Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia received the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Driving his Lenovo Ducati, the two-time and defending Champion received the 24-lap race by 1.740 seconds.
Jorge Martin, the present World Championship level chief, was the runner-up on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.
Gresini Racing’s six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez charged ahead from 14th on the grid to make it a Ducati sweep of the rostrum. Marquez held off Aleix Espargaro by a fraction of a second to take third.
Espargaro, who on Thursday introduced plans to retire on the finish of the season, completed fourth on his manufacturing facility Aprilia RS-GP.
Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the highest 5 finishers on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati.
Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini was given a Lengthy Lap penalty for reducing the monitor at Flip Two. Bastianini didn’t adjust to the Lengthy Lap penalty and for this he was then given a Double Lengthy Lap penalty. He didn’t adjust to the Double Lengthy Lap penalty, which incurred a Experience-By way of penalty. Then when Bastianini didn’t serve the Experience-By way of penalty, he was assessed a 32-second time penalty after the race, dropping him from ninth to 18th and out of the factors.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Dorna:
Bagnaia banishes Barcelona demons to disclaim Martin with assertion win, Marquez makes late podium assault
After a Saturday to neglect it was a Sunday to recollect for the reigning Champion as he hits again to outpace Martin – with #MM93 charging up the order to make it a well-recognized high three
Sunday, 26 Could 2024
After lacking an open objective win on Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Crew) got here out swinging on Sunday on the Gran Premi Monster Vitality de Catalunya. The reigning Champion wanted to make an announcement and take some critical factors, and that he did on each counts. Fast out the blocks from the beginning earlier than ceding the lead early doorways to Championship chief Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia put in a relentless push to catch the #89, pounce as soon as on the scene, after which edge away to pocket these 25 factors on Sunday.
Behind Martin, the battle to finish the rostrum boiled all the way down to the duel between Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), and it was virtually a photograph end however the #93 took the spoils – making it three Grand Prix podiums in a row for Marquez for the primary time since 2019. It was additionally one other beautiful comeback trip, this time from P14 on the grid.
Because the lights went out, it was a showdown on the brakes into T1 however Bagnaia simply held on for the holeshot forward of Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3), with Brad Binder (Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) additionally shifting up however the #33 into third. Martin received a very good begin this time spherical, taking up in fourth, with polesitter Espargaro the primary social gathering dropping out.
Into Flip 10 on Lap 1, we had the primary large transfer as Martin made an absolute lunge on Binder, however he received the job accomplished and cleanly sufficient. It additionally left a small hole up the highway to the main duo of Bagnaia and Acosta, nevertheless it didn’t take lengthy for that hole to shut as a result of it didn’t take lengthy for the main duo to start out making strikes amongst themselves.
Acosta’s first assault got here at Flip 10 after a few laps staring on the rear of the Ducati, however Bagnaia saved it tight to instantly take it again. Acosta’s foot was even off the peg. That closed every little thing up once more, with Martin then proper on their heels and Binder not too far behind both. Flip 10 staged one other one subsequent time spherical, this time for Championship chief Martin on the rookie – and Acosta was pressured to cede it. And once more subsequent time round, this time as Martin left it oh-so-late to assault for the lead, taking up earlier than they crossed the road for 19 to go.
The social gathering at Flip 10 didn’t cease there. Subsequent time spherical there was one other decisive transfer as Acosta attacked Bagnaia and took again over in second, and in a matter of apexes the rookie was again on the exhaust of race chief Martin, trying impatient.
In the meantime, the squabble behind was heating up. Bagnaia had some respiration house in third however Binder, Espargaro and Raul Fernandez have been locked collectively. After stalking his prey for some time, Espargaro then was in a position to simply nudge forward into Flip 1, earlier than Raul Fernandez attacked the KTM into Flip 3. Brutal however clear, Binder was pushed again to sixth.
Nonetheless, that quickly turn out to be fifth as large drama hit for Acosta. After lighting it up there earlier, all of it then got here aside for the rookie at Flip 10 as he slid off, leaving Martin simply over a second clear within the lead and Bagnaia now the rider on the chase. From there, the chess match started.
Lap after lap, the hole was coming down because the #1 chipped away. Just a few hundredths right here and there, every sector simply sufficient to realize a number of additional metres, a mere tenth per lap. However a fully relentless tenth per lap. And as soon as he was there, Bagnaia wasted completely no time in making his assault.
With six laps to go, the reigning Champion made his transfer – and at precisely the place he let large spoils go begging within the Tissot Dash: Flip 5. No drama, no contact, and nothing Martin might do, the roles have been now reversed.
