the field piled out of pitlane ready to deliver. The first drama came almost immediately as Marc Marquez slid out, the number 93 losing the rear round Turn 15 and sliding across the run off. The race was on to get back to the box and get back out. Then Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) went down, rider also ok, making it two big hitters looking to reset quick.

    Meanwhile, the red sectors were coming in on the first runs. The first pacesetter was reigning Champion Bagnaia, who held the top by less than a tenth ahead of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and FP2 pacesetter Viñales.

    From there, the first mover was Martin as he took over on top, but Bastianini had a near instant riposte to cut another tenth off, making it #23-#89-#1 on the provisional front row. Then the red sectors starting coming in from Bagnaia again, but the final part of the lap put paid to that. One final lap was going to challenge Bastianini, and despite Marc Marquez being back out, it’s wasn’t his – it was Viñales’. 

    The Aprilia was up and had already proven plenty with that new FP2 lap record, but it wasn’t quite enough to take pole over the line, coming up short by just 0.082. So it’s the Beast of Bastianini back on top, ahead of Viñales and Martin relegated to P3 on the outside of the front row.

    Bagnaia heads up Row 2, with Miller starting from P5 as his speed continues to impress in Portugal. Sixth goes to Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) whose Round 2 continues to be a big leap forward from a tough Round 1.

    The apprentice edges out the master on Row 3. Acosta is P7 at the head of it, just hundredths ahead of Marc Marquez as the number 93 didn’t quite find the fireworks on his second run. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) takes P9, ahead of Binder who, like MM93, couldn’t quite bring the noise on his final attempt after that early crash.

    And so the grids are decided, and they set quite a stage. The Tissot Sprint promises much on Saturday afternoon, and that’s just the first serving of the world’s most exciting sport at full throttle on the rollercoaster. Tune in for two stunning showdowns, with lights out on Saturday at 15:00 (UTC) and Sunday at 14:00.

  • Title fight heats up as Bastianini blasts back to glory at Sepang

    Title fight heats up as Bastianini blasts back to glory at Sepang

    It’s early race fireworks in the title fight, but up ahead Bastianini and Alex Marquez pull clear on Sunday.

    Sepang, 12 Nov 2023: Pecco vs Martin: it’s official. The fight for the 2023 FIM MotoGP World Championship is now a duel, and it’s a duel split by just 14 points as we head into the final two race weekends. It was also an early race duel at Sepang as the two went toe-to-toe in the fight for the podium, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) defending with everything he had against now sole challenger, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). But that was the fight for third!

    Up ahead, Enea Bastianini’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) fantastic return to form continued as the number 23 moved through to the lead, set some absolutely searing pace, and wasn’t to be seen again. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) kept him honest enough, however, with the number 73 following up his Sprint win with another Grand Prix podium.

    It was almost three abreast into Turn 1 once the lights went out, with the front row side-by-side. Bastianini played it safe, Bagnaia was on the outside, and it was Martin who let the brakes off – diving up the inside to very briefly take the holeshot. But he was deep and Bagnaia took the chance to try and cut back in, but the #1 wasn’t in the postcode of the apex either. He got back past Martin but Bastianini was already through, as was Alex Marquez.

    Pecco held on to third against Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) but Martin wasn’t so lucky, getting shuffled back behind the Italian and left with a little more work to do from fifth.

    And so Bastianini led Alex Marquez, with a small but increasing gap back to some stunning early race fireworks. Once Martin was able to get back past Bezzecchi, he was right on the tail of Bagnaia and the teams, factory and grandstands held their breath as the show began.

    The number 89 was all over the number 1 but he attacked and was denied, attacked and was denied as the two scythed round Sepang near side-by-side. It was stunning, and it could prove important in terms of more than just points. On Sundays when they’ve both seen the flag, the reigning Champion has only finished ahead of Martin once since the Red Bull Ring – on the day of Johann Zarco’s history-making win in Australia. Bagnaia hasn’t beaten Martin in a Sprint since Catalunya. But at Sepang, the reigning Champion also turned the tables in qualifying, nabbing pole from Martin and outqualifying the number 89 for the first time since Barcelona.

    From that huge shot of adrenaline though, it became an ebb of tension as the laps ticked down. Bastianini led Alex Marquez, both in some clear air. Bagnaia was in a “safe” third, and Martin a “safe fourth” as the battle behind was the next.

