Veteran Aron Canet took pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Triumph 765-powered Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:07.631 to lead the field of 29 riders.
After topping multiple sessions during the weekend, Fermin Aldegeur slipped to second in qualifying with a 2:07.740 on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, and Sergio Garcia qualified third with a lap time of 2:07.819 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
Albert Arenas was fourth-fastest with a 2:07.865 on his QJMOTOR Gresini Kalex, American Joe Roberts earned the fifth spot on the grid with a 2:07.868 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex, and Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez claimed the final spot on row two and sixth overall.
David Alonso continued his domination of the Moto3 World Championship class at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) by taking pole position during qualifying Saturday afternoon in Texas. Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar machine, the young Colombian lapped the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) circuit in 2:14.292.
Jose Antonio Rueda was next-best with a time of 2:14.309 on his Red Bull KTM, and Daniel Holgado claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a lap of 2:14.487 on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS.
The top 13 Moto3 qualifiers were separated by less than one second.
MT Helmets announces its entry into the US market, on the same weekend as the Americas GP
MT Helmets, currently present in over 125 countries, chose the GP event to announce its ambitious project that will start this year: the launch of MT Helmets in the North American market.
The new generation of MT Helmets offer an unbeatable safety-price ratio, a compelling advantage as it enters the demanding American market.
The commercial team introducing the brand to the US will be led by Spanish rider Xavi Forés, who will play a crucial role in this project.
After many years of significant international growth, MT Helmets has yet to tackle the challenge of marketing its products in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
This demanding project required having everything tightly secured, showcasing a product portfolio through which the brand could offer a distinct value, and being represented in the best possible way.
With everything ready and organized for MT Helmets’ entry into the United States, the MotoGP World Championship’s stop in Texas offered the perfect occasion to announce it.
Next-Generation Helmets
The products developed by MT Helmets are continuously evolving, and their latest generation of helmets reaches an exceptionally high level in terms of safety, finishes, product design, and quality.
All this is made possible by the product development team, the engineering team, and the graphic designers, all based at MT Helmets’ headquarters in Cartagena. The Spanish company’s products meet the most demanding European standards.
Xavi Forés, In Charge of the Project
The brand marketing in the United States will be led by Xavi Forés, a Spanish rider with a long international career who has regularly competed in the Superbike World Championship. In 2023, he was a key figure in the American AMA Superbikes Championship, where he clinched the Superport championship.
Forés has gained a deep understanding of the American market and is eager to lead the brand’s launch in the USA.
Xavi Fores on the grid at the 2024 Daytona 200. Photo courtesy MT Helmets.
Statements
XAVI FORÉS
“For me, it is a great honor to represent a Spanish brand in this country and to lead its commercial expansion. Since getting to know the brand deeply, I have been incredibly impressed by the high quality of its products, which I have also experienced first-hand as a rider. I participated in Daytona 200 using a KRE+ helmet, which left me with a fantastic impression.
All of the national distributors we have provided with product samples over these first months share my feeling. In every case, we have received excellent acceptance of the helmet and a strong interest in their sales, so we are confident that this project will be a success.”
JAVIER TOMÁS
CEO of MT Helmets
“We have wanted to enter the US market for many years, but we wanted to do so with the certainty of having a winning project. Our products are becoming more competitive every day and our sales are increasing in the more than 125 countries where we are present, so we are sure that they will also be well accepted in this country.
The truth is that we needed a key figure in this project and we have found in Xavi Forés an excellent leader of the project, so we are convinced that the time has come to enter the USA and grow there with MT Helmets.”
Troy Herfoss came from behind to win MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas.
Herfoss was as far back as sixth mid-race on his S&S Indian Challenger, but the reigning Australian Superbike Champion pushed forward as the race went on and passed both his teammate Tyler O’Hara and Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman on the last lap to claim his first victory in the class.
