Tag: MotoGP

Santiago del Estero (Argentina), 31 March 2022 : After the announcement that Friday’s track action at the Gran Premio Michelin de la República Argentina would have to be rescheduled, the start of the pre-event Thursday Press Conference took a slightly different tone than usual as World Championship leader Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP), Indonesian GP winner Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Mandalika podium finisher Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) discussed the challenges that lay ahead on Saturday and Sunday.

Indian fans can tune in to EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD to catch all the live action from the 2022 MotoGP championship, with the MotoGP 2022 – Gran Premio Michelin De La República Argentina Qualifying Race scheduled from 23:00 Hrs (11:00 pm IST) onwards on Saturday, April 02, 2022.

“It will be hard for all the mechanics” said Bastianini, as some teams still have none of their apparatus in Argentina to build the garages and get the bikes set up. But every cloud has a silver lining. Losing Friday’s running is disappointing, but once track activity gets underway on Saturday, we face a bumper, non-stop schedule of action that will be thrilling for fans. A challenge for the riders and teams, of course, but it should provide a compelling day that consists of both Free Practice and qualifying.

“I have everything so we can start,” joked Quartararo, who picked up his first podium of the season last time out in Mandalika. “It’s a shame and we really cross our fingers that it arrives tomorrow.

“Basically it will be a challenge, most of all the mechanics, because they will have a lot of work. Saturday will be a long day but on TV it will be nice, we will see if it’s great or not for us. At least we will have it all in one day and only missing one practice.

” The word “challenge” was also used by Oliveira and Zarco when describing what is coming up for the riders and teams on Saturday especially, as well as Sunday with the reduced track time.

“I mean I think we need to be happy considering some teams have nothing and from my side we’re only missing one bike so it’s the least of the problems,” commented Oliveira. “We have to condense the activity for Saturday which will be different and a challenge, especially for mechanics so let’s see how that goes, but happy of course to do something.”

Zarco echoed his rivals’ thoughts: “Tough for the teams that haven’t received anything. The work you usually do in 48 hours they will have only one night so it will be tough. Fortunately for Pramac we have everything, so we are ready.

“Saturday will be a big day but enough practice to get used to the track and also clean the track because it’s been a long time since we raced here. As usual, we will have a slippery feeling and then it will get better so it will be a big day on Saturday. For myself, I like this track and the change in schedule I think it will still be good enough to hope for a good result.”

Just before the quartet of riders sat down for questions, Dorna Sports CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, explained what the situation was in regards to some of the freight not yet arriving in Termas.

“As you know we were in Lombok two weeks ago, everything was prepared well because there was a week in the middle. Last Wednesday we sent two different flights from Lombok to Argentina and one of the flights had a problem in Mombasa, in Africa, then we took the decision that the other flight that had already arrived in Argentina should go back to Lombok, bring the last things of the freight to bring here to Argentina. We did that but unfortunately this flight also has a technical problem, in Mombasa again, and it’s not been able to come.

“In principle it was to take off yesterday to arrive later today, but the problem was bigger than we were aware. Apparently the problem is in a valve of one of the four engines. Two flights have gone to bring the valves to Mombasa. Theoretically the valves are arriving in Mombasa right now, or very soon, to be repaired this afternoon. If everything goes well, around 8 o’clock this evening, the flight will set off on time to do the new schedule prepared for Saturday.”

Once the freight arrives and the teams are all set up, the track action in Argentina should be a belter.

Lombok (Indonesia), 17 March, 2022 : Track action at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia is just around the corner but first on the agenda for Qatar race winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), and reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was the Pre-Event Press Conference.

Indian fans can tune in to EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD to catch all the live action from the 2022 MotoGP championship, with the MotoGP 2022 – Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia Qualifying Race scheduled from 10:00 Hrs (10:00 am IST) onwards on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Will Quartararo and Yamaha be more competitive in Indonesia?

Quartararo’s title defence got off to a disappointing start with a P9 at the season opener, but the Frenchman sounds positive that his season can kickstart in Indonesia. He was second fastest behind Pol Espargaro at the pre-season test, but knows that doesn’t really mean anything ahead of the Grand Prix.