    By five laps to go, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had arrived at Bezzecchi, and this time the Yamaha rider struck quickly, slicing through almost immediately. The he was left trying to hold off the mighty power of the Ducati out the final corner and down the main straight into Turn 1, but it was mission accomplished – Quartararo was up into the top five as Bezzecchi officially dropped out on title contention.

    At the front, Bastianini pounded on. With just over a second in hand, sometimes up to 1.5, the Beast was keeping very calm as he carried on – and very, very fast. He crossed the line for his first win since Aragon last year with a second and a half in hand, becoming the seventh different winner this season. Alex Marquez returned to the Grand Prix podium in second, Bagnaia took that vital third, and Martin was forced to settle for fourth to end the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia 14 points adrift. Still, there are 74 left in play.

    Quartararo took fifth from Bezzecchi, with Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Franco Morbidelli putting on a charge into seventh and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) P8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was hot on the heels on the Australian, and they had Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) for company too as he completed the top ten. 

    Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) and his teammate Pol Espargaro completed the points – with one notable name missing out on some being Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he crashed out of the battle with Miller and Diggia, rider ok.

    That’s it from Sepang and another stunning weekend. Every point is pivotal, and now it’s just 14 of them with 74 to play for. This is it: Pecco vs Martin. One of them will be crowned the 2023 FIM MotoGP™ World Champion… and the first match point comes in Qatar for Bagnaia. So don’t go anywhere… it’s GAME ON next weekend!

  • MotoGP riders gear up for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

    MotoGP riders gear up for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

    Quartararo, Aleix Espargaro, Bastianini and Bagnaia talk business in Barcelona

    Barcelona, 2 June 2022: Ahead of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, the pre-event Press Conference saw reigning Champion and Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) joined by closest challenger and home hero Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), three-time MotoGP™ race winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Mugello victor Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) to talk about the weekend ahead.

    Here are some key quotes!

    On a new deal with Yamaha:
    Fabio Quartararo: “It was not an easy decision and we took a little bit more time to evaluate all of the project and, in the end, Yamaha made a lot of effort to bring a lot of new people and they know where they need to improve. The last two or three years they were working on some areas or another and now they know where they need to improve. They know clearly it’s the power, so I’m super happy because they really understand. They are doing their best to find what we are missing and I believe in the project, so that’s why we took the decision a few weeks ago. Of course, it was a good decision.”

    Why stay with Yamaha?
    FQ20: “My first goal is to have the best bike and the best project like I said before. They convinced me because they’re bringing new people, they are working super hard and they know exactly where they need to improve. In the past maybe they were working on a few different areas but they don’t really accept the bike was slower than the others. Now they know and they are clearly working on this weak point, so that’s what made me take the decision to stay at Yamaha.”

    Thoughts on this weekend?
    “Last year was a strange weekend. I always feel good in this track. I had my first podium here in MotoGP, first win in Moto2, last year we were really fast, so there is no reason we cannot fight for a great result this year. Of course, we know that we have the long straight here but in with Mugello, it was a problem, but we finished second. Hopefully here we can feel much better from tomorrow morning and work a lot better than in Mugello and see if we can have a great pace since FP1.”

    How special is it to come to your home race with a genuine chance of winning?
    Aleix Espargaro: “It’s crazy, sincerely. Every year, the home GP is special, it’s very beautiful, very nice. During my career, when you’re young, it’s more difficult to deal with this pressure, to deal with a lot of people coming, but year-by-year, I have tried to improve this and I make it more normal. But this year again, it’s completely different because I arrive in the best shape of my career, fighting on top, so it’s fantastic. I feel very good and I will try to enjoy it as much as I can, working hard from FP1 to prepare the bike and put a good show on Sunday.”

    Do you feel any extra pressure here as a Championship contender, and if so, how do you deal with it?
    AE41: “Not really. I had extra pressure here when I arrived in 10th, 12th place in the championship and I was dreaming of fighting for the podium. I crashed every year because I went 200 percent and I wasn’t myself and the bike was not ready to go at the results that I was dreaming about. So, actually this year, I don’t have more pressure, it’s the opposite. I know I will enjoy it, I have no doubt that the bike will be competitive here, and I have no doubt that I will be competitive here as well, so I am trying to keep the feet on the ground but enjoy it as much as I can.”

