Quartararo fends off Ducati for top honours on Friday
The reigning Champion tops Day 1 at one of his signature tracks despite a crash, with Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin on the chase
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 29 April 2022
Reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is the rider to beat so far at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España! The Championship leader pulled two tenths clear on Friday to hold off the hard-charging Ducati trio of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), with the Frenchman finding a late 1:37.071 in FP2 to sit top of the pile despite a crash earlier in the day.
FP1
2020 Champion Joan MIr (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped FP1, the Spaniard’s penultimate lap good enough to hold off a last lap charge from teammate Alex Rins, who ended up just 0.025 behind in second. LCR Castrol’s Honda’s Alex Marquez slotted into third, but there was some headline stealing from Quartararo in a different way to start the day.
The Frenchman was sitting pretty at the top of the timesheets before a wet patch caught him out at the final corner, and the crash left him wincing as the rear wheel of his Yamaha flicked him in the groin. No harm done once he’d had a few minutes to recover, but there were two further moments as well: The first came under braking at Turn 9, before he was then forced to straight line it through the gravel trap at Turn 5. Despite all of that, the number 20 closed out the opening session in fifth, just behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).
FP2
Quartararo was able to pull out those two tenths to take back to the top, but he had competition from Ducati. Looking at the opening day of action, it’s the Bologna factory who may well be his closest challengers on Sunday after Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin all impressed. The ‘Beast’ jumped ahead of his factory counterpart with the chequered flag out to take second spot late on, but after Bagnaia had earlier led the session too. The number 63 appeared to be back to his brilliant best as he threw in a handful of fast laps, with his best placing him third overall and a quarter of a second adrift of his 2021 title rival.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, suffered two crashes. The first off was at Turn 6, before quickly picking up the bike and rejoining. Whilst heading back to the pitlane, however, the eight-time World Champion was cruising off the racing line at Turn 9 and touched a damp patch that remained from Thursday’s rain. Down went the Spaniard again but former teammate and now KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was on hand for a taxi back.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the Quartararo-Ducati caravan in the top four then, it’s Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) who ends Friday as top Honda in fifth. It was close though, the Japanese rider edging out Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by just 0.004, and the gap didn’t get much bigger thereafter either, with Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro in seventh and only another 0.005 off.
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was eighth and the only rider in the top ten from FP1’s top three, and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales finished Friday in ninth. 2021 winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) is currently the last set to move through, the Australian in P10 on Day 1.
That leaves the likes of Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Mir looking for more on Saturday morning, with FP3 underway at 9:55 (GMT +2). Then, it’s time to decide the grid for another stunning Gran Premio Red Bull de España, so make sure to tune in for qualifying – on track from 14:10!
2 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.201
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.212
Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Dixon dominates Day 1 in Jerez
The Brit is looking for some redemption and starts the weekend in the hot seat, with Fernandez and Ogura inside the top three
Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team’s Jake Dixon completed a Day 1 clean sweep at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España after topping both FP1 and FP2 to sit over two tenths clear of second place Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The British rider’s 1:41.646 was three tenths faster than he went on Friday morning too, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) slotting into third and 0.363s shy of Dixon’s pace.
FP1
Dixon started the weekend on top and the Brit was 0.275 seconds clear of compatriot Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing), as well as the only man to break the 1:42 barrier on Friday morning, setting a 1:41.938.
Third fastest was Fernandez, with Ogura a further spot back in fourth. Dixon did have a run-in with his teammate Albert Arenas, who was fifth, as the two got close for comfort at the exit of Turn 1. Arenas also crashed in the session, rider ok. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) also crashed, rider ok and P6 in the session.
FP2
In the second session of the day, the top 13 riders on the timesheets were able to better their lap times from the cooler morning conditions. Fernandez had gone quickest briefly before Dixon responded towards the closing stages to reclaim top spot from the Spaniard – and it was a time that wouldn’t be beaten before the end of play.
Ogura was fast once again, moving up into third as the Japanese rider proved a consistent threat on Friday. Lowes was fourth in the afternoon, just ahead of teammate Arbolino.
