David Alonso took pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO, the 18-year-old Colombian did a 1:44.954 around the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 26 riders.
David Munoz was the best of the rest with a 1:45.174 on his BOE Motorsports KTM, and Collin Veijer captured the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:46.013 on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.
Moto3 Comb Qual
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.
Owen Williams
Age: 16.
Current home: Lake Forest, California.
Current height/weight: 5’10”/155 pounds.
Current school grade level: 11th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2014, Rosamond, California, M1GP, 50cc class, last place.
Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.
Current tuner/mechanic: Chad Williams (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport, CVMA.
Top sponsors: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Boyko Racing, HJC, JP43 Training, Bickle Racing, Jack C, SoCal Track Days, NGK Spark Plugs, 64 Degrees Racing, RK Chain, Woodcraft, Vortex, Apex Assassins, Barrett Racing.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, finished 14th in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (best race finish was 7th), won 5 CVMA races; 2022 season, placed 10th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (best race finish was 4th, 9 top-10 finishes), won 2 CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series Championship (500 Supersport, Ultra-Lightweight Shootout, and Formula Ultra-Lightweight), was highest overall point scorer in CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series; 2021 season, finished 14th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (3 top-10 finishes, best race finish was 8th); 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra-Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.
2024 racing goal: Improve on 2023 performance.
Racing career goals: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica and move to World Superbike.
Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Greg Hancock.
Favorite tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Brainerd.
Favorite hobbies: Working out, photography/videography.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing video games or talking with friends.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Marc Marquez mastered tricky conditions to claim pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his year-old Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici on the wet 2.7-mile (4.4 km) track, Marquez turned a 1:46.773. Not only was that good enough to top the 25-rider field and give Marquez his first pole position on a Ducati, it was the 93rd pole position of Marquez’s career.
Marco Bezzecchi was the best of the rest with a 1:47.044 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati, and Jorge Martin claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:47.381 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Q2
More, from a press release issued by ASBK:
Jones sets Queensland Raceway alight in ASBK Superbike qualifying
Yamaha’s Mike Jones has laid down the gauntlet with a stunning pole position in round three of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Queensland Raceway.
The three-time Alpinestars Superbike champion – still trying to fight off a pesky virus – was in rare form, not only slotting himself at the sharp end of the 20-rider grid for tomorrow’s two 16-lap races, but also banking a new best lap around the 3.216km circuit.
Max Stauffer (Yamaha) and Glenn Allerton (BMW) will join him on the front row, with a bunch of powerhouse contenders lurking behind, including Ducati pair Troy Herfoss and Josh Waters as well as Cru Halliday (Yamaha).
There was also plenty of excitement across the other classes today, with Tom Toparis (Yamaha) on top in Michelin Supersport qualifying and Josh Newman (Kawasaki) and Hunter Corney (Yamaha) winning the opening races in the Race and Road Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup categories.
Tomorrow it’s all racing: a jam-packed schedule, which will also include Aussie Racing Cars.
For full results from Queensland Raceway, visit www.computime.com.au.
Alpinestars Superbike
Jones was second on the grid in 2023 and finished in the same position across both races behind Herfoss.
He’s on pole position in 2024: is it a positive omen of things to come tomorrow?
That will play itself out, but the 30-year-old certainly reinforced why he’s been a perennial contender around Queensland Raceway in the past.
As well as his pole-sitting time of 1:07.155, the other key takeout from practice and qualifying was Jones’ metronomic consistency, which will keep his opposition second guessing in the two feature races.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had some success, so I’m really happy with the pole position,” said Jones.
“It’s a track I know well, and once I managed to get in the zone I was able to find some extra time.
“Thanks to my team for putting together a fantastic package, and I’m excited for the races.”
Stauffer (Penrite Racing, 1:07.535) and Glenn Allerton (GT Racing, 1:07.651) – the emerging star and the wily veteran – were unable to make a late hustle for pole after a brief rain shower came across the circuit. However, they’ve still put themselves right in the mix tomorrow.
Row two is a Ducati lockout with Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport), Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport), while Yamaha completed the same monopoly on row three: Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team), Arthur Sissis (Stop & Seal) and Friday pacesetter Bryan Staring (MotoGo).
The two races will be held at 11:00am and 2:55pm respectively.
