The Ducati Lenovo Team clinches the MotoGP Team World Championship Title at Buriram courtesy of yet another brilliant win by Bagnaia. Bastianini finishes fourteenth following a crash

Jorge Martín is second aboard the Desmosedici GP of Pramac Racing Team

Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team have scored an important win in the 26-lap, Thai Grand Prix race, which took place in wet conditions at the Chang International Circuit. Enea Bastianini made it to the chequered flag in fourteenth place, after crashing out in the first half of the encounter.

Bagnaia had a good start from pole, before bridging the gap to the then-leader Martín and taking the lead on lap five, as the rival went wide. Pecco had then to defend his position from a resurging Marc Marquez, with the latter crashing out with thirteen laps left. From then on, the reigning world champion managed perfectly his margin over the following riders as, ultimately crossing the line a lonely winner.

Bastianini lost several positions at the start due to a coming together with an opponent at turn one. After finding himself outside the top ten, Enea managed to make his way back to sixth place, before tucking the front at turn eight during the ninth lap. He managed to re-join the encounter and to return inside the top 15 to finish fourteenth.

As the eighteenth Grand Prix of the season draws to a close, Bagnaia is still second in the championship standings, albeit now with a 17-point gap to Martín. Bastianini is fourth,108 points in arrears, and mathematically out of contention for the title. After Ducati’s Constructors’ championship title win, the Ducati Lenovo Team secures the 2024 Team World Championship title.

The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on Friday at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, for the penultimate event of the season.

Francesco Bagnaia (#1 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st
“This morning, after the warm-up, I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t worried, though, because I knew we had the potential to do well, but we had to fix something in terms of bike behaviour under braking: we managed to do so, and I felt better straight away. When Jorge tried to pull away early on, I chose to wait a couple of laps as I had noticed that he was taking many risks. The battle with Marc (Márquez was really good and before his crash, we were really lapping at an incredible pace. I’d like to dedicate this win to the team, because as usual they have done a fantastic job.”

Enea Bastianini (#23 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 14th
“We were in the position to do well. Unfortunately, I was pushed wide at turn one and lost a lot of ground on the straight – plus the visibility was very low in the early stages. Then, lap after lap, I managed to find the right feeling and made up some places, but I was very at the limit and ended up tucking the front at turn eight. It’s a pity, I didn’t expect that to happen. Luckily, I was able to re-join and score a couple of points.”

Luigi Dall’Igna – Ducati Corse General Manager
“It was a challenging race. It’s easy to make a mistake in these conditions: you must give it all in order to win but be careful at the same time, because a mistake is always around the corner. I must congratulate Pecco and Jorge for today’s incredible performance. It is now officially a two-way battle for the title, on equal terms. Our goal is to give them all the information so that they can get the set-up out of their bikes and may the best win. We’lll have to suffer until the end, but I’m sure they’ll deliver plenty of more excitement to us as well as to all the Ducatisti.”

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) wins the battle at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand after an incredible ride for the #44 in testing conditions. Canet took the lead in the opening laps, maintaining his advantage in the latter stages as the red flag was shown due to weather conditions. Canet won by 2.523s from Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who crossed the line in second, which proved to be good enough to be crowned the 2024 Moto2™ World Champion. It was a hard-fought race for the #79, creating history by becoming the first Asia Talent Cup rider to become Grand Prix World Champion. Ogura crossed the line to beat Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) in P3.

Ogura secured a dream holeshot at Turn 1 before Canet attacked early, carving his way into the lead at Turn 3. The #79 did not take long to respond, with Ogura and Canet trading blows throughout the opening lap. However, everything got close at the final corner, with firm moves being made at the final corner – forcing Ogura to run wide and drop to P7.

It was a tough opening lap for Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), bringing an end to any hopes of a strong result in Thailand. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was involved in the incident, with his race also ending at Turn 5.