Provisional Q2 places
Dixon, Fernandez, Ogura, Lowes and Arbolino are the top five, and Arenas suffered a small crash at Jorge Lorenzo corner at the end of the day but the Spaniard had a positive outing to finish P6.
Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta was finding the limits of his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine before firing in a lap good enough for seventh, and the rookie was marginally ahead of Portugal race winner Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team).
The American is P8 ahead of Saturday’s all-important FP3 shootout and just behind him sits the injured Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), who is riding through the pain barrier as he looks to gain back ground lost on the Algarve. Indonesian GP winner Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) currently occupy the remaining automatic Q2 places in P11, P12, P13 and P14 respectively… and Vietti will be the first looking for more on Saturday morning in FP3.
Make sure you tune in for that at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) before the intermediate class take part in qualifying at 15:10!
3 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – +0.363
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Guevara fastest on home turf on Friday
The GASGAS rider ends the day 0.132 clear of Sasaki, with Garcia 11th and Foggia 13th
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is top of the pile after Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, with the home hero setting an impressive 1:46.341 halfway through FP2 and remaining unchallenged. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was second quickest, just less than a tenth and a half off, with fellow Portugal podium finisher Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) crashed out late on and ended the day in 11th, and closest rival Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was down in P13 too – with both a little close to that Q2 cut off zone…
FP1
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü stormed to the top in the opening session, three tenths clear thanks to his 1:47.888. There were some wet patches left from Thursday’s late rain showers affecting laptimes, but skies were blue and clear at least.
Fresh from the podium five days ago, Sasaki was second fastest and Garcia third as the day started well. Compatriot Carlos Tatay (CFMoto PrüstelGP) sat out the first ten minutes before conditions improved, then taking fourth ahead of Guevara. Foggia was sixth.
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) crashed, riders ok.
FP2
The afternoon saw Guevara rise to the fore and remain there, and everyone improved in the session with the exception of Whatley as he sat it out after his morning crash. Sasaki was the only rider in the latter half of the session to briefly depose Guevara, but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for second ahead of Masia.
Tatay was fast and fourth once more, ahead of FP1’s fastest man Öncü in fifth. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) was seriously impressive to finish sixth on his replacement ride for the injured John McPhee. Another great ride came courtesy of the top Honda, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing), who has form around Jerez after winning in the then-FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship last year.
Provisional Q2 places
The combined timesheets are the same as FP2 with the exception of Whatley, so it’s Guevara, Sasaki, Masia, Tatay and Öncü in the top five ahead of Salvador and Ogden. Angeluss MTA Team’s Ivan Ortola was another rookie who impressed in P8, as did Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) just behind him. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) completes the top ten, just ahead of Garcia.
Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) splits the Championship leader from his closest challenger Foggia, with Suzuki in P14 and the last rider currently set to move straight through, with Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) just missing out as it stands.
That could all change in FP3, with Moto3™ back out at 9:00 (GMT +2). Then it’s time to decide the grid, with qualifying beginning at 12:35.
Thanks for posting David Swarts’ opinion piece discussing the eventful conclusion of MotoAmerica Junior Cup Race 2 at Road Atlanta. I have comments to add on the decision of Race Direction that ultimately docked competitors two places, resulting in demoting Kayla Yaakov to third place, Gus Rodio to fourth place and Cody Wyman to fifth. In the interest of full disclosure, I share the Race Director position with ASRA and CCS for the Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions with Phil Sberna, and I’m the Chief Technical Officer for the Florida region, which includes Daytona and formerly the Daytona 200. I am also the data tech and a crew member for Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK competing in the Junior Cup and Twins Cup classes.