The relentless tempo from the #1 continued, nevertheless, and the battle of the laptimes was slipping from Martin’s grasp. The hole eked out, got here again down barely after which abruptly went up once more. The jig was up as Martin began to fade, leaving Bagnaia with the identical process as Saturday: hold it on the identical rails to the flag. This time, it was a faultless efficiency because the Ducati Lenovo rider cuts the hole again to 39 factors and Martin, this time spherical, has to accept second.
In the meantime, Marc Marquez was now on the tailpipes of Espargaro. The #93 pulled a carbon copy of the transfer the Aprilia rider placed on Binder a number of laps earlier than and was into third – now he simply needed to maintain onto it. After saying his retirement on the finish of 2024 simply forward of the occasion and taking pole and the Dash win, the inducement was even greater than regular for the #41 to make an assault, and he clawed his means onto the again of the Gresini by the ultimate lap. However there was no means by way of that may have allowed each to complete, so it got here all the way down to the ultimate drag to the road – with Marquez simply staying forward for that podium from P14 on the grid.
Espargaro takes fourth to finish an unbelievable weekend on house turf, with a late cost from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Crew) seeing the Italian simply pip Raul Fernandez to fifth. Nonetheless, after a maiden entrance row and having led the Dash, P6 concludes an awesome weekend for the #25 and Trackhouse Racing – it’s the staff’s finest consequence but.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) charged by way of to seventh as Binder misplaced out later within the race to complete P8. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Vitality Yamaha MotoGP™) saved forward of Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) as they accomplished the highest ten. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Crew), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Acosta after remounting, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Crew) accomplished the factors.
There’s one title lacking from that final who did cross the road forward of some of them, however the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards v Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Crew) intervened. The ‘Beast’ had a dramatic race after he went huge following an assault from Alex Marquez, was deemed to haven’t misplaced sufficient time reducing Flip 2, after which given a Lengthy Lap. He didn’t agree with that, countering he’d misplaced time from the #AM73 transfer, so he rode on. He then received a double Lengthy Lap and served one, uncertain if it might need been for an additional incident, and didn’t serve the second – so it turned a trip by way of. The protest vote rolled on from the #23 and he didn’t take that in time both, so it ended up as a 32s time penalty, the equal of a visit by way of pitlane. Acrimony low however dedication to opinion excessive, he’ll be trying to show a degree at Mugello.
That’s simply subsequent week, as luck would have it, with the spectacular Tuscan venue able to welcome the world’s most enjoyable sport for the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo. Be part of us then for extra because the assertion wins simply carry on coming – and the historical past simply retains getting made.
Ogura places in a masterclass for first win since 2022 as Aldeguer falters
There was a twist within the story for Moto2™ on the Gran Premi Monster Vitality de Catalunya, and after exhibiting some searing tempo as soon as on the entrance, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) leaves Barcelona victorious for the primary time for the reason that 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Ogura charged by way of the sphere from tenth managing to get the higher of teammate Sergio Garcia within the closing laps, making it one other MT Helmets – MSI one-two. Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Crew) was overcome with pleasure after selecting up his first podium of the 12 months in what has up to now been a troublesome season. And the twist? Preliminary chief Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) received a Lengthy Lap for monitor limits after which crashed out as he entered the LLP loop.
As soon as the lights went out it was a flying begin from Garcia as he transformed his pole place into the race lead at Flip 1. Teammate Ogura rocketed from tenth on the grid and by some means snuck up into the highest three as they reached the tip of the straight.
Again on the entrance, it didn’t take Aldeguer lengthy to steal away the race lead. He dived to the within of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Garcia at Flip 10 on Lap 3, after which set about placing the hammer down as he requested questions of the Moto2™ sophomore. Pushing laborious, Aldeguer did handle to make a spot earlier than Garcia began to shut him again in, after which the LLP for monitor limits added the primary twist for the #54.
As they crossed the road to start out lap 15, Garcia was almost able to pounce. However he didn’t must. Coming into the lengthy lap penalty loop at Flip 1, Aldeguer tucked the entrance on the brakes as he desperately tried to lose as little time as potential however ultimately he misplaced all likelihood of victory.
Garcia was promoted to the lead however then simply as he might breathe a sigh of aid, a second menace rapidly turned very seen. Ogura had sneakily taken two seconds out of his teammate in three laps.
The pivotal second got here at Flip 1 on Lap 18 as Ogura slipstreamed previous Garcia after which from there rode house to a transparent victory ultimately by virtually 4 seconds. Amazingly, that’s Ogura’s first win since he received in his homeland of Japan again in 2022. The ultimate laps of held breath turned to elation on the chequered flag because the MT Helmets – MSI squad secured a superb Barcelona one-two. Dixon in third was delighted to be again on the rostrum after a torrid begin to 2024.
Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Grasp Camp Crew) took a positive fourth as he simply edged out a superb efficiency from Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) who took fifth – serving an extended lap penalty on the best way too, for monitor limits.
Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) dropped to eighth after struggling to carry onto the tempo within the closing laps. Championship hopeful Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Crew) took ninth in a disappointing day for his championship problem, nevertheless it was higher than it was on the line as he was promoted to ninth from after each Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew) and Zonta Van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) needed to drop positions post-race.
The Grand Prix paddock heads to Mugello in a single week’s time for the enduring Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, so be part of us there for extra!
Catch me in case you can: Alonso pulls the pin for fourth win of the 12 months
David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Crew) performed his playing cards to perfection within the Gran Premi Monster Vitality de Catalunya, pouncing when it counted after which upping the tempo to carry off the chasing pack to the flag. The victory, his fourth of the season, additionally makes him the brand new Moto3™ World Championship chief. Simply behind, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) transformed his maiden pole right into a podium in P2, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) again on the field in third.
After a scrappy begin with many virtually on the grass, Ortola emerged with a number of bike lengths lead within the first half of the primary lap – however Dani Holgado (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3), up from P9 on the grid, was quickly reeling him in. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) did the Rossi-Razgatlioglu transfer on Holgado at finish of the lap to take over in second, however by the point they received into Flip 1 it was all change on the chase. Ortola led Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) led Taiyo Furusato (Honda Crew Asia), however the Japanese rider then received the notification to serve his double Lengthy Lap given on Saturday, and Muñoz his single LLP. The race was on to maneuver again by way of.
The freight practice rolled on on the entrance with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado main the best way, however by six or seven to go Alonso was beginning to get busy. Over the road as the ultimate 5 laps started, the Colombian was attempting to stretch the group out from the entrance – with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado nearly hanging in there as a spot began to develop behind the highest 4.
Because the laps ticked on although, the image modified once more. Holgado was fading barely into the clutches of Rueda and Muñoz, and as soon as Rueda was previous the Championship chief he was in a position to claw again onto the main trio. Because the final lap started, it was as soon as once more a quartet, this time with Rueda within the ranks. The primary transfer got here from the quantity 99, getting previous Veijer at Flip 4. However that may show the final, with the tempo so scorching and the restrict so shut for every that no door was left open and no smart likelihood potential.
Alonso crossed the road 1 / 4 of a second clear to take the Championship lead, with Ortola denied a house win however taking one other podium as he builds some momentum after some unhealthy luck and hassle earlier within the season. Rueda, after a fair harder begin to 2024 with appendicitis and a few on monitor dramas, takes a second podium of the season and his third in Grand Prix racing after a powerful late assault.
Veijer was simply too far again to slipstream it and takes fourth, with Muñoz finishing the highest 5 regardless of that LLP. Holgado, in the meantime, light to sixth and loses that factors lead, now 14 factors off Alonso.
It was a standout trip from Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in seventh, with the Italian rookie hanging on to the entrance group for a lot of the race after which taking a powerful P7. An enormous group battle behind went all the best way again to 14th, and it was one other rookie heading that as Jacob Roulstone (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) took P8. Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was subsequent up and simply beat Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) to ninth they usually accomplished the highest ten.
Subsequent up it’s the beautiful Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello subsequent weeked. Can Alonso lengthen that benefit?
Extra, from a press launch issued by Michelin:
New data in MotoGP™ and MotoE™
• The sixth spherical of the MotoGP FIM World Championship and the fifth & sixth rounds of the FIM ENEL MotoE™ World Championship saved all their guarantees by way of spectacle and high-level performances.
• The MICHELIN Energy Slick ranges for MotoGP, in addition to the tyres particularly developed for the electrical bikes in MotoE, enabled riders to set a number of new data.
• In MotoGP Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) set the all-time circuit lap report of 1’38.190. In MotoE, the brand new lap benchmark is now held by Nicholas Spinelli (Tech 3 E-Racing) at 1’48.025.
On the 4.627 km Catalan circuit, with its six left and eight proper turns, the primary problem of the weekend was the dearth of grip. In such circumstances, riders adapt their using and the traction management of their bikes to restrict the quantity of rear tyre slippage and prohibit its rise in temperature, in order that its efficiency over time just isn’t impacted. On this circuit the place everybody had loads of house to precise themselves, it was due to this fact needed to point out some restraint. To assist the riders get probably the most out of their tyres in such circumstances, Michelin’s technical groups supplied them with a lot assist.