Wyman out braked O’Hara into Turn 11 on the final lap to take the lead, but Wyman fell victim to an aggressive pass by Herfoss and had to settle for the runner-up spot on his Road Glide.
O’Hara, the pole-sitter, led every lap except the last lap and finished third.
Maverick Vinales captured pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard lapped the 20-turn, 3.4-mile (5.5 km) road course in 2:00.864, topping the field of 22 riders and breaking the All-Time Lap Record of 2:01.397 Jorge Martin set on Friday afternoon.
Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta was the best of the rest with a 2:01.192 on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS, and six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez earned the third and final spot on the front row with a time of 2:01.266 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia qualified fourth with a 2:01.352 on his Levono Ducati Desmosidici GP24, Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini was fifth-fastest at 2:01.439, and Jorge Martin (2:01.511) claimed the sixth spot on the grid in spite of crashing his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati twice Saturday morning.
The MotoGP Tissot Sprint race is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Central Time/Local Time.
All-time classic: dramatic COTA Q2 sees Viñales supreme ahead of Acosta & Marquez
Top spot for Top Gun as Martin crashes twice, Acosta takes his first front row, Marquez denies Bagnaia and Binder faces a fight back in Texas
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 April 2024
Qualifying for the 2024 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas was a true classic, with a dash of drama and a dash of magic creating an incredible grid for lights out in Austin. On pole position is Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who smashed the lap record set on Friday by half a second to carve out his own postcode at the front, three tenths clear in Q2. His pole lap is also a second quicker than pole in 2023. In second is rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who takes his first premier class front row as his pace in Austin continues to awe. And completing that front row is eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) after his first qualifying top three with Ducati, aiming for an eighth win at COTA.
Just behind the #93 on the timesheets is reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), but sat directly behind him, with the #93 blocking his view up to Turn 1, is Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in P6. There were two crashes for the #89 in Q2.
Q1
The first qualifying session was packed full of contenders looking for a way through, not least of all Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder – second in the Championship heading into COTA. The South African’s session didn’t get off to the best start as he slid off in a low drama crash though, leaving him in a race against time to get back out and move up the grid.
Once everyone was back out for that final push, it was close as ever. Red sectors lit up the timing screens and none more so than for Binder’s teammate Jack Miller, with the Australian wrestling his RC16 round to take over on top – tucked in behind the South African on track too. For Binder it wasn’t to be though, and he’ll start P17 for both showdowns at COTA.
Miller’s final challenge came from Alex Marquez as the Gresini Racing MotoGP™ rider took the second place in Q2, just 0.012 off the Australian but that enough to move through into the fight for pole.
Q2
12 riders, one pole position, and plenty of simmering rivalries. Q2 delivered an immediate small dash of drama for Championship leader Martin as he slid out from just ahead of Marc Marquez, but the number 89 was able to pick it back up and carry on. Marquez then went on to put in a fast one too, but it wasn’t the fastest. That first honour went to Viñales, with the Aprilia slamming in a 2:01.243 to better MM93’s first effort by just 0.023. There would be no foregone conclusion.
Once Martin had picked it up and hit the gas again though, he was motoring in the first sector. But then there was more drama for the points leader, with the Pramac sliding off again at Turn 18. Rider ok once again, but this time it was a race against time to head back to the paddock to try and reset on his second machine.
Back out on track, the session belonged to Top Gun. After duelling Martin for Friday honours and just coming up short, Viñales had a big reply on Saturday. The #12 Aprilia shot round COTA for a new all-time record, shaving nearly half a second off Martin’s record set earlier in the weekend. Gauntlet thrown, statement made, and pole position surely secured.
In the end, it was. Martin couldn’t make another splash to take on the front row, Bagnaia came up short, and Acosta’s own best effort is a stunning statement in itself for a rookie, but it’s still 0.328 off Viñales – the lone star under the 2:00 barrier at COTA. Marquez had one final shot at it, seconds to spare over the line and with yellow flags gone, but after already having hammered it earlier on the same run, there was no more magic left in the tank. In this session, at least. During the rest of the weekend? Stay tuned.