Michelin Supersport
Toparis (Stop & Seal) has a bonus Michelin Supersport championship point in the bank after securing pole position at Queensland Raceway.
Qualifying was held over two 25-minute sessions, but a light shower before the second meant that it became more about a final shakedown rather than all-out attack.
As a result, Toparis’ 1:10.381 in Q1 was more than enough for pole, ahead of Stop & Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald, Jake Farnsworth (Wurth Race Developments Yamaha), Tom Bramich (Apex Group Yamaha), Jack Mahaffy (Stop & Seal Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (YRD Yamaha Australia).
“Another pole position, and I’ve over the moon. I was very happy with this morning’s time – it was a circuit PB for me – and the afternoon it was really just a matter of riding around and getting ready for tomorrow,” said Toparis.
“Again, a massive thanks to the Stop & Seal team – it’s getting quite busy in our garage with all the riders, but it’s certainly an interesting place to be.”
Race and Road Supersport 300
Josh Newman (Wet4U Race Fairings Kawasaki) produced a stirring final lap to win the opening Race and Road Supersport 300 battle at Queensland Raceway.
The New South Welshman made up four spots at the business end to win the frantic four-lapper from closest championship rival Harrison Watts (Champion’s Ride Days Kawasaki), polesitter Valentino Knezovic (Motocity Yamaha), Casey Middleton (RaceDNA Yamaha), Ryan Larkin (Green Planet Nutrients Yamaha), Calvin Moylan (Race DNA Kawasaki) and Tara Morrison (B&L Mechanical Air Services Kawasaki).
Will Nassif (Complete AV Yamaha) was sixth across the finish line, but a 10-second penalty for jumping the start saw him classified in 14th.
The first attempt at the race was red-flagged on lap four after Haych Short (Plexus PT Yamaha) and New Zealander Jesse Stroud (Connect Homes Yamaha) collided on the final turn. The duo didn’t make the restart.
Newman now leads the championship by 5pts (131 to 126) over Watts, followed by Knezovic (116).
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
Hunter Corney claimed maximum advantage of pole position in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, scoring a runaway three-second win – a margin that’s extremely rare in the category where victories are normally mentioned in microseconds.
Not today, though, as Corney waltzed to success in the six-lapper from Ethan Johnson, Connor Lewis, Hunter Charlett, Rossi McAdam and Elijah Andrew.
Nikolas Lazos was third across the line, but was then bumped back to seventh after a jump start. A fastest lap of the race for Lazos was some consolation.
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull:
Quiles steals Rookie pole from Uriarte in final Jerez sector
The first Qualifying session for the 18th season of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup provided speed and surprise. Brian Uriarte seemed certain to make his Rookie debut from pole having set the fastest ever Rookies Cup time around Jerez.
On the timing screen, no one looked like bettering him on the final lap. Then a red helmet flashed up next to KTM #28 and Màximo Quiles had done it with a stunning final sector!
Màximo Quiles grabs it
“It was really tricky to do that,” beamed the 16-year-old Spaniard starting his 3rd Rookies Cup season. “It only happened in the last lap and finally I was a little bit lucky because there was someone ahead who I could chase after and catch just at the right time, at the end of the lap.”
“At the the beginning of the session I wanted to ride on my own to find the right rhythm, I did that but I needed a bit extra to get the pole and that is what I found on the last lap.”
“The bike is good, I will change nothing for the race, not perfect but I am ready to race.”
Brian Uriarte improving
“I’m very happy with that,” explained the Spanish 15-year-old. “I was confident that I could do a good time but I knew that there were some things I needed to work on. I know that my weak point is getting the bike turned in the middle of the corner and I particularly feel that through the double right of Peluqui that leads to the last fast right-handers at the end of the lap. I really worked on that and found some speed.”
“Towards the end of the session the rear was moving around quite a bit but I think that is the same for everyone. I love this track I have done a lot of laps here and I feel ready for the race.”
Hakim Danish at his best
“I’m happy to be in the front row for the very first time,” grinned the 16-year-old Malaysian who starts his 2nd Cup season. “The bike is very good, I like the way it feels and it gives me confidence. It really makes me feel that I can go out and have a good race.”
“I want to start the year with a good race, to battle with the other riders at the front.”