For the 2024 Gran Premi Monster Vitality de Catalunya, Michelin’s companions had at their disposal three symmetrical compounds of entrance tyres (Mushy, Medium, Onerous) and two asymmetrical rears (Mushy and Medium) – attributable to higher variety of proper turns, the best shoulder of the rear tyres was strengthened. For the Dash race, all riders chosen the Medium compound for the entrance, and the Mushy for the rear. For the Grand Prix, it was as soon as once more the Medium that was chosen by everybody for the entrance, and this time the bulk opted for the rear – with 4 riders choosing the Mushy tyres: Marc and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing), Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech 3) and Jack Miller (Crimson Bull KTM).
“The riders managed our tyres to compensate for the dearth of grip, and this was helped by the suitable set-up of their bike,” confirms Piero Taramasso, Michelin two-wheel competitors supervisor. “Through the first check classes, our companions tried all of the compounds out there to them, they usually rapidly recognized the Mushy and Medium choices as the perfect for the entrance. For the rear, the Mushy was a supply of superior efficiency in absolute phrases, however the Medium tyre supplied them extra peace of thoughts over time. Nonetheless, as we noticed within the Grand Prix, the Mushy was additionally a alternative that might repay regardless of the excessive monitor temperature (46°C). Along with Marc Marquez’s podium, I famous that Pedro Acosta’s new race lap report was set on a Mushy tyre, and that he was in a position to climb as much as thirteenth place after his early fall, attacking till the final corners of the Grand Prix. These details underline the extraordinary versatility of our tyres, no matter their specificities and their regular working home windows. Lastly, all of the data damaged this weekend as soon as once more verify our technological management, and the advantages supplied by our new rubber compounds.”
On Saturday afternoon, the Dash race (12 laps) was received by Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), forward of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing) and Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech 3).
On Sunday, the 24 lap Grand Prix noticed victory for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Crew), forward of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing).
Alongside the all-time circuit lap report, MotoGP riders recorded two new data this weekend:
The race lap report, achieved in 1’39.664 by Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech 3) on the seventh lap of the Grand Prix.
The period of the Grand Prix, which has been diminished by greater than 10 seconds, to 40’11.726.
Fifth and sixth rounds of the FIM ENEL MotoE™ World Championship
Throughout eight European Grands Prix, electrical bikes provided by Ducati compete on the charge of two races per spherical (a complete of 16 races). In Barcelona, it was a matter of overlaying 7 laps twice, first on Saturday lunchtime, then once more lower than an hour after the end of the Dash race.
Through the first of the 2 races, it was the Catalan rider Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) who received in entrance of his house crowd. He completed forward of Eric Granado (LCR E-Crew) and Kevin Zannoni (Open Financial institution Aspar Crew). On the fifth of the 7 laps, Oscar Gutierrez broke the MotoE circuit lap report, with a time of 1’48”025.
Just a little later within the day, the second spherical of MotoE noticed victory for Kevin Zannoni (Open Financial institution Aspar Crew), forward of Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) and Alessandro Zaccone (Tech 3 E-Racing).
“Our new tyres are additionally proving their price right here,” continues Piero Taramasso. “This weekend we have been in a position to notice the continued enhance in efficiency of the Ducati electrical bikes, with new report occasions and a continuously rising degree of spectacle. We now look ahead to seeing our MotoE tyre ranges, whose composition is concentrated on the preservation of pure assets, on the Mugello circuit subsequent week.”
The electrical bikes within the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE World Championship are all geared up with Michelin tyres containing 53% of renewable and recycled supplies on the rear, and 49% on the entrance (in comparison with 52% and 34% respectively final 12 months). As well as, the rear tyres are distinguished by a specific tread design, with ephemeral patterns and a velvet look, that disappear in the course of the preliminary laps.
The seventh spherical of the MotoGP World Championship, in addition to the 4th spherical of the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship, will happen subsequent weekend, from 31 Could to 2 June on the Mugello circuit (Italy), on the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo.
About Michelin
Michelin’s ambition is to sustainably enhance its prospects’ mobility. The chief within the mobility sector, Michelin designs, manufactures, and distributes the tires finest suited to their necessities and makes use of in addition to companies and options to enhance transport efficacy. Michelin additionally places ahead gives that enable its prospects to take pleasure in distinctive moments when touring. Michelin additionally develops high-technology gear meant for a number of fields. Based mostly in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin is current in 175 international locations, employs 132,200 individuals and operates 67 tire factories that, collectively, produced roughly 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com).
