FIM announces its decisions in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The FIM Board of Directors held an extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2022 in relation to the situation in Ukraine. After having carefully considered the International Olympic Committee recommendations and the specificity of our sport, the Board of Directors has unanimously condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Henceforth the following provisional urgent and protective decisions have been taken which are effective immediately and stay in force until further notice:
To suspend, for the Motorcycle Federation of Russia (MFR) and the Belarusian Federation of Motorcycle Sport (BFMS), the issuance of FIM licences and the FIM licences already distributed.
To suspend the functions of persons from MFR and BFMS acting as FIM Officials and as Commissions members/experts/agents of the FIM. As a result, no Russian and Belarusian riders, teams and officials can take part in any FIM Events and activities.
To suspend the registration of and to cancel all FIM Events such as FIM International Meetings, FIM World Championships and FIM Prize Events taking place in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and, if applicable, to relocate these FIM Events to another country.
To interrupt any other FIM activities including but not limited to seminars, commissions meetings, training camps taking place in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
The FIM Board of Directors unanimously recommends to all Affiliated Members and Continental Unions to apply these measures at the national and continental levels.
The FIM President, Jorge Viegas added: “We stand in sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering, as a result of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, and remain in close contact with our affiliate member in Ukraine (FMU). I would like to thank the FIM Board of Directors members in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. The FIM, together with its promoters and organisers, already acted on this matter and cancelled the FIM competitions scheduled in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The decisions announced today are in line with the recommendations and statements made by the International Olympic Committee, adapted to suit our sport. The FIM family is watching the developments in Ukraine with great sadness and hope for a prompt and peaceful resolution.”
Ducatis take a 1-2 to deny Honda, with the 2021 Championship top three off the first two rows
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 05 March 2022
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) stormed to a phenomenal first pole position of the season under the glorious lights of Lusail International Circuit, beating 2021 Rookie of the Year rival Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) to the top by 0.147s at the Grand Prix of Qatar. It’s Martin’s fifth pole and second in Doha, and the best MotoGP™ qualifying for Bastianini. It also continues a seven-strong qualifying sequence for Ducati, with Borgo Panigale machinery having taken pole every race since Aragon last season.
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) lines up in P3, with the top three in the 2021 Championship – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – all off the front two rows.
Q1
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) pinched top spot ahead of Quartararo after the Frenchman just got shuffled out at the out of FP3. The South African had already sat inside the Q2 places, but his seventh and final lap saw him move ahead of the reigning World Champion with a 1:53.512 and increase the tension.
Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) had been in the red as he posted a time attack, but unfortunately for the Frenchman, he passed through the yellow flags after Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) crashed at Turn 2 and his lap was cancelled. Quartararo also lost a lap, but his to a moment that saw his foot off the peg, although he improved next time round.
There were also late attempts from Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and rookie Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), but neither could quite find those few extra tenths to get themselves into the top two on the timesheets.
Q2
Shadowing 2020 World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Marc Marquez set the first benchmark time – a 1:53.566 – but he wouldn’t stay top for long. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) emerged as the pacesetter after the first runs were completed, and the Australian was less than a tenth clear of a different Repsol Hodna: Pol Espargaro. Martin was third, Marc Marquez fourth and Bastianini P5 ahead of the final push.
Tensions were high under the lights heading into the final six minutes, all set for the first pole position battle of the season. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez were first to emerge back out of pitlane, the latter getting his RC213V hooked onto the back of Pecco’s GP22. Halfway around the lap, Pecco was 0.018s under teammate Miller’s time, and Marc Marquez just 0.015s off. The tables turned through the third split as Marquez was a tenth quicker than provisional pole, and Pecco half a tenth. At the line, it remained so and it was Marquez who went pole by 0.128s, with the number 63 forced to settled for second.
It wasn’t over though, with red sectors galore on the timing screens – Miller, Pol Espargaro and Martin were all on fire, as well as Bastianini and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). Tucked up behind the Repsol Honda of Espargaro, Martin leapt to P1, with Miller going third and Brad Binder slotting into P4.
Attention then turned to Mir and Pol Espargaro, with neither able to challenge the front row, but Bastianini was on course to. Keeping it together, the ‘Beast’ just missed out on pole but takes second his first front row. That means it’s a sophomore 1-2 with Martin leading Bastianini, and Marquez in third. Martin also makes it three poles in a row for Ducati at Losail – the last two of which are his – and seven poles in a row for Ducati overall.
Miller was shuffled off the front row after Bastianini’s late time but the Aussie makes it three Ducatis in the top four, with Aleix Espargaro bagging a top five for Aprilia. Younger brother Pol Espargaro lines up alongside in P6, with Brad Binder coming through Q1 to bag P7.
Mir is the leading Suzuki in P8. The Hamamatsu factory have looked like the team to beat but Mir and Free Practice 2 pacesetter Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had a quieter Saturday in P8 and P10 respectively, with Bagnaia sandwiched between the two and also looking for more on Sunday.
So where are Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™? Quartararo starts his title defence in 11th, and that’s one place ahead of teammate Franco Morbidelli as Lusail’s most successful manufacturer looks to turn things around on race day.
The Martinator takes the first MotoGP™ pole position of the season, as we now get set for race day under the lights. Tune into the premier class race at 18:00 local time (GMT+3) to see who rises highest in the desert, with the stage set for another stunning showdown.
Jorge Martin: “Yeah it feels good to be on pole position but I’m still not 100% happy because we are missing a bit on race pace still. We have a lot of work to do this evening to find these one to two tenths to fight for the victory. Happy with my performance, we did an amazing lap and happy with the team. Tomorrow starting from pole, try to manage the tyre and understand the race because it will be a tough one with a lot of fast riders, but yeah, we will try our best and fight for the victory.”
Celestino Vietti (13). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Vietti takes first Moto2™ pole to deny Arbolino and Lowes in Doha
The Italian will spearhead the intermediate class grid for the first time ahead of both Elf Marc VDS riders, despite Lowes losing his final flying lap
Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) has taken his first ever pole in Moto2™, with the Italian setting a late 1:59.082 to lead Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) by just over a tenth. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) had taken provisional pole, but had the laptime cancelled after exceeding track limits. The Brit lines up third.
Q1
Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team), Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Barry Baltus (RW Racing GP) moved through, the latter for the first time in his career.
Q2
The early session table topper in the pole position battle was rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) from Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) and Arbolino, as Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) suffered an early crash at Turn 5 – the Thai rider went to the medical centre for a check-up, and was declared unfit for a broken finger.
Double 2021 Lusail winner Lowes then leapt to P1 as the yellow flags were shown for a Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash at the final corner. The reigning Moto3™ World Champion was all ok but his maiden Moto2™ qualifying session was over, and he’ll have a mission on Sunday to move through.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) then set a time good enough for the front row but it was later chalked off for a yellow flag infringement, as compatriot Lowes increased his advantage at the summit. No one was able to beat Lowes’ time, but Vietti went closest on his final flying lap before the late drama hit and Lowes’ lap was cancelled for exceeding track limits at Turn 15, which handed Vietti pole position.
Rookie Salač put in a mightily impressive performance to front the second row of the grid in P4, and the Czech rider has Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) for company on the second row. Dixon will launch from P7 alongside Q1 graduate Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), with Acosta starting P10 for his first Moto2™ race after that final corner crash…
The Moto2™ race gets going at 16:20 local time (GMT+3), so make sure to tune in. Can Red Bull KTM Ajo fight back on race day or have the tables turned?
Celestino Vietti: “I feel good, I didn’t expect this qualifying. I knew we could fight for the first six or seven positions but I didn’t expect this result. We worked well this weekend and the test, we tried many things. For qualifying, we caught some things which helped me make a faster lap time. We have to work tonight to try to make a consistent race, it’s important. I think tomorrow will be a very big group race. A lot of riders are going fast so we have to see what we can do in the race.”
Guevara grabs maiden Grand Prix pole
The number 28 continues his roll in Doha, with a first pole position in Moto3™
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) has taken his maiden Grand Prix pole position in style with a late lunge to the top in the Grand Prix of Qatar, putting in a 2:04.811 to deny Q1 graduate Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). 2021 Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts from the outside of the front row in P3.
Q1
Sasaki topped the session, the Japanese rider in Q1 after his final flying lap in FP3 got cancelled. Moving through with him were three rookies: Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team).
Q2
Fresh from finishing fastest in Q1, Sasaki was the early pacesetter in Q2 and his initial advantage stood at 0.5s – the fastest lap of the weekend at that stage. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) closed the gap to 0.2s on his second flying lap as a lot of the riders piled into pitlane, but there were only four riders within a second of the top heading into the final five minutes.
Sasaki was towing teammate John McPhee and the British rider climbed to P5, with Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) then going P4. A freight train of frantic Moto3™ riders formed behind Foggia, a typical lightweight qualifying session.
A gaggle of riders crossed the finish line within tenths of each other, and Guevara was just able to grab P1 from Sasaki. Masia claimed P3 with Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) slotting in ahead of Foggia, who slipped to P5. Yamanaka and McPhee’s strategy to go out ahead of the big group worked well as they line-up P6 and P7 for the opening race of the season.
Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) set his best time on the final lap but only managed P8. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Ortola, impressing after moving through Q1, complete the top ten.
The stage is set for the first Moto3™ race of the season. Who will come out on top? Find out at 15:00 (GMT +3) on Sunday as the lights go out for Round 1 at Lusail.
Izan Guevara: “Yeah I’m really happy for my first pole position in the World Championship and I’m really happy for my last lap in qualifying. Thank you to my team for the work in these two days and tomorrow more!”
More, from a press release issued by FIM and Dorna:
FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Notifications of Sanction: Foggia, Guevara and Suzuki
Sunday, 06 March 2022
FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Notifications of Sanction for Moto3™ riders Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing).
Foggia has been given a Long Lap penalty for moving abruptly on the front straight in Moto3™ Q2. For being slow on the line and disturbing another rider when exiting pitlane, he has been given a Long Lap and will start from the back of the grid.
For being slow on the line and disturbing another rider when exiting pitlane, Guevara and Suzuki have each been given a Long Lap penalty and will each start from the back of the grid.
Arai Helmets An Official Partner Of MotoAmerica Again In 2022
Leading Helmet Maker Onboard Returns As An Official Partner For 2022 MotoAmerica Championship
IRVINE, CA (March 4, 2022) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce that Arai Helmet, Inc. will again be an official partner of the 2022 Auto Parts 4 Less MotoAmerica Championship.
Arai Helmet, Inc. is a three-generation, family-owned Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality motorcycle helmets. Its mission is simple and has remained unchanged since it was founded by Hirotake Arai in the 1950s – protection without compromise. Each helmet is handmade with exclusive materials and technology and is rigorously inspected before being shipped. That is the Arai difference: quality and craftsmanship for the protection of motorcycle enthusiasts.
