Category: Crew On Two

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MotoGP: Bagnaia Wins Barcelona Sprint – #TheRematch Goes To Sunday! 

Pecco Bagnaia has mastered the tricky conditions in Barcelona today, taking a brilliant sprint race win to keep his championship hopes alive. He was joined on the podium by his teammate, Enea Bastianini, and championship leader, Jorge Martin. 

MotoGP has called this weekend the “rematch” weekend and it’s certainly shaping up to a dramatic end to a dramatic season. Coming into this weekend, Jorge Martin was leading the championship by 24 points – comfortable, but by no means done and dusted for the Spaniard. That meant that Martin just needed to win today’s sprint race in order to seal the title. 

However, it was his closest rival who took the victory today. Pecco Bagnaia took a dominant and convincing win, with no one able to come close to him at all in the race. He was totally at one with his machine all day today, taking pole position and then leading for most of the race. 

Image Credit: MotoGP on X

His Ducati teammate, Enea Bastianini, came home in 2nd. He had an amazing start, leaping from 8th to 1st in just one corner. He then had an 8-lap long battle with Martin for 2nd place, before drifting back in the pack during the middle of the race. In typical Bastianini fashion, he came back strong in the latter stages of the race and enjoyed another nail-biting battle with Martin before finally taking 2nd. The Ducati team were elated with a 1-2 finish today. 

Martin has been struggling all weekend, complaining about rear grip and a lack of confidence in the front of the bike. He was therefore thrilled to take 3rd place, despite not being able to win the title today.

Aleix Espargaro, on his final weekend as a MotoGP rider, finished in 4th. He enjoyed a brilliant qualifying session earlier today, stating that this track is his “favourite”, which saw him start on the front row of the grid. 

Alex Marquez finished in 5th – a brilliant result for him after a weekend of equally brilliant form. The top ten was then rounded out by Franco Morbidelli, Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder and Fabio Quartararo in 6th to 10th respectively. 

There was just one retirement in the race today – our only rookie, Pedro Acosta, made contact with Marc Marquez on lap 1 which saw the front fairing of his GASGAS Tech3 bike ripped off. He sadly wasn’t able to continue on his “naked” bike and soon retired to the pits. 

Top 10
Image Credit: MotoGP on X
Championship Standings
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Feature Image Credit: Pecco Bagnaia on X

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Moto2: Your Moto2 World Champion! Ai Ogura!

Image Credit: @MthelmetsMSi on X

After not finishing lower than 4th place in the last 5 races, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) was not letting anyone else take the title away from him this season!

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) did all he could and took a great win today but was unable to stop Ogura from taking the Moto2 crown! In a frantic battle stopped by the rain, Canet finished on the top step to Ogura in 2nd and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) in 3rd.

AS IT HAPPENED

It was a great start from pole position for Ogura who lead the field through turn 1. The lead though was cut short as Canet late on the brakes, went up the inside of Ogura into turn 2. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) dove far too deep up the inside of Canet at turn 4, and opened the door for Ogura to retake the lead of the race.

Turn 5 and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) from nowhere wiped out Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), both riders ok as the crazy first lap continued. Into the last corner and Ogura went from 2nd to 7th as Ramirez went by into turn 12 as Moreira and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) both barged their way by Ogura.

Moto2 looked like a Moto3 race as everyone across the field diced and fought for positions. Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) went from 16th to 6th place after the 1st lap. Binder would later crash out of the race on lap 8 after such an heroic start.

Third race distance completed and Ogura barged Binder wide with 16 laps to go. Canet still lead at the front from Ramirez in 2nd with a 1 second gap to Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) in 3rd. Moreira and Dixon swapped places as Ogura patiently waited to pounce and pounced he did to get by Dixon up into 4th place.

Approaching half race distance, Ogura finally moved back into the podium places going by the Brazilian Moreira up into 3rd. At this point from the back of the grid to 11th, Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) was having a great race. Also, Dixon’s teammate and once Moto3 champion Izan Guevara was up into 5th.

