Enea Bastianini won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at the historic Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 20-lap race by 1.931 seconds. It was Bastianini’s first full-length race win of the season, one day after he took his first Sprint race win of the season.

Jorge Martin was the runner-up on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, which was enough for the Spaniard to retake the lead in the World Championship point standings.

Bastianini’s teammate, two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, rebounded from a crash in Saturday’s Sprint Race to claim third place in Sunday’s full-length race.

Likewise, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez bounced back from a crash of his own in the Sprint Race to bring his Gresini Racing Ducati home fourth on Sunday.

Fabio Di Giannantonio made it a Ducati sweep of the top five finishing positions by taking fifth on his Pertaminia Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati. 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

10/10: Bastianini bags British GP double as Martin reclaims title lead

The Italian becomes the 10th different winner in a row at Silverstone as Martin outpaces Bagnaia to claim the Championship lead

Sunday, 04 August 2024

After a dream Saturday, it was a stunning performance on a special Sunday for Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who capped off a historic weekend at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix with a win. The #23 became the 10th different rider to take victory at Silverstone in the last ten events at the track, storming through late on to put himself third in the title fight and only 49 points off the top. Meanwhile, the top of the standings once again belongs to Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) as the #89 led the majority of the Grand Prix before proving unable to deny Bastianini.

Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured the final spot on the podium as he bounced back from a crash on Saturday, but the 16-point haul on Sunday puts him back behind Martin by three. It was his 43rd MotoGP™ podium, all on a Ducati, which makes him the rider with the most podiums taken with Ducati.

Once the lights went out it was a blast from the past from Bagnaia, who claimed the holeshot on the run to Turn 1 after a phenomenal launch, ahead of Bastianini and Martin. While it was a great start from the #1, it was a tougher opening lap from polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), who dropped to fourth position after some shuffling, with Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) moving briefly past the Aprilia before being demoted to P5 once more.

Unfortunately, it was an early end to the Grand Prix for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who suffered an issue at the race start. Later on in the opening lap, Trackhouse Racing’s Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez races also came to an end, crashing out.

Bagnaia led from Bastianini, but Martin was quick to make his way past the #23. Bastianini soon dropped back to fourth too, with Espargaro finding a way through. Marc Marquez was also close on the chase as the top five started to break away, but Bagnaia was holding station at the front.

Further back, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) began to battle for seventh position. Di Giannantonio found his way through on the #31 and then began to duel with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in sixth, with the two exchanging some paintwork and the VR46 rider even doing the Moto3™ classic: tapping the rear of the seat to say “follow me”.

Meanwhile at the front, tension was building as Martin homed in, looking for an opportunity to pounce on Bagnaia in the lead. He took over at the front for the first time on Lap 12, making the move stick on the entry to Turn 3. Behind the leading duo, Bastianini then found a gap in Espargaro’s armour – entering the provisional podium places.

However, Martin ran wide at Turn 13 one lap later, putting Bagnaia and Bastianini right back on his tail. The next move inside the top three came from Bastianini though, who overtook his teammate for second as Pecco suffered a front end moment. The ‘Beast’ immediately started to pull back the gap to Martin.

It was six laps to go and seven tenths up the road to Martin. Slowly but surely, that was creeping down. It was agonising progress though, with hundredths and tenths making the difference as the #23 edged further and further forward. By the penultimate lap he was there and suddenly Martin was wide once and then again at Turn 3, on second time of asking too wide to defend it. Bastianini was through and headed over the line in the lead as the final lap began.

In only one lap, Bastianini put together a fantastic end to the British Grand Prix, stretching out a magnificent gap to cross the line and create history ahead of Martin and teammate Bagnaia, who claimed the final spot on the podium.

Marc Marquez took fourth after a late charge at Pecco but unable to arrive, and he had his own closing gap to deal with as Di Giannantonio climbed from 10th on the grid to fifth at the chequered flag. Polesitter Espargaro took sixth and was being chased by Alex Marquez, with the #73 finishing a mere 0.227s behind.

Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took eighth ahead of Acosta in ninth. The rookie had another strong point-scoring finish and was ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who battled through the field to take the final spot inside the top 10 after his two Long Lap penalties after the incident on Saturday. 

After an incredible weekend in vintage colours making a little more history, the world’s most exciting sport now returns in two weeks for the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich. There are just three points in it and a new name in third overall as the ‘Beast’ starts to gain some momentum… so see you in Spielberg!

Jake Dixon won the Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Brit won the 17-lap race by just 0.177 second.

Spaniard Aron Canet was the runner-up on his Fantic Racing Kalex.

Celestino Vieti took third on his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.

American Joe Roberts crashed his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex earlier in the race and did not finish (DNF). Roberts leaves England third in the World Championship point standings.

Ivan Ortola won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the historic Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM, the Spaniard won the 15-lap race by just 0.123 second. It was his second victory in his last three races.

David Alonso was the runner-up on his Valresa Aspar Team CFMOTO and leaves England with a 53-point lead in the World Championship.

Collin Veijer finished third, just 0.226 second behind Ortola, on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.

The top seven finishers were separated by just 0.548 seconds at the checkered flag.

Enea Bastianini won the MotoGP World Championship Tissot Sprint Race Saturday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 10-lap race by 1.094 seconds. It was his first Sprint Race win of the season, and it propelled him into third place in the Championship point standings.

Jorge Martin, another title contender, was the runner-up on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, bringing him to within one single point of the Championship lead.

Pole-sitter Aleix Espargaro brought his factory Aprilia RS-GP home in third.

Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time and defending World Champion and current Championship point leader, crashed his Lenovo Ducati while running fourth and did not finish (DNF).

Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez, another title contender, also crashed out of fourth place and DNF.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

1 point in it: Bastianini defeats Martin as Bagnaia and Marquez both DNF

A maiden Tissot Sprint winner, another Championship twist and a dash of drama: Saturday at Silverstone delivers some fireworks

Saturday, 03 August 2024

Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) stormed to an incredible Tissot Sprint victory at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, taking his first Saturday podium in some style: on the top step. Beast mode was very much engaged as the #23 denied Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), although the #89 claws back some crucial Championship points after drama for points leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) saw the reigning Champion slide out.

Completing the rostrum on Saturday was polesitter Aleix Espargaro as the Aprilia Racing rider ran the top two close, escaping the attentions of Bagnaia and having pulled ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) on the chase. The eight-time World Champion then also slid out late on to cede third overall in the Championship to Bastianini in a dramatic afternoon at Silverstone.

As the lights went out it was a fantastic launch from Bagnaia, who pushed Espargaro wide on the entry to Turn 1. It was an immediate melee at the front, however, and Martin was able to sneak through and snatch the Sprint lead on the opening lap at Silverstone.

There was drama behind too as Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashed on the opening lap after the former overshot Turn 1 and sent both sliding out. Both passed fit, but Morbidelli given a double Long Lap penalty to serve on Sunday.

There was soon more drama in the fight just behind the podium battle too as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) clashed, with no harm done to either but a confetti shower of winglets sent into the air. The clash was also just enough for Marc Marquez to pry the door open and slice past both, needing no second invitation and at least briefly getting past the duo.

At the front, Martin continued to lead from the chasing Bastianini, with the Italian hanging on to the tail of the #89 as Espargaro and Bagnaia shadowed the duo.

The first title fight drama then unfolded, with Bagnaia losing the front on Lap 5 at Turn 4. Rider ok, but that was all she wrote and the Italian was forced to watch from the sidelines as teammate Bastianini started to harry Martin. Polesitter Espargaro was released from the pressure of having the reigning Champion sat on his tail too, and with Martin still at the front the #1 looked to have lost the Championship lead.

However, after one failed attempt that saw Martin hit back immediately, the Beast then sliced through to the lead on Lap 6 and attempted to stretch away almost instantly. The #23 put together a series of impressive times inside the 1:58 bracket with a handful of laps remaining, gaining a little breathing space but Martin still very much in touch. A Bastianini win was a 1-point lead for Bagnaia in the title fight, a Martin win was the #89 back on top.