THE GRID
Behind that Viñales – Acosta – Marquez front row teasing enough action in itself, there’s even more waiting in the wings. Bagnaia is one behind Marc Marquez on the timesheets but on track, he’s on the opposite side of the grid, lined up behind pole. He has teammate Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) alongside him, and then completing that second row – right behind Marc Marquez on the road – sits Martin.
Row 3 is Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) despite a crash near the end of Q2, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Mandalika VR46 Racing Team) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) alongside. Then comes Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Mandalika VR46 Racing Team) after a spill at T1, ahead of Miller and Alex Marquez in P11 and P12.
Then it’s Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, who just missed the cut in Q1, lining up P13 and P14 for the team’s first ever home GP. Two-time MotoGP™ COTA winner Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) slots into P15, just ahead of teammate Fabio Quartararo, whose Q1 was also cut short by a low drama crash at Turn 1 on his final lap. Then comes Binder, searching for some serious progress once the lights go out as he looks to thread the needle from P17. And stop Martin’s lead growing -– unless someone else does that for him.
The lights go out for the first time on Saturday at 15:00 (UTC-5), before Sunday’s Grand Prix race gets underway at 14:00. It’s almost a guarantee there’ll be some history made this weekend, so do not miss a minute – we’ll save you a seat.
Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta was quickest in MotoGP Practice Two (P2) Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS racebike, the reigning Moto2 World Champion covered the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:02.243 to lead the field of 22 riders.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was second-best with a time of 2:02.414 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP24, while six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was third at 2:02.440 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23.
The top 14 riders in the session were separated by less than one second.
Fermin Aldeguer was fastest during Moto2 World Championship Practice Two (P2) Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro racebike, the young Spaniard turned a lap time of 2:07.543 around the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) circuit. Not only did that time top the field of 29 riders, it smashed the new All-Time Lap Record of 2:08.359 Aldeguer set Friday afternoon.
Japan’s Ai Ogura was the best of the rest and right behind Aldeguer with a 2:07.569 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro, and Brit Jake Dixon was third-quickest with a 2:07.751 on his CFMOTO Asterius Aspar Team Kalex.
American Joe Roberts was fifth-fastest in the session with a 2:07.889 — just 0.346 second slower than Aldeguer — on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez (2:07.766) finished the session just ahead of him in fourth.
WILDCARD OUTINGS SCHEDULED FOR DANI PEDROSA AND POL ESPARGARO IN 2024 MOTOGP™
2024 MotoGP news
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing pitlane presence will grow in the forthcoming rounds of 2024 Grand Prix with MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa competing for the second year in a row at the Gran Premio de España (round four, Jerez, April 26-28) and Pol Espargaro lined-up to race the KTM RC16 at the Gran Premio d’Italia (round seven, Mugello, May 31-June 2).
KTM’s test team have identified key dates for race appearances as part of their 2024 work schedule, and to continue development with the KTM RC16 both for the rest of the current season and with a view to 2025 and beyond.
Pedrosa, who wowed fans with his performances in Jerez and Misano in 2023, will ride again this year, at the Circuit de Jerez Angel Nieto in two weeks. Pedrosa finished 6th in the Sprint and 7th in the race almost twelve months ago at the same event, crossing the finish line just six seconds behind the Grand Prix winner. He then excelled in Italy with a 4th place. Dani, 38, retired in 2018 from full-time MotoGP but has since raced three times for KTM.
Espargaro, in his first year as a test rider for the company, is eager to return at one of the championship’s fastest and most picturesque circuits and the traditional host of the Italian Grand Prix during the first weekend of June. KTM set the current MotoGP top speed record at 366.1kpm (227mph) at the venue and Pol has a best finish of 9th in Tuscany but has two wins and a total of four podiums in other GP categories.