“Arai had a great season in MotoAmerica last year with Jake (Gagne) winning the Superbike title and setting the record for most wins (17) in a season,” said Jeff Weil, Technical and Race Support for Arai. “Being an official partner of the MotoAmerica series is important to Arai. We provide race service to our riders at every round, of course, and racing provides us with valuable feedback on how our helmets perform under extreme racing conditions. This helps our R&D improve in every aspect of our helmets. And the fact that racers continually test the limits drives Arai’s ongoing pursuit of gains in protection. We look forward to getting started again and enjoying another winning season for Arai in MotoAmerica.”
“It was awesome having Arai in the paddock last season and we’re pleased to announce that they will again be an official partner of MotoAmerica in 2022,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Arai takes care of its riders at every round and their success was unmatched in our series last year. They make a quality helmet that many of our racers rely on, and they are an important asset within our paddock. We’re looking forward to a great season of racing and Arai will be a big part of that.”
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Rins heads Marc Marquez by just 0.035 as 2022 blasts out the blocks in Qatar
The eight-time World Champion puts the Honda amongst the Suzukis on Day 1 in the desert
Friday, 04 March 2022
More Suzuki power? Day 1 certainly suggests so. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped the timesheets on the first day of 2022 as MotoGP™ returned to blistering action at the Grand Prix of Qatar, with teammate and 2020 Champion Joan Mir in third. Splitting the Hamamatsu assault on the top was eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the number 93 missed out on first by just 0.035.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
FP1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder pipped Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the first MotoGP™ P1 of the season, lunging to the top with a 1:54.851. It was close, however, with 0.056 between the two. Rins rounded out the top three.
Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team teammate Marc Marquez made it three Hondas in the top five to kick off the season too, with just 0.2s splitting the fastest quintet.
Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) encountered an early issue when his YZR-M1’s belly pan was loose, but nothing came of it for the South African rookie. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) crashed unhurt with just over 15 minutes to go at Turn 3.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), the runner-up in 2021, then crashed at Turn 6 with five minutes to go – rider ok. The front of the Italian’s GP22 washed away early in the braking zone in an early mistake for Pecco in 2022 as he ended FP1 in P18.
Francesco Bagnaia crashed during FP1. Photo courtesy Dorna.
FP2
FP2 saw the floodlights at Lusail International Circuit beaming and the premier class got straight to work. The lap times soon fell, and Marc Marquez sat top before Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took over.
The riders got some valuable laps under their belts at the same time the race is going to be at on Sunday, but with 20 minutes to go, the time attacks started. Pol Espargaro climbed to the summit, then went even faster on his second flying lap on the soft tyres, the gap up to 0.4. A whole heap of rapid laps were about to appear, however.
The first 1:53 came in from Mir with 13 minutes to go. That was swiftly beaten by Marc Marquez, the new benchmark a 1:53.711, but that didn’t stand as the fastest for long either – and it was Rins who struck back to go 0.174 clear. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) then closed the gap with two minutes to go, before Mir made it a Suzuki 1-2. It still wasn’t done, however, as Marc Marquez returned to P1 with a minute left on the clock.
Again, though, Rins struck back and at the end of play, the Suzuki man is the rider to beat heading into Day 2.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed unhurt at Turn 1, and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) crashed twice in quick succession in FP2, once at Turn 6 and then on the next lap at Turn 10 – rider ok.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Rins, Marc Marquez and Mir, Martin ends the day in P4 and as both top Independent Team rider and Ducati. For the most part, it had been a quiet day for the Borgo Panigale factory before the 2021 Rookie of the Year struck.
The fastest Yamaha was Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) as a late time saw the Italian leap up the timesheets, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) sixth ahead of qualifying day in the desert. Aleix Espargaro grabbed P7 overall, despite nearly getting in a bit of a tangle with teammate Maverick Viñales on his final flying effort.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is four tenths off the pace in P8, just ahead of Pol Espargaro in ninth and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in tenth – the Italian sneaking into the top 10 after a crash at Turn 6 in FP1 dampened his first session.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
0.8s splits the top 15 right down to FP1 pacesetter Brad Binder, and the riders outside the top 10 now face an uphill battle to try and earn an automatic Q2 place in the warmer, daytime conditions… see who can hit back on Saturday with FP3 at 13:15 (GMT +3), before qualifying for the first race of the season kicks off at 18:00.
FRIDAY: TOP 3
1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 1’53.432
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.035
3 Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – +0.147
Fernandez flies, denies Acosta on Friday
The first day of the season heralds a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2, with Schrötter a close third in Doha
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ended the first day of 2022 Moto2™ at the top of the timesheets, setting a 1:59.112 as his best lap but fastest in both sessions. The number 37 denied new teammate and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta by just over a tenth and a half, but the now number 51 still made it a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 on Day 1. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) – recovering from a broken hand – landed P3 late on.
FP1
Fernandez kicked off 2022 in perfect fashion, with 0.138 in hand in FP1. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) was second quickest, with Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) picking up P3 on his final flying lap.
Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) was P4 and 0.393s away from Fernandez’s 2:00.290, with Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) rounding out the top five ahead of reigning Moto3™ World Champion Acosta.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) suffered an issue with his machine with just over 15 minutes left of the session, rider ok.
FP2
The opening exchanges of FP2 were busy as track conditions allowed the riders to immediately improve their times. Dixon rose to the top on his fifth flying lap, before Canet moved the goalposts with just under 10 minutes to go. Acosta and Fernandez then exchanged P1 and Dixon crashed – unhurt – as he chased a time to go back to the summit. In the end, Fernandez held P1 from Acosta, with Schrötter rising to P3 on his last lap.
Dalla Porta crashed too, as did Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Forward Racing), riders ok.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Fernandez, Acosta and Schrötter at the top, Vietti edged out Canet by 0.004 as the pair finished P4 and P5 respectively.
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is sixth going into Saturday’s action, with rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) going well in FP2 to finish seventh. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) were P8 and P9 respectively, as Dixon slipped to P10 after his crash.
Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pipped teammate Sam Lowes to P11, ahead of Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team). Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) impressed on his debut day in P14, the rookie moving over from WorldSSP and making a splash on Friday.
Will that change on Saturday? Tune in for FP3 at 12:20 (GMT +3), before qualifying from 16:25!
The GASGAS rider heads the combined timesheets on Friday, with a sizeable four tenths in hand after FP2
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) claimed the first Friday Moto3™ honours of the season thanks to a late 2:04.920 in FP2 at the Grand Prix of Qatar, pulling an impressive 0.4 seconds clear of the pack. That pack was led by John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), with FP1 pacesetter and 2021 runner up Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) ending Day 1 in P3 thanks to his morning best.
FP1
Foggia put in a commanding performance in the first session of the season, heading the timesheets by a whopping 0.9 seconds. Second was compatriot Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), with Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) third quickest but 1.1 seconds off the top. Tatsuki Suzuki made it two Leopard Racing machines in the top five as the Japanese rider claimed P4, with P5 going the way of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Track conditions were better than expected, and there were no crashers in FP1.
FP2
Most of the action came in the final five minutes of FP2, but ahead of the final flurry of fast laps, Guevera had to pull up at the end of the front straight with a broken chain. Luckily, the Aspar Team mechanics were able to sort the issue as the Spanish sophomore then went out to slam home the only 2:04 of the day. McPhee briefly sat top with his final fast lap before being deposed, with Suzuki third fastest in FP2.
Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) suffered a technical problem.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Guevara and McPhee from their FP2 bests, Foggia slots into third thanks to his FP1 stunner – and the Italian rode alone in the closing stages while others went in search of a tow. Suzuki ends the day in fourth, and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top five, 0.5s off Guevara.
Migno slots into sixth ahead of 2021 Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP in formation in P8 and P9; Tatay pipping teammate Xavier Artigas. Rossi was 10th.
The final four riders set to move straight through to Q2 as it stands are previous Qatar winner Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power), compatriot Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), rookie Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3).
See how that shuffles in FP3 from 11:25 (GMT +3), before qualifying begins from 15:30.
2 John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) – Husqvarna – +0.424
3 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.494
More, from a press release issued by Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s Rookies Duo Launches 2022 MotoGP campaign in Qatar
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing and their exciting duo of rookies Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner travelled to Doha in Qatar this week for the opening round of the 2022 MotoGP™ World Championship. After two very busy media days on Wednesday and Thursday filled with interviews, shootings, and fun activities, things got serious today as the MotoGP™ class launched the festivities with Free Practice 1 and 2 at the Losail International Circuit.
The first session of the season started at 13:40 local time (GMT+3) in Doha and Raul Fernandez was eager to reunite with his KTM RC16, less than two weeks after the official MotoGP™ test in Mandalika. Testing is testing, but nothing matches a race weekend and the challenges it carries, and it was obvious that the Spaniard was ready for it today for his first time on the Losail International Circuit with a MotoGP™ engine. After a first session of discovery and observation, Raul entered the arena under the lights for a night session in preparation for the Grand Prix of Qatar, set to be held at night time on Sunday, at 18:00 local time (GMT+3). He significantly improved his lap-time from the morning, with 1’54.884. He finished the day ahead of all the other rookies.
Remy Gardner was also really excited to get his MotoGP™ career started here in Doha after a very intense preseason in Sepang and Mandalika. The Australian rider had a similar experience to his teammate as the first practice was all about track discovery with a much more powerful engine to what he had been used to here in the past. At night, Remy made some big improvements and reached his best-lap time in 1’54.929. With the top 15 riders all less than one second from each other, our number 87 finished the day in P21, only 1.497 seconds from the top, promising us a very exciting weekend at the Grand Prix of Qatar.
The action will resume tomorrow with FP3 at 13:15 track time (GMT+3), followed by the final Free Practice at 17:20 (GMT+3). Both Remy and Raul will then have their first test when Qualifying 1 kicks-off at 18:00 (GMT+3).
Raul Fernandez
Position: 19th
Time: 1’54.884
Laps: 32
“Today was a difficult day, I believe for all the rookies as well. The Losail International Circuit is a difficult layout, and even more so with a MotoGP engine. Here, you only have one free practice with a decent track temperature, so we did not do too many kilometers in the end. I am happy at the end of the day, as the gap with the top rider is not so big, and I believe that I can get even closer to them.”
Remy Gardner
Position: 21st
Time: 1’54.929
Laps: 32
“Today was my first day as a MotoGP rider and I had a lot of fun out on track. This track feels so different on a MotoGP bike for sure, the corners come much faster and I need to get used to this. We still have some things to improve on my bike set-up, but I believe that we are in the right direction. I enjoyed today a lot and I already look forward to getting back on track tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Strong opening night for the Repsol Honda Team in Qatar
Marc Marquez opens the year with a solid second place, less than a tenth from the top as Pol Espargaro posts steady improvements and quick times across Friday.
The 2022 MotoGP World Championship season officially got underway in Qatar, the Repsol Honda Team eagerly returning to the racetrack after the winter break. As always, conditions around the Lusail International Circuit improved over the course of the opening day, the first session held under daylight and the second session held at night, under the lights.
