INDIA in F1

Tag: Luca Marini

  • Luca Marini strikes late to take pole position

    Luca Marini strikes late to take pole position

    A stunning qualifying session at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar bubbled up to an incredible crescendo on Saturday, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) striking late with a near-perfect lap to take pole position with a new lap record. He pipped Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP) by just 0.067s, with Sepang Tissot Sprint winner Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) completing the front row.

    The two title contenders both got bumped off that front row, but they aren’t far away by any means: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) takes P4 and has Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) right alongside in P5, with the duo split by just 0.022s. On Friday it was 0.007s, with incredible parity so far in the desert to set up two fascinating showdowns under the floodlights. 

    Q1
    After the first runs in a star-studded Q1, it was Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) leading the way ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), after just losing out on making the cut in Practice, next up. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), meanwhile, was dead last despite topping FP2, having seen his hot lap interrupted by a front end save.

    As soon as Quartararo headed back out though, the red sectors started coming in. Two tenths up in the first sector, nearly half a second in the second, and with company from Alex Marquez tucked in behind setting similar sectors too. As both crossed the line, the number 73 took 0.087 out of El Diablo as it became an AM73-FQ20 1-2 in Q1, and under the lap record. Could anyone beat it? Zarco could indeed, pipping Alex Marquez by just 0.055 as the two moved through, leaving Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Quartararo just missing out.

    Q2
    The first benchmark came from Diggia as two pairings made their way around: Bagnaia followed by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), slotting into fourth and fifth, and Martin behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). That nearly saw some drama as Martin tried to pass but couldn’t find a way through, but next time round with some more space, the number 89 put in a fast one and shot up to third behind Marini and Diggia at the top.

    Then, Martin pulled back intp pitlane just as Bagnaia pulled back out of the garage, with… you guessed it, Marc Marquez for company once again. And the two were setting red sectors, but so was Diggia. The number 49 completed his second shot at it by cutting a stunning three and a half tenths off his own provisional pole time, setting the first ever 1:51 of Lusail.

    Bagnaia was next and took over in second, two tenths off, with Marc Marquez not quite able to pip him to it but taking a provisional front row. The next assault was from Alex Marquez and it was CLOSE, with the number 73 making it a Gresini 1-2 to push Bagnaia down to third. Next up there were red sectors from Martin but the lap went away, and then it looked like Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing)) could challenge at the top before the Aprilia lost time in the final part of the lap. 

    But then came Marini. The Italian kept it absolutely pinned, just able to deny compatriot Diggia by 0.067s, and that was that after an awesome flurry of activity on the timesheets late on. Marini heads Diggia and Alex Marquez, with all three setting 1:51s and a second quicker than the 2021 lap record. The Independent Team riders shine under the floodlights, pushing the two contenders down to Row 2 as the penultimate 37 points of the year go up for grabs.
    THE GRID
    Behind Marini, Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez, the two contenders will be looking to make big gains from the off from Row 2, Bagnaia just 0.020 ahead of Martin. Zarco in sixth will be an interesting one to watch too.

    Then comes Marc Marquez, Viñales and Friday’s fastest Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) on Row 3. Aleix Espargaro is down in P10 ahead of a Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) looking to make a classic Binder charge when the lights go out, the South African in P11. Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) locks out the Q2 crowd in P12.

    After losing out in Q1, Bezzecchistarts P13 just ahead of Quartararo. Sepang winner Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) is next up in P15, and after coming across Iker Lecuona (LCR Honda Castrol) on a hot lap in Q1. Lecuona has a three-place grid penalty for that. Miller heads Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) in P16 and P17 after the Australian also thought the Portugese rider held him up in a tight, tight Q1
  • Luca Marini tops FP2 as India makes its historic debut in MotoGP as a new venue

    Luca Marini tops FP2 as India makes its historic debut in MotoGP as a new venue

    New Delhi, 22 Sept. 2023: India became a new venue for the World Motorcycle Racing Championship. As BIC hosted the MotoGP practice sessions on this historic Friday, India joined a select club of Nations that have hosted MotoGP.

    History made! Just 0.008 splits Marini and Martin as MotoGP™ debuts in India. The duo are split by almost nothing as Aleix Espargaro sits just 0.051 off the top in third and Marc Marquez slots into P4.

