Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP World Championship Tissot Sprint Race Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Lenovo Ducati on Michelin control tires, Bagnaia won the 12-lap race by just 0.181-second. 

His teammate Enea Bastianini was the runner-up.

Championship points leader Jorge Martin was fourth on his Prima Pramac Ducati. Bagnaia is 15 points behind his principal title rival Martin, who has 372 points. Bastianini is third with 300 points.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bagnaia capitalises as Acosta slides out and Bastianini duels Marquez at Motegi. 

The Italian secures Tissot Sprint victory ahead of Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez, with polesitter Pedro Acosta crashing out.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has powered to an impressive Tissot Sprint victory at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, initially claiming the lead before keeping his cool and charging to victory on Saturday. Bagnaia has brought the title gap down to just 15 points ahead of Sunday after Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) could only manage fourth – fighting from P11 on the grid. Bagnaia would defeat Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) after the pair had their own breathtaking battle.

Tension was high on the grid, and with variable conditions throughout the day and spots of rain in the air, it was building to be an unforgettable Tissot Sprint. Bagnaia bagged the perfect launch, storming into the lead on the run to Turn 1. The #1 put the hammer down immediately, with polesitter Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) dropping to third.

However, Acosta began to gain back some of the ground lost, passing Bastianini for second and beginning to set sights on the reigning World Champion. The move came on Lap 3, with Acosta charging into the Sprint lead for the first time and began to push on.

Meanwhile, Martin pieced together a strong opening lap, carving through from the fourth row to P5, with Marc Marquez now glued onto his tailpipe. The #93 soon found his way through on the current Championship leader, demoting Martin to sixth.

There was early disappointment for Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), crashing in the early stages at Turn 11. Soon, drama would strike for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, with the #33 retiring to the pit lane. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also suffered a crash, colliding with his teammate on Lap 5 – Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was handed a Long Lap for this incident.

Meanwhile, at the front, Acosta eked out a marginal fourth-tenth gap over Bagnaia, with the top three remaining locked together on the circuit. The gap soon increased on Lap 8, with the rookie edging his lead to over half a second for the first time. However, everything came crashing down for Acosta on Lap 9, crashing out of the Sprint lead – rider OK.

Crucially, Bagnaia was promoted into P1, extending a seven-tenth margin to teammate Bastianini, who was now under pressure from Marc Marquez in third. The #93 pounced on Bastianini on Lap 11, with ‘The Beast’ not waiting to respond, launching an attack at Turn 11 with inches separating the pair – to the delight of the Japanese fans.

Heading onto the final lap, Bagnaia had a one-second advantage, which was closed to less than two-tenths. However, Pecco remained unstoppable, claiming an incredible Tissot Sprint victory from Bastianini, who denied the recovering Marc Marquez second, who claimed an incredible result – battling from the third row.

Martin was able to bag a strong fourth on Saturday, taking solid Championship points after beating teammate Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #21 completing yet another confidence-boosting ride. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) grabbed sixth, placing 0.120s ahead of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Behind, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales took the final point-scoring positions after another Saturday thriller.

There is further action to come at Motegi, and with the World Championship gap closing in, the Japanese Grand Prix could prove to be crucial as Acosta aims for redemption and Bagnaia sets sights on reclaiming the title advantage from Martin, who will start from P11. Find out what will unfold in the next chapter of the season as MotoGP™ returns on Sunday at 14:00 (UTC +9)!

Jake Dixon took pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the British rider covered the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) track in 1:52.693.

American Joe Roberts finished fourth in qualifying with a 1:53.002 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

The #96 will start the Japanese GP from pole position after setting a strong early time, which proved to be crucial. 

Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) will start the Motul Grand Prix of Japan from pole position after a brave time from the British rider. The #96 set an early 1:52.693, which proved to be crucial as track conditions worsened due to rain. Dixon will start from pole, ending Q2 a mere 0.006s ahead of Zonta Van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) in an impressive result from the #84. Meanwhile, Aron Canet brought his Triumph-powered Fantic Racing machine to third on the grid, clocking a 1:53.000 as the Spaniard sets his sights on repeating his success from Indonesia.

Drama from the start of Q2

Practice 2 began Saturday’s action, with nobody able to improve on their time from Friday after mixed conditions due to rain overnight, seeing Canet taking the top spot as Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) remained quickest overall. However, once Q1 got underway, Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) set a stunning 1:49.711, earning a spot in Q2 alongside Van den Goorbergh, Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI).

It was a dramatic start to Q2, with Dixon bagging provisional pole in the opening laps as the rain began to fall. The #96 led in the early stages from Van den Goorbergh and Canet. Meanwhile, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was 18^th in the early stages after the #12 left it late to post a time. The rain continued to fall, with the majority of the field returning to the pits and Dixon clinching pole positions.

Aldeguer and Garcia left with work to do

Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will start from fourth on the grid in a great result from the #16. The American heads a talented second row of the grid alongside Izan Guevara, who capped off a great day for the CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team. The #28 will be joined by the returning Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) in sixth on the grid.

Meanwhile, Barry Baltus brought his RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP machine to seventh on the grid, placing ahead of Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp). The #21 was the top Boscoscuro rider at the end of proceedings, finishing in front of Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI).

Further back, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) will line up from 15^th on the grid, while Garcia is left with work to do from 17^th position on the grid. The #3 will start alongside Salac, who, after looking unstoppable on Friday, was unable to find time late in the session – qualifying in 18^th.

Make sure you join us on Sunday as we prepare to go racing at Motegi with lights out at 12:15 local time (UTC +9)!