Quartararo: “I think what suits better is to have shorter straights, then testing. I made my time attack in the last minutes of the third day, Pol was already in the box and in the morning it was much more difficult I felt. Let’s see. We have all of Friday and Saturday to understand. Let’s see how the forecast is, but what is sure I will do my best to be there and fight where we feel we can fight.”

Marc Marquez aiming to build on a “solid weekend” in Qatar

A fifth place finish at the Lusail International Circuit was a good start to 2022 for Marc Marquez. It was a solid foundation to build from at the start of the season and heading to Indonesia, the eight-time World Champion’s aim is to improve on the result picked up a couple of weekends ago.

Marc Marquez: “In Qatar it was a solid weekend. Nothing really special but we were there, not too far from the top positions, that was my target. Of course, I tried, I tried to be on the podium and to follow Enea when he overtook me but it was not the day, not the time. Let’s see, our target this weekend is to improve the result from Qatar, and then in Argentina, improve the result from here.

“Step by step, I’m feeling good. 22 laps in a row, it was the best feeling I had during the last two years. Let’s see how we can approach this weekend. As you say, Pol was one of the fastest ones in the Test so he will be one of the guys this weekend. Enea, Fabio and Brad are also there. Many new faces, but they are riding fast.”

“I expect a tight race” – is the test anything to go by this weekend?

Fastest at the Official Mandalika MotoGP™ Test in February was Qatar podium finisher Pol Espargaro, but he and his fellow competitors aren’t taking too much from the test in predicting what might happen this weekend. Testing is completely different to a Grand Prix weekend, and with changes such as the resurfacing and a new Michelin tyre compound, there’s plenty of unknowns to deal with ahead of the race on Sunday afternoon.

Pol Espargaro: “It was good in pre-season here I enjoy this place. It was not easy to handle three days of testing here but I was not the only fast guy here: Enea was very fast, Marc was very fast, Fabio was very fast. Ducatis were not super fast, the factory guys, but sure they’re going to be there after solving the problems in Qatar. I expect a tight race, everyone is going to be there and hopefully we can be there as well, the same as Qatar, and fight for something great.”

Brad Binder: “The Test was pretty good for us a few weeks ago. From the first few laps we had a pretty good feeling and as the weekend went on we tried a few different things; some good, some not so good. In general, our pace wasn’t bad at all and when I went to do a time attack, I was able to do quite a good lap time. I feel strong and good coming into this weekend and want to take it one day at a time, one session at a time, and Sunday give my all and see where we end up.”

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What can we expect from the test?
A glance through what we’ve seen from the factories so far, and what they’re looking to improve this season

YAMAHA
After a damp squib ending to 2020 for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), the Frenchman shot out the blocks this season to take his first MotoGP™ World Championship, the first for Yamaha since 2015 and the first premier class crown for France. There were a number of big shuffles around him however, with Franco Morbidelli moving to become his teammate, MotoGP™ Legend Valentino Rossi retiring, and the return of Andrea Dovizioso to the Iwata marque. 

For 2022, Quartararo and Morbidelli remain at Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ and Dovizioso heads up the new WithU Yamaha RNF team alongside rookie Darryn Binder. At Jerez, Quartararo tested the same bike as the Misano Test earlier in 2021, a new swingarm and new anti-wheelie electronics. The Iwata marque also had updated front fairings and a new chassis was on show on Day 1, before a modified version on Day 2. Work also continued on the 2022 engine.

The Shakedown saw Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane share testing duties before a brief stint for Cal Crutchlow on Day 3 too, with the riders sharing T1- and T2-labelled machines. The Brit was recently announced as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ test rider for another two years, and is expected to return to the track at the Sepang Test too. What more will we see from Yamaha on Saturday and Sunday? Late last season, Quartararo was clear about his shopping list for 2022: better power, less wheelie and more rear grip.

DUCATI
The momentum only grew for Ducati throughout 2021, despite an entirely fresh factory team line-up. The Bologna factory sealed another constructors’ crown with a supreme run of podiums and wins for their machinery, Francesco Bagnaia put together an incredible campaign to challenge for the riders’ title, and teammate Jack Miller took victories and podiums to ensure Ducati Lenovo Team sealed the teams’ Championship. So far, that momentum has only grown since testing began – and Ducati now have eight Desmosedicis in their premier class arsenal.

