Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP24 on Michelin control tires, the two-time and defending World Champion won the 12-lap race by 0.942 seconds.

Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini was the runner-up.

Jorge Martin finished third on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati. 

For the championship, Bagnaia is 19 points behind his principal rival Martin who has 492 points. Bastianini is third with 377 points.

Classification motogp sprint
worldstanding motogp

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

#TheRematch: Bagnaia raises the stakes as Bastianini locks horns with Martin. The Italian took a hard-fought victory on Saturday, winning the Tissot Sprint and cutting Martin’s lead to just 19 points with everything to play for.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is victorious on Saturday, charging to win the Tissot Sprint at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona. It was an important win, with the Italian claiming the maximum 12 points available – setting the stage for the final Grand Prix of the season. The #1 crossed the line ahead of his teammate Enea Bastianini, with ‘The Beast’ capping off a perfect afternoon for the Ducati Lenovo Team. Bastianini took further points away from Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who finished in third, with his title advantage cut down to just 19 points ahead of Sunday.

As the lights went out, #TheRematch was at its boiling point, with Bastianini claiming the holeshot on the run to Turn 1 after an unbelievable launch. Bagnaia and Martin began to lock horns, with the #1 working hard to retain second position – responding to his title rival. It was a tense opening sector, with Bagnaia then launching his attack on ‘The Beast’ at Turn 3 to retake a crucial lead.

Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with the MotoGP™ rookie’s day coming to a sudden end after contact with Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) forced the #31 to retire on the opening lap of the Sprint.

Bagnaia put down the hammer while Martin prepared for a move on Bastianini, aiming to close the gap on his title rival. The #89 made the move stick on Lap 3 and began to hunt down the current reigning World Champion. ‘The Beast’ responded one lap later, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

The group began to close on Lap 5, with drama unfolding in the battle for second position as Martin and Bastianini went head to head. This battle saw Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) begin to fight, battling for fourth position, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) hot on their tailpipes.

Amidst the battle for the podium, Martin was able to stretch a gap, eking out a half-a-second margin on Lap 7. Tension was palpable, with Bagnaia eating away at Martin’s Championship margin ahead of Sunday as Martin looked for a way to respond, with Bastianini remaining in chase.

However, this momentum was short-lived as Bagnaia appeared to be comfortable at the front, maintaining his lead as the battle for second intensified. Bastianini began to edge closer to Martin in every sector after regaining composer. The key move came on the final lap, with a breathtaking manoeuvre at Turn 5. At the flag, Bagnaia took victory by 0.942s, crucially beating his title rival and securing the maximum 12 points available. Bastianini was able to bag second position, finishing ahead of Martin, who was only able to take third.

Espargaro was able to secure fourth spot, finishing an emotional Sprint as the #41 prepares for his final outing as a full-time Grand Prix rider. Espargaro was 0.587s adrift from the Sprint rostrum and crossed the line in front of Alex Marquez, with the #73 rounding out the top five spots on Saturday. Morbidelli took sixth, losing touch of the podium battle in the closing laps after being caught by Marc Marquez. The #93 was seventh across the line, beating Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who took the final Championship points on Saturday.

Join us on Sunday as the world’s most exciting sport returns for #TheRematch decider, with lights out at 14:00 local time (UTC +1)! Everything remains on the line as Martin’s lead is reduced to 19 points, make sure you tune in as we go #RacingForValencia!

Aron Canet was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:42.003 to top the field of 32 riders.

Manuel Gonzalez was second-best with a 1:42.149 on his Gresini Kalex.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) has secured a sensational pole position at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona, posting a magnificent 1:42.003 – a time which proved to be unbeatable. It was a hectic session, with Canet sitting on top on Saturday, continuing a strong weekend as he finished just 0.146s ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™). The Round 16 winner will take second position on the grid, with a solid starting point for the final Grand Prix of the season. Gonzalez will be joined by the impressive Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), who worked hard throughout Q2.