Ivan Ortola captured pole position during FIM Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, the young Spaniard lapped the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) course in 1:54.761 to lead the field of 26 riders. 

Collin Veijer was the best of the rest with a 1:55.117 on his Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP racebike, and Aspar Team CFMOTO rider David Alonso earned the third and final spot on the front row by doing a 1:55.170. 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

The #48 demolished the lap record in Q2 and will start alongside Collin Veijer and David Alonso at Motegi. 

Moto3™ brought drama by the bucketload at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) charging to pole position at the Mobility Resort Motegi. It was an unbelievable lap from the #48, clocking a 1:54.761 and obliterating the lap record. It was a tense fight for pole position, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) grabbing second on the grid, ending Saturday 0.356s behind. It ends a great day for the Dutchman, placing ahead of Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who claims the final spot on the front row in a weekend which could see the #80 leave as Champion.

Lap records destroyed in Q2

Due to rain overnight, no riders were able to improve on their times from Friday, with Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) fastest on Saturday morning and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) remaining at the top of the combined standings. It was a tense Q1, with the top four spots decided on the final flying lap, with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) topping the session and earning a spot in Q2 alongside Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and CIP Green Power’s Riccardo Rossi.

It was a hectic start to Q2, with rain beginning to fall around the circuit it led to a frantic opening five minutes, which saw Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) in P1 before Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) destroyed the lap record. It was a dramatic end to Q2, with Veijer continuing to improve on his second run, reclaiming P1 in the final minute of the session, before Ortola responded and entered the 1:54 bracket.

Holgado starts from P9

Heading the second row of the grid on Sunday will be Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), ending the morning 0.315s adrift from a spot on the front row. The Spaniard had a rock-solid session, qualifying as the top Honda and will now be joined by Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) on the second row. It was a strong qualifying for the Australian, who will set sights on a good result on Sunday to prepare himself for his home GP next time out.

Meanwhile, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) starts at the head of row three, setting a strong 1:55.928 to place in front of Muñoz. The #64 battled hard from Q1, earning eighth on the grid ahead of Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who jumped from 18^th to ninth on his final run. Further back, home hero Furusato starts from 13^th on the grid, ending Q2 ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Do not miss a potential title-deciding Japanese GP, with action getting underway at 11:00 local time (UTC +9), as we prepare to go racing on Sunday!

Pedro Acosta earned his first pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Red Bull KTM GASGAS Tech3 RC16, the rookie broke Jorge Martin’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record Of 1:43.198 with a new time of 1:43.018 around the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) circuit during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Saturday. 

Row-two qualifiers included Bagnaia’s Lenovo Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini (1:43.539), Brad Binder on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 (1:43.661), and Franco Morbidelli on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati (1:43.828). 

Morbidelli’s teammate and Championship Leader Jorge Martin finished the session ranked 11th on his Ducati. 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

The rookie will start the Japanese GP from pole position, starting alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Maverick Viñales.

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) has powered to an incredible pole position at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with the #31 setting a new all-time lap record – clocking a 1:43.018. The rookie sensation claimed P1 on the grid and now becomes the third youngest polesitter in the premier class. Acosta will start alongside Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in what could be a crucial day for the reigning World Champion after a phenomenal final run for the #1. Bagnaia was a mere 0.246s adrift from Acosta and will be joined on the front row by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) in a great result for the #12 – starting from third.

Mixed weather in a tense Q2

Q1 was filled with drama, with spots of rain in the air and lap times improving into the final minute, allowing Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) to earn their spot in Q2. It was a frantic start to Q2, with rain falling, the premier class stars tried to bag a strong early lap. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) stole the top spot after the opening lap, with red sectors continuing to appear as the #93 improved ahead of Acosta. Things soon got better for the rookie, who soon improved further, claiming provisional pole after his first run.

In the closing minutes, Bagnaia began to claw back time on his second tyre, becoming the next rider to take the top spot before Marc Marquez clocked an unbelievable 1:42.868. The #93’s fastest lap was then taken away due to exceeding track limits, allowing Acosta to inherit pole after posting an impressive 1:43.018. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) crashed in the final two minutes – falling at Turn 9. 

Martin starts from P11

Heading the second row of the grid will be Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) after an incredible ride from ‘The Beast’. Bastianini was 0.098s adrift from the front row and will be joined on the second row by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in fifth, continuing to look confident at Motegi. Morbidelli will charge from sixth, claiming the final spot on the second row after fighting from Q1.

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio heads from seventh on the grid, placing ahead of his teammate Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian duo had a great session, bagging a strong starting point for the Sprint and Sunday. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez is forced to start from ninth to the disappointment of the eight-time World Champion, who now has some work to do.

Another rider with a tough task ahead is Martin, qualifying in 11^th after the #89 was unable to return to track after his crash. Martin will start in the middle of a talented fourth row, joined by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Quartararo. Further back, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro will start on the fifth row and will also be aiming to carve through the field.

Saturday’s action is not over yet! Make sure you join us at 15:00 local time (UTC +9) as the world’s most exciting sport returns for an unpredictable Tissot Sprint!

Filip Salac was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday at Motegi, in Japan. The Czech rider topped Friday afternoon’s practice session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex, Salac navigated the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) course in 1:49.716, breaking Somkiat Chantra’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.898. 

Fantic Racing Kalex rider Aron Canet was also under the old lap record with a 1:49.762, but he was second-best in the session. 

Marcos Ramirez was third with a 1:49.811 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex. His teammate, American Joe Roberts, finished the day ranked ninth with a 1:50.157.