With 10 laps to go, Ogura was world champion if it stayed as it was riding in 3rd place. Setting the fastest lap of the race, it was only a matter of time before Ogura went by and passed Ramirez into 2nd.

 

Into the final 3rd of the race and Canet was holding station at the front as Ogura continued to push to try and take victory in Buriram. Rain drops began to fall as local hero in the tiger livery Somkiat Chantra, was all over the back of Guevara fighting for 5th.

5 laps to go and Canet set his fastest lap of the race with Ramirez closing in on Ogura. Chantra overtook Guevara into the final corner as the crowd roared on the home hero. Chantra now up to 5th place and hunted down Moreira in 4th.

The rain flags waved to the inevitable red flag that followed. The race was stopped to the delight of the MT Helmets – MSI team. Canet was superb throughout the race but unable to stop Ogura’s surge to the title this season.

Ai Ogura, the first ever Asia Talent Cup rider world champion and a huge inspiration to all those young riders coming through in the Asia Talent Cup.

On a personal note, I was at Valencia in ’22 when it went down to the wire between Ogura and Augusto Fernandez a couple of seasons ago. Ogura crashed out in front of me on that Sunday and I watched his dreams shatter on that day.

To see Ogura come back in the fashion he has after the injuries he’s suffered is superb! I was buzzing to see him win this season in Barcelona and also in Misano. I wish Ai Ogura every success next season as he moves up to MotoGP.

Race Classification

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP

Championship Standings

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP
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Moto3 Thai GP: David Alonso Makes History with 12th Win, Surpassing Valentino Rossi’s Record

David Alonso delivered yet another calculated and precise performance to take the top spot for the twelfth time this season, officially breaking Valentino Rossi’s 1997 record of 11 wins in a single season in the same class. Alonso’s remarkable achievement solidifies his dominance in Moto3 with the Aspar team, where the high standards he’s set mean that any race without a victory feels almost disappointing.

Following earlier rain, race officials declared the race as wet and shortened the distance from 19 laps to 12.

The race began in damp conditions, with the Top 5 holding their positions off the start. Early on, light rain brought the threat of a full wet race, but the rain quickly subsided, allowing the riders to push forward under the same damp but stable conditions.

Alonso initially took control on Lap 3 after having started fifth, however he soon had to contend with the Honda Team Asia rider Taiyo Furusato, who took the lead for a few laps before Alonso once again reclaimed his position at the front.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who started from ninth on the grid carved through the field to reach second place with just two laps remaining, where he appeared ready to challenge Alonso’s lead in the final moments.

In classic Moto 3 fashion, chaos ensued in the final corner of the final lap. Ortola, in a bid to close the gap, nearly collided with Alonso, creating a huge moment which cost Ortola second place and allowed Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Furusato and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna), to come through.

Ortola ultimately finished 4th.

Sadly for Furusato, in the exit of that final corner, running in third, he collided with Collin Veijer on the exit, who had dived inside to capitalize on a move made by Luca Lunetta (who started tenth and fought his way to the front) on Furusato to take second place. Furusato was thrown off, sliding down the straight beside his bike. Luckily after the race his position was reinstated to 5th place, as both he and his bike crossed the finish line.

Disaster for Leopard Racing as teammates Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez collided on Lap 11, with Piqueras attempting an aggressive pass that ended in both riders being taken out of the race.

In yet another thrilling Moto3 race, David Alonso’s performance shone as he cemented his place in the record books with his twelfth win of the season, surpassing a 26 year-old milestone and setting a new standard for Moto3 excellence.

Featured image courtesy of Intact GP

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MotoGP: Bagnaia Takes The Double In Japan

Pecco Bagnaia has added to Saturday’s sprint race victory with a second win on Sunday. He was joined on the podium by championship leader, Jorge Martin, and his future 2025 teammate, Marc Marquez. 