As everyone knows by now, in the final turns of the race, standing yellow flags were displayed warning riders of danger ahead beside the track. This was caused by a rider behind the leaders crashing in turn 10a. The flags were seen by some of the riders, but not by all, as they were in a pack that was five riders wide going into the turn. Several riders made passes before the green flag near turn 11, which was the infraction. Rule 1.16.2.a.2 presents the basis for the decision by Race Direction. It states that overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag was waved. Our understanding at the time, reinforced by statements made by the FIM Safety Officer at a meeting after the race, was that the green flag was waved at Turn 10b. Accordingly, we believed that Gus did not overtake anyone from Turn 9 through Turn 10a, but did overtake exiting Turn 10b.
After the decision was handed down to dock the top three finishers, representatives of the teams involved went to the track tower to get clarification from Race Direction. Kayla was represented by David Yaakov and George Nassaney; Gus was represented by Kevin Rodio and myself; and Cody Wyman was represented by Bob Wyman. We were greeted at the meeting by FIM Safety Officer Dan Argano and Rider Representative Michael Martin. The attitude exhibited by the FIM Safety Officer was immediately confrontational; we were told that the decision could not be protested and that the decision was final. The discussion went further confrontational when Argano responded to Kevin Rodio’s request to view the video by asking if Kevin was accusing him of lying! At this point Michael Martin intervened to attempt to defuse the situation, to his credit. We were not permitted to view video that would have been instrumental in our understanding of the situation either at that time or at the conclusion of racing for the day. The meeting concluded with the FIM Safety Officer stating that he had other races to run and had to leave. Before we left, AMA Representative Ken Sailant brought us the regulation that confirmed that change of position could not be protested. Rule 1.21.a states that riders must obey flag signals, and that they may be penalized according to the provisions of rule 1.21.b. I emphasize the word “may” because in that very same meeting with Race Direction it was used to explain another regulation unrelated to this incident. In other words, the wording was used in one case to support a decision, but in this case it was essentially ignored.
Rule 1.21.b sets forth possible penalties for infringement of flag signals. These include fine, drop of position(s), ride-through, time penalty, drop of any number of grid positions at the rider’s next race, disqualification, withdrawal of Championship points, and suspension or any other penalty at the discretion of Race Direction. Race Direction elected to use one of the more punitive penalties in this case. The claim that Race Direction had no choice in the matter but had to enforce the Regulations, as made by the FIM Safety Officer in our meeting, simply isn’t true. In my opinion, MotoAmerica needs to take a hard look at the attitude of Race Direction. Teams should be treated with respect in meetings that are intended to gain understanding of a ruling, not confronted in a manner that is unprofessional and intended to intimidate. Legitimate inquiries must not be viewed as accusing any official of not telling the truth. Anything else is to the detriment of the sport.
I’ve heard rumblings that my position on this incident is a direct result of MotoAmerica’s takeover of the Daytona 200. Nothing is farther from the truth, I’m a realist and I understand that MotoAmerica has resources and relationships that ASRA simply can’t compete with. I am not bitter about the Daytona 200, in fact I wish that MotoAmerica can carry on where ASRA left off and bring the race back to former glory. ASRA made good strides in that regard, and I’m proud of my small involvement to keep the race alive when it wasn’t wanted on the MotoAmerica schedule.
My mentor Phil Sberna is the most honest and thoughtful man I know in racing, always considering what is fair above all. Whenever I am in a situation faced with a tough decision, I always ask myself “What would Phil do?” That has served me well in the past and will remain with me.
I don’t know what I would have decided in this case, the position of Race Director is not an easy one. That said, the magnitude of taking away hard-earned podium positions from young racers who have learned a different protocol for passing under a standing yellow, the visibility of flags throughout the incident, and other factors cannot be underestimated and I would have considered them all.
What I do know is that I would have asked myself the question that is the bedrock of my commitment to fairness, “What would Phil do?”, and maybe I would have decided differently.
During the recent discussion of the end of MotoAmerica SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Race Two at Road Atlanta, four riders were penalized for passing in a corner where a stationary yellow flag was displayed.
This was confusing to some because most racers in America have been taught for years that it is OK to pass under a stationary yellow flag and it is NOT OK to pass under a waving yellow flag.
MotoAmerica, however, operates under rules and regulations written by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)/FIM North America and much of the MotoAmerica rule book was essentially cut and pasted from the FIM Superbike, Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championship rule book.