    The conditions were sweltering but the riders made the most of it and tried to put up their best performance on the practice day of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida on Friday.  

    In the premier MotoGP category, it was a bit of a surprise as Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing team) topped the second practice session with a time of 1:44:782, while rising star Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) recorded 1:44:790. Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing clocked 1:44:833.  

    Jorge Martin who clocked the second fastest time on Friday. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    Eight-times champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda was fourth in the standings of the second free practice, while Marco Bezzecchi was fifth. Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team was sixth, while Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo was in eighth position.

    Marc Marquez said: “When we arrive at a new track it’s true that I am able to quickly find the limit of the track. From FP1 I was there and in FP2 we were able to stay there even if we lost a little bit of margin as the overall grip came up. But finally, we were able to get a spot in Q2, which is the target, but I think many riders will make a step tomorrow. The front three rows of the grid and the objective for tomorrow and then let’s see what happens in the Sprint. The heat here is different to at other tracks but I don’t think it will be a big issue for tomorrow, for the long race on Sunday we will have to see.”

    Fabio Quartararo said: The day didn‘t start super good. I only completed about nine laps in the morning, so to learn this difficult track in the afternoon was not easy. Physically the track is not very tough, it‘s just the heat. I had to get straight into the game, and we achieved our goal of getting straight into Q2, so it was a pretty good day. Hopefully we can fight for a spot on the front three rows tomorrow and fight for a great result in the Sprint.

    Marc Marquez clocks fourth fastest time in FP2. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    In the Moto2 class, Tony Abrolino of Elf Marc VDS Racing Team set a time of 1:52:105, while Pedro Acosta was second with 1:52:170, with Ai Ogura coming in third with a time of 1:52:188. 

    India’s Kadai Yashin Ahmed suffered a crash during the second free practice session.  

    In the second Moto3 free practice, Collin Veijer of the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP scored the fastest time of 01:59:566, while Jaume Masia of Leopard Racing was second in 01:59:752, while Stefano Nepa of Angeluss MTS Team was third with 02:00:122.  

    Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing remained in the top-three times at BIC on Friday.
    Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    In the first MotoGP practice, Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46 Racing Team topped the charts with a time of 01:45:990, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez second behind him at 01:36:129 and Brad Binder, from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, was third with 01:46:3100. 

    In Moto2, Somkiat Chandra of the Idemitsu Honda Team Asia was first with 01:52:596, while Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Ajowa was second behind him at 01:52:878 Ai Ogura of Idemitsu Honda Team Asia was third at 01:53:495.  

    Earlier, in the first free practice session for Moto3, Jaume Masia of Leopard Racing, with a timing of 02:00:324 was the fastest. He was followed by Diogo Moreira of MT Helmets with a time of 02:00:465, while Stefano Nepa of Angeluss MTA Team was third with 02:00:615 minutes.  

    Meanwhile, spiritual guru Sadhguru took a few laps of the Buddh International Circuit before the start of the day’s action.  

    Saturday will have the free practice three, qualifying and the Tissot Sprint race for the MotoGP class. 

    SHOWTIME
    The stage is set for Qualifying and then the Tissot Sprint. Make sure you tune in:

    MotoGP™ FP2: 10:40
    MotoGP™ Q1: 11:20
    MotoGP™ Q2: 11:45
    Tissot Sprint: 15:30

  • MotoGP: 539 days later, Rins puts Honda back on top

    MotoGP: 539 days later, Rins puts Honda back on top

    Rins wins, Pecco crashes, Marini takes a debut podium and Quartararo returns to parc ferme after another shake-up on Sunday.

    Austin, Monday, 17 April 2023: 539 days and 24 Grands Prix have passed since Honda were last on top, and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) has brought that long wait to an end with a truly-impressive ride to glory at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.

    The number 42 was pressuring Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) at the front of the field until the number 1 slid out, and from there on out Rins was on a mission to just keep. that. gap. And that he did, getting the hammer down once Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) had made it past Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and taking the flag with time in hand to celebrate. That brings Honda’s longest winless streak since they returned to the premier class in 1982 to an end, it’s  the first LCR victory since 2018 and the team’s 100th podium in the Grand Prix paddock. It also means Rins has won a staggering 50% of the last six MotoGP™ races… and on two different bikes. How’s that for a one-man stat pack?