The engine was a big priority for the Bologna factory in the Jerez Test, with Bagnaia and Miller getting one each and Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin sharing one. So far we’ve also seen a new, longer exhaust, different aero, a new air intake and plenty more, including an updated holeshot device. The work continued at the Shakedown in the hands of test rider Michele Pirro, with plenty of back to back testing.

What more will we see at the Sepang Test as the recent masters of innovation head out for two more days of testing – and with a whole lot more riders out on track?

SUZUKI
2020 saw Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) take Suzuki’s first riders’ Championship since Kenny Roberts Jr in 2000, and Team Suzuki Ecstar also won the teams’ title – extra cause for celebration as 2020 also marked the 100th anniversary of Suzuki’s founding and 60 years since the Hamamatsu factory debuted in motorcycle racing. But then came a more difficult 2021, with six podiums for Mir and one for teammate Alex Rins – and neither taking a Grand Prix win.

It was a generally tougher season, and Suzuki also introduced a rear ride-height device a little later than most. Can they make that step back to arguably the best-balanced bike on the grid? We’ve already seen some novelties in testing at both the Shakedown and in Jerez, including a carbon-reinforced chassis, a new swingarm, fuel tank cover, side fairings and more. With the 2022 engine also reportedly decided at or even before Jerez, the Sepang Test should be interesting as Suzuki continue the never-ending quest of the inline-four: finding more power without compromising the well-praised handling of the GSX-RR. 

HONDA
The return of record-breaking all-timer Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took Honda back to the top step no less than three times in 2021, and in some style. That brought some welcome respite after a difficult 2020 without the number 93, which felt especially barren after the masterclass Marc Marquez and Honda painted together in 2019 – taking the riders’, constructors’ and teams’ titles, aka the coveted triple crown.

However, some struggles for both Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) last season, as well as some first year tribulations for Pol Espargaro as he settled in at Repsol Honda, saw the factory put all hands on deck working towards an improved overall package for 2022.

From what was seen on machinery fielded by HRC at the Shakedown Test and in Jerez, where Honda were the only manufacturer to break cover with a seemingly brand new bike before the winter break, the quest for improvement has resulted in a number of marked differences to the RC213V – from the tail unit and exhaust to the chassis, air intake and more. Tracking the evolution of the radically different bike won’t be the only big story at the Sepang Test for Honda either: it will also see the return of Marc Marquez, who has recovered from the diplopia that side-lined him from the last two Grands Prix of 2021.

KTM
KTM knocked it out the park in 2020. Rookie Brad Binder opened the Austrian factory’s win count as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider demolished the opposition at Brno, and Miguel Oliveira, then at Tech 3, added his first win – and second – later in the year. KTM ended the year fourth in the constructors’ Championship, only four points off Yamaha in second and two points down on Suzuki in third, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were third in the fight for the teams’ title.

2021 saw the Mattighofen contingent have a tougher time of it, and with the arrival of such incredible success came the departure of concessions, with a somewhat compounding effect. Both Oliveira and Binder still grabbed a win each and the RC16 took plenty of top six finishes last season, but the Austrian factory are looking for more in 2022.

There were a couple of different aero options on show in the Jerez Test for Binder, Oliveira and test rider Mika Kallio. MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa was also out on track at the venue ahead of the rest for a private test. But overall it’s been a coy display so far, including at the Shakedown and including on the timesheets – with a new air intake and the new aero the most visible signs of change so far. We can likely expect to see plenty more on track at the Sepang Test, and we’ll also see a new face in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing box as Francesco Guidotti arrives to take over as Team Manager. The impetus behind the change is reported as a new focus on the human side of the Austrian factory’s impressive MotoGP™ endeavours so far.

APRILIA
2021 was a milestone maker for Aprilia. After nearly two decades, the Noale factory took their first ever podium in the MotoGP™ era as Aleix Espargaro put in a stunner at Silverstone to stand on the rostrum. It wasn’t a one-off ride either, with Espargaro putting in some consistent top sixes and showing the serious progress made by the factory over the last couple of seasons.