This was initially done at the beginning of MotoAmerica in 2015 to streamline technical rules in America with the World Championships to allow parts manufacturers to produce one set of parts that were legal for both racing series, reducing costs, and to prepare American racers by teaching them International racing procedures.
But in the case of yellow flags, MotoAmerica’s rules are not only different from what racers in America have been taught, they are also different than the current World Championship regulations.
The 2022 MotoAmerica AMA Road Racing Series/FIM North America Championship Regulations states in Section 1.16.2.a.2.: “A standing yellow flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a danger ahead beside the track. Riders must exercise caution (and) overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is waved.”
Section 1.16.2.a.3 then reads: “Waving yellow flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track, or other high-risk situation. Riders must slow down and be prepared to stop. Overtaking is forbidden from the first yellow flag up until the point where the green flag is waved. Any infringement of this rules during a practice session will result in the cancellation of the time of the lap during the infraction occurred.”
Both the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations and the FIM Superbike, Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championships Regulations have a section (1.22 in the Grand Prix rule book and 1.23 in the Superbike rule book) on Flags and Lights that include the following statement: “All flags are presented waved.” As in not stationary!
Further, in Section 1.22.2 (Grand Prix) and 1.23.2 (Superbike) labeled Flags Which Convey Information and Instructions – Yellow Flag, it reads, in part: “A single yellow flag waved at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a danger ahead beside the track.
“Two yellow flags waved together at the flag marshal post indicate that there is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track.
“The waving of a single or a double yellow flag does not signify a degree of danger, but only the location of the incident.
“The riders must slow down and proceed with caution. During practice and warm up sessions, the lap time of riders passing a yellow flag(s) will be cancelled.
“During a race, overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is waved.
“An infringement of this rule will result in a penalty.”
Quartararo fends off Ducati for top honours on Friday
The reigning Champion tops Day 1 at one of his signature tracks despite a crash, with Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin on the chase
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 29 April 2022
Reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is the rider to beat so far at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España! The Championship leader pulled two tenths clear on Friday to hold off the hard-charging Ducati trio of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), with the Frenchman finding a late 1:37.071 in FP2 to sit top of the pile despite a crash earlier in the day.
FP1
2020 Champion Joan MIr (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped FP1, the Spaniard’s penultimate lap good enough to hold off a last lap charge from teammate Alex Rins, who ended up just 0.025 behind in second. LCR Castrol’s Honda’s Alex Marquez slotted into third, but there was some headline stealing from Quartararo in a different way to start the day.
The Frenchman was sitting pretty at the top of the timesheets before a wet patch caught him out at the final corner, and the crash left him wincing as the rear wheel of his Yamaha flicked him in the groin. No harm done once he’d had a few minutes to recover, but there were two further moments as well: The first came under braking at Turn 9, before he was then forced to straight line it through the gravel trap at Turn 5. Despite all of that, the number 20 closed out the opening session in fifth, just behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).
FP2
Quartararo was able to pull out those two tenths to take back to the top, but he had competition from Ducati. Looking at the opening day of action, it’s the Bologna factory who may well be his closest challengers on Sunday after Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin all impressed. The ‘Beast’ jumped ahead of his factory counterpart with the chequered flag out to take second spot late on, but after Bagnaia had earlier led the session too. The number 63 appeared to be back to his brilliant best as he threw in a handful of fast laps, with his best placing him third overall and a quarter of a second adrift of his 2021 title rival.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, suffered two crashes. The first off was at Turn 6, before quickly picking up the bike and rejoining. Whilst heading back to the pitlane, however, the eight-time World Champion was cruising off the racing line at Turn 9 and touched a damp patch that remained from Thursday’s rain. Down went the Spaniard again but former teammate and now KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was on hand for a taxi back.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the Quartararo-Ducati caravan in the top four then, it’s Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) who ends Friday as top Honda in fifth. It was close though, the Japanese rider edging out Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by just 0.004, and the gap didn’t get much bigger thereafter either, with Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro in seventh and only another 0.005 off.