    What do you think will be the strengths of your RS-GP around this circuit?
    AE41: “More or less, the bike is working everywhere. But, for example, in Mugello behind Fabio, I struggled a lot on the change of direction, he was able to carry a lot more speed than me. Here in Barcelona, there is less change of direction, but also the engine performance is very, very important, so Pecco and ‘Bestia’ will be very strong as well because they’ve been also on the last races. Of course, every circuit has its points that are good and bad for my bike, but I think Barcelona suits the RS-GP quite well.”

    Tell us about your helmet this weekend:
    AE41: “Four years ago, here during the Barcelona GP, my twins were born, and my girl had a problem with her heart. She’s been operated on twice, and I suffered a lot then. It is to thank CorAll Family and the group of doctors that did everything possible. I have a feeling that I arrive now and I have a huge impact on people, on society, so it’s my way of saying thanks to them, and paying tribute to them. Mia is still too young to realise this, but for the doctors, for everyone at CorAll Family, it’s my way of saying thanks to them.”

    Thoughts on the weekend?
    Enea Bastianini: “It’s a nice track for me. It’s fast but also a very technical circuit. I come from a not-so-beautiful race in Mugello because I crashed. I’m motivated to start in the best mood here. Last year it was a little bit complicated for me, the first time with the MotoGP bike and the grip of the asphalt is not too high. I have to adapt my riding style a little bit this year. We will see what we can do and we have to do our 100% percent.

    “I have to be more consistent because I’ve made some really good races but then some are not really nice like in Mugello and in Portimao. I have to do more to stay more concentrated in the future and also to enjoy it.

    “In Le Mans but also in Mugello I missed a little bit of feeling on the front, especially in the entry of the corner. I think we understand why it’s been difficult for me to stop the bike in straight-line braking. We know what we have to modify on the setup to resolve this problem.”

    Catalunya has not always been a great track for you; what are your thoughts going into this weekend?
    Francesco Bagnaia: “In 10 years in the World Championship, I have never had a good result here. My last podium was in 2012, in the Spanish championship, so I have to change this situation a bit. In any case, it’s one of my favourite Grands Prix of the year, I always like to travel here, I like the track, I like the people, and it’s great. But, for sure it will be important to do the same work we did last weekend, from FP1. We already know that racing here is like doing flat track, so it will be very important to understand that and improve our grip with the setting.”

    Will the key focus in practice be on how to manage the tyres for the last 10 laps of the race?
    FB63: “Yeah, the drop-off of the tyres on this track, especially on the right side, is heavy, so it will not be easy. Last year, the three guys on the podium, and Fabio, had the hard rear, so the consumption is high, and it will be very important to be smart in the race. It will not be easy because normally when the grip is low, we have to change the setting a bit, because my setting is a bit different, so let’s see. We will have a lot of work to do in these days but I am quite sure that we will be competitive.”

    Do you think you and the other three riders seated here are the clear Championship contenders now?
    FB63: “It’s the same as what I said in Mugello. I think that we can be the contenders for the title. There is still a lot of races to go but at the moment, it’s like this…”

  • Bastianini breaks Le Mans lap record on Friday

    Bastianini breaks Le Mans lap record on Friday

    Beast mode engaged! The Italian tops Day 1 ahead of Aleix Espargaro and Rins

    Le Mans, 13 May 2022: Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) was back in Beast mode at the SHARK Grand Prix de France, fastest on Friday and with a new lap record of a 1’31.148 despite a subsequent crash. The Gresini rider heads the timesheets into Saturday by two tenths ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), who’s keeping that constant presence in the top echelons rolling. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completed the top three, less than a tenth off the Aprilia ahead.

    FP1
    Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro put in a 1:31.771 to end the first session of the weekend on top, the Spaniard with 0.109s to spare over compatriot Rins. Jerez winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the top three ahead of reigning World Champion, home hero and Spanish GP sparring partner Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), with Aleix Espargaro rounding out the front five.

    2020 World Champion Joan Mir made sure it was both GSX-RRs in the top six at the start of the weekend, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) rounding out the top 10.

    It was a drama-free session for the top ten, but less so for KTM. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed at Turn 3, rider ok, and teammate Miguel Oliveira went down twice, at Turns 6 and 10. The Portuguese rider headed to the Medical Centre for an X-Ray on his hand and was given the all-clear. Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s Raul Fernandez also fell at Turn 10, rider ok.