Dani Pedrosa: “I had a lot of fun at Jerez last year and the welcome from the fans was amazing. We all know Jerez is a special place. For us it will also be important to use some references for our tests and put it into the race environment again. This is the main reason to compete in 2024.”
Pol Espargaro. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Pol Espargaro: “Really happy to be racing again and especially at Mugello, which is a very special place to get on a MotoGP bike. It will be cool to be back on the grid with the guys. Testing has been going really well and I’m very motivated. I am more like my ‘old self’ after the injury of 2023. I’m looking forward to being right back into the MotoGP ‘family’ and showing that our testing work is strong and fast.”
David Alonso continued his domination of the Moto3 class at Circuit of The Americas by breaking a longstanding All-Time Lap Record during Practice Two (P2) on Saturday morning.
Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team machine, the Colombian turned a best lap time of 2:14.153. Not only did that time top the 26 riders in the session, it also broke the All-Time Moto3 Lap Record of 2:14.644, which was set by Aron Canet way back in 2017.
Canet still holds the Race Lap Record at 2:15.583…at least until Sunday.
Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss led the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers warmup session Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
On just his second day ever riding at COTA, Herfoss improved on the 2:15.576 he did on his S&S Indian Challenger during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Friday with a 2:15.258 on Saturday morning and led the field of 12 riders.
Bobby Fong was second-best with a 2:15.533 on his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian, and Kyle Wyman was third in the warmup with a 2:15.707 on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide.
The top five riders in the session were separated by just 0.7 second.
Mission King Of The Baggers Race One is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Central Time and Race Two is scheduled to run at 4:05 p.m. The races can be best viewed on MotoAmerica Live+, MotoAmerica’s digital streaming subscription service, but they can also be seen on MAVTV, FS1, MTRSPRT1, and YouTube.
Veteran Aron Canet took pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Triumph 765-powered Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:07.631 to lead the field of 29 riders.
After topping multiple sessions during the weekend, Fermin Aldegeur slipped to second in qualifying with a 2:07.740 on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, and Sergio Garcia qualified third with a lap time of 2:07.819 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
Albert Arenas was fourth-fastest with a 2:07.865 on his QJMOTOR Gresini Kalex, American Joe Roberts earned the fifth spot on the grid with a 2:07.868 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex, and Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez claimed the final spot on row two and sixth overall.
David Alonso (80) leads David Munoz (64) on track at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso continued his domination of the Moto3 World Championship class at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) by taking pole position during qualifying Saturday afternoon in Texas. Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar machine, the young Colombian lapped the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) circuit in 2:14.292.
Jose Antonio Rueda was next-best with a time of 2:14.309 on his Red Bull KTM, and Daniel Holgado claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a lap of 2:14.487 on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS.
The top 13 Moto3 qualifiers were separated by less than one second.
Moto2 racer Sergio Garcia's MT helmet at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Photo courtesy MT Helmets.
MT Helmets announces its entry into the US market, on the same weekend as the Americas GP
MT Helmets, currently present in over 125 countries, chose the GP event to announce its ambitious project that will start this year: the launch of MT Helmets in the North American market.
The new generation of MT Helmets offer an unbeatable safety-price ratio, a compelling advantage as it enters the demanding American market.
The commercial team introducing the brand to the US will be led by Spanish rider Xavi Forés, who will play a crucial role in this project.
After many years of significant international growth, MT Helmets has yet to tackle the challenge of marketing its products in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
This demanding project required having everything tightly secured, showcasing a product portfolio through which the brand could offer a distinct value, and being represented in the best possible way.
With everything ready and organized for MT Helmets’ entry into the United States, the MotoGP World Championship’s stop in Texas offered the perfect occasion to announce it.
Next-Generation Helmets
The products developed by MT Helmets are continuously evolving, and their latest generation of helmets reaches an exceptionally high level in terms of safety, finishes, product design, and quality.