In the history of MotoGP, only 4 riders have won more than 8 races in a single season. Today, Pecco Bagnia became the 5th rider to join that list. He took a dominant win, heading into the lead on lap 1 and not looking back from there. 

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Italian though – he faced pressure in the late stages of the race from Jorge Martin who surged his way up through the grid and eventually ended the day in 2nd. 

Rounding out the podium places was Marc Marquez, who mostly enjoyed a quiet race once he had made his way up to 3rd.

Image Credit: MotoGP on X

As the race started, we had Pedro Acosta on pole for the first time in his MotoGP career. He was quickly bested by Bagnaia who had the better line in to the first corner and was able to take the lead away from the rookie. 

The first lap was full of drama, which included a scuffle between Maverick Vinales, Franco Morbidelli and Jorge Martin, in which Vinales was forced to sit up and let off the throttle to avoid an incident. Towards the end of lap 1, Enea Bastianini made a late move on Brad Binder to take 3rd – however, this move forced both riders off the ideal racing line. Martin saw the door open in front of him and makes a brilliant move up the inside of the turn 10 hairpin. This move sees him get pasta both Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, jumping from 6th to 4th. Binder is the biggest winner in the battle, and is able to retain 3rd.

One corner later, the drama continues as Jack Miller makes a similar move with a similar outcome. He forces his KTM machine up the inside of turn 11 and overtakes Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini to take 5th place. Even more impressive is that Miller started the race in 14th and made up 9 places in just one lap. 

Again, one corner later, we have our first crash of the race as Joan Mir and Alex Marquez go down at turns 12 and 13. In a very odd crash, Maquez’s bike got caught in Mir’s rear wheel. Despite staying upright, dragging the extra Gresini machine behind him eventually sends Mir down and the pair retired from the race. After the race, Marquez was deemed to blame for the incident and was handed a long lap penalty ready for the next race in Australia. 

Lap 4 saw our second crash of the race as polesitter Acosta went down at turn 14. It appears that he took too much kerb on the inside of the corner before the bike just slid out from under her on the exit of the corner. 

At the same time as Acosta’s early exit from the race, Martin continued to fight his way up through the field. He had now made his way past Binder and was in to 2nd place, with only title rival Bagnaia ahead. 

One lap later, Binder lost another place. This time, it was Marquez who made his way through to take 3rd place.

It was a difficult race for Vinales – after starting on the front row, he was quickly swallowed by a first lap incident and kept heading backwards from there. Whilst battling with his teammate, Aleix Espargaro, for 10th place, he crashed out on lap 12.

Just as the race seemed to be calming down, the rain began to fall. On lap 10, the white flag was flown which indicated that the riders could now head to the pits and swap their bikes if they wished. None chose to do so and the rain appeared to be light enough for them to contend with on dry tires.

After a hot battle that lasted a number of laps, Bastianini was finally able to find a way past Binder. The pair had been dicing and overtaking each other before Bastianini made a move that stuck to claim 4th. 

Binder was then in the clutches of Morbidelli, in 6th, who is enjoying a recent up turn in form. The battle would continue for the rest of the race, with Morbidelli eventually coming out on top. 

The race then settled down again and gaps grew between the riders. By lap 16, Bagnaia had a 1.5 second lead over Martin, who himself was a comfortable 4.4 seconds ahead of Marquez. Bastanini was the fastest rider on the track and catching Marquez quickly – he had reduced the gap down to 0.8 seconds and was desperate to find a way past.

Whilst Martin did attempt a late-race surge for the lead, he wasn’t able to get the gap to smaller than 0.7 seconds and, eventually, crossed the link 1.1 seconds behind Bagnaia.

For his last home race, Takaaki Nakagami was thrilled to bring home points as he crossed the line in 13th. He was welcomed back into the garage with an enormous cheer from his team.