Mid-season, Aprilia also welcomed multiple Grand Prix winner Maverick Viñales. After a few races to get up to speed last year, the number 12 began 2022 with the only 1:58 of the Shakedown test – just ahead of his teammate as the two race riders took part thanks to the factory’s concessions. For the same reason, Aprilia also headed out at Sepang on Thursday the 3rd of February for a private test, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori testing back-to-back with the 2021 and 2022 machines, and Viñales working solely with the all-new 2022 bike.

All-new really does mean all-new: engine, chassis, exhaust, aero, fuel tank cover, you name it. At Jerez, Aprilia also said the final package will only be finalised at the Mandalika test. The feedback and laptimes so far make for some good reading as the marque begin a new era as a standalone factory team though, so Sepang will likely see the Noale factory continuing to steal some headlines

An extra special awards ceremony brings the curtain down on another spectacular season, including one final surprise…

Valencia, 14 Nov 2021: Already a legend, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) has been inducted into the MotoGP™ Hall of Fame and is now an official MotoGP™ Legend! The nine-time World Champion was surprised with the honour at the FIM MotoGP™ Awards Ceremony, adding to a roll call of celebrations throughout the day as he hangs up his racing leathers.

The emotional lap of honour after the race and hero’s welcome were only the start on Sunday, and those came after a weekend already painted yellow in the number 46’s honour. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta presented Rossi with the MotoGP™ Legend trophy on the stage, celebrating 26 seasons of history made and hearts captured around the world. Nine World Championships, 115 wins and 235 podiums across all classes are incredible numbers, but the legend is even more than those.

The Italian joins a long list of greats that have been made MotoGP™ Legends that includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington, Dani Pedrosa, Stefan Dörflinger, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez and the late, great Nicky Hayden.

#GrazieVale!

Valentino Rossi, MotoGP™ Legend: “I always think of this day like a nightmare, because it’s the end of the a long career and I think it would be in Valencia but in the end I enjoyed it a lot so I have to thank everyone, everyone who has worked with me, the whole paddock, the other riders… it was an unforgettable day and I enjoyed it. It was a long career, and always a pleasure.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “The only thing I can say to Vale is thank you very much. It’s been amazing since 1997 in Malaysia, we saw a guy doing fantastic races but also very special for so many reasons. We started to talk with him and since that time, everything we’ve done together, with everyone who works in MotoGP it’s been amazing.

“First of all Valentino has been an incredible rider, even yesterday, at 42, he was within tenths of Fabio. But also his personality, the situation he’s helped us to create, the Safety Commission, it’s something very special. These are all the words I can say. Grazie, Valentino!”

FIM MotoGP Awards Ceremony brings 2021 to a close

Sunday at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana is a day that will go down in history for a few reasons and the FIM MotoGP™ Awards ceremony brought the curtain down on the season. It also hosted the induction of a new MotoGP™ Legend as nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a surprise, the Italian going from legend to Legend.

The Champions and winners in 2021 also took centre stage, including – of course – newly-crowned MotoGP™ World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) fresh from Moto2™ glory and the Moto3™ history maker himself, rookie World Champion Pedro Acosta.

The 2021 Awards were hosted by Gavin Emmett and Andrea Schlager, with FIM President Jorge Viegas and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta in attendance to present the range of awards throughout the evening to all the winners this season.

Quartararo was the MotoGP™ main event as he received his trophy after making history as the first French premier class World Champion, and he picked up the BMW M Award for best qualifier in the MotoGP™ class once again. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducat Lenovo Team) was on stage as runner up, and 2020 Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was once again in the top three.

The Tissot Pole of Poles winners this season were Bagnaia, Raul Fernandez and Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ respectively, and they picked up their prizes.

The top three in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup were also honoured: Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40), runner up Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt IntactGP) and third overall Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE), with Aegerter receiving his award remotely.

The top Independent Team rider title went to Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) after another season of consistent speed and excellence from the Frenchman, and this year’s MotoGP™ Rookie of the Year award was presented to his teammate Jorge Martin after a stunning debut for the Spaniard – including a first premier class win, a host of poles and another podium to round out the year too.