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was eighth and the only rider in the top ten from FP1’s top three, and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales finished Friday in ninth. 2021 winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) is currently the last set to move through, the Australian in P10 on Day 1.
That leaves the likes of Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Mir looking for more on Saturday morning, with FP3 underway at 9:55 (GMT +2). Then, it’s time to decide the grid for another stunning Gran Premio Red Bull de España, so make sure to tune in for qualifying – on track from 14:10!
2 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.201
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.212
Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Dixon dominates Day 1 in Jerez
The Brit is looking for some redemption and starts the weekend in the hot seat, with Fernandez and Ogura inside the top three
Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team’s Jake Dixon completed a Day 1 clean sweep at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España after topping both FP1 and FP2 to sit over two tenths clear of second place Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The British rider’s 1:41.646 was three tenths faster than he went on Friday morning too, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) slotting into third and 0.363s shy of Dixon’s pace.
FP1
Dixon started the weekend on top and the Brit was 0.275 seconds clear of compatriot Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing), as well as the only man to break the 1:42 barrier on Friday morning, setting a 1:41.938.
Third fastest was Fernandez, with Ogura a further spot back in fourth. Dixon did have a run-in with his teammate Albert Arenas, who was fifth, as the two got close for comfort at the exit of Turn 1. Arenas also crashed in the session, rider ok. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) also crashed, rider ok and P6 in the session.
FP2
In the second session of the day, the top 13 riders on the timesheets were able to better their lap times from the cooler morning conditions. Fernandez had gone quickest briefly before Dixon responded towards the closing stages to reclaim top spot from the Spaniard – and it was a time that wouldn’t be beaten before the end of play.
Ogura was fast once again, moving up into third as the Japanese rider proved a consistent threat on Friday. Lowes was fourth in the afternoon, just ahead of teammate Arbolino.
Provisional Q2 places
Dixon, Fernandez, Ogura, Lowes and Arbolino are the top five, and Arenas suffered a small crash at Jorge Lorenzo corner at the end of the day but the Spaniard had a positive outing to finish P6.
Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta was finding the limits of his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine before firing in a lap good enough for seventh, and the rookie was marginally ahead of Portugal race winner Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team).
The American is P8 ahead of Saturday’s all-important FP3 shootout and just behind him sits the injured Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), who is riding through the pain barrier as he looks to gain back ground lost on the Algarve. Indonesian GP winner Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) currently occupy the remaining automatic Q2 places in P11, P12, P13 and P14 respectively… and Vietti will be the first looking for more on Saturday morning in FP3.
Make sure you tune in for that at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) before the intermediate class take part in qualifying at 15:10!
3 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – +0.363
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Guevara fastest on home turf on Friday
The GASGAS rider ends the day 0.132 clear of Sasaki, with Garcia 11th and Foggia 13th
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is top of the pile after Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, with the home hero setting an impressive 1:46.341 halfway through FP2 and remaining unchallenged. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was second quickest, just less than a tenth and a half off, with fellow Portugal podium finisher Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) crashed out late on and ended the day in 11th, and closest rival Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was down in P13 too – with both a little close to that Q2 cut off zone…
FP1
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü stormed to the top in the opening session, three tenths clear thanks to his 1:47.888. There were some wet patches left from Thursday’s late rain showers affecting laptimes, but skies were blue and clear at least.
Fresh from the podium five days ago, Sasaki was second fastest and Garcia third as the day started well. Compatriot Carlos Tatay (CFMoto PrüstelGP) sat out the first ten minutes before conditions improved, then taking fourth ahead of Guevara. Foggia was sixth.
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) crashed, riders ok.
FP2
The afternoon saw Guevara rise to the fore and remain there, and everyone improved in the session with the exception of Whatley as he sat it out after his morning crash. Sasaki was the only rider in the latter half of the session to briefly depose Guevara, but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for second ahead of Masia.