RACE RESULTS
Image Credit: MotoGP on X
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Image Credit: MotoGP on X

Feature Image Credit: MotoGP

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MotoGP: Martin Enjoys Faultless Win in Indonesia

Today’s race in Mandalika was tough for riders up and down the grid, with only 12 bikes finishing the race. However, the two riders at the front were able to control the field and keep their noses clean in an exceptional display of their abilities. 

After a difficult Saturday, Jorge Martin has enjoyed a perfect Sunday here in Mandalika. He started the race on pole, led every lap and controlled the whole race on his way to a brilliant win. He was untouchable with his nearest rival rarely able to get within a second of him.

On the cool-down lap and in parc ferme, he was celebrating as if he had won the title. After crashing during the sprint race, and crashing out of the lead of last year’s Indonesian GP, this was undoubtedly a display of relief from the Prima Pramac rider. This the first race win for Martin since Le Mans, and he will be keen to capitalise on this momentum as we now reach a crucial part of the season.

Image Credit: MotoGP on X

It was an equally fantastic day for rookie rider, Pedro Acosta, who came home in 2nd. He started the race in 3rd, claimed 2nd place on lap 3 and never looked back. As he crossed the line, he was instantly under investigation for a tyre pressure infringement. The team still celebrated in the park ferme and, two hours after the podium celebration, it was confirmed he would keep his 2nd place as no further action was needed.

Martin’s closest championship rival, Pecco Bagnaia, came home in 3rd. Whilst he wasn’t able to end the day ahead of Martin, he will still be pleased with this result. After a horrible start, with the bike bouncing off the grid and dropping him down to 6th, he eventually was able to find his rhythm and make his way back up to 3rd.

It was ultimately a race of attrition today with only 12 riders meeting the chequered flag.

This started on the first lap as Jack Miller hit the kerb on the inside, at the change of direction between turns 2 and 3. This sent his bike down and, as he slid across the track into the gravel, he took down with him Alex Marquez, Luca Marini and Aleix Espargaro. For Marquex and Espargaro, it was their fourth crash of the weekend – certainly a weekend to forget for them both.

It was also a retirement for yesterday’s podium-finisher, Marc Marquez, who wasn’t able to enjoy the same result today. On lap 12, his bike went “bang” and he pulled off the track with his Gresini machine on fire.

For several laps before this technical issue, Marquez had been enjoying a fantastic battle with VR46 rider, Fabio DiGiannantonio. The pair were dicing and fighting, overtaking each other on most corners in a brilliant but clean display of tough racing.

Enea Bastianini, who was setting a blistering pace and numerous fastest laps as he fought his way up into the podium positions, went down at turn 1 of lap 21. He ultimately overcooked it in the corner and the bike went down in the breaking zone.

Both Marquez and Bastianini were clearly disappointed as they made their way back to the garage. Could today’s difficult result be the end of their championship battle?

There were also DNF results for Fabio DiGiannantonio, who crashed out while under pressure from Marc Marquez at lap 9, Joan Mir, who crashed on lap 13, and Augusta Fernandez, who retired with a mechanical failure.

It was a more positive day for Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi, who finished in 4th and 5t respectively. Both riders have had a tough season so far so will certainly enjoy today’s results and the battles they enjoyed along the way.

With action up and down the grid throughout the race, today’s race was a Mandalika classic!

TOP TEN
Image Credit: MotoGP on X
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 Jorge Martin 366 points
2 Pecco Bagnaia 345 points
3 Enea Bastianini 291 points
4 Marc Marquez 288 points
5 Pedro Acosta 181 points

Feature Image Credit: Jorge Martin on X

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MotoGP: Bagnaia Brings Home Ducati 1-2 in Indonesian Sprint as Martin Crashes

The 2024 MotoGP World Championship is turning into a story of mistakes, not successes. It’s a title that won’t be won, but rather won’t be thrown away. Today, it was Jorge Martin’s turn to make a devastating mistake which he will look back on with frustration as we draw ever closer to the final race in Valencia. 