All this is made possible by the product development team, the engineering team, and the graphic designers, all based at MT Helmets’ headquarters in Cartagena. The Spanish company’s products meet the most demanding European standards.
Xavi Forés, In Charge of the Project
The brand marketing in the United States will be led by Xavi Forés, a Spanish rider with a long international career who has regularly competed in the Superbike World Championship. In 2023, he was a key figure in the American AMA Superbikes Championship, where he clinched the Superport championship.
Forés has gained a deep understanding of the American market and is eager to lead the brand’s launch in the USA.
Xavi Fores on the grid at the 2024 Daytona 200. Photo courtesy MT Helmets.
Statements
XAVI FORÉS
“For me, it is a great honor to represent a Spanish brand in this country and to lead its commercial expansion. Since getting to know the brand deeply, I have been incredibly impressed by the high quality of its products, which I have also experienced first-hand as a rider. I participated in Daytona 200 using a KRE+ helmet, which left me with a fantastic impression.
All of the national distributors we have provided with product samples over these first months share my feeling. In every case, we have received excellent acceptance of the helmet and a strong interest in their sales, so we are confident that this project will be a success.”
JAVIER TOMÁS
CEO of MT Helmets
“We have wanted to enter the US market for many years, but we wanted to do so with the certainty of having a winning project. Our products are becoming more competitive every day and our sales are increasing in the more than 125 countries where we are present, so we are sure that they will also be well accepted in this country.
The truth is that we needed a key figure in this project and we have found in Xavi Forés an excellent leader of the project, so we are convinced that the time has come to enter the USA and grow there with MT Helmets.”
Troy Herfoss came from behind to win MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas.
Herfoss was as far back as sixth mid-race on his S&S Indian Challenger, but the reigning Australian Superbike Champion pushed forward as the race went on and passed both his teammate Tyler O’Hara and Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman on the last lap to claim his first victory in the class.
Wyman out braked O’Hara into Turn 11 on the final lap to take the lead, but Wyman fell victim to an aggressive pass by Herfoss and had to settle for the runner-up spot on his Road Glide.
O’Hara, the pole-sitter, led every lap except the last lap and finished third.
Maverick Vinales captured pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard lapped the 20-turn, 3.4-mile (5.5 km) road course in 2:00.864, topping the field of 22 riders and breaking the All-Time Lap Record of 2:01.397 Jorge Martin set on Friday afternoon.
Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta was the best of the rest with a 2:01.192 on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS, and six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez earned the third and final spot on the front row with a time of 2:01.266 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia qualified fourth with a 2:01.352 on his Levono Ducati Desmosidici GP24, Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini was fifth-fastest at 2:01.439, and Jorge Martin (2:01.511) claimed the sixth spot on the grid in spite of crashing his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati twice Saturday morning.
The MotoGP Tissot Sprint race is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Central Time/Local Time.
All-time classic: dramatic COTA Q2 sees Viñales supreme ahead of Acosta & Marquez
Top spot for Top Gun as Martin crashes twice, Acosta takes his first front row, Marquez denies Bagnaia and Binder faces a fight back in Texas
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 April 2024
Qualifying for the 2024 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas was a true classic, with a dash of drama and a dash of magic creating an incredible grid for lights out in Austin. On pole position is Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who smashed the lap record set on Friday by half a second to carve out his own postcode at the front, three tenths clear in Q2. His pole lap is also a second quicker than pole in 2023. In second is rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who takes his first premier class front row as his pace in Austin continues to awe. And completing that front row is eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) after his first qualifying top three with Ducati, aiming for an eighth win at COTA.
Just behind the #93 on the timesheets is reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), but sat directly behind him, with the #93 blocking his view up to Turn 1, is Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in P6. There were two crashes for the #89 in Q2.