Veda Pratama confident
“I really enjoyed that,” stated the 15-year-old Indonesian quietly after recording the 4th best time in his Rookies debut. “The test here gave me a lot of confidence and I wanted to do well. I expected that I could and I really enjoyed today.”
“The bike is good but I think perhaps we can still improve it for the race so I am going to talk to the technical staff and see if we should try something more. We will see.”
“I am very much looking forward to tomorrow and my first Rookies Cup race.”
Marco Morelli still wants more
“I’m happy for sure, compared to last year I think I made a good step,” stated the Argentinian 16-year-old starting year 2 in the Cup. “I think I was P18 at the beginning of last year, so that’s a lot better. It’s a good step forward but of course, always I want more.”
“The bike set-up is good and I am looking forward to the race. The Quali was a bit difficult because it was windy, I was in a group but finally, I managed P5 and I am happy with that and I want more tomorrow.”
Kristian Daniel Jr. feeling good
“I’m super happy with that,” enthused the 15-year-old American who qualified 8th. “Happy to have made a good job of my first Rookies Cup Quali. I had super good feelings through that session, we improved a lot.”
“I have to do a little bit better at making sure I can situate myself better so that I am not following so many people. But I did manage to put in a good lap and that is what I needed to do.”
“I came into the test without doing a lot of running on big tracks through the off-season. That improved through the test and with my racing last weekend so I was a lot more confident coming here.”
“I had a good feeling with the bike through all three sessions today and we kept improving so that’s great.”
Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.
Race 1 is at 16:15 CET on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 08:45, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
More, from a press release issued by ASBK:
Staring sets the Friday Superbike pace at Queensland Raceway
Round three of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) kicked off at Queensland Raceway today, with veteran Bryan Staring taking the early honours in the premier Alpinestars Superbike class.
The West Aussie is the lap record holder around Queensland Raceway, and he showed his affinity with the 3.126km circuit hadn’t waned after he completed practice at the top of the timesheets on the MotoGo Yamaha ahead of Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) and Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati).
In superb conditions which will continue into the weekend, Archie McDonald (Stop & Seal Yamaha), Harrison Watts (Champion’s Ride Days Kawasaki) and Ethan Johnson (Yamaha YZF-R15) were the fastest in the other ASBK Championship classes at Queensland Raceway: Michelin Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.
And the great part: today was just the appetiser ahead of what’s expected to be an exhilarating weekend of qualifying and racing at a circuit which never fails to deliver showstopping action.
Aussie Racing Cars are also in action this weekend, and off-track there’s the ASBK Trade Alley, autograph sessions with all the top riders, and a few lucky patrons will score the ride of their lives behind former Aussie Superbike champions Steve Martin and Troy Corser in the ASBK Pillion Program.
To purchase tickets for Queensland Raceway, click here. Tickets will also available at the gate over the weekend.
For full results from Queensland Raceway, visit www.computime.com.au.
Alpinestars Superbike
Staring was in the groove from the get-go this morning, so it was no surprise when the 2010 Alpinestars Superbike champion ended the day on top with a best lap of 1m07.508s – one of five riders to eclipse the current lap record.
Jones, battling a debilitating virus, looked like he might be able to challenge Staring but he was still more than impressive with a 1:07.609.
Waters (1:07.654), Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing Yamaha, 1:07.669) and last year’s double winner Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport Ducati, 1:07.781) were the others to dip below Staring’s circuit benchmark.
Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW, 1:07.885) also enjoyed a productive Friday, with the top 10 completed by Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati, 1:08.168), Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, 1:08.399), Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha, 1:08.421) and Arthur Sissis (1:08.867) making his debut on the Stop & Seal-backed Yamaha.
The 20-rider Alpinestars Superbike field will reconvene for final practice tomorrow morning, and then qualifying begins at 2:20pm to decide the grid positions for Sunday two 16-lap races.
Michelin Supersport
McDonald put the hammer down in Michelin Supersport, showing no signs of fatigue after returning from round one European Stock 600 commitments in Italy last weekend.
The Albury teenager edged out his teammates Tom Toparis, Corey Turner and Jack Mahaffy in an intra-squad shootout, followed by Tom Bramich (Apex Group Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (Yamaha Australia).
Championship leader Jonathan Nahlous (Complete AV Yamaha) and Marcus Chiodo (Honda Australia) were next – but it’s all extremely tight, pointing to some exciting rolling scrums coming our way in Sunday’s two 14-lap races.