Image Credit: Enea Bastianini on X

It was a race of contrasts today for our two championship leaders, Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. With a pole position, a brilliant start and a comfortable early lead, it should have been plain sailing for Martin from there on out. However, he seemingly pushed his tyres too hard too early and ended up crashing at turn 16 of the first lap.

This gifted the lead to his closest rival, Bagnaia, who kept his nose clean and spent the rest of the race with a fairly comfortable lead. It was a near-perfect performance from Bagnaia, despite the dusty, slippery track conditions and chaos happening behind him.

Joining him on the podium were two other championship contenders who have been able to pull closer to the battle at the front.

Enea Bastianini was able to bring home a brilliant Ducati 1-2. It was a strong race from him after stating in 5th but showing his speed as he fought his way up to 2nd.

Marc Marquez took the final podium spot, ending the sprint race in 3rd. He started the race in 12th after a crash in Q2. A classic Marqeuz-style first lap saw him leap up from 12th to 5th before turn 1, and the rest of the race was his to enjoy from there.

Martin failed to score points today – he rejoined the back of the grid after his crash but, despite a valiant battle and a number of aggressive moves, he ended the day in 10th. He looked visibly dejected as he met the chequered flag, undoubtedly considering what could have been today.

It was a much more positive day for Marco Bezzecchi who is back to his former self this weekend, after struggling so far this season. He started the race on the front row and ended the day in 4th – he would have been hoping for a podium finish but, on lap 7, he missed his breaking and almost hit the back of Bagnaia. This forced him out wide, on to the dirt, dusty part of the track and he dropped back from 2nd to 4th, where he spent the rest of the race.

Just behind Bezzecchi were Franco Morbidelli, Pedro Acosta, Maverick Vinales and Johann Zarco in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively. This group were in a huge battle for much of the race, jostling for position and enjoying overtakes on most laps of the race.

This group were also fighting with Fabio Quartararo who is enjoying a much more positive weekend for Yamaha this weekend. Whilst he qualified in 6th, he faded towards the end of the race after a lap 8 bump with Morbidelli which saw him drop down the field. The Frenchman ended the day in 12th.

TOP TEN
Image Credit: MotoGP on X
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Image Credit: MotoGP on X

Feature Image Credit: Marc Marquez on X

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MotoGP: The Beast Strikes In Misano

Image Credit: @Bestia23 on X

Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) clearly reflected on his Sprint race performance and upped his game for Sunday’s main event. ‘The Beast’ Enea hunted down Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and simply wouldn’t let anyone else take the victory.

Was the winning overtake controversial? Yes! Of course it was, that said we have seen far worse moment’s in the heat of battle! It was a last lap battle for glory. It was hard racing and to some it crossed the line, but Bastianini took the chance and it paid off. Enea was rewarded for his relentless pursuit to win at his home Grand Prix in Misano.

Martin had given everything to win and I’m sure would have been far angrier had title rival Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) not crashed out of the race. With the world champion in the gravel from a comfortable 3rd, Martin now has a 24pts lead in the championship as we head to Indonesia next weekend.

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP

AS IT HAPPENED

Martin made a great start off the line and took the lead into turn 1. It was short lived as Martin ran in too hot into turn 2 and Pecco went around the outside of Martin and retook the lead into turn 2.

Pecco looked strong on lap 1 with almost half a second gap to Martin at the end of the lap. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a great start and gained 7 places on the 1st lap and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) gained 5 places.

Yellow flags waved in sector 1 as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed out at turn 4. Binder was ok and re-joined the race to later finish in last place. The crash left a Binder sized gap between the front 3 of Pecco, Martin & Bastianini to the chasing back behind lead by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

Into lap 3 and Martin was late on the brakes into turn 4 but unable to get it stopped as Bagnaia retook the lead into turn 5. Bagnaia, Martin and Enea all within touching distance at this point in the early stages of the race.