In Moto2™, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Raul Fernandez, after breaking some of Marc Marquez’ records in the class, was crowned Rookie of the Year. In Moto3™, by definition it was also a clear winner as a rookie stormed the Championship: Pedro Acosta.

Ducati swept the Team and Constructor titles in the premier class, with the Bologna factory taking their highest number of podiums ever – and earlier in the day having taken their first ever 1-2-3. Ducati Lenovo Team were the Team Champions too. Kalex came out on top in Moto2™, and KTM in Moto3™.

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup winner David Alonso and FIM MiniGP World Series Champion Izan Rodriguez were also applauded for their seasons. 

And so the curtain falls, and we bid farewell to a rider who sparked the soul of the sport. Ciao Vale, grazie – and let’s celebrate an incredible career before the lights go out in 2022 for more incredible racing!

Just 0.068 covers the top three after a rainy morning gives way to a sunny afternoon in Valencia

Valencia, 12 Nov 202`1: It was a close Day 1 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, with Ducati vs Honda at the top and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking final honours by the end of play. FP1 was wet before the sun came out in the afternoon and created a frenetic mini-qualifying session, leaving Miller, Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in second and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in third covered by just 0.068. 

FP1
Valencian Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) started the day on top as he impressed in the wet. The Spaniard’s 1.40.569 was good enough to beat second place Miller – who was a late crasher at Turn 1 – by 0.155s, while Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completed the top three.

Unexpected rain started to fall just before the premier class’ opening session, handing the riders some tricky conditions to deal with on Friday morning. Danilo Petrucci’s (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) final MotoGP™ weekend got off to a painful start as the Italian suffered a nasty off-throttle highside at Turn 4, but thankfully Petrux was able to walk away from the crash.

Bagnaia tucked the front at Turn 2 soon after – rider ok, as was Luca Marini (Sky Avintia VR46) as he also took a tumble.

The rain did stop and conditions improved towards the end of the session, which saw plenty of riders improve their times. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) rounded out a top five split by 0.374s, and less than a second covered the top 12.

FP2
With the track dry enough for slicks, FP2 was all action from the get-go. And just like 2021 rival Bagnaia did in the morning, World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) tucked the front at Turn 2 – rider ok. It was Bagnaia who led the way in the early stages of FP2, but Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) moved the goalposts with just over 20 minutes remaining, a 1:31.832 the new benchmark.

Heading into the ever-exciting final 10 minutes, Morbidelli led Miller by 0.071s, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and fellow HRC rider Pol Espargaro going well in the top four. New rubber than came out for many as attentions turned to the top 10 and a provisional place in Q2.

Immediately, the standings changed. Miller went top with a 1:31.409, with Andrea Dovizioso (Petronas Yamaha SRT) launching to P2. The timing screens were changing constantly though and it was a proper mini qualifying session in Valencia – Miller, Pol Espargaro and Bagnaia all exchanged P1.

Pol Espargaro then crashed on his final lap at Turn 6, rider ok, with Miller’s penultimate lap handing the Australian P1 to prove the final decider.

As well as Quartararo and Pol Espargaro, Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) and Lecuona also took tumbles.

Combined timesheets
With rain in the morning it’s FP2 times that make the combined timesheets. You could split the top trio of Miller, Pol and Pecco with a tyre blanket, but then there’s a bit of a gap to Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in fourth. The Spaniard is 0.409s down on P1, while Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) rounded out the top five – also 0.4s shy.

Nakagami had a solid opening day in P6, the Japanese rider just ahead of 2020 World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in seventh and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in eighth. Dovizioso slipped to P9 by the time FP2 had ended but a top 10 is a fantastic Friday result for the Italian as he cotninues to adapt to the 2019 M1. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) occupies P10 ahead of Saturday’s action.

That starts at 9:55 (GMT +1), before the final qualifying of the season from 14:10. Pecco has six poles so far and Quartararo five… will that change in the season finale? With Quartararo down in P11 after Friday, the Frenchman will be looking to bounce back strong in the morning…

FULL RESULTS

1 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 1’30.927
2 Pol Espargaro – Repsol Honda Team – Honda – +0.012
3 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +0.068
4 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.409
5 Jorge Martin* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +0.469

*Independent Team rider