A strong Free Practice 1 opened the year for the Repsol Honda Team as Pol Espargaro finished fourth, just a hundredth of a second clear of teammate Marc Marquez. This form would continue into the evening session, Free Practice 2 getting underway at 18:00 Local Time – the same time the race is scheduled for on Sunday.
No matter the conditions in Lusail, Marc Marquez was able to show his pace and was never more than half a second from the fastest time. In the morning the eight-time World Champion ended fifth, 0.286s back on Brad Binder who topped the session. As darkness descended for FP2, Marquez improved his time to a 1’53.467 – over a second and a half faster, to end the day as the second fastest rider and top Honda. The objective for tomorrow is the front two rows of the grid as Marquez continues to find his feet on the new bike.
Pol Espargaro looked strong in both morning and evening conditions, fourth in FP1 and 1.2 seconds faster in FP2. This improvement saw the #44 finish the day in ninth place overall, just 0.531s off Alex Rins who topped the opening day of the season. Confident there’s still more to come, Espargaro is willing to push hard in the morning if his place in Q2 comes under any risk. It was an overall confidence building day for the Repsol Honda Team rider.
Preparations for the Qatar Grand Prix continue on Saturday, March 05. Free Practice 3 begins the day at 13:15 Local Time before the battle for the first pole position of the year starts at 18:00 Local Time – the same time as Sunday’s race.
Marc Marquez
SECOND 1’53.467
“Overall I think we are in a better position than we were expecting and I think that a good target for us tomorrow is to aim for the front two rows. We still need to understand how to improve our rhythm a bit to close the gap to the top. I feel like I am riding quite ‘clean’, I am still working to understand the front of the new bike so my riding does not yet look like ‘Marquez style’ but the lap time is coming. It’s about being patient, it’s very early in the season and this is normally a track where we struggle a bit. It’s still Friday though, the weekend has just started. Today I pushed, tomorrow I will push again.”
Pol Espargaro
NINTH 1’53.963
“It felt good today, especially at a track like here in Qatar where usually I struggle a little bit. We had a good run with our first tyre in FP2 but on the second tyre we had some problems so couldn’t push to the maximum. What’s good is that our time from the first tyre is good enough for the top ten, it’s a big improvement over last year where we had to push a lot just to achieve this – it shows the work the team has done over winter. Tomorrow will be a busy day of trying things, to be fast over one lap and also looking to be fast for the race.”
More, from a press release issued by WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:
WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team gets 2022 season underway in Qatar
Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder conclude day one at the Losail International Circuit in P14 and P24.
The Grand Prix of Qatar kicked off today in hot conditions, although the sky was cloudy during the first Free Practice session of the year in the afternoon. Yet, once the sun set over the Losail International Circuit, lap times got quicker on a cooler asphalt illuminated by the famous floodlights all around the 5.4-kilometer circuit outside of Qatar’s capital Doha. Throughout the day, both WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team riders got back in the rhythm of a race weekend and improved their lap times with nearly each exit.
Andrea Dovizioso is returning to a track this weekend, where he already celebrated two wins and three second places, but missed out on the two rounds at the Losail International Circuit one year ago. Therefore, he started to re-adapt step by step aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. He lowered his lap time from session one to session two by 1.742 seconds and concluded the opening day of the season just 0.182 seconds behind the top 10.
On the other side of the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team garage, premier class rookie Darryn Binder stepped forward gradually throughout Friday. The South African found out more and more about the bike and the circuit and found himself eventually 1.762 seconds behind his teammate, but was optimistic to further close the gap to the front tomorrow.
Following the opening day of the season, the Qatar GP is set to continue tomorrow with Free Practice three at 13:15 local time (11:15 CET), followed by FP4 at 17:20 (15:20 CET) and the all-important two Qualifying sessions at 18:00 (16:00 CET) and 18:25 (16:25 CET) to determine the first starting grid of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season.
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
“I’m happy because I’m closer and closer in terms of pace and also my lap time got faster and faster, meaning that I was getting closer to the top. At the same time my overall feeling was improving. It’s very nice to feel the turning of the bike, but everybody is incredibly fast. Even if you do a good lap time, it’s not even enough for the top 10. This is a bit tricky, as we know it’s impossible in FP3 tomorrow to improve the lap time again. Therefore, it’s going to be difficult, but we are ready to work on it.”
DARRYN BINDER
“There’s a big difference from the test to the first official weekend. Just arriving this morning and you know that you have to be on time and you start when the green light goes green. It just gives everybody a different feeling. The whole vibe is different, it’s race weekend, which is super cool. I was feeling a bit strange going into FP1, as this is the beginning of the first official weekend. We started with some difficulties. I went out of the pits and unfortunately my belly pan broke, I had to come in after one lap and change it, which disrupted our plan a bit. I just wanted to be out there to learn, because we haven’t got that much time. At the end of FP1, I felt quite alright, did as many laps as I could and was just waiting for FP2 tonight to have better conditions. It started off quite good, I improved quite a lot, but later we had a bit of a technical issue, at the end I managed to improve again. I was looking for a lot more with the soft tyres. It’s been a difficult first day, though saying that, I feel I’m not too far from the other guys. Tomorrow, we’ll sort everything out and just do our best.”
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing:
QATAR GP – Martin ended in P4 and Zarco P18 after the first day of practice.
Pramac Racing Team riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín were back on track again at the Lusail Circuit to face the inaugural Grand Prix of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship. On the strength of the results obtained in the two test sessions, Jorge Martin ended the first day of free practice with the fourth fastest time during the FP2 with a time of 1:53.652. Johann Zarco, where on this circuit he scored two consecutive podiums last season, lacked some confidence today, ending the first day of free practice in eighteenth place with a time of 1:54.656. Jorge Martín
A positive first day, I am very satisfied, finishing with the fourth fastest time is definitely a good start but I want to do even better. Tomorrow it will be important to have a good qualifying session to start at the front on Sunday.
Johann Zarco
A difficult day, I was hoping to finish in the top ten because it will be difficult to get into Q2 but we’ll try anyway. Tomorrow we’ll stay focused, it’s a track I really like and where we can do well, so we’ll give our best.
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:
DAY1 OF THE MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM IN DOHA
Historic debut for the Made in Tavullia MotoGP Team in the FP1 of the Qatar GP. Marini and Bezzecchi closed the first free practices sessions respectively in P23 and P20 in the combined standings
Losail (Qatar), March 4th 2022 – The Mooney VR46 Racing Team will close the Day1 at the Losail International Circuit, the real debut on the track in a race weekend for the team from Tavullia. Riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi are respectively in P23 and P20.
Among the first guys to test the Doha track in the FP1 with the GP22 bike, Luca closes the first session with a best lap time of 1’56.540. On track in the FP2 to improve his feelings, he is the victim of a crash in the middle of the session and signs a best lap time of the day of 1’55.775.
Rookie debut for Marco, 1’57.430 in the morning, and capable of an important step forward between the two sessions. He signs a flying lap of 1’54.900 improving by over two and a half seconds.
For both, the last two free practice sessions are scheduled for tomorrow before qualifying, which will start at 06:00 pm local time (04:00 pm CET ed).
Luca Marini #10:
A difficult start for this Championship, lots of things today and now it is important to reset and get back on track tomorrow. In terms of riding, I can say that the grip on the front is very difficult, completely different feelings than in Indonesia. With the crash in FP2, I was not able to do a lot of laps, but tomorrow we have two session from improving. We will not change to much he bike, we will continue to analyse my feelings and work on the electronics. There we can make a step forward.
Marco Bezzecchi #72:
It was a good day: fun and exciting. It was the first day I expected, even on lap times. The level is very high in this category and you have to take care of every detail. Tomorrow we will continue to work, today we did well with the Team and we can make a step forward in terms of electronics for the qualifying.
Pablo Nieto, Team Director:
Today was a special day, the first time for many of us and I’m quite happy with how it went. Luca had a good start, but the crash in the FP2 was not expected and slowed down our plan a bit. Marco did a great job, he is a rookie and tomorrow he can make a step forward to get closer to the group.
More, from a press release issued by Team Gresini Racing MotoGP:
BASTIANINI JUST OUTSIDE Q2 ON DAY ONE IN QATAR
#Qatar free practice. Team Gresini MotoGP had a strong start in Qatar with Enea Bastianini among the protagonists in these first two FP sessions of 2022. The rider #23 showed great signs already in FP1, lapping with hard tyres and setting interesting times,while im FP2 only an issue in the last split prevented him from entering the direct Q2 admission group. Only 42 thousandths separate the ‘beast’ (11th) from the top ten. Will it be a mission impossible tomorrow in FP3? The Team Gresini rider does not think so.
Very first day at school for Fabio Di Giannantonio who was less than two seconds away from the top, including a little bit of regret. A crash in FP1 basically cost him half the session (at least 15 minutes). In FP2, a slower rider was in the way and ruined his quick-lap attempt.
FP3 will get underway at Doha tomorrow at 13:15 (GMT +3).
11st – ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (1’54.013)
“The first day was positive, we were quick in both sessions despite some small feeling issues on the front end. We lost plenty of time in the last sector during the time attack and I couldn’t get on the gas the perfect way at turn 15. We lost at least four tenths in that area: without that I would be in Q2. Tomorrow in FP3 it will be hard, but we will try our best.”
22nd – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’55.371)
“Today’s emotions were incredible and I can finally say this new adventure has finally started. We worked well even though I’m only half happy: I’m coming from Moto2 where the goal was to win the race and seeing myself so far back makes things a bit more complicated, but it’s fair as I have a lot to learn. I need to understand how I can be faster. Unfortunately I crashed this morning at turn three and if there wasn’t a rider on the line in the afternoon I would have been a little closer to the top.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
TAKA SECOND IN FP1 AS NEW SEASON STARTS IN QATAR
4 March 2022 | Qatar GP Practice
Taka Nakagami wasted no time in demonstrating his potential on the new Honda RC213v machinery as the 2022 MotoGP World Championship officially got underway in Qatar on Friday. The season started in earnest at the Losail International Circuit and the LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider impressed by taking 2nd spot in the first free practice session of the 2022 calendar.
With FP1 and FP2 now taking place in contrasting day-night conditions, Taka laid down a marker with his final run in the afternoon as he went fastest with his penultimate lap before being edged out by KTM rider Brad Binder. Track conditions were very different once the sun had set, but the Japanese rider narrowly missed out on a top-10 spot and will now fight hard for direct entry to Q1 on Saturday.