    Bastianini also crashed, at Garage Vert, and Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) went down at Turn 11.

    On the flip side, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) didn’t crash but did put in a memorable save as he picked up his RC213V on the kerb at Turn 8.
    FP2
    Bagnaia had been fastest for much of the 45-minute session before Aleix Espargaro took over, but Bastianini then clocked a 1:31.523. However, the Italian had the lap chalked off after a shortcut at Chemin aux Boeufs, but he regrouped with a 1:31.148s just before the chequered flag, aka a new lap record.

    No sooner had he reset Johann Zarco’s All Time Lap Record, which dates back to 2018, did the Italian have a spill when he lost the front at the Turn 3/Turn 4 chicane. Rider ok though, and top of the timesheets.

    Aleix Espargaro also improved his laptime but remained second in the session, and overall, having notched up a 1:31.350. Rins had been second-quickest in FP1 and proved that was no fluke with third in FP2, too.

    Zarco grabbed some headlines too as he almost crashed at Turn 2 but pressed on through the gravel trap and rejoined, but despite that the Frenchman moved up to fourth overall. He ended the day as second Ducati, just pipping Bagnaia.

    Mir crashed in the session, rider ok, and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered a spill and a run off, rider also ok.

    Provisional Q2 places
    Behind Bastianini, Aleix Espargaro, Rins, Zarco and Bagnaia, it’s reigning Champion Quartararo who slots into sixth. KTM’s Brad Binder is seventh ahead of Mir, with Pol Espargaro in the combined top 10 by virtue of his FP1 benchmark. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) was ninth in FP2 and 10th overall.

    With work to do in FP3 is therefore Miller, who sits 11th on combined times, and Marc Marquez down in P15. Can they hit back in FP3 and move through? That starts at 9:55 (GMT +2), before qualifying from 14:10!

  • Enea Bastianini masterclass at display in Austin: MotoGP

    Enea Bastianini masterclass at display in Austin: MotoGP

    Austin, 10 April 2022: Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) is now a two-time MotoGP race winner! The Beast delivered a Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas masterclass to retake the title lead heading to Europe, taking Ducati’s first win at the venue and staking his claim on a serious charge for the crown at the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship here on Sunday.

    Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) scrapped it out on the last lap for second, with the Suzuki rider coming out on top with a late lunge – and thus securing Suzuki’s 500th podium. Miller, nevertheless, took his first rostrum of the season.

    Behind the fight for the win, there was also an almighty comeback ride from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)…

    As the lights went out, Miller  got the best start of the leading Ducati trio on the front row and grabbed the holeshot ahead of Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), but thus began the drama for the number 93. The eight-time World Champion suffered an issue off the line, plummeting through the order to the very back of the field. He got going, and then the race was on.

    From left: Miller, Bastianini and Rins at the Podium celebrations on Sunday. A MotoGP image

    Up ahead, Bastianini got the better Bagnaia for P3 on Lap 1 as Martin lunged for the lead at the penultimate corner. Miller instantly retaliated though and it was the Australian who held the race lead baton on Lap 2. It was a Ducati 1-2-3-4-5, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) scrapping away with Pecco for P4, followed by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Rins and Joan Mir in P6, P7 and P8 behind the Desmosedici quintet.

    The fifth round of the MotoGP World Championship in Algarve, Portugal is on April 24.

    By Lap 5 meanwhile, Marc Marquez had climbed his way up to 13th. Lap 7 saw him pass teammate Pol Espargaro at Turn 12 and in doing so, the number 93 was inside the top 10 – 0.6s off Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) in eighth and just five seconds off the lead.

    Further up the road, Rins had pounced on Pecco and the Ducati stranglehold had been breached on Lap 6. Rins was an absolute demon on brakes into Turn 11 and the Spaniard picked off Zarco on Lap 9, crucially holding the Frenchman at bay coming out of Turn 12 too. Rins then latched himself onto the coattails of third place Bastianini, diving up the inside of the ‘Beast’ at Turn 11 on the next lap but Bastianini able to power back past.

    Meanwhile, Marc Marquez had picked off Aleix Espargaro and had Quartararo next on his list as the number 93 set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 11 of 20.