Q1
The first qualifying session was packed full of contenders looking for a way through, not least of all Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder – second in the Championship heading into COTA. The South African’s session didn’t get off to the best start as he slid off in a low drama crash though, leaving him in a race against time to get back out and move up the grid.
Once everyone was back out for that final push, it was close as ever. Red sectors lit up the timing screens and none more so than for Binder’s teammate Jack Miller, with the Australian wrestling his RC16 round to take over on top – tucked in behind the South African on track too. For Binder it wasn’t to be though, and he’ll start P17 for both showdowns at COTA.
Miller’s final challenge came from Alex Marquez as the Gresini Racing MotoGP™ rider took the second place in Q2, just 0.012 off the Australian but that enough to move through into the fight for pole.
Q2
12 riders, one pole position, and plenty of simmering rivalries. Q2 delivered an immediate small dash of drama for Championship leader Martin as he slid out from just ahead of Marc Marquez, but the number 89 was able to pick it back up and carry on. Marquez then went on to put in a fast one too, but it wasn’t the fastest. That first honour went to Viñales, with the Aprilia slamming in a 2:01.243 to better MM93’s first effort by just 0.023. There would be no foregone conclusion.
Once Martin had picked it up and hit the gas again though, he was motoring in the first sector. But then there was more drama for the points leader, with the Pramac sliding off again at Turn 18. Rider ok once again, but this time it was a race against time to head back to the paddock to try and reset on his second machine.
Back out on track, the session belonged to Top Gun. After duelling Martin for Friday honours and just coming up short, Viñales had a big reply on Saturday. The #12 Aprilia shot round COTA for a new all-time record, shaving nearly half a second off Martin’s record set earlier in the weekend. Gauntlet thrown, statement made, and pole position surely secured.
In the end, it was. Martin couldn’t make another splash to take on the front row, Bagnaia came up short, and Acosta’s own best effort is a stunning statement in itself for a rookie, but it’s still 0.328 off Viñales – the lone star under the 2:00 barrier at COTA. Marquez had one final shot at it, seconds to spare over the line and with yellow flags gone, but after already having hammered it earlier on the same run, there was no more magic left in the tank. In this session, at least. During the rest of the weekend? Stay tuned.
THE GRID
Behind that Viñales – Acosta – Marquez front row teasing enough action in itself, there’s even more waiting in the wings. Bagnaia is one behind Marc Marquez on the timesheets but on track, he’s on the opposite side of the grid, lined up behind pole. He has teammate Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) alongside him, and then completing that second row – right behind Marc Marquez on the road – sits Martin.
Row 3 is Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) despite a crash near the end of Q2, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Mandalika VR46 Racing Team) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) alongside. Then comes Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Mandalika VR46 Racing Team) after a spill at T1, ahead of Miller and Alex Marquez in P11 and P12.
Then it’s Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, who just missed the cut in Q1, lining up P13 and P14 for the team’s first ever home GP. Two-time MotoGP™ COTA winner Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) slots into P15, just ahead of teammate Fabio Quartararo, whose Q1 was also cut short by a low drama crash at Turn 1 on his final lap. Then comes Binder, searching for some serious progress once the lights go out as he looks to thread the needle from P17. And stop Martin’s lead growing -– unless someone else does that for him.
The lights go out for the first time on Saturday at 15:00 (UTC-5), before Sunday’s Grand Prix race gets underway at 14:00. It’s almost a guarantee there’ll be some history made this weekend, so do not miss a minute – we’ll save you a seat.
Pedro Acosta (31). Photo courtesy Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS.
Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta was quickest in MotoGP Practice Two (P2) Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS racebike, the reigning Moto2 World Champion covered the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:02.243 to lead the field of 22 riders.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was second-best with a time of 2:02.414 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP24, while six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was third at 2:02.440 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23.
The top 14 riders in the session were separated by less than one second.