Takaaki Nakagami – 12th
(1’54.038)
“Finishing P2 in FP1 was a great way to start. It was a really good feeling this morning. In FP2, we went from day-time to night and the conditions were completely different, but I was only one tenth outside the top-10 lap time. The feeling (with the bike) was good, but we still have a lot of margin to improve and that’s really important. I’m quite happy about how the day went. We’ll keep pushing and working hard with my team. I’m looking forward to the second day here in Qatar.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ UPBEAT AFTER OPENING DAY OF QATAR GP
4 March 2022 | Qatar GP Practice
Álex Márquez is confident there is plenty more to come after a mixed first day of free practice at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on Friday. The LCR Honda CASTROL rider showed his undoubted pace on the 2022 Honda prototype, but has work to do ahead of qualifying on Saturday following a competitive FP2 session at the Losail International Circuit.
The Spaniard translated his progressive pre-season testing form into an impressive showing in FP1 as he eased into the top-10 on his final run. Although he was unable to maintain that momentum in FP2 as dusk fell, Álex was still optimistic about his chances ahead of the opening GP of the new season on Sunday.
Álex Márquez – 16th
(1’54.475)
“FP1 was really good and I felt confident with the bike and then for FP2, the first run was really good, but for the second one we put on the soft rear tyre with the new front and I made two mistakes, which I apologise to the team for. But, at least, we were able to put on another tyre and be fast again, but not enough to be in Q2 directly. We’ll try tomorrow to have a good FP3, regain our confidence, be fast in FP4 and, hopefully, Q1 as well. I’ll try my best and we’ll look to be as competitive as we can.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
QATAR WEEKEND KICKS OFF WITH SUZUKI FIRST AND THIRD
Alex Rins: 1st – 1’53.432
Joan Mir: 3rd – 1’53.579 (+ 0.147s)
Team Suzuki Ecstar enjoyed a great start to the first race weekend of the season with both riders showing excellent early pace at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The afternoon’s FP1 session started out cloudy with some dust still hanging around the track, but it didn’t stop Alex Rins from lighting up the timesheets. Joan Mir was quick to join his teammate in the Top 5 and both riders clocked very quick top speeds. Alex and Joan favoured the hard compound tyres for the majority of the session but switched to softs for the final laps. Rins closed FP1 in 3rd, and Mir in 7th. The Top 15 riders were covered by 1 second.
As night fell the team were feeling prepared for FP2, especially as it was likely to be the Top 10 splitter for qualifying with temperatures more favourable in the evening than the afternoon. The Suzuki pair took it easy in the first part of the session, before going for time attacks. Mir was the first one to hit the top of the timesheets, and then Rins did the same. The session continued to tick by, and with less than 5 minutes to go both riders headed out for a final push. Rins was extremely strong over several sectors, especially sector 3, and this allowed him to reclaim top spot. Mir was close behind in 3rd.
Alex Rins:
“Today was a good day, we worked hard in the pre-season and it seems to have paid off because the bike is working well – even a bit better than we expected! I was able to be fast with used tyres and new ones, so that gives me some confidence for the next days. Obviously, we need to keep working and pushing because the level is high out there, but it’s certainly a great start.”
Joan Mir:
“It’s only the first day, but I’m very happy about how everything’s going, I feel great with the bike and we can really see and feel that the package has improved compared with last year. We understood what was needed to get faster and more competitive, and now everything feels a little easier, so that’s really important. I tried all the tyre options and I liked the feeling of all of them here, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Livio Suppo – Team Manager:
“It’s a good start to the weekend, and a good initiation for me as a first day on track. Both our guys did a really good job and the bike is looking very fast, for a Friday I can’t ask for more! We’re aiming to continue like this for the whole weekend, and the feeling is good for the coming days.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
DILIGENT START FOR MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP ON QATAR GP FRIDAY
Losail (Qatar), 4th March 2022
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo kicked off their 2022 MotoGP campaign today at the Losail International Circuit. They finished in 5th and 8th place respectively in the combined Friday free practice timesheets.
5th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’53.845 / 18 + 19 LAPS
8th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’53.906 / 18 + 17 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo went straight down to business today during the first two free practice sessions of the Grand Prix of Qatar. They worked on their race set-ups for Sunday and finished the day in 5th and 8th place respectively in the combined Friday free practice results.
Morbidelli put any concerns about his healing progress to bed in the hot and humid FP1. He was soon up in third place with a 1‘55.551, on his seventh lap. The Italian showed no signs of slowing down, completing two runs of nine laps each. He improved his best time to a 1‘55.294s, set on lap 17/18, to finish the first session of the 2022 season in sixth place, 0.443s from first.
The number-21 rider resumed the action as the clock struck 18:00 local time. He continued to work on his bike‘s setting, only to put it to the test at the very end of the session. He set a 1‘53.845s on lap 18/19, that moved him up to the top 5. He concluded his first day of riding at 100% fitness in fifth place in the FP2 and the combined standings, 0.413s from first.
Quartararo had his head in the game from the off. He immediately started preparing for Sunday‘s race, eager to repeat the 2021 Doha GP result. The Frenchman worked systematically on his bike‘s set-up and gradually improved his race pace over the first 45 minutes of riding action at Losail. He produced a 1‘55.600s on lap 17/18, that put him in 11th place, 0.749s from the top.
The number-20 rider made a big step in the evening session. With the sun setting, the conditions got trickier, catching out multiple riders. Meanwhile the defending World Champion shaved off more than 1.3s of his FP1 time by his twelfth lap. With eight minutes on the clock, he started his final push of the first free practice Friday of 2022. He ended in eighth place in the FP2 and combined FP standings, 0.474s from first, with a 1‘53.906s best lap set on 16/17.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
Today we‘ve officially kicked off the 2022 season. It‘s been a long time since we‘ve last ridden here. In previous years, we had a test in Qatar before the race but this time we didn‘t, so we are working with last year‘s data. FP1 gave us the feeling that the track was already fast, but we approached it like we always approach the first session of the season: no time attacks, just collecting data without pushing too much. After that, we went into FP2 with the aim to do the time attack to secure a provisional place in Q2 because we expect the conditions of FP3 to be hotter, reducing the performance. We reached our target. Even though there‘s a gap to the top that we need to bridge in time for Q2, we feel positive that we have enough time to get the job done. Tonight we will compare both riders‘ data, and tomorrow we will evaluate the modifications that we‘ll prepare for FP3.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
It was a good day for us. We‘ve been fast in FP1 and in FP2 as well. We also had a chance to try the medium tyre. I was expecting a little bit more from it. I’m not entirely happy about that run, but everything came back on the soft tyre, and I was able to make a decent lap or five. The competition is fast, so we’ve got to dig to find something. But at the same time, I’m really happy because we’re getting back to working for important things and the top spots and being with the top guys, and that’s a very nice feeling.
FABIO QUARTARARO
Today was a tough day. I didn’t feel so good on the bike to be honest. We need to find a way to improve. I was fast in the first two sectors, but something was missing today, and we need to understand why and solve it for tomorrow. I felt like I was riding on the limit, but we’re not on our real limit. But it’s just the first day in Qatar – normally we have a test here. We’ll check last year’s data to see what’s different and where we can improve. We are not extremely safe for the Q2, so we will see if we will do a time attack in FP3 or not.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
Jack Miller concludes Friday free practice for GP of Qatar in sixth place. Pecco Bagnaia tenth
Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia took to the track this afternoon for the first Friday free practice of the 2022 MotoGP season, which begins as usual, at night, with the Grand Prix of Qatar, at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha this weekend.
After the first FP1 session held in the daylight with track temperatures just above 40 degrees, the Ducati Lenovo Team riders returned to the track at 6pm, as the sun went down, for FP2, finding conditions similar to those they are likely to encounter in Sunday’s race, which is scheduled at the same time. On the floodlit track, both Jack and Pecco improved on their morning lap times and managed to finish Friday in the top ten, securing a provisional spot in Q2 tomorrow.
In his time attack attempt, Miller improved his lap time by over a second and a half, ending Friday in sixth place. On the other side of the garage, Bagnaia, who finished the first session only 18th after suffering a small crash, stopped the clock at 1:53.971 in FP2 to set the tenth fastest time overall.
Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 6th (1:53.870)
“All in all, it was a good day. In FP2, I had some small issues, and I couldn’t ride consistently. In the end, I was able to put a good lap together and I am satisfied with it. Despite the sand surrounding the circuit, the asphalt was pretty clean today, and the conditions were excellent. I’m satisfied with these first two sessions here in Qatar, and I’m confident I can improve again tomorrow”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 10th (1:53.971)
“I’m not completely happy with this first day because I struggled a bit, especially at the start. I was expecting to be a little faster this evening in FP2. Anyway, I am positive: my team and I have already identified the areas we need to work on to improve my feeling with the bike, so I am confident I can do well in qualifying tomorrow”.
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track tomorrow at 13:15 local time (12:15 Italian time) for FP3, while the first qualifying of the 2022 season will take place at 18:00 (CET +2.00), after FP4.
Progressive AFT and Arai Helmet Renew Official Partnership
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 4, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track announced today that Arai Helmet, Inc. will be the Official Helmet of Progressive AFT for a fifth consecutive season in 2022.
Arai is widely recognized as the world’s premier helmet manufacturer, and its innumerable motorsports successes across such championships as Progressive AFT, Formula 1, and MotoGP attest to that fact. Arai has provided elite two- and four-wheeled athletes with unparalleled safety, comfort, technology, and style for generations.
“Arai has been the helmet of choice by flat track racers for decades,” said Gene Crouch, COO of Progressive AFT. “There’s nothing more important in racing than proper helmet safety, and no manufacturer better understands the needs and desires of riders better than Arai. Arai’s dedication to safety, craftsmanship, and quality is truly impressive.”
Arai Helmet is a three-generation, family-owned Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality motorcycle helmets. Its mission is simple and has remained unchanged since it was founded by Mr. Hirotake Arai in the 1950s: protection without compromise. To this day, and for more than seven decades, Arai has been accumulating gains in protection one-by-one, even if just a little. Rather than seeking a profit, Arai is driven by a desire to produce a better helmet to protect their fellow riders.
Each helmet is meticulously handmade with exclusive materials and technology and rigorously double-inspected before being shipped. That’s the Arai difference: quality and craftsmanship for the protection of motorcycle enthusiasts. You can learn more here in their “Value of Arai” video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO7lBYsxhMw.
Progressive AFT will kick off the 2022 season with the Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II doubleheader during Daytona Bike Week on Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 at Volusia Speedway Park. Secure your tickets to the season opener now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3666.
Catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II will premiere back-to-back on FS1 on Sunday, March 20, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
About Arai Helmet
Founded as a helmet maker on October 13th, 1950, Arai Helmet was the first manufacturer of 2-wheel helmets in Japan. As for the high level of protection for motorcycles, touring riders of course needed it and Arai Helmet also received overwhelming endorsement from racers using the helmet in severe conditions. Mr. Michio Arai was born in 1938 in Tokyo and took over the Arai family business in 1986 from his father, Mr. Hirotake Arai.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
The FIM headquarters building in Switzerland. Image courtesy FIM.