Tatay was fast and fourth once more, ahead of FP1’s fastest man Öncü in fifth. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) was seriously impressive to finish sixth on his replacement ride for the injured John McPhee. Another great ride came courtesy of the top Honda, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing), who has form around Jerez after winning in the then-FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship last year.
Provisional Q2 places
The combined timesheets are the same as FP2 with the exception of Whatley, so it’s Guevara, Sasaki, Masia, Tatay and Öncü in the top five ahead of Salvador and Ogden. Angeluss MTA Team’s Ivan Ortola was another rookie who impressed in P8, as did Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) just behind him. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) completes the top ten, just ahead of Garcia.
Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) splits the Championship leader from his closest challenger Foggia, with Suzuki in P14 and the last rider currently set to move straight through, with Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) just missing out as it stands.
That could all change in FP3, with Moto3™ back out at 9:00 (GMT +2). Then it’s time to decide the grid, with qualifying beginning at 12:35.
Frank Angel hugs rider Gus Rodio after Rodio finished second in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Race One at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2021. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
First Person/Opinion:
By Frank Angel
Thanks for posting David Swarts’ opinion piece discussing the eventful conclusion of MotoAmerica Junior Cup Race 2 at Road Atlanta. I have comments to add on the decision of Race Direction that ultimately docked competitors two places, resulting in demoting Kayla Yaakov to third place, Gus Rodio to fourth place and Cody Wyman to fifth. In the interest of full disclosure, I share the Race Director position with ASRA and CCS for the Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions with Phil Sberna, and I’m the Chief Technical Officer for the Florida region, which includes Daytona and formerly the Daytona 200. I am also the data tech and a crew member for Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK competing in the Junior Cup and Twins Cup classes.
As everyone knows by now, in the final turns of the race, standing yellow flags were displayed warning riders of danger ahead beside the track. This was caused by a rider behind the leaders crashing in turn 10a. The flags were seen by some of the riders, but not by all, as they were in a pack that was five riders wide going into the turn. Several riders made passes before the green flag near turn 11, which was the infraction. Rule 1.16.2.a.2 presents the basis for the decision by Race Direction. It states that overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag was waved. Our understanding at the time, reinforced by statements made by the FIM Safety Officer at a meeting after the race, was that the green flag was waved at Turn 10b. Accordingly, we believed that Gus did not overtake anyone from Turn 9 through Turn 10a, but did overtake exiting Turn 10b.
After the decision was handed down to dock the top three finishers, representatives of the teams involved went to the track tower to get clarification from Race Direction. Kayla was represented by David Yaakov and George Nassaney; Gus was represented by Kevin Rodio and myself; and Cody Wyman was represented by Bob Wyman. We were greeted at the meeting by FIM Safety Officer Dan Argano and Rider Representative Michael Martin. The attitude exhibited by the FIM Safety Officer was immediately confrontational; we were told that the decision could not be protested and that the decision was final. The discussion went further confrontational when Argano responded to Kevin Rodio’s request to view the video by asking if Kevin was accusing him of lying! At this point Michael Martin intervened to attempt to defuse the situation, to his credit. We were not permitted to view video that would have been instrumental in our understanding of the situation either at that time or at the conclusion of racing for the day. The meeting concluded with the FIM Safety Officer stating that he had other races to run and had to leave. Before we left, AMA Representative Ken Sailant brought us the regulation that confirmed that change of position could not be protested. Rule 1.21.a states that riders must obey flag signals, and that they may be penalized according to the provisions of rule 1.21.b. I emphasize the word “may” because in that very same meeting with Race Direction it was used to explain another regulation unrelated to this incident. In other words, the wording was used in one case to support a decision, but in this case it was essentially ignored.