    Lap 12 saw Bastianini slice past Martin into second at Turn 1, and Rins followed Bestia through and into third. Up ahead, Miller had opened up a 0.7s lead as the Australian pushed on doing the leg work of leading, with Bagnaia, Mir and Zarco battling it out as the top nine riders down to Marc Marquez were split by five seconds – and the latter, once again, set the fastest lap of the race. 

    It was all happening. Lap 14 saw Quartararo push his way past countryman Zarco as the number 5 dropped backwards, and Marc Marquez then passed Quartararo on the back straight as, up ahead, both Mir and Pecco made their way through on Martin. Bastianini, in second, then set the best lap of the race as Miller’s lead was cut to 0.3s, the race for the win very much on. The top two also had 1.4s in hand to Rins, who in turn had 1.3s to teammate Mir. Could the Suzukis bridge the gap?

    With five laps to go, it looked like it was only a matter of time before Bastianini took the lead off Miller. Sure enough, ducking into the slipstream of the Australian, Bastianini then sliced up the inside of the number 43, hitting the front at Turn 12.

    How would Miller respond? Bastianini eked out about three tenths and with three laps to go, the gap was half a second. From there, it only grew – and Rins was closing in fast, too. The Suzuki was now 0.7s behind Miller, Mir was a further second down the road, Bagnaia 0.8s off Mir, and Marquez and Quartararo were getting their gloves off as they shoved Martin down to P8.

    Starting the final lap, Bastianini had 1.6s in his pocket and it seemed his to lose. Miller was now on defence duty against a charging Rins, with Mir not too far off the podium fight either. Bagnaia was in a lonelier fifth, and Marquez vs Quartararo was a sensation in the battle for sixth.

    For second, the fight started at Turn 11 as the Suzuki got by, but Miller got his Ducati hooked up on the straight and the Aussie was back into P2. Rins then got a great run out of Turn 18, and at Turn 19, the number 42 went for it and dived up the inside. Stopped and turned to perfection, there was no way back for Miller and that was that: Bastianini a MotoGP™ race winner once more, Rins taking second and making that history for Suzuki, and Miller forced to settle for third but still taking a first podium of the season.

    Mir’s podium attack didn’t quite come to fruition in the end but it’s a second consecutive P4 for the 2020 World Champion, with Bagnaia also taking a second successive result, his of fifth. And then came Marquez…

    From 24th to sixth was a truly stunning comeback, enough even without threatening the podium for it to be a serious warning shot for the rest. Quartararo gave it some elbows to try and deny the number 93 though, taking P7 in the end but the top Iwata machine by some margin.

    Martin slipped to P8 as the Pramac duo struggled in the second half of the race, with Zarco just behind in P9. Maverick Viñales got the better of Aprilia Racing teammate Aleix Espargaro as the Aprilias pick up P10 and P11 from P13 and P14 on the grid, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) coming home in P12 on a difficult weekend for KTM.

    A fatigued and under the weather Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) saw the chequered flag in P13, just ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) crossed the line in P15 but was demoted one place, handing Andrea Dovizioso (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) the final point.

    Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed out, the former headed to the medical centre for a check-up and was declared fit.

    What a way to celebrate 500 GPs of racing together, with Bastianini putting on a show to remember at the Circuit of the Americas. The Beast is back on top and in winning race #GP500, joins Cal Crutchlow (400th), Casey Stoner (300th), Valentino Rossi (200th), Kenny Roberts Jr (100th) and Mick Doohan, the first winner of the era back in 1992, with a nice little milestone.

    Now the stunning Autodromo Internacional do Algarve awaits, with a very different looking Championship table to the one on MotoGP™’s last visit. What will the rollercoaster bring? Find out in two weeks!

    MotoGP podium:
    1 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 41’23.111
    2 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – +2.058
    3 Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +2.312

    Enea Bastianini: “Fantastic day! It has been really hard this race. The first part of the race Miller put a very fast pace, but then during the middle of the race when I saw Rins very close to me trying to overtake me many times I decided it was time to push for the front because also the temperature of the front tyre was too high. In the end I pushed like a bastard. It’s incredible to win here in America it’s a fantastic track, fantastic people and now it’s time to eat some hamburgers.!”