FIM announces its decisions in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The FIM Board of Directors held an extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2022 in relation to the situation in Ukraine. After having carefully considered the International Olympic Committee recommendations and the specificity of our sport, the Board of Directors has unanimously condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Henceforth the following provisional urgent and protective decisions have been taken which are effective immediately and stay in force until further notice:
To suspend, for the Motorcycle Federation of Russia (MFR) and the Belarusian Federation of Motorcycle Sport (BFMS), the issuance of FIM licences and the FIM licences already distributed.
To suspend the functions of persons from MFR and BFMS acting as FIM Officials and as Commissions members/experts/agents of the FIM. As a result, no Russian and Belarusian riders, teams and officials can take part in any FIM Events and activities.
To suspend the registration of and to cancel all FIM Events such as FIM International Meetings, FIM World Championships and FIM Prize Events taking place in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and, if applicable, to relocate these FIM Events to another country.
To interrupt any other FIM activities including but not limited to seminars, commissions meetings, training camps taking place in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
The FIM Board of Directors unanimously recommends to all Affiliated Members and Continental Unions to apply these measures at the national and continental levels.
The FIM President, Jorge Viegas added: “We stand in sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering, as a result of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, and remain in close contact with our affiliate member in Ukraine (FMU). I would like to thank the FIM Board of Directors members in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. The FIM, together with its promoters and organisers, already acted on this matter and cancelled the FIM competitions scheduled in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The decisions announced today are in line with the recommendations and statements made by the International Olympic Committee, adapted to suit our sport. The FIM family is watching the developments in Ukraine with great sadness and hope for a prompt and peaceful resolution.”
Ducatis take a 1-2 to deny Honda, with the 2021 Championship top three off the first two rows
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 05 March 2022
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) stormed to a phenomenal first pole position of the season under the glorious lights of Lusail International Circuit, beating 2021 Rookie of the Year rival Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) to the top by 0.147s at the Grand Prix of Qatar. It’s Martin’s fifth pole and second in Doha, and the best MotoGP™ qualifying for Bastianini. It also continues a seven-strong qualifying sequence for Ducati, with Borgo Panigale machinery having taken pole every race since Aragon last season.
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) lines up in P3, with the top three in the 2021 Championship – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – all off the front two rows.
Q1
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) pinched top spot ahead of Quartararo after the Frenchman just got shuffled out at the out of FP3. The South African had already sat inside the Q2 places, but his seventh and final lap saw him move ahead of the reigning World Champion with a 1:53.512 and increase the tension.
Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) had been in the red as he posted a time attack, but unfortunately for the Frenchman, he passed through the yellow flags after Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) crashed at Turn 2 and his lap was cancelled. Quartararo also lost a lap, but his to a moment that saw his foot off the peg, although he improved next time round.
There were also late attempts from Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and rookie Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), but neither could quite find those few extra tenths to get themselves into the top two on the timesheets.
Q2
Shadowing 2020 World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Marc Marquez set the first benchmark time – a 1:53.566 – but he wouldn’t stay top for long. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) emerged as the pacesetter after the first runs were completed, and the Australian was less than a tenth clear of a different Repsol Hodna: Pol Espargaro. Martin was third, Marc Marquez fourth and Bastianini P5 ahead of the final push.
Tensions were high under the lights heading into the final six minutes, all set for the first pole position battle of the season. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez were first to emerge back out of pitlane, the latter getting his RC213V hooked onto the back of Pecco’s GP22. Halfway around the lap, Pecco was 0.018s under teammate Miller’s time, and Marc Marquez just 0.015s off. The tables turned through the third split as Marquez was a tenth quicker than provisional pole, and Pecco half a tenth. At the line, it remained so and it was Marquez who went pole by 0.128s, with the number 63 forced to settled for second.
It wasn’t over though, with red sectors galore on the timing screens – Miller, Pol Espargaro and Martin were all on fire, as well as Bastianini and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). Tucked up behind the Repsol Honda of Espargaro, Martin leapt to P1, with Miller going third and Brad Binder slotting into P4.
Attention then turned to Mir and Pol Espargaro, with neither able to challenge the front row, but Bastianini was on course to. Keeping it together, the ‘Beast’ just missed out on pole but takes second his first front row. That means it’s a sophomore 1-2 with Martin leading Bastianini, and Marquez in third. Martin also makes it three poles in a row for Ducati at Losail – the last two of which are his – and seven poles in a row for Ducati overall.
Miller was shuffled off the front row after Bastianini’s late time but the Aussie makes it three Ducatis in the top four, with Aleix Espargaro bagging a top five for Aprilia. Younger brother Pol Espargaro lines up alongside in P6, with Brad Binder coming through Q1 to bag P7.
Mir is the leading Suzuki in P8. The Hamamatsu factory have looked like the team to beat but Mir and Free Practice 2 pacesetter Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had a quieter Saturday in P8 and P10 respectively, with Bagnaia sandwiched between the two and also looking for more on Sunday.
So where are Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™? Quartararo starts his title defence in 11th, and that’s one place ahead of teammate Franco Morbidelli as Lusail’s most successful manufacturer looks to turn things around on race day.
The Martinator takes the first MotoGP™ pole position of the season, as we now get set for race day under the lights. Tune into the premier class race at 18:00 local time (GMT+3) to see who rises highest in the desert, with the stage set for another stunning showdown.
Jorge Martin: “Yeah it feels good to be on pole position but I’m still not 100% happy because we are missing a bit on race pace still. We have a lot of work to do this evening to find these one to two tenths to fight for the victory. Happy with my performance, we did an amazing lap and happy with the team. Tomorrow starting from pole, try to manage the tyre and understand the race because it will be a tough one with a lot of fast riders, but yeah, we will try our best and fight for the victory.”
Celestino Vietti (13). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Vietti takes first Moto2™ pole to deny Arbolino and Lowes in Doha
The Italian will spearhead the intermediate class grid for the first time ahead of both Elf Marc VDS riders, despite Lowes losing his final flying lap
Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) has taken his first ever pole in Moto2™, with the Italian setting a late 1:59.082 to lead Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) by just over a tenth. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) had taken provisional pole, but had the laptime cancelled after exceeding track limits. The Brit lines up third.
Q1
Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team), Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Barry Baltus (RW Racing GP) moved through, the latter for the first time in his career.
Q2
The early session table topper in the pole position battle was rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) from Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) and Arbolino, as Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) suffered an early crash at Turn 5 – the Thai rider went to the medical centre for a check-up, and was declared unfit for a broken finger.
Double 2021 Lusail winner Lowes then leapt to P1 as the yellow flags were shown for a Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash at the final corner. The reigning Moto3™ World Champion was all ok but his maiden Moto2™ qualifying session was over, and he’ll have a mission on Sunday to move through.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) then set a time good enough for the front row but it was later chalked off for a yellow flag infringement, as compatriot Lowes increased his advantage at the summit. No one was able to beat Lowes’ time, but Vietti went closest on his final flying lap before the late drama hit and Lowes’ lap was cancelled for exceeding track limits at Turn 15, which handed Vietti pole position.
Rookie Salač put in a mightily impressive performance to front the second row of the grid in P4, and the Czech rider has Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) for company on the second row. Dixon will launch from P7 alongside Q1 graduate Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), with Acosta starting P10 for his first Moto2™ race after that final corner crash…
The Moto2™ race gets going at 16:20 local time (GMT+3), so make sure to tune in. Can Red Bull KTM Ajo fight back on race day or have the tables turned?
Celestino Vietti: “I feel good, I didn’t expect this qualifying. I knew we could fight for the first six or seven positions but I didn’t expect this result. We worked well this weekend and the test, we tried many things. For qualifying, we caught some things which helped me make a faster lap time. We have to work tonight to try to make a consistent race, it’s important. I think tomorrow will be a very big group race. A lot of riders are going fast so we have to see what we can do in the race.”
Guevara grabs maiden Grand Prix pole
The number 28 continues his roll in Doha, with a first pole position in Moto3™
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) has taken his maiden Grand Prix pole position in style with a late lunge to the top in the Grand Prix of Qatar, putting in a 2:04.811 to deny Q1 graduate Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). 2021 Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts from the outside of the front row in P3.
Q1
Sasaki topped the session, the Japanese rider in Q1 after his final flying lap in FP3 got cancelled. Moving through with him were three rookies: Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team).
Q2
Fresh from finishing fastest in Q1, Sasaki was the early pacesetter in Q2 and his initial advantage stood at 0.5s – the fastest lap of the weekend at that stage. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) closed the gap to 0.2s on his second flying lap as a lot of the riders piled into pitlane, but there were only four riders within a second of the top heading into the final five minutes.
Sasaki was towing teammate John McPhee and the British rider climbed to P5, with Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) then going P4. A freight train of frantic Moto3™ riders formed behind Foggia, a typical lightweight qualifying session.
A gaggle of riders crossed the finish line within tenths of each other, and Guevara was just able to grab P1 from Sasaki. Masia claimed P3 with Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) slotting in ahead of Foggia, who slipped to P5. Yamanaka and McPhee’s strategy to go out ahead of the big group worked well as they line-up P6 and P7 for the opening race of the season.
Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) set his best time on the final lap but only managed P8. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Ortola, impressing after moving through Q1, complete the top ten.
The stage is set for the first Moto3™ race of the season. Who will come out on top? Find out at 15:00 (GMT +3) on Sunday as the lights go out for Round 1 at Lusail.
Izan Guevara: “Yeah I’m really happy for my first pole position in the World Championship and I’m really happy for my last lap in qualifying. Thank you to my team for the work in these two days and tomorrow more!”
More, from a press release issued by FIM and Dorna:
FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Notifications of Sanction: Foggia, Guevara and Suzuki
Sunday, 06 March 2022
FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Notifications of Sanction for Moto3™ riders Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing).
Foggia has been given a Long Lap penalty for moving abruptly on the front straight in Moto3™ Q2. For being slow on the line and disturbing another rider when exiting pitlane, he has been given a Long Lap and will start from the back of the grid.
For being slow on the line and disturbing another rider when exiting pitlane, Guevara and Suzuki have each been given a Long Lap penalty and will each start from the back of the grid.
Arai Helmets will again be an official partner of MotoAmerica and also the helmet of choice of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion Jake Gagne. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Arai Helmets An Official Partner Of MotoAmerica Again In 2022
Leading Helmet Maker Onboard Returns As An Official Partner For 2022 MotoAmerica Championship
IRVINE, CA (March 4, 2022) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce that Arai Helmet, Inc. will again be an official partner of the 2022 Auto Parts 4 Less MotoAmerica Championship.
Arai Helmet, Inc. is a three-generation, family-owned Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality motorcycle helmets. Its mission is simple and has remained unchanged since it was founded by Hirotake Arai in the 1950s – protection without compromise. Each helmet is handmade with exclusive materials and technology and is rigorously inspected before being shipped. That is the Arai difference: quality and craftsmanship for the protection of motorcycle enthusiasts.