In the opening stages Bagnaia was under immense pressure from the GP24’s behind him. Acosta in 4th looked to bridge the gap to the front 3 setting the fastest lap of the race. Into lap 4, through turn 6 and down the straight Martin went up the inside of Pecco and the move stuck for the Spaniard taking the lead of the race. Much to the dismay of the partisan Italian crowd.

Bagnaia seemed to have less grip and pace with Enea seemingly being held up behind his Ducati teammate. Martin already stretched out a gap to 6 tenths of a second as Enea finally got by Bagnaia. Acosta however was still pushing that KTM to the limit and nearly lost the rear through turn 13.

Quarter race distance completed and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team) was having his race of the season riding in 7th at this point on the factory Yamaha. Martin lead with Bastianini setting the quickest lap of the race.

 

Onto lap 10 and Acosta’s KTM couldn’t hang on any longer as Acosta went down in sector 4 at turn 15.

Bastianini continued the hunt of Martin out in the lead, as Bagnaia’s fortune turned for the better with blistering pace out of nowhere for the Bologna man. However, the world champ had an almost impossible task of closing the gap of 3 seconds to the leader.

All the hard work from Bagnaia came to nothing as Bagnaia went tumbling into the gravel on lap 21 of 27. Devastating for the championship and could possibly of handed a 29pts gap lead to Martin at this point.

Into the final few laps of the race and Bastianini was on the rear wheel of Martin. Bastianini planned his attack looking for any weakness in Martin as we headed to the conclusion of the race.

There was nothing between Martin and Bastianini as Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) cruised around in the final podium position in 3rd.

Into the last lap we went and Martin was still hitting every apex and not willing to give up the race win. Bastianini had other ideas though and forced his way through to take victory!

 

Race Classification 

Image credit: MotoGP
Image credit: MotoGP

 

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP
Constructors Champions 2024
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MotoGP: Pecco Pounced to Victory!

Image Credit: @PeccoBagnaia on X

After an incredible performance in qualifying and back to full fitness. The world champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pounced on title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) after Martin ran wide and gifted victory to Bagnaia.

After today’s sprint race, The Martinator only has a 4pts advantage to the Bologna bullet as we head into tomorrow’s 27 lap Grand Prix. Can Martin get to the front and stop Pecco from taking glory in front of his partisan crowd? Can we see Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) take his performance to the next level and beat his title rivals like he did at Silverstone? 

When the conditions are clear and with plenty of grip, it’s clear to see the Ducati GP24s are another level to the rest of the field. A common sight of Pecco, Martin and Bastianini at the front some distance clear of the rest of the pack.

Winner last time out in Misano, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing) stated he was happy with 4th place after the race and job done recognizing the GP24s have a pace that his Gresini Ducati GP23 simply can’t get near to. Marquez finished the race over 5 seconds behind the front 3.

A special mention to Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team) for riding the wheels off that Yamaha today. We no longer see the frustrated Fabio anymore, we see a more measured and ruthless Fabio proving that if given the bike, Fabio will deliver. Fabio is a world champion for a reason and Yamaha know it!

The level of effort that is going into the factory M1 is monumental. Yamaha now more determined than ever to fight their way back to the top. What they promised Fabio when he signed his new contract, they are clearly starting to deliver on. As soon as the new Yamaha V4 is on track, we can be sure Fabio will take the fight to Ducati. 

Image credit @Michelin_Sport on X
Image credit @Michelin_Sport on X

AS IT HAPPENED

Martin and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the start of their dreams as Martin blasted into the lead from the off. Binder started from 4th on the grid and up into 2nd up the inside of Pecco into turn 1.

In the early stages, Binder dropped back through the pack and eventually finished in 6th place behind next season’s teammate and rookie of the year Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

It was very much game on for the 2 riders at the top of the championship, as Martin lead from the front and Pecco hunted down the Spaniard.