    FULL RESULTS

  • Honda end Shakedown on top, Bastianini fastest rookie

    Honda end Shakedown on top, Bastianini fastest rookie

    Bradl rules a windy day in the desert and the Moto2 graduates get their first taste of the premier class as MotoGP™ shakes down in Doha

    Doha, 5 March 2021: MotoGP is Back! The Shakedown Test officially got 2021 underway at Losail International Circuit in Qatar on Friday, meaning it’s rookies and test riders only until Saturday welcomes the rest of the grid to the party. At the Shakedown, it was HRC test rider Stefan Bradl who finished finished top of the pile, the German pulling 1.2 seconds clear at the top despite the pace staying a fair margin away from “normal” Qatar speed. His 1:55.614 is a couple of seconds down on the all-time lap record and he rode around with a carbon inserted chassis, the same one he finished the season so brilliantly on in 2020.

    A big reason for the laptimes was the windy conditions, making it difficult for the riders to get a decent amount of running in and even causing their own Red Flag involving no riders. For three rookies – Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama), Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) – it was still first ever contact with their MotoGP machinery, however, and there was a buzzword for all: “FAST.” Bastianini was the quickest of the three, fourth overall after 35 laps. At this stage though, it’s all about gaining experience and the first one out was Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia), the Italian eventually finishing P8 after 33 laps. Martin, meanwhile, endured his first MotoGP crash, but the Spaniard was unhurt when he went down on the exit of Turn 3 after hitting a bump. Martin finished his maiden day as a premier class rider with a 1:58.875 in P10 after 31 laps.

    Back at the top between Bradl and Bastianini, two Yamaha test bikes were inside the top three on the timesheets, and their testing duty was split between three riders: multiple Grand Prix winner Cal Crutchlow as he returns to the fold in a testing capacity, alongside Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane. The bikes were numbered and counted on the timesheets, not the riders – but Crutchlow seemed to be back on it! The third machine was registered in P6 and overall, the Iwata marque did more than 100 laps.

    Bastianini (sporting his new number) was the fastest rookie. A MotoGP image

    Ducati Lenovo Team test rider Michele Pirro ended the day 0.005s behind Bastianini in fifth place, and the Italian was seen riding Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia and Johann Zarco’s (Pramac Racing) machines during the Shakedown Test. Ducati debuted new wings, and we’re surely going to be seeing more innovations from the Bologna factory throughout the Qatar Test when all the riders are out on track. It’s become almost a tradition.

    Meanwhile at Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Lorenzo Savadori is, like the Moto2 graduates, also gearing up for his first full season as a premier class rider and he was out on Aprilia’s pretty much all-new RS-GP. As Simon Crafar reported from on the ground in Qatar, the 2021 machine is basically a whole new package. It features a new engine that gives improved power across its range, a new seat unit, a new top and bottom exhaust along with a new tail unit, new front aero and in addition, Aprilia have a holeshot device attached to the rear linkage. Savadori wasn’t joined on track by teammate Aleix Espargaro, the Spaniard choosing to sit out Friday’s running, but the rookie Italian headed out on the number 41 bike at stages. He was seventh after posting a 1:58.273.

    Sylvain Guintoli and Takuya Tsuda were lapping on Team Suzuki Ecstar’s GSX-RRs, the duo finished P9 and P12 respectively. Guintoli said that Suzuki have a major programme ahead with testing new parts and the Frenchman was over the moon to be back on the bike after five months off. The reigning team World Champions will welcome reigning riders’ Champion Joan Mir and teammate Alex Rins for the rest of the track action to join in the workload. Will they remain the team to beat in 2021?

    At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa was putting in the laps, the Spaniard finishing 11th on the timesheets. The number 26 was seen testing a new tail unit for the Austrian factory and he completed 34 laps. Pedrosa’s four teammates – including Tech3 KTM Factory Racing – will be on track tomorrow to join the programme.

    With the wind causing plenty of issues for the Shakedown Test, an already busy and vital Qatar Test is about to become even busier over the next week! Saturday sees all the full-time riders get their legs over MotoGP bikes for the first time in 2021.

  • Bastianini wins the 2020 Moto2 World Championship

    Bastianini wins the 2020 Moto2 World Championship

    Portimao, 22 Nov 2020: Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) is the 2020 FIM Moto2™ World Champion. The Italian took the crown with fifth place in the Grande Premio MEO de Portugal, enough to finish nine points clear of both Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).