Fermin Aldeguer was fastest during Moto2 World Championship Practice Two (P2) Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro racebike, the young Spaniard turned a lap time of 2:07.543 around the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) circuit. Not only did that time top the field of 29 riders, it smashed the new All-Time Lap Record of 2:08.359 Aldeguer set Friday afternoon.
Japan’s Ai Ogura was the best of the rest and right behind Aldeguer with a 2:07.569 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro, and Brit Jake Dixon was third-quickest with a 2:07.751 on his CFMOTO Asterius Aspar Team Kalex.
American Joe Roberts was fifth-fastest in the session with a 2:07.889 — just 0.346 second slower than Aldeguer — on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez (2:07.766) finished the session just ahead of him in fourth.
WILDCARD OUTINGS SCHEDULED FOR DANI PEDROSA AND POL ESPARGARO IN 2024 MOTOGP™
2024 MotoGP news
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing pitlane presence will grow in the forthcoming rounds of 2024 Grand Prix with MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa competing for the second year in a row at the Gran Premio de España (round four, Jerez, April 26-28) and Pol Espargaro lined-up to race the KTM RC16 at the Gran Premio d’Italia (round seven, Mugello, May 31-June 2).
KTM’s test team have identified key dates for race appearances as part of their 2024 work schedule, and to continue development with the KTM RC16 both for the rest of the current season and with a view to 2025 and beyond.
Pedrosa, who wowed fans with his performances in Jerez and Misano in 2023, will ride again this year, at the Circuit de Jerez Angel Nieto in two weeks. Pedrosa finished 6th in the Sprint and 7th in the race almost twelve months ago at the same event, crossing the finish line just six seconds behind the Grand Prix winner. He then excelled in Italy with a 4th place. Dani, 38, retired in 2018 from full-time MotoGP but has since raced three times for KTM.
Espargaro, in his first year as a test rider for the company, is eager to return at one of the championship’s fastest and most picturesque circuits and the traditional host of the Italian Grand Prix during the first weekend of June. KTM set the current MotoGP top speed record at 366.1kpm (227mph) at the venue and Pol has a best finish of 9th in Tuscany but has two wins and a total of four podiums in other GP categories.
Dani Pedrosa: “I had a lot of fun at Jerez last year and the welcome from the fans was amazing. We all know Jerez is a special place. For us it will also be important to use some references for our tests and put it into the race environment again. This is the main reason to compete in 2024.”
Pol Espargaro. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Pol Espargaro: “Really happy to be racing again and especially at Mugello, which is a very special place to get on a MotoGP bike. It will be cool to be back on the grid with the guys. Testing has been going really well and I’m very motivated. I am more like my ‘old self’ after the injury of 2023. I’m looking forward to being right back into the MotoGP ‘family’ and showing that our testing work is strong and fast.”
David Alonso (80), as seen at COTA earlier this season. Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso continued his domination of the Moto3 class at Circuit of The Americas by breaking a longstanding All-Time Lap Record during Practice Two (P2) on Saturday morning.
Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team machine, the Colombian turned a best lap time of 2:14.153. Not only did that time top the 26 riders in the session, it also broke the All-Time Moto3 Lap Record of 2:14.644, which was set by Aron Canet way back in 2017.
Canet still holds the Race Lap Record at 2:15.583…at least until Sunday.
Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss led the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers warmup session Saturday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.
On just his second day ever riding at COTA, Herfoss improved on the 2:15.576 he did on his S&S Indian Challenger during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Friday with a 2:15.258 on Saturday morning and led the field of 12 riders.
Bobby Fong was second-best with a 2:15.533 on his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian, and Kyle Wyman was third in the warmup with a 2:15.707 on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide.
The top five riders in the session were separated by just 0.7 second.
Mission King Of The Baggers Race One is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Central Time and Race Two is scheduled to run at 4:05 p.m. The races can be best viewed on MotoAmerica Live+, MotoAmerica’s digital streaming subscription service, but they can also be seen on MAVTV, FS1, MTRSPRT1, and YouTube.
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