    Behind Rins’ headline-grabber, Marini made his own as he held station in second once he was past Quartararo, and the Italian takes his first Grand Prix podium to follow up a first Tissot Sprint podium last weekend. For Quartararo, meanwhile, it’s a return to the rostrum for the first time since Malaysia last year as he turned the page following a tougher opening stint to 2023.

    As the lights went out, it was the perfect start for Pecco as the Italian took the holeshot, with Rins in hot pursuit. There was drama on Lap 1 for others though as the Ducatis of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) crashed out, the latter losing the front and then collecting a hapless number 73. Then more drama as Aprilia Captain Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also fell victim to an issue, reportedly after an issue with his holeshot device.

    In the meantime, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has come flying through the field to put himself in third place from 10th on the grid. Quartararo was hot on the tail of the Aussie too as Marini sat just inside the top five.

    Bagnaia was putting on pressure early on as he attempted to stretch out the field, but Rins wasn’t having any of it as the Spaniard latched himself onto the back of the factory Ducati. Rins, in return, piled the pressure on the number 1… and Bagnaia did, indeed, slide out of the lead. Now Rins was in a race against himself and the couple of seconds he had in hand, with some history on the line just waiting to be made.

    Meanwhile, with 14 laps to go Miller had crashed out, rider ok, and that put fast-starting Quartararo up into second once Rins was the lone star in the lead. Marini was shadowing Quartararo’s every move though, and with 3.5s to the battle for 4th behind, the duo was putting the hammer down in hopes of catching the LCR Honda man out front.

    With the laps ticking away and the gap not coming down, Marini decided it was time to make a move on the flying Frenchman and got past, then able to stay ahead and solely start to edge away.. With five to go, the Italian had just under a second in his back pocket and that second place was his barring any drama.

    He couldn’t catch Rins, however, and the LCR rider had time to celebrate over the line as he took yet another impressive win. He doesn’t always win – although lately, he has done half of the time – but when he does, it’s usually a highly notable day at the office and deserves a chapeau, this time cowboy-styled.

    Marini brought home his Ducati for second and a first Grand Prix podium in the MotoGP™ class, with Quartararo snatching his first podium of 2023 in third as his focus switched to fending off fourth in the latter stages.

    That fight was won by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as he stretched away from Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) despite plummeting down the order at the start, with Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) taking sixth. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed out of that fight, rider ok and rejoined but took three points at the back.

    Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) were next up, with Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) completing the top ten and taking his first rookie top ten in the process.

    The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas did not disappoint as MotoGP™  leaves the USA after another shuffle, but it remains Bezzecchi in the points lead and Bagnaia second. Now get ready for more action at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España in two weeks!
     

  • 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!”

  • Bagnaia, Martin crowned World champions in Sepang; Marquez scores after leader Rossi crashes!

    Bagnaia, Martin crowned World champions in Sepang; Marquez scores after leader Rossi crashes!

    Marc Marquez flanked by 2nd-placed Alex Rins (left) Johann Zarco, 3rd, at the Sepang podium on Sunday. Photo Srinivasa Krishnan

    Sepang, 4 Nov 2018: On a dramatic afternoon at the sun-drenched Sepang International Circuit, Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) were crowned World champions in Moto2 and Moto3, respectively, even as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) claimed his 70th career win after taking victory at the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who led for much of the race, crashing out.

    Marquez, the 2018 Champion looked set to lock horns with nine-time World Champion Rossi, but the race would end in disaster for ‘The Doctor’, as Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the podium. Marquez’ win also saw Honda sealing the Constructors’ Championship with a round to spare.

    A proud moment for Honda as they seal the Constructors’ championship. Photo: MotoGP

    Rossi got off to a stellar launch from P2, with pole man Zarco slightly sluggish off the line. ‘The Doctor’ got a comfortable holeshot, with Zarco managing to brake late to slot into P2. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) was able to leapfrog Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) into P3 at the start, with Marquez making up one position in P6.

    The premier class riders then settled, but this came after Marquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) exchanged paint on the opening lap. The 2018 Champion would soon start to make his way forward though, despite a hairy last corner moment at the end of the opening lap that led to Iannone crashing out directly behind the seven-time Champion.

    At the front, Rossi and Zarco were off as Yamaha had a 1-2 in the opening exchanges, but Marquez hunted them down after making his way past Miller. The Honda rider soon slipped past Zarco’s M1 machine to have arch-rival Rossi in his sights.