    Bastianini began his career on minibikes in Italy before his first taste of the Grand Prix paddock came in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2013. Ending the year in fourth and taking two victories and a pole, it was an impressive performance from the Italian and he moved up to the Moto3™ World Championship the year after. In his rookie year he took three podiums and ended the year inside the top ten overall – as well as being named Rookie of the Year.

    The next season saw Bastianini become a Grand Prix winner as he won his first race at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, and he finished the season third overall after six podiums and four poles. He was again a winner in 2016 as he took victory in Motegi, and ended the year second overall in the standings. 2017 proved a tougher season but the ‘Beast’ gained traction by the end of the year to end the season with another three podiums to his name. The following year he was back to winning ways with victory in the Catalan Grand Prix and six podiums overall, proving a perfect springboard for a move to Moto2™ for 2019.

    Bastianini’s rookie season in the intermediate class began with three top tens in a row and he was into the top five by Catalunya, showing off his impressive ability to adapt once again. Brno saw him take his first podium, and he was fighting for Rookie of the Year before getting crashed out in Austria and injury seeing him sit out the following British Grand Prix. He finished the year with some more top tens, but moreover, the seeds were sown for his sophomore year in the class.

    Bastianini

    As 2020 began under the floodlights, Bastianini took a podium first time out and immediately established himself as a frontrunner. Once competition re-started in Jerez the Italian had a tougher race in the Spanish Grand Prix, but he bounced back with two wins in a row to put himself well in contention for the title. Bad luck hit again in Austria as he crashed out, with 10th place next time out at the Red Bull Ring proving a more muted return to the points in the Styrian Grand Prix. But the ‘Beast’ got back to his consistent frontrunning ways thereafter, taking a third place and a win in the two races at Misano.

    A sixth in Catalunya then prefaced an 11th place in France, but Bastianini kept calm to get back on the rostrum once again at Aragon with a second and third. As key rival Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) won three in a row, it was the best damage control the Italian could do and it kept him well in touch before the European GP proved a turning point.

    As Lowes crashed out, Bastianini fought back from 15th on the grid to take fourth and with it the Championship lead. That gave him his first shot at the title on take two at Valencia, and with Lowes suffering the after-effects of an FP3 crash the momentum was suddenly all with the Italian. After another tougher qualifying down in 12th, Bastianini produced yet another great comeback to finish P6. Not enough for the title in Valencia though. 

    This left the ‘Beast’ with a 14-point advantage over Lowes – who finished P14 in Valencia – heading to the final race of the season. Marini and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) were also in the hunt, 18 and 23 points adrift, so the pressure was on. However, Bastianini dealt with it incredibly well. A last dash P4 in qualifying and an equally great P5 in a fantastic and tense race was enough to see the number 33 claim his first World Championship crown.

    An outstanding season ends with Bastianini finishing on 205 points, helped by three wins and seven podiums in 15 races. Congratulations to Enea Bastianini and the Italtrans Racing Team on an awesome 2020 campaign, a wonderful sign off as The Beast looks forward to his MotoGP™ debut in 2021!

    Enea Bastianini: “Incredible feeling. Today is the best day of my life I think. The race was really hard, the pace was really fast and in the middle of the race I thought, ‘ok, I have to push more’ because I was in sixth and Sam was at the front. I risked a bit more. And finally when I saw on the last lap, 2020 World Champion… it’s a dream come true for me. And I dedicate this World Championship to the guys, my trainer, my family, to all the team and to all the paddock because it’s been a very difficult season with Covid. It’s fantastic to be able to race this year. It was a dramatic situation.

    “The strategy was to be fast the first two or three laps and get to the front, but when Luca and Sam overtook me I thought, ‘ok, now I need to stay behind’. When I was in sixth I thought to push more, because if Sam won I had to be fourth. but then I saw Sam in third and I knew fifth was good for me. It wasn’t necessary to overtake Marco. It’s incredible this season, for me.

    “It’s important to be consistent, this Championship was short – good for me because I took three victories and seven podiums, one zero in Austria, and this was the key to the Championship. Luca and Sam were really fast. Now there’s another dream, MotoGP™, and I know it ill be hard to be fast, lots of electronics and I have to adapt my style for this. I think I have time to improve and we’ll see what we can do next year!”