“Arai had a great season in MotoAmerica last year with Jake (Gagne) winning the Superbike title and setting the record for most wins (17) in a season,” said Jeff Weil, Technical and Race Support for Arai. “Being an official partner of the MotoAmerica series is important to Arai. We provide race service to our riders at every round, of course, and racing provides us with valuable feedback on how our helmets perform under extreme racing conditions. This helps our R&D improve in every aspect of our helmets. And the fact that racers continually test the limits drives Arai’s ongoing pursuit of gains in protection. We look forward to getting started again and enjoying another winning season for Arai in MotoAmerica.”
“It was awesome having Arai in the paddock last season and we’re pleased to announce that they will again be an official partner of MotoAmerica in 2022,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Arai takes care of its riders at every round and their success was unmatched in our series last year. They make a quality helmet that many of our racers rely on, and they are an important asset within our paddock. We’re looking forward to a great season of racing and Arai will be a big part of that.”
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Rins heads Marc Marquez by just 0.035 as 2022 blasts out the blocks in Qatar
The eight-time World Champion puts the Honda amongst the Suzukis on Day 1 in the desert
Friday, 04 March 2022
More Suzuki power? Day 1 certainly suggests so. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped the timesheets on the first day of 2022 as MotoGP™ returned to blistering action at the Grand Prix of Qatar, with teammate and 2020 Champion Joan Mir in third. Splitting the Hamamatsu assault on the top was eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the number 93 missed out on first by just 0.035.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
FP1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder pipped Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the first MotoGP™ P1 of the season, lunging to the top with a 1:54.851. It was close, however, with 0.056 between the two. Rins rounded out the top three.
Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team teammate Marc Marquez made it three Hondas in the top five to kick off the season too, with just 0.2s splitting the fastest quintet.
Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) encountered an early issue when his YZR-M1’s belly pan was loose, but nothing came of it for the South African rookie. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) crashed unhurt with just over 15 minutes to go at Turn 3.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), the runner-up in 2021, then crashed at Turn 6 with five minutes to go – rider ok. The front of the Italian’s GP22 washed away early in the braking zone in an early mistake for Pecco in 2022 as he ended FP1 in P18.
Francesco Bagnaia crashed during FP1. Photo courtesy Dorna.
FP2
FP2 saw the floodlights at Lusail International Circuit beaming and the premier class got straight to work. The lap times soon fell, and Marc Marquez sat top before Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took over.
The riders got some valuable laps under their belts at the same time the race is going to be at on Sunday, but with 20 minutes to go, the time attacks started. Pol Espargaro climbed to the summit, then went even faster on his second flying lap on the soft tyres, the gap up to 0.4. A whole heap of rapid laps were about to appear, however.
The first 1:53 came in from Mir with 13 minutes to go. That was swiftly beaten by Marc Marquez, the new benchmark a 1:53.711, but that didn’t stand as the fastest for long either – and it was Rins who struck back to go 0.174 clear. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) then closed the gap with two minutes to go, before Mir made it a Suzuki 1-2. It still wasn’t done, however, as Marc Marquez returned to P1 with a minute left on the clock.
Again, though, Rins struck back and at the end of play, the Suzuki man is the rider to beat heading into Day 2.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed unhurt at Turn 1, and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) crashed twice in quick succession in FP2, once at Turn 6 and then on the next lap at Turn 10 – rider ok.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Rins, Marc Marquez and Mir, Martin ends the day in P4 and as both top Independent Team rider and Ducati. For the most part, it had been a quiet day for the Borgo Panigale factory before the 2021 Rookie of the Year struck.
The fastest Yamaha was Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) as a late time saw the Italian leap up the timesheets, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) sixth ahead of qualifying day in the desert. Aleix Espargaro grabbed P7 overall, despite nearly getting in a bit of a tangle with teammate Maverick Viñales on his final flying effort.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is four tenths off the pace in P8, just ahead of Pol Espargaro in ninth and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in tenth – the Italian sneaking into the top 10 after a crash at Turn 6 in FP1 dampened his first session.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
0.8s splits the top 15 right down to FP1 pacesetter Brad Binder, and the riders outside the top 10 now face an uphill battle to try and earn an automatic Q2 place in the warmer, daytime conditions… see who can hit back on Saturday with FP3 at 13:15 (GMT +3), before qualifying for the first race of the season kicks off at 18:00.
FRIDAY: TOP 3
1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 1’53.432
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.035
3 Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – +0.147
Fernandez flies, denies Acosta on Friday
The first day of the season heralds a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2, with Schrötter a close third in Doha
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ended the first day of 2022 Moto2™ at the top of the timesheets, setting a 1:59.112 as his best lap but fastest in both sessions. The number 37 denied new teammate and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta by just over a tenth and a half, but the now number 51 still made it a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 on Day 1. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) – recovering from a broken hand – landed P3 late on.
FP1
Fernandez kicked off 2022 in perfect fashion, with 0.138 in hand in FP1. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) was second quickest, with Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) picking up P3 on his final flying lap.
Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) was P4 and 0.393s away from Fernandez’s 2:00.290, with Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) rounding out the top five ahead of reigning Moto3™ World Champion Acosta.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) suffered an issue with his machine with just over 15 minutes left of the session, rider ok.
FP2
The opening exchanges of FP2 were busy as track conditions allowed the riders to immediately improve their times. Dixon rose to the top on his fifth flying lap, before Canet moved the goalposts with just under 10 minutes to go. Acosta and Fernandez then exchanged P1 and Dixon crashed – unhurt – as he chased a time to go back to the summit. In the end, Fernandez held P1 from Acosta, with Schrötter rising to P3 on his last lap.
Dalla Porta crashed too, as did Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Forward Racing), riders ok.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Fernandez, Acosta and Schrötter at the top, Vietti edged out Canet by 0.004 as the pair finished P4 and P5 respectively.
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is sixth going into Saturday’s action, with rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) going well in FP2 to finish seventh. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) were P8 and P9 respectively, as Dixon slipped to P10 after his crash.
Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pipped teammate Sam Lowes to P11, ahead of Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team). Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) impressed on his debut day in P14, the rookie moving over from WorldSSP and making a splash on Friday.
Will that change on Saturday? Tune in for FP3 at 12:20 (GMT +3), before qualifying from 16:25!
The GASGAS rider heads the combined timesheets on Friday, with a sizeable four tenths in hand after FP2
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) claimed the first Friday Moto3™ honours of the season thanks to a late 2:04.920 in FP2 at the Grand Prix of Qatar, pulling an impressive 0.4 seconds clear of the pack. That pack was led by John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), with FP1 pacesetter and 2021 runner up Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) ending Day 1 in P3 thanks to his morning best.
FP1
Foggia put in a commanding performance in the first session of the season, heading the timesheets by a whopping 0.9 seconds. Second was compatriot Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), with Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) third quickest but 1.1 seconds off the top. Tatsuki Suzuki made it two Leopard Racing machines in the top five as the Japanese rider claimed P4, with P5 going the way of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Track conditions were better than expected, and there were no crashers in FP1.
FP2
Most of the action came in the final five minutes of FP2, but ahead of the final flurry of fast laps, Guevera had to pull up at the end of the front straight with a broken chain. Luckily, the Aspar Team mechanics were able to sort the issue as the Spanish sophomore then went out to slam home the only 2:04 of the day. McPhee briefly sat top with his final fast lap before being deposed, with Suzuki third fastest in FP2.
Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) suffered a technical problem.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind Guevara and McPhee from their FP2 bests, Foggia slots into third thanks to his FP1 stunner – and the Italian rode alone in the closing stages while others went in search of a tow. Suzuki ends the day in fourth, and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top five, 0.5s off Guevara.
Migno slots into sixth ahead of 2021 Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP in formation in P8 and P9; Tatay pipping teammate Xavier Artigas. Rossi was 10th.
The final four riders set to move straight through to Q2 as it stands are previous Qatar winner Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power), compatriot Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), rookie Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3).
See how that shuffles in FP3 from 11:25 (GMT +3), before qualifying begins from 15:30.
2 John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) – Husqvarna – +0.424
3 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.494
More, from a press release issued by Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s Rookies Duo Launches 2022 MotoGP campaign in Qatar
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing and their exciting duo of rookies Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner travelled to Doha in Qatar this week for the opening round of the 2022 MotoGP™ World Championship. After two very busy media days on Wednesday and Thursday filled with interviews, shootings, and fun activities, things got serious today as the MotoGP™ class launched the festivities with Free Practice 1 and 2 at the Losail International Circuit.
The first session of the season started at 13:40 local time (GMT+3) in Doha and Raul Fernandez was eager to reunite with his KTM RC16, less than two weeks after the official MotoGP™ test in Mandalika. Testing is testing, but nothing matches a race weekend and the challenges it carries, and it was obvious that the Spaniard was ready for it today for his first time on the Losail International Circuit with a MotoGP™ engine. After a first session of discovery and observation, Raul entered the arena under the lights for a night session in preparation for the Grand Prix of Qatar, set to be held at night time on Sunday, at 18:00 local time (GMT+3). He significantly improved his lap-time from the morning, with 1’54.884. He finished the day ahead of all the other rookies.
Remy Gardner was also really excited to get his MotoGP™ career started here in Doha after a very intense preseason in Sepang and Mandalika. The Australian rider had a similar experience to his teammate as the first practice was all about track discovery with a much more powerful engine to what he had been used to here in the past. At night, Remy made some big improvements and reached his best-lap time in 1’54.929. With the top 15 riders all less than one second from each other, our number 87 finished the day in P21, only 1.497 seconds from the top, promising us a very exciting weekend at the Grand Prix of Qatar.
The action will resume tomorrow with FP3 at 13:15 track time (GMT+3), followed by the final Free Practice at 17:20 (GMT+3). Both Remy and Raul will then have their first test when Qualifying 1 kicks-off at 18:00 (GMT+3).
Raul Fernandez
Position: 19th
Time: 1’54.884
Laps: 32
“Today was a difficult day, I believe for all the rookies as well. The Losail International Circuit is a difficult layout, and even more so with a MotoGP engine. Here, you only have one free practice with a decent track temperature, so we did not do too many kilometers in the end. I am happy at the end of the day, as the gap with the top rider is not so big, and I believe that I can get even closer to them.”
Remy Gardner
Position: 21st
Time: 1’54.929
Laps: 32
“Today was my first day as a MotoGP rider and I had a lot of fun out on track. This track feels so different on a MotoGP bike for sure, the corners come much faster and I need to get used to this. We still have some things to improve on my bike set-up, but I believe that we are in the right direction. I enjoyed today a lot and I already look forward to getting back on track tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Strong opening night for the Repsol Honda Team in Qatar
Marc Marquez opens the year with a solid second place, less than a tenth from the top as Pol Espargaro posts steady improvements and quick times across Friday.