    Valentino Rossi crashed out. Photo: MotoGP

    But the number 46 was in an excellent rhythm as the gap between the duo hovered at 3/4s of a second, with Zarco beginning to lose touch at the halfway stage of the race as Rossi continued to press on – 1.1 now the gap to Marquez as 10 laps ticked over at Sepang.

    With four laps to go, it was disaster for ‘The Doctor’. A return to victory after 26 races went begging as he lost the front of his YZR-M1 at Turn 1. You could hear the hearts of thousands break as he picked up his stricken Yamaha in front of the official Rossi grandstand. This left Marquez with a lonely ride home in P1 while Rins edged past Zarco for P2.

    It was a subdued race for one of the pre-race favourites Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team). The winner here for the last two seasons couldn’t replicate those results as he took P6, but after Rossi’s crash, the Italian has sealed P2 in the Championship.

    FRANCESCO BAGNAIA SEALS TITLE WITH P3

    A memorable moment for Francesco Bagnaia. Photo: MotoGP

    Bagnaia clinched the 2018 Moto2™ World Championship after finishing P3 at Sepang. The Italian finished behind title rival Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to seal the title, with team-mate Luca Marini, the brother of Rossi, making it a memorable day for SKY Racing Team VR46 as he secured his maiden Grand Prix victory.

    As the lights went out, both Bagnaia and Oliveira got off to a flyer. Marini it was who led coming out of Turn 1 after a messy opening corner for his fellow front row starters, Fabio Quartararo (MB Conveyors – Speed Up) and Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) both running in hot. This allowed Bagnaia and Oliveira to slip through up the inside to get into P2 and P3. Pretty much the perfect getaway for ‘Pecco’, who slotted in behind teammate Marini.

    Luca Marini. Photo: MotoGP

    Marini then got himself into a rhythm at the front, with Bagnaia and Oliveira battling away for P2 – the title firmly in Bagnaia’s hands at this early stage of the race, even with Oliveira making a pass stick at Turn 4 with 12 laps to go. The Portuguese rider locked his radar on race leader Marini, who now had a one second lead, with Bagnaia slipping into the clutches of compatriot Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team), with pole sitter Marquez and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) also in hot pursuit of the Championship leader. With six laps to go, it seemed the battle for the win was between Marini and Oliveira, with both Baldassarri and Marquez losing touch in the fight for the final podium spot – Pasini though remained 0.4 behind countryman Bagnaia. In sweltering Sepang conditions, Marini soaked up the pressure from the KTM behind and with two to go, a 0.7 gap had appeared. Going into the final lap, Marini had the biggest lead he’d had for a while, with Bagnaia sitting comfortably in a Championship clinching P3 – over a second was the cushion back to Pasini.

    A STUNNING SEASON FOR JORGE MARTIN

    Jorge Martin crowned Moto3 world champion on Sunday 4 Nov 2018 at Sepang. Photo: Srinivasa Krishnan

    Martin took the title after a stunning season. 7 wins, 9 podiums and 11 poles and the Spaniard weathered the ups and downs of a tense season of competition to come out on top against key rivals Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3).

    Jorge Martin (No.88). Photo: MotoGP

    Martin made his debut on the World stage in 2015 with Mapfre Mahindra, moving up after taking the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. He scored his first point in the season opener in Qatar and became a regular top 15 contender, ending his rookie year in 17th overall. The following season, the rider from Madrid took another step forward – including his first podium in the wet at Brno – but he also missed a couple of races through injury, therefore ending the season just one place further forward in 16th overall. The 2017 seaso saw Martin cement his place at the front as he moved to Del Conca Gresini Moto3, beginning the year on the podium in third at Qatar. He took seven other podiums that season and nine pole positions before scoring his maiden win in the season finale at Valencia to finish fourth Overall in the standings.

    600th Victory For Spain: Today, Martin sealed the championship after claiming a stunning victory, with main Championship rival Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP) slipping down to P5 on the final lap to hand the title to the Spaniard. Martin’s success was Spain’s 600th victory, with Italy (802) the only other country to have claimed more wins than Spain. In total, 43 Spanish riders have stood on the top step of the podium at least once across the 50cc, 80cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP™ classes.