At the half race distance, Pecco got his reward for the pressure put onto Martin as Martin ran wide. A gift to Pecco and an opportunity he was never going to miss.

One mistake was all it took and Pecco Bagnaia with the roar of the Italian crowd crossed the line to take the sprint victory. If Pecco takes victory tomorrow, he will sit atop of the standings as we head to Indonesia next weekend.

There wasn’t much to mention from this sprint race and it wasn’t the most exciting to be honest. All of the overtaking was done within the first few laps and revealed the top 4 riders at the front. Fabio finished in the top 10 which was brilliant for Yamaha and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) battled his way to finish 13th after starting at the back of the grid.

Race Classification 

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP

 

 

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MotoGP: Perfect Pecco wins the Austrian GP

Pecco Bagnaia was in a league of is own today, as he comfortably wins the Austrian GP – it’s his third consecutive win at the Red Bull Ring.

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Image Credit: MotoGP on X

Pecco Bagnaia has taken a stunning victory today at the Austrian GP today, in the weekend that has seen him re-take the lead in the championship standings. He started 2nd on the grid, took the lead on lap 2 after an exciting battle with his closest championship rival, Jorge Martin, and then never looked back.

Whilst it wasn’t the most thrilling race, or the action-packed weekend we have historically seen at the Red Bull Ring, you cannot deny the stunning performance from Bagnaia today. His ride was utterly flawless whilst, all weekend, others were making mistakes around him. He kept his cool and showed why he is such a brilliant champion after being perfect for every moment of the race.

Jorge Martin, despite starting on pole and leading the first lap, couldn’t bring home the win today. He simply wasn’t able to keep Bagnaia behind him, nor could he close the gap for the lead. It was an undoubtedly frustrating day who felt he could win this race. He leaves Austria having lost 8 points to Bagnaia in the title fight too.

Enea Bastianini brought home a double podium for Ducati today, ending the day in 3rd. It was a very quiet race for the Italian, who sat in 3rd from lights out all the way to the chequered flag without facing any real challenge. Today is his sixth podium of the year and good momentum after double win in Silverstone last time out.

Marc Marquez just missed out on the podium today, coming home in 4th. Most of the on-track action came from the Gresini rider today – he had a ride height device issue whilst sitting on the grid and, as they went to the first corner, he had contact with Franco Morbidelli which left him back down in 10th. He fought hard and gave the Austrian fans lots of entertainment as he came past two KTM riders, two Aprilia riders, a VR46 rider and his own brother on the second Gresini bike. Given his performance today, he may be left thinking about what might have been if his race start had been a clean one.

One of the victims of Marquez’s pressure was KTM rider Jack Miller, who crashed out when the Spaniard was hutning him down. The bike slipped out from under him at the chicane of turn 2, on lap 11.

It was an equally tough weekend for fan-favourite, rookie Pedro Acosta. He has faced a difficult weekend after crashing three times on Friday and then struggling to be on the pace. He simply wasn’t able to set the tarmac on fire today in his normal way, and ended the day in 13th.

Top Ten

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Image Credit: MotoGP on X

Championship Standings

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Image Credit: MotoGP on X

Feature Image Credit: MotoGP

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Moto3: Win No.7 for Alonso in Spielberg!

Image Credit: @AsparTeam on X

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) with a long lap penalty (LLP) charged his way back through the pack to take victory here in Austria. It was a superb comeback after taking his first ever LLP and punished the rest of the field. Alonso celebrated and showed us the dance moves to match his riding skills  in the LLP loop.

It will take something monumental now for the rest  of the season for any rider to stop Alonso winning the championship this season. 71pts adrift to Alonso in the championship, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) had a perfect Saturday but a nightmare Sunday starting from the back of the grid for the race.  Ortola fought hard though to finish 9th and clearly would of had a chance at victory today had Ortola started from pole.