Rule 1.21.b sets forth possible penalties for infringement of flag signals. These include fine, drop of position(s), ride-through, time penalty, drop of any number of grid positions at the rider’s next race, disqualification, withdrawal of Championship points, and suspension or any other penalty at the discretion of Race Direction. Race Direction elected to use one of the more punitive penalties in this case. The claim that Race Direction had no choice in the matter but had to enforce the Regulations, as made by the FIM Safety Officer in our meeting, simply isn’t true. In my opinion, MotoAmerica needs to take a hard look at the attitude of Race Direction. Teams should be treated with respect in meetings that are intended to gain understanding of a ruling, not confronted in a manner that is unprofessional and intended to intimidate. Legitimate inquiries must not be viewed as accusing any official of not telling the truth. Anything else is to the detriment of the sport.
I’ve heard rumblings that my position on this incident is a direct result of MotoAmerica’s takeover of the Daytona 200. Nothing is farther from the truth, I’m a realist and I understand that MotoAmerica has resources and relationships that ASRA simply can’t compete with. I am not bitter about the Daytona 200, in fact I wish that MotoAmerica can carry on where ASRA left off and bring the race back to former glory. ASRA made good strides in that regard, and I’m proud of my small involvement to keep the race alive when it wasn’t wanted on the MotoAmerica schedule.
My mentor Phil Sberna is the most honest and thoughtful man I know in racing, always considering what is fair above all. Whenever I am in a situation faced with a tough decision, I always ask myself “What would Phil do?” That has served me well in the past and will remain with me.
I don’t know what I would have decided in this case, the position of Race Director is not an easy one. That said, the magnitude of taking away hard-earned podium positions from young racers who have learned a different protocol for passing under a standing yellow, the visibility of flags throughout the incident, and other factors cannot be underestimated and I would have considered them all.
What I do know is that I would have asked myself the question that is the bedrock of my commitment to fairness, “What would Phil do?”, and maybe I would have decided differently.
A screen shot from the broadcast of MotoAmerica Junior Cup Race Two showing action in Turn 10 with a stationary yellow flag being displayed in the background. Image courtesy MotoAmerica.
During the recent discussion of the end of MotoAmerica SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Race Two at Road Atlanta, four riders were penalized for passing in a corner where a stationary yellow flag was displayed.
This was confusing to some because most racers in America have been taught for years that it is OK to pass under a stationary yellow flag and it is NOT OK to pass under a waving yellow flag.
MotoAmerica, however, operates under rules and regulations written by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)/FIM North America and much of the MotoAmerica rule book was essentially cut and pasted from the FIM Superbike, Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championship rule book.
This was initially done at the beginning of MotoAmerica in 2015 to streamline technical rules in America with the World Championships to allow parts manufacturers to produce one set of parts that were legal for both racing series, reducing costs, and to prepare American racers by teaching them International racing procedures.
But in the case of yellow flags, MotoAmerica’s rules are not only different from what racers in America have been taught, they are also different than the current World Championship regulations.
The 2022 MotoAmerica AMA Road Racing Series/FIM North America Championship Regulations states in Section 1.16.2.a.2.: “A standing yellow flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a danger ahead beside the track. Riders must exercise caution (and) overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is waved.”
Section 1.16.2.a.3 then reads: “Waving yellow flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track, or other high-risk situation. Riders must slow down and be prepared to stop. Overtaking is forbidden from the first yellow flag up until the point where the green flag is waved. Any infringement of this rules during a practice session will result in the cancellation of the time of the lap during the infraction occurred.”
Both the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations and the FIM Superbike, Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championships Regulations have a section (1.22 in the Grand Prix rule book and 1.23 in the Superbike rule book) on Flags and Lights that include the following statement: “All flags are presented waved.” As in not stationary!
Further, in Section 1.22.2 (Grand Prix) and 1.23.2 (Superbike) labeled Flags Which Convey Information and Instructions – Yellow Flag, it reads, in part: “A single yellow flag waved at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a danger ahead beside the track.
“Two yellow flags waved together at the flag marshal post indicate that there is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track.
“The waving of a single or a double yellow flag does not signify a degree of danger, but only the location of the incident.
“The riders must slow down and proceed with caution. During practice and warm up sessions, the lap time of riders passing a yellow flag(s) will be cancelled.
“During a race, overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is waved.
“An infringement of this rule will result in a penalty.”
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