Ogura chipped away, entering sixth after Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) ran wide at Turn 5, dropping the #21 outside the top 10. The #79 had to finish inside the top five spots to wrap up the Championship in Thailand as Canet continued to lead. The key move came on Lap 7, with the Japanese star finding a way through on Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Darryn Binder.

At the front, Canet extended his margin to three-tenths from Ramirez, who made an incredible start from fourth on the grid. Meanwhile, the battle for P3 ignited, with Ogura passing Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and beginning to pile the pressure on Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team).

Ogura created an opportunity on Lap 10, clawing his way into the podium places, with sights set on winning the World Championship. Four laps later, the next move arrived for Ogura, stealing second from Ramirez and setting sights on the one-second gap to Canet.

There were spots of rain in the air, adding to the drama at Buriram as Canet maintained his advantage. Further back, home hero Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) began to make moves, charging into the top five before starting to duel with Moreira for fourth.

Everything soon changed as the red flag was shown, bringing an early end to proceeding as the rain got heavier, allowing Canet to secure the win, while Ogura became the first Japanese rider to claim the World Champion since 2009, and Ramirez celebrated a well-earned podium on Sunday.

Chantra took a popular P4 finish, finding incredible pace in the latter stages to the delight of the home crowd. The #35 impressed, beating Moreira, who claimed the final spot inside the top five. Meanwhile, Izan Guevara completed a strong day, bagging sixth place for the CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team and beating teammate Dixon, who took the flag ahead of Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) on a historic day at the Chang International Circuit.

Meanwhile, Round 16 winner Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Deniz Öncü took the final spots inside the top 10, with Lopez missing out in P11. Sergio Garcia was 12th in a great day for MT Helmets – MSI as Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team’s Ayumu Sasaki took 13th, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) claimed 14th and Jorge Navarro (OnlyFans American Racing Team) bagged the final point.

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) continues to etch his name into the history books at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, securing a 12th victory of the season and creating history as the rider to win the most races in one season in the lightweight class. Rain or shine, Alonso proved to be in the mix, charging to win by 0.353s from Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) after the Italian found incredible pace in tricky conditions. Lunetta was impressive as Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) grabbed the final spot on the podium after a dramatic run to the line.

It was declared a wet race start, meaning a reduced distance of 12 laps and an opportunity for the Moto3™ field to complete multiple sighting laps after every session throughout the weekend was dry. It was a choice of tyres on the grid, with the majority of the field opting for slicks as Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) claimed the holeshot and stormed into the lead at Turn 1.

It was a dramatic start, with Veijer not waiting long to pounce – stealing the lead from the Australian. The #66 responded on lap, bunching up the lead group as Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) created opportunities after carving his way inside the top five. The #48 attacked Kelso early after the polesitter was demoted to P5 after a tough Lap 3.

Meanwhile, it was soon Alonso’s time to shine as spots of rain fell onto the circuit. The Colombian snatched the lead on Lap 4, setting sights on a 12th win of the season and the opportunity to create history in Thailand. Alonso had steep competition on his hands as Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who had his first opportunity in P1 and began to put the hammer down.

Lunetta began to make inroads, catching the back of the lead group after a stunning pace. The Italian soon began to duel with Veijer as the #58 set sights on the podium. There was then drama at the front for the Leopard Racing squad, with Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez colliding on Lap 11.

It was a grandstand finish, with Ortola and Alonso going head-to-head on the 12th and final lap. Alonso made the move stick, storming to glory in Thailand as Lunetta and Veijer were able to pinch the podium from Ortola, who ran wide at the final corner. Furusato had a disappointing end, crashing on the run to the line after contact with the #95.

Fourth place was taken by Ortola, unable to hold onto the podium after a difficult final corner. Furusato rounded out the top five after suffering a fall to the line, with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) chasing behind in sixth – battling his way from P17 on the grid. Muñoz pipped teammate Kelso to the line as Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing) took the flag in a strong eighth.

Further back, Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) and Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Tatsuki Suzuki rounded out a competitive top 10. The #24 was ahead of compatriot Ryusei Yamanaka in 11th, with Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda scoring the final points on Sunday.

Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) has charged to victory at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, taking glory by 1.357s after a sublime performance in the Tissot Sprint. ‘The Beast’ took the lead on the opening lap, keeping calm and setting a relentless pace to allow Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) no chance to respond in second. It was a crucial day for the Championship, with Martin bagging second position and extending his Championship lead to 22 points over title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Italian was unable to finish higher than third, with everything still to play for on Sunday.

Once the lights went out, Bagnaia made a phenomenal launch from pole position, taking a slight advantage on the run to Turn 1. However, Martin was on the attack at Turn 1, launching a move down the inside before running wide and dropping to fifth on the opening lap. The #89 was now left with work to do as throughout all the drama, Bastianini was promoted into the lead after a strong start for ‘The Beast’.

Martin began to work hard, putting the hammer down and finding a way through Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) on Lap 2 before setting sights on Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Martin soon found his way into the podium places after a textbook move on Marc Marquez at the final corner.

At the front, Bastianini threw down an early gauntlet, stretching his lead to nearly one second – setting the fastest lap in the process. Then drama began to unfold further back as Acosta’s hopes of a strong result were soon crushed at Turn 3 after a crash which would later see the #31 retire to the pitlane.

Further back, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio had a battle of their own. The Italians continued their battle throughout the Sprint as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) began to drop down the order after climbing to P6 in the opening stages.

Martin began to edge closer to the reigning World Champion, following his shadow before making the key move on Lap 7. Martin would make the move stick, running wide on the exit and causing the Spaniard to receive a track limits warning. It was building to be a tense finale, with the title rivals separated by a mere 0.350s on the circuit. Bagnaia continued to pile on the pressure at every corner in an enthralling end to Saturday’s action.

On the final lap, nobody was able to match Bastianini’s pace, with the #23 soaring to victory in Thailand. Bastianini took victory by over one second from Martin, who crucially extended his title advantage to 22 points to title rival Bagnaia ahead of Sunday.

Marc Marquez crossed the line in fourth, grabbing some strong points after the #93 was unable to match the pace of the top three. The eight-time World Champion finished ahead of teammate Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who rounded out the top five positions after a sensational ride. The Spaniard had to work hard in the closing laps, with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) finishing a further 0.947s behind in sixth. Meanwhile, Bezzecchi and Di Giannantonio continued their intense fight to the line as Binder could only watch, clinching ninth and the final point of the Sprint.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has secured an incredible pole position at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, unleashing his full potential and clocking an unbelievable 1:28.700. The #1 set a stunning time on his final run, claiming pole position as he prepares to start ahead of teammate Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). ‘The Beast’ was 0.232s adrift and was the only other rider who was able to leap into the 1:28 bracket. Bastianini will crucially start in front of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who held onto the final spot on the front row after suffering a crash on his final run.

The MotoGP™ stars had one last opportunity to prepare for qualifying on Saturday morning, with FP2 kickstarting the day. Marc Marquez took FP2 honours ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), setting the stage nicely for qualifying. Once Q1 began, it was a remarkable pace from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who took an early advantage on the first run. The action continued into the final seconds, with sector times tumbling and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) earning a spot in Q2 alongside Di Giannantonio.

Then after a few quiet moments, track action resumed as the battle for pole position commenced. It was a blistering start to the session, with Bagnaia going under the lap record, setting a 1:29.076 and becoming the new reference after the first run. In the closing moments of the session, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) made another Q2 mistake, crashing at Turn 3 while sitting in P4. Moments later, Bagnaia uncorked a lap inside the 1:28s as Martin crashed at Turn 5, quickly followed by teammate Morbidelli.

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) found time, climbing to fourth on the grid as he prepares to head the second row. The Italian will start alongside Marc Marquez, who will start from P5 despite a crash at Turn 3. The Spaniard will set sights on returning to the podium at the Chang International Circuit but faces steep competition as Quartararo joins the #93 on the second row after the Frenchman extracted the maximum from his Yamaha – battling through Q1.