David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) after a manic battle snatched 2nd place away from Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) on the line who finished in 3rd. It was a great race today in the Styrian mountains!

AS IT HAPPENED

Ortola was nowhere to be seen at the front of the grid as the riders got underway in the overcast conditions. Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsport) with a great start and into the lead on the first lap as Alonso was up and attacking Holgado for 2nd after starting 6th on the grid.

Alonso and Holgado diced with each other and was enough for Munoz to dive by and up into 2nd. At the end of lap 1 it was both BOE Motorsports riders leading the way in Austria.

Lap 2 and a lead group started to develop in the race with 6 riders at the front. Alonso and Piqueras took their long lap penalties and re-joined the race in 10th and 11th places. Across the line and to start lap 3, Munoz with the slip stream looked at the inside line for turn 1, but Kelso full of confidence defended the move last on the brakes.

Championship leader Alonso now up into 8th place and had a mountain to climb 3.5seconds back to the leaders. Holgado seemed to be relaxed at this point in 3rd, keeping pace with the squabbling BOE Motorsport teammates ahead of him.

As Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) had a scare almost losing the front, Alonso went by up into 6th. Pole sitter and race winner last time out at Silverstone, Ortola set the fastest lap of the race at the quarter race distance. Ortola still keen to get on with business despite the nightmare start.

Lap 7 and into turn 1 Kelso was late on the brakes and held onto the lead but Holgado’s patience had left him staring at the back of Munoz’ wheel. Holgado went by Munoz up into 2nd into turn 1 and was now gunning for Kelso. As a track limits warning was issued for Kelso, Holgado into the last sector  of the lap blasted up the inside of Kelso into the lead of the race.

As we approached the half way race distance, the 3 way fight for the win became a 7 way fight for the win with newly promoted to Moto2 Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) catching and dispatching Kelso up to 3rd.

11 laps to go, Holgado lead to Munoz 2nd and Veijer in 3rd. Kelso, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Alonso and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) were all still with a shout of taking victory at this point. Veijer continued his charge and up into 2nd going by Munoz,

Lap 11 of 20 and Veijer down the hill into turn 9 hit the front of the Grand Prix for the first time. Rueda shoulder barged his way by Kelso which shoved Kelso to the back of the lead group.

Turn 9 seemed to be a favourite spot for everyone as Veijer went by Holgado to retake the lead of the race. Every rider in the lead group were fighting and dicing with each other in an epic battle in Spielberg.

Alonso even with a long lap penalty was back now up into 2nd as Munoz and Piqueras fought with each other through turn 1.

Into the last quarter of the race, pole sitter Ortola fought his way back up to 9th after starting in the pit lane. Veijer lead from Alonso in 2nd and Munoz in 3rd. Holgado and Piqueras went by Munoz as the lead group order was ever changing. Down the hill into turn 9 Alonso went by Veijer to take the lead of the race for the first time.

Into the last few laps and Alonso lead the field through turn 6 as Munoz and Holgado were on the back of Alonso’s wheel. A couple of tenths separated Holgado to Veijer and Piqueras behind. The lead group shrunk to 5 at this point all still in contention to take the win in the last couple of laps.

THE LAST LAP

Championship leader Alonso took us across the line to start the final lap. Both Munoz and Holgado bombed into turn 1 with Munoz coming off worse and ran wide re-joining into 4th place.

Piqueras now up into 3rd and looked to go up to 2nd by Holgado but unable to make it stick in the early part of the lap. Dropping down through turn 6 it was still Alonso leading from Holgado fending off Piqueras in 3rd.

Munoz out of nowhere rubbed shoulders and barged by Piqueras into 3rd.  Across the line Alonso held on to take victory and Munoz snatched 2nd place away from Holgado who took 3rd.

Alonso on fire today and danced in the long lap penalty loop. What a rider and what a race in Moto3!

Race Classification 

Image Credit: MotoGP
Image Credit: MotoGP

 

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