Canet’s strong form continues

Practice 2 kickstarted Saturday, with Canet improving on his strong time from Friday, allowing the Spaniard to remain at the top of the timesheets after setting a stunning 1:42.262. Q1 set the stage nicely after Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) took the top honours, with Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) and Jaume Masia (Preicanos Racing Team) in the chasing pack – setting up a tense Q2.

Once the Q2 fight began, there was early drama for Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp), crashing at Turn 14 on his first flying lap – leaving a steep task for Sunday. Jorge Navarro (OnlyFans American Racing Team) crashed moments later, with van den Goorbergh becoming the early pacesetter. Just eight riders had time on the board heading into the final run, with Canet posting a strong 1:42.003 as everything came down to the final minute of Q2, with nobody able to beat Canet’s benchmark.

A difficult day for Sync SpeedUp

Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) jumped to fourth on the grid, with the British rider showing a consistent pace at the end of the session. Dixon will be alongside Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) on Sunday, with the newly crowned Moto2™ World Champion rounding out the top five on the grid. Meanwhile, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) had another impressive qualifying – securing P6 on the grid.

Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) will head row three of the grid, placing in front of Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Celestino Vietti, with the Italian remaining in the fight for a spot inside the top five in the Championship. Navarro managed to recover to ninth, setting a competitive 1:42.667 to round off the third row. Some big names are left with work to do, most notably Lopez, who will be charging from P13 on the grid ahead of his teammate Aldeguer, who starts from P18.

The action continues in Barcelona, with race day just around the corner, make sure you join us on Sunday for lights out at 12:15 local time (UTC +1) as we go #RacingForValencia!

David Alonso earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Valresa Aspar Team CFMOTO on Pirelli control tires, the Colombian turned a lap time of 1:45.905. Not only was that good enough to lead the 27-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse his own 2024 All-Time Lap Record of 1:46.111.

Collin Veijer was the best of the rest with a 1:46.252 on Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, and Ivan Ortola  claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:46.276 on his MT Helmets – MSI KTM. 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Alonso lights up the timesheets and denies Veijer pole. The Colombian stunned the field on Saturday, clinching a seventh pole position of the season ahead of Veijer and Ortola. 

David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) has delivered a special pole position at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona after posting an incredible 1:45.905. The Colombian shattered the lap record, claiming his seventh pole of the season and a 0.347s over Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with the Dutchman unable to enter the 1:45 bracket despite a strong final run. Veijer improved on his final flying lap and will start alongside Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who secured another front row start at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Lap records obliterated in Q2

Practice 2 delivered fireworks in the field’s final chance to earn a spot inside the top 14, with Ortola finishing fastest, improving on his time from Friday and finishing ahead of Alonso after the duo posted some incredible late laps. It was a thrilling start to Q1, with Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) earning the top spot and a place in Q2 alongside Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI).

As Q2 clicked into gear, Alonso set the early pace, clocking a 1:46.026 – destroying the lap record on his first flying lap. The Colombian continued to improve, becoming the first rider to enter the 1:45 bracket in the Moto3™ class. Everything was left undecided until the final run, with tactics at play during the closing minutes of the session and Veijer finding further to jump onto the front row – allowing Alonso to hold onto the pole.

Piqueras heads row two

Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) will start from the second row of the grid, grabbing fourth place on the grid. The #36 had a solid Saturday, claiming bragging rights as the top Honda rider. Piqueras will line up alongside Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Luca Lunetta, with the Italian continuing to have an incredible 2024 season.

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) heads from the third row after the Spaniard suffered a late crash at Turn 5. Fernandez will have Furusato and Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) for company on the third row, with Furusato having fought through Q1. Further back, Yamanaka will start from P15 on the grid, with the #6 left with some work to do on Sunday.

Make sure you tune in for an unmissable Moto3™ race, with plenty up for grabs and lights going out on Sunday at 11:00 local time (UTC +1) as we go #RacingForValencia!