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) will start from seventh, with the rookie continuing to put in an impressive showing in Thailand. Acosta placed as the top Pierer Mobility and will start ahead of the fighting fit Di Giannantonio, who launches from a solid eighth – just 0.735s adrift. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was able to secure the final spot on row three, setting a 1:29.527.

Further back, Morbidelli will start from 11th, ending Q2 ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) after both riders suffered crashes in qualifying. Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Jack Miller have work to do on the opening laps, starting from 13th and 15th on the grid, as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also prepares for a tough task, starting from P14 after a difficult weekend so far in Thailand.

Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has clinched a vital pole position at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand after setting a 1:34.728. It is a potential title-deciding weekend at the Chang International Circuit, with Ogura qualifying ahead of Aron Canet (Fantic Racing). The Spaniard took second and now has a tough task ahead to keep his title hopes alive after missing out on pole due to a mistake in the final sector. Canet will be joined by Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) on the front row of the grid after an impressive time by the Brazilian left him a mere 0.074s adrift from P1.

It was an intense Practice 2 session to start Saturday, with Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) showing his dominance by topping the standings and claiming a 0.247s advantage over the field. It was a packed Q1 session, with home hero Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) amongst the names who were forced to battle for a spot inside the top four. Then in Q1, Chantra found time, bagging a spot in Q2 at home with Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team’s Ayumu Sasaki in pursuit.

As Q2 went green, it was a strong initial pace from Ogura, replicating the pace shown from the #79 on Saturday morning with Sasaki in his shadow. It was soon to be a busy final five minutes, with improvements coming throughout the field and Canet beginning to find improvements. Red sectors began to show, with Canet unable to find further time on his final flying lap after a moment at the final corner.

Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) ends Q2 in fourth position, but the Italian will have to serve a three-place grid penalty after an incident on Friday. The #14 finished the session in front of OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Marcos Ramirez, who continues a great weekend in Thailand. Ramirez ends the session in fifth ahead of Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), who set the sixth fastest time of the session.

Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) had a strong Q2, working hard throughout and placed seventh in the timesheets, with the #75 to be promoted to the second row due to Arbolino’s penalty. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) will start on the third row, unable to find further time to battle for pole. The #54 is ahead of Garcia, who put together a strong qualifying after charging through Q1. Further back, Chantra will start from 13th on the grid, while Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) could only manage P14.

Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) has clinched his first Moto3™ pole after an incredible late lap at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand. The #66 set a 1:40.603 and has become the first Australian to claim pole in lightweight class since Jack Miller in 2014. Kelso worked hard in the closing minutes, beating Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to P1 by 0.073s. The Dutchman was one of the first riders to exit pitlane on the final run, grabbing a front row start for Sunday. Meanwhile, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) was unable to improve on his second run, missing out on pole after looking strong in the opening stages of Q2.

Practice 2 saw further drama begin to unfold on Saturday morning, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) becoming the new pacesetter after clocking a stunning 1:40.577, which set the stage for qualifying. Once Q1 began, fast times began to be set, with Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) topping the standings and earning a Q2 spot alongside Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and LEVELUP – MTA’s Stefano Nepa.

As Q2 got underway, there was instant action, with Piqueras launching an early benchmark – sitting comfortably in P1 after the first run. Tension began to build as the second run began, with the Moto3™ stars looking for the prime spot on the circuit. Piqueras remained at the top as a group of riders left pitlane too late to set a time on their final run, leaving a handful of riders to duel for pole, with Kelso coming out on top.

Furusato maintained his impressive form on Saturday, leapfrogging to fourth on the grid – spearheading the second row. The #72 starts ahead of the newly crowned Moto3™ World Champion, who missed out on a final run – claiming P5 on the grid. The Colombian has shown encouraging pace throughout the weekend and will be joined on the second row by FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden after a great qualifying for the #19.

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) will start from seventh on the grid, aiming to replicate his pace from Australia. Holgado has tough competition on the third row, with David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) joining the #96. Further back, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz are left with work to do from 16th and 17th.