The 2022 MotoGP World Championship season officially got underway in Qatar, the Repsol Honda Team eagerly returning to the racetrack after the winter break. As always, conditions around the Lusail International Circuit improved over the course of the opening day, the first session held under daylight and the second session held at night, under the lights.
A strong Free Practice 1 opened the year for the Repsol Honda Team as Pol Espargaro finished fourth, just a hundredth of a second clear of teammate Marc Marquez. This form would continue into the evening session, Free Practice 2 getting underway at 18:00 Local Time – the same time the race is scheduled for on Sunday.
No matter the conditions in Lusail, Marc Marquez was able to show his pace and was never more than half a second from the fastest time. In the morning the eight-time World Champion ended fifth, 0.286s back on Brad Binder who topped the session. As darkness descended for FP2, Marquez improved his time to a 1’53.467 – over a second and a half faster, to end the day as the second fastest rider and top Honda. The objective for tomorrow is the front two rows of the grid as Marquez continues to find his feet on the new bike.
Pol Espargaro looked strong in both morning and evening conditions, fourth in FP1 and 1.2 seconds faster in FP2. This improvement saw the #44 finish the day in ninth place overall, just 0.531s off Alex Rins who topped the opening day of the season. Confident there’s still more to come, Espargaro is willing to push hard in the morning if his place in Q2 comes under any risk. It was an overall confidence building day for the Repsol Honda Team rider.
Preparations for the Qatar Grand Prix continue on Saturday, March 05. Free Practice 3 begins the day at 13:15 Local Time before the battle for the first pole position of the year starts at 18:00 Local Time – the same time as Sunday’s race.
Marc Marquez
SECOND 1’53.467
“Overall I think we are in a better position than we were expecting and I think that a good target for us tomorrow is to aim for the front two rows. We still need to understand how to improve our rhythm a bit to close the gap to the top. I feel like I am riding quite ‘clean’, I am still working to understand the front of the new bike so my riding does not yet look like ‘Marquez style’ but the lap time is coming. It’s about being patient, it’s very early in the season and this is normally a track where we struggle a bit. It’s still Friday though, the weekend has just started. Today I pushed, tomorrow I will push again.”
Pol Espargaro
NINTH 1’53.963
“It felt good today, especially at a track like here in Qatar where usually I struggle a little bit. We had a good run with our first tyre in FP2 but on the second tyre we had some problems so couldn’t push to the maximum. What’s good is that our time from the first tyre is good enough for the top ten, it’s a big improvement over last year where we had to push a lot just to achieve this – it shows the work the team has done over winter. Tomorrow will be a busy day of trying things, to be fast over one lap and also looking to be fast for the race.”
More, from a press release issued by WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:
WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team gets 2022 season underway in Qatar
Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder conclude day one at the Losail International Circuit in P14 and P24.
The Grand Prix of Qatar kicked off today in hot conditions, although the sky was cloudy during the first Free Practice session of the year in the afternoon. Yet, once the sun set over the Losail International Circuit, lap times got quicker on a cooler asphalt illuminated by the famous floodlights all around the 5.4-kilometer circuit outside of Qatar’s capital Doha. Throughout the day, both WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team riders got back in the rhythm of a race weekend and improved their lap times with nearly each exit.
Andrea Dovizioso is returning to a track this weekend, where he already celebrated two wins and three second places, but missed out on the two rounds at the Losail International Circuit one year ago. Therefore, he started to re-adapt step by step aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. He lowered his lap time from session one to session two by 1.742 seconds and concluded the opening day of the season just 0.182 seconds behind the top 10.
On the other side of the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team garage, premier class rookie Darryn Binder stepped forward gradually throughout Friday. The South African found out more and more about the bike and the circuit and found himself eventually 1.762 seconds behind his teammate, but was optimistic to further close the gap to the front tomorrow.
Following the opening day of the season, the Qatar GP is set to continue tomorrow with Free Practice three at 13:15 local time (11:15 CET), followed by FP4 at 17:20 (15:20 CET) and the all-important two Qualifying sessions at 18:00 (16:00 CET) and 18:25 (16:25 CET) to determine the first starting grid of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season.
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
“I’m happy because I’m closer and closer in terms of pace and also my lap time got faster and faster, meaning that I was getting closer to the top. At the same time my overall feeling was improving. It’s very nice to feel the turning of the bike, but everybody is incredibly fast. Even if you do a good lap time, it’s not even enough for the top 10. This is a bit tricky, as we know it’s impossible in FP3 tomorrow to improve the lap time again. Therefore, it’s going to be difficult, but we are ready to work on it.”
DARRYN BINDER
“There’s a big difference from the test to the first official weekend. Just arriving this morning and you know that you have to be on time and you start when the green light goes green. It just gives everybody a different feeling. The whole vibe is different, it’s race weekend, which is super cool. I was feeling a bit strange going into FP1, as this is the beginning of the first official weekend. We started with some difficulties. I went out of the pits and unfortunately my belly pan broke, I had to come in after one lap and change it, which disrupted our plan a bit. I just wanted to be out there to learn, because we haven’t got that much time. At the end of FP1, I felt quite alright, did as many laps as I could and was just waiting for FP2 tonight to have better conditions. It started off quite good, I improved quite a lot, but later we had a bit of a technical issue, at the end I managed to improve again. I was looking for a lot more with the soft tyres. It’s been a difficult first day, though saying that, I feel I’m not too far from the other guys. Tomorrow, we’ll sort everything out and just do our best.”
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing:
QATAR GP – Martin ended in P4 and Zarco P18 after the first day of practice.
Pramac Racing Team riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín were back on track again at the Lusail Circuit to face the inaugural Grand Prix of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship. On the strength of the results obtained in the two test sessions, Jorge Martin ended the first day of free practice with the fourth fastest time during the FP2 with a time of 1:53.652. Johann Zarco, where on this circuit he scored two consecutive podiums last season, lacked some confidence today, ending the first day of free practice in eighteenth place with a time of 1:54.656. Jorge Martín
A positive first day, I am very satisfied, finishing with the fourth fastest time is definitely a good start but I want to do even better. Tomorrow it will be important to have a good qualifying session to start at the front on Sunday.
Johann Zarco
A difficult day, I was hoping to finish in the top ten because it will be difficult to get into Q2 but we’ll try anyway. Tomorrow we’ll stay focused, it’s a track I really like and where we can do well, so we’ll give our best.
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:
DAY1 OF THE MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM IN DOHA
Historic debut for the Made in Tavullia MotoGP Team in the FP1 of the Qatar GP. Marini and Bezzecchi closed the first free practices sessions respectively in P23 and P20 in the combined standings
Losail (Qatar), March 4th 2022 – The Mooney VR46 Racing Team will close the Day1 at the Losail International Circuit, the real debut on the track in a race weekend for the team from Tavullia. Riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi are respectively in P23 and P20.
Among the first guys to test the Doha track in the FP1 with the GP22 bike, Luca closes the first session with a best lap time of 1’56.540. On track in the FP2 to improve his feelings, he is the victim of a crash in the middle of the session and signs a best lap time of the day of 1’55.775.
Rookie debut for Marco, 1’57.430 in the morning, and capable of an important step forward between the two sessions. He signs a flying lap of 1’54.900 improving by over two and a half seconds.
For both, the last two free practice sessions are scheduled for tomorrow before qualifying, which will start at 06:00 pm local time (04:00 pm CET ed).
Luca Marini #10:
A difficult start for this Championship, lots of things today and now it is important to reset and get back on track tomorrow. In terms of riding, I can say that the grip on the front is very difficult, completely different feelings than in Indonesia. With the crash in FP2, I was not able to do a lot of laps, but tomorrow we have two session from improving. We will not change to much he bike, we will continue to analyse my feelings and work on the electronics. There we can make a step forward.
Marco Bezzecchi #72:
It was a good day: fun and exciting. It was the first day I expected, even on lap times. The level is very high in this category and you have to take care of every detail. Tomorrow we will continue to work, today we did well with the Team and we can make a step forward in terms of electronics for the qualifying.
Pablo Nieto, Team Director:
Today was a special day, the first time for many of us and I’m quite happy with how it went. Luca had a good start, but the crash in the FP2 was not expected and slowed down our plan a bit. Marco did a great job, he is a rookie and tomorrow he can make a step forward to get closer to the group.
More, from a press release issued by Team Gresini Racing MotoGP:
BASTIANINI JUST OUTSIDE Q2 ON DAY ONE IN QATAR
#Qatar free practice. Team Gresini MotoGP had a strong start in Qatar with Enea Bastianini among the protagonists in these first two FP sessions of 2022. The rider #23 showed great signs already in FP1, lapping with hard tyres and setting interesting times,while im FP2 only an issue in the last split prevented him from entering the direct Q2 admission group. Only 42 thousandths separate the ‘beast’ (11th) from the top ten. Will it be a mission impossible tomorrow in FP3? The Team Gresini rider does not think so.
Very first day at school for Fabio Di Giannantonio who was less than two seconds away from the top, including a little bit of regret. A crash in FP1 basically cost him half the session (at least 15 minutes). In FP2, a slower rider was in the way and ruined his quick-lap attempt.
FP3 will get underway at Doha tomorrow at 13:15 (GMT +3).
11st – ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (1’54.013)
“The first day was positive, we were quick in both sessions despite some small feeling issues on the front end. We lost plenty of time in the last sector during the time attack and I couldn’t get on the gas the perfect way at turn 15. We lost at least four tenths in that area: without that I would be in Q2. Tomorrow in FP3 it will be hard, but we will try our best.”
22nd – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’55.371)
“Today’s emotions were incredible and I can finally say this new adventure has finally started. We worked well even though I’m only half happy: I’m coming from Moto2 where the goal was to win the race and seeing myself so far back makes things a bit more complicated, but it’s fair as I have a lot to learn. I need to understand how I can be faster. Unfortunately I crashed this morning at turn three and if there wasn’t a rider on the line in the afternoon I would have been a little closer to the top.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
TAKA SECOND IN FP1 AS NEW SEASON STARTS IN QATAR
4 March 2022 | Qatar GP Practice
Taka Nakagami wasted no time in demonstrating his potential on the new Honda RC213v machinery as the 2022 MotoGP World Championship officially got underway in Qatar on Friday. The season started in earnest at the Losail International Circuit and the LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider impressed by taking 2nd spot in the first free practice session of the 2022 calendar.
With FP1 and FP2 now taking place in contrasting day-night conditions, Taka laid down a marker with his final run in the afternoon as he went fastest with his penultimate lap before being edged out by KTM rider Brad Binder. Track conditions were very different once the sun had set, but the Japanese rider narrowly missed out on a top-10 spot and will now fight hard for direct entry to Q1 on Saturday.