Francesco Bagnaia earned pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP24 on the dry 2.90-mile (4.65 km) track, the two-time and defending World Champion turned a 1:38.641, was good enough to top the 23-rider field.

Aleix Espargaro was the best of the rest with a 1:38.696 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Marc Marquez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:38.798 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici. 

Row-two qualifiers included Jorge Martin (1:38.849) and his teammate Franco Morbidelli (1:38.886) on their Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, Pedro Acosta (1:38.949) on his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine.

Session for SLD MotoGP Q2

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bagnaia claims pole to secure the Q2 advantage as Martin grabs P4. Francesco Bagnaia will start the Solidarity GP from pole position after clocking stunning time as Martin prepares to launch from P4 on the grid.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has secured the final pole position of the year after an intense Q2 at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona. Q2 went down to the wire, with the #1 clocking an incredible 1:38.641 on his final run – delivering the perfect start to Saturday. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will join the Italian on the front row, with the #41 working hard throughout the session and completing some laps with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). Espargaro heads from second on the grid, while Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) secured P3 on the grid after setting a stunning time in Q2.

Bagnaia delivers a stunning lap

FP2 delivered a final opportunity for the MotoGP™ stars to perfect their setups, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) taking top honours as Bagnaia finished ahead of Martin in a busy start to Saturday. Once Q1 was underway, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) set a blistering pace in his opening laps – briefly topping the timesheets. With the clock ticking down, pressure mounted when Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) suffered a late crash at Turn 5. This saw Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) earn their spot in Q2 ahead of the final battle for pole.

The stage was set for Q2, with tactics at play during the first flying laps as Bagnaia went fastest, with Martin sitting in third as Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) suffered an early crash. Everything came down to the final five minutes, with #TheRematch heading for one final Q2 showdown as Bagnaia found further time and Morbidelli pushed Martin off the front row. The Championship leader improved, with Martin delivering a 1:38.849 to retain fourth position on the grid.

Martin starts from the second row

The biggest talking point came from Martin, with the #89 remaining on the second row of the – qualifying in fourth. Martin will have to work hard to wrap up the title in the Tissot Sprint after qualifying ahead of teammate Morbidelli. The Italian rounded out the top five spots in Q2 as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ended the session as the top Pierer Mobility rider in sixth.

Viñales spearheads the third row of the grid, ending Q2 a mere 0.351s adrift from Bagnaia’s benchmark. Alongside the #12 will be Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), with ‘The Beast’ now left with some work to do as he is joined by compatriot Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) on the third after the Italian took ninth.

Further back, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) narrowly missed a spot in Q2 by 0.028s and will line up from 13^th. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder also missed a chance to fight in Q2, with the South African starting from P18 on the grid as he heads alongside his teammate Miller.

Saturday’s action is not over yet, with the world’s most exciting sport returning at 15:00 local time (UTC +1) for a potential title-deciding Tissot Sprint, with Bagnaia starting from pole position as we go #RacingForValencia!

Maverick Viñales led MotoGP World Championship practice Saturday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Aprilia RS-GP on spec Michelin tires, the Spaniard turned a lap time of 1:40.208 to lead the field of 23 riders.

Franco Morbidelli was the best of the rest with a 1:40.316 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici. 

Alex Marquez was third at 1:40.336 on his Gresini Racing Ducati. 

Aron Canet was quickest during Moto2 World Championship practice Saturday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Pirelli-shod Fantic Racing Kalex on the 2.90-mile (4.65 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:42.262 to lead the field of 32 riders.

Jorge Navarro was the best of the rest with a 1:42.416 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Jake Dixon was third-fastest with a 1:42.495 on his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex.

Ivan Ortola led Moto3 World Championship practice Saturday morning, at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Ortola used his Pirelli-shod MT Helmets – MSI KTM to lap the 2.90-mile (4.65 km) track in 1:46.364, which led the field of 27 riders. 

David Alonso was second-best with a time of 1:46.439 on his Valresa Aspar Team CFMOTO.

Jacob Roulstone, piloting his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:46.751.