Then, further drama for the top echelons in the standings: Marc Marquez lost the front at Turn 16. That brought an end to the Spaniard’s chance to earn some vital Championship points as he retired to the pitlane, leaving it as a KTM-GASGAS battle for fourth and likely about to drop out the top three in the standings given Bastianini was now holding station at the head of the field.

With one lap remaining, all that was coming in was perfection from Bastianini. The #23 extended his lead from a handful of tenths to one second and that was that – a first ever Sprint victory secured at Silverstone. Martin consolidated second nevertheless, clawing back crucial Championship points to now sit just one behind Bagnaia. And behind him is now Bastianini in third.

Binder and Acosta’s battle didn’t stop as they continued their fight until the line, with the South African pipping the rookie for fourth after the 10-lap dash. Alex Marquez took sixth, having homed in but not able to get the better of the two.

It was a competitive battle for seventh place and the final point-scoring positions as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crossed the line just 0.185s ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with the latter taking that final point on Saturday.

Now all eyes turn to Sunday for the British Grand Prix, with Bagnaia and Marc Marquez aiming for redemption and Martin well within striking distance of the lead. Who will come out on top on for 25 points? The stage is set, the style will be vintage and the action is guaranteed to be a modern spectacle. So make sure you join us at 13:00 local time (UTC +1)!

Ai Ogura was fastest in Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro on Pirelli spec tires, the Japanese star navigated the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) road course in 2:02.940. That was good enough to top the field of 31 riders and to smash the All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.433 set by Aron Canet on Saturday morning.

Canet was second-best in qualifying with a time of 2:02.992 on his Fantic Racing Kalex, and Diogo Moreira claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:03.123 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Joe Roberts qualified ninth with a 2:03.289 – just 0.349 second behind the pole-sitter – on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Espargaro takes last dash pole to deny Bagnaia and Bastianini

The Aprilia rider becomes the sixth different polesitter over the last six GPs at Silverstone as the stage is set for two stunning showdowns 

Saturday, 03 August 2024

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) heads the grid at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, with the 2023 winner putting in a late dash to take over on top with a new lap record. He becomes the sixth different polesitter at Silverstone in the last six Grands Prix at the venue, and is the first of four riders who broke the previous lap record in a stunningly quick Q2.

Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) lines up in P2 after a little drama for the reigning Champion, just ahead of teammate Enea Bastianini completing the front row.

Q1

It was neck-at-neck after the first runs in another close battle to move through, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) setting the exact same laptime. By the end of the session the goalposts had moved again though, and the #73 was able to pull 0.035 out on the rookie superstar. Still, they moved through with a couple of tenths in hand over the rest, led by Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing).

Q2

After the first runs it was a Ducati Lenovo 1-2 with Bagnaia on provisional pole, despite the best efforts of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) looking for a tow behind the #1. However, heading back out, Bagnaia suffered that drama, starting his flying lap but then slowing into the run off. A tear off or sticker on his helmet had needed some attention, and the lap was gone. Was the chance gone too?

It was. Not too long after, there was a crash for Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) at Turn 2, putting out the yellow flags and putting paid to improvements for those who may have been able to make it round for one final push. That didn’t include Espargaro, however, as he was already on three red sectors looking for a fourth, taking a stunning pole position with that new lap record. 

Bagnaia, although frustrated at losing the chance to make that final attack for pole, takes second ahead of Bastianini, who had looked on to challenge before sitting up out that lap. They both broke the previous lap record, as did the rider just behind them heading up Row 2: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

THE GRID

Behind the Espargaro, Bagnaia, Bastianini lockout, Martin heads that second row ahead of Alex Marquez via Q1 and a solid P6 for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Marc Marquez slots into P7 and will be looking to move forward from the off, as will the rider right alongside him: Viñales, another previous winner at the venue. Acosta completes that third row.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was just half a tenth behind the rookie, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completing the Q2 runners and looking to move forward when the lights go out.

The stage is set, the pace is hot and the lights go out not once, but twice this weekend at the awesome Silverstone Circuit. Who’s coming out on top in the battles in Britain? Tune in to find out!