Takaaki Nakagami – 12th
(1’54.038)
“Finishing P2 in FP1 was a great way to start. It was a really good feeling this morning. In FP2, we went from day-time to night and the conditions were completely different, but I was only one tenth outside the top-10 lap time. The feeling (with the bike) was good, but we still have a lot of margin to improve and that’s really important. I’m quite happy about how the day went. We’ll keep pushing and working hard with my team. I’m looking forward to the second day here in Qatar.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ UPBEAT AFTER OPENING DAY OF QATAR GP
4 March 2022 | Qatar GP Practice
Álex Márquez is confident there is plenty more to come after a mixed first day of free practice at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on Friday. The LCR Honda CASTROL rider showed his undoubted pace on the 2022 Honda prototype, but has work to do ahead of qualifying on Saturday following a competitive FP2 session at the Losail International Circuit.
The Spaniard translated his progressive pre-season testing form into an impressive showing in FP1 as he eased into the top-10 on his final run. Although he was unable to maintain that momentum in FP2 as dusk fell, Álex was still optimistic about his chances ahead of the opening GP of the new season on Sunday.
Álex Márquez – 16th
(1’54.475)
“FP1 was really good and I felt confident with the bike and then for FP2, the first run was really good, but for the second one we put on the soft rear tyre with the new front and I made two mistakes, which I apologise to the team for. But, at least, we were able to put on another tyre and be fast again, but not enough to be in Q2 directly. We’ll try tomorrow to have a good FP3, regain our confidence, be fast in FP4 and, hopefully, Q1 as well. I’ll try my best and we’ll look to be as competitive as we can.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
QATAR WEEKEND KICKS OFF WITH SUZUKI FIRST AND THIRD
Alex Rins: 1st – 1’53.432
Joan Mir: 3rd – 1’53.579 (+ 0.147s)
Team Suzuki Ecstar enjoyed a great start to the first race weekend of the season with both riders showing excellent early pace at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The afternoon’s FP1 session started out cloudy with some dust still hanging around the track, but it didn’t stop Alex Rins from lighting up the timesheets. Joan Mir was quick to join his teammate in the Top 5 and both riders clocked very quick top speeds. Alex and Joan favoured the hard compound tyres for the majority of the session but switched to softs for the final laps. Rins closed FP1 in 3rd, and Mir in 7th. The Top 15 riders were covered by 1 second.
As night fell the team were feeling prepared for FP2, especially as it was likely to be the Top 10 splitter for qualifying with temperatures more favourable in the evening than the afternoon. The Suzuki pair took it easy in the first part of the session, before going for time attacks. Mir was the first one to hit the top of the timesheets, and then Rins did the same. The session continued to tick by, and with less than 5 minutes to go both riders headed out for a final push. Rins was extremely strong over several sectors, especially sector 3, and this allowed him to reclaim top spot. Mir was close behind in 3rd.
Alex Rins:
“Today was a good day, we worked hard in the pre-season and it seems to have paid off because the bike is working well – even a bit better than we expected! I was able to be fast with used tyres and new ones, so that gives me some confidence for the next days. Obviously, we need to keep working and pushing because the level is high out there, but it’s certainly a great start.”
Joan Mir:
“It’s only the first day, but I’m very happy about how everything’s going, I feel great with the bike and we can really see and feel that the package has improved compared with last year. We understood what was needed to get faster and more competitive, and now everything feels a little easier, so that’s really important. I tried all the tyre options and I liked the feeling of all of them here, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Livio Suppo – Team Manager:
“It’s a good start to the weekend, and a good initiation for me as a first day on track. Both our guys did a really good job and the bike is looking very fast, for a Friday I can’t ask for more! We’re aiming to continue like this for the whole weekend, and the feeling is good for the coming days.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
DILIGENT START FOR MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP ON QATAR GP FRIDAY
Losail (Qatar), 4th March 2022
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo kicked off their 2022 MotoGP campaign today at the Losail International Circuit. They finished in 5th and 8th place respectively in the combined Friday free practice timesheets.
5th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’53.845 / 18 + 19 LAPS
8th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’53.906 / 18 + 17 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo went straight down to business today during the first two free practice sessions of the Grand Prix of Qatar. They worked on their race set-ups for Sunday and finished the day in 5th and 8th place respectively in the combined Friday free practice results.
Morbidelli put any concerns about his healing progress to bed in the hot and humid FP1. He was soon up in third place with a 1‘55.551, on his seventh lap. The Italian showed no signs of slowing down, completing two runs of nine laps each. He improved his best time to a 1‘55.294s, set on lap 17/18, to finish the first session of the 2022 season in sixth place, 0.443s from first.
The number-21 rider resumed the action as the clock struck 18:00 local time. He continued to work on his bike‘s setting, only to put it to the test at the very end of the session. He set a 1‘53.845s on lap 18/19, that moved him up to the top 5. He concluded his first day of riding at 100% fitness in fifth place in the FP2 and the combined standings, 0.413s from first.
Quartararo had his head in the game from the off. He immediately started preparing for Sunday‘s race, eager to repeat the 2021 Doha GP result. The Frenchman worked systematically on his bike‘s set-up and gradually improved his race pace over the first 45 minutes of riding action at Losail. He produced a 1‘55.600s on lap 17/18, that put him in 11th place, 0.749s from the top.
The number-20 rider made a big step in the evening session. With the sun setting, the conditions got trickier, catching out multiple riders. Meanwhile the defending World Champion shaved off more than 1.3s of his FP1 time by his twelfth lap. With eight minutes on the clock, he started his final push of the first free practice Friday of 2022. He ended in eighth place in the FP2 and combined FP standings, 0.474s from first, with a 1‘53.906s best lap set on 16/17.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
Today we‘ve officially kicked off the 2022 season. It‘s been a long time since we‘ve last ridden here. In previous years, we had a test in Qatar before the race but this time we didn‘t, so we are working with last year‘s data. FP1 gave us the feeling that the track was already fast, but we approached it like we always approach the first session of the season: no time attacks, just collecting data without pushing too much. After that, we went into FP2 with the aim to do the time attack to secure a provisional place in Q2 because we expect the conditions of FP3 to be hotter, reducing the performance. We reached our target. Even though there‘s a gap to the top that we need to bridge in time for Q2, we feel positive that we have enough time to get the job done. Tonight we will compare both riders‘ data, and tomorrow we will evaluate the modifications that we‘ll prepare for FP3.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
It was a good day for us. We‘ve been fast in FP1 and in FP2 as well. We also had a chance to try the medium tyre. I was expecting a little bit more from it. I’m not entirely happy about that run, but everything came back on the soft tyre, and I was able to make a decent lap or five. The competition is fast, so we’ve got to dig to find something. But at the same time, I’m really happy because we’re getting back to working for important things and the top spots and being with the top guys, and that’s a very nice feeling.
FABIO QUARTARARO
Today was a tough day. I didn’t feel so good on the bike to be honest. We need to find a way to improve. I was fast in the first two sectors, but something was missing today, and we need to understand why and solve it for tomorrow. I felt like I was riding on the limit, but we’re not on our real limit. But it’s just the first day in Qatar – normally we have a test here. We’ll check last year’s data to see what’s different and where we can improve. We are not extremely safe for the Q2, so we will see if we will do a time attack in FP3 or not.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
Jack Miller concludes Friday free practice for GP of Qatar in sixth place. Pecco Bagnaia tenth
Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia took to the track this afternoon for the first Friday free practice of the 2022 MotoGP season, which begins as usual, at night, with the Grand Prix of Qatar, at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha this weekend.
After the first FP1 session held in the daylight with track temperatures just above 40 degrees, the Ducati Lenovo Team riders returned to the track at 6pm, as the sun went down, for FP2, finding conditions similar to those they are likely to encounter in Sunday’s race, which is scheduled at the same time. On the floodlit track, both Jack and Pecco improved on their morning lap times and managed to finish Friday in the top ten, securing a provisional spot in Q2 tomorrow.
In his time attack attempt, Miller improved his lap time by over a second and a half, ending Friday in sixth place. On the other side of the garage, Bagnaia, who finished the first session only 18th after suffering a small crash, stopped the clock at 1:53.971 in FP2 to set the tenth fastest time overall.
Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 6th (1:53.870)
“All in all, it was a good day. In FP2, I had some small issues, and I couldn’t ride consistently. In the end, I was able to put a good lap together and I am satisfied with it. Despite the sand surrounding the circuit, the asphalt was pretty clean today, and the conditions were excellent. I’m satisfied with these first two sessions here in Qatar, and I’m confident I can improve again tomorrow”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 10th (1:53.971)
“I’m not completely happy with this first day because I struggled a bit, especially at the start. I was expecting to be a little faster this evening in FP2. Anyway, I am positive: my team and I have already identified the areas we need to work on to improve my feeling with the bike, so I am confident I can do well in qualifying tomorrow”.
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track tomorrow at 13:15 local time (12:15 Italian time) for FP3, while the first qualifying of the 2022 season will take place at 18:00 (CET +2.00), after FP4.
Progressive AFT and Arai Helmet Renew Official Partnership
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 4, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track announced today that Arai Helmet, Inc. will be the Official Helmet of Progressive AFT for a fifth consecutive season in 2022.
Arai is widely recognized as the world’s premier helmet manufacturer, and its innumerable motorsports successes across such championships as Progressive AFT, Formula 1, and MotoGP attest to that fact. Arai has provided elite two- and four-wheeled athletes with unparalleled safety, comfort, technology, and style for generations.
“Arai has been the helmet of choice by flat track racers for decades,” said Gene Crouch, COO of Progressive AFT. “There’s nothing more important in racing than proper helmet safety, and no manufacturer better understands the needs and desires of riders better than Arai. Arai’s dedication to safety, craftsmanship, and quality is truly impressive.”
Arai Helmet is a three-generation, family-owned Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality motorcycle helmets. Its mission is simple and has remained unchanged since it was founded by Mr. Hirotake Arai in the 1950s: protection without compromise. To this day, and for more than seven decades, Arai has been accumulating gains in protection one-by-one, even if just a little. Rather than seeking a profit, Arai is driven by a desire to produce a better helmet to protect their fellow riders.
Each helmet is meticulously handmade with exclusive materials and technology and rigorously double-inspected before being shipped. That’s the Arai difference: quality and craftsmanship for the protection of motorcycle enthusiasts. You can learn more here in their “Value of Arai” video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO7lBYsxhMw.
Progressive AFT will kick off the 2022 season with the Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II doubleheader during Daytona Bike Week on Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 at Volusia Speedway Park. Secure your tickets to the season opener now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3666.
Catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II will premiere back-to-back on FS1 on Sunday, March 20, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
About Arai Helmet
Founded as a helmet maker on October 13th, 1950, Arai Helmet was the first manufacturer of 2-wheel helmets in Japan. As for the high level of protection for motorcycles, touring riders of course needed it and Arai Helmet also received overwhelming endorsement from racers using the helmet in severe conditions. Mr. Michio Arai was born in 1938 in Tokyo and took over the Arai family business in 1986 from his father, Mr. Hirotake Arai.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
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Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