Race and Road Supersport 300
Race and Road Supersport 300 co-leader Watts is on a rapid trajectory of both speed and maturity, and he delivered another example today by leading from the front in practice.
Jordan Simpson (YRD Yamaha Australia), Ryan Larkin (Green Panet Nutrients Yamaha), Valentino Knezovic (Motocity Yamaha), Josh Newman (Wet4U Race Fairings Kawaski) and New Zealander Jesse Stroud (Connect Homes Yamaha) completed the top six.
Newman leads the standings with Watts, while Stroud is on his first visit to Queensland Raceway.
There’s still plenty more to play out, with qualifying tomorrow followed by race one for the 23 riders at 3:15pm.
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
The standings sometimes don’t tell lies. Today, the top six riders in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup filled the top six positions in practice.
The order was Johnson from Hunter Charlett, Hunter Corney, Rossi, McAdam, Nikolas Lazos and Elijah Andrew.
Corney leads the points from Charlett and McAdam.
The young brigade will race for the first time tomorrow, with the final two battles on Sunday.
For more information on the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul:
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Practice Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP24 on Michelin control tires, the two-time and defending World Champion lapped the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course in 1:36.025, which was good enough to top the field of 25 riders and to break his own All-Time Lap Record of 1:36.170 from 2022.
Factory Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales was also under the old lap record with 1:36.125, as was Marc Marquez, who did a third-quickest 1:36.168 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Demosedici GP23.
That’s 0.143 second separating the top three.
MotoGP P1
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Just 0.143 splits Bagnaia, Viñales and Marquez as lap records fall on Friday
Day 1 serves up the perfect aperitivo ahead of a tantalising super Saturday in Andalucia
Friday, 26 April 2024
It was a hard battle for the top 10 in MotoGP™ Practice at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España as the shootout for direct entry to Q2 went down to the wire, setting the stage for a truly super Saturday. By the end of play, a top three split by only 0.143 had emerged: reigning Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), COTA winner Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™).
For Bagnaia, it was a day to test things out on the bike following by a shiny new lap record; for Viñales, a crash early doors before a laptime that initially put him top; and for Marquez, just one sector that stood between him and the fastest lap of the day. All three were under the previous lap record too, not just Bagnaia, and that teases plenty of action on super Saturday even before the full cast of characters are brought onto the stage.
Despite a crash at turn one at the beginning of the session, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) fought back to fourth in the final 10 minutes of the day, with he and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio both having a positive Friday and ‘Diggia’ also through to Q2 in P9.
Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is fifth on Friday, but it’s a four-tenth gap to the top he’s looking to bridge in Q2, and he’s got some company he’d likely rather escape right behind him: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The rookie sensation was outside the top 10 heading into the final run but got the pedal to the metal and jumped up to sixth at the end of the day, after earlier running round in tandem with MotoGP™ Legend and wildcard Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) too.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was seventh as he looks to get back on a par with Viñales at a track that saw the #41 take pole last year, making it both factory Aprilias securing a spot in Q2. Second in the Championship Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) set a 1:36.480 for P8 – improving on his pace from the morning Free Practice session – but he’ll want more on Saturday.
Behind the aforementioned Diggia, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the final rider heading straight through. That means there are a few fast and famous faces ready to do battle in a star-studded Q1.
One of the most famous is probably Pedrosa, as he was P14 at the end of play. And the most desperate to get through is probably teammate Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who finished up P11 after a crash near the end of PR when he was setting red sectors. Barring any bad luck or trouble, the South African would seem a safe bet for moving up from Q1. Teammate Jack Miller looks to do the same, ending Friday in P13, and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) wants to ruin the party for them all. The Italian, who missed pre-season through injury, is really getting there on pace and put in a convincing Friday in Jerez, in the upper echelons of the timesheets until getting pushed down to P12 by the end of the decisive PR session.
Erstwhile master of Jerez Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was in P20 too, and will aim for a big step on Saturday after teammate Alex Rins turned the tables on Day 1, taking P15 and four tenths up the road.
The next time the MotoGP™ field is out on track will be at 10:10 local time (UTC +2) for Free Practice before the battle begins at 10:50 local time for qualifying, with that Q1 promising a showdown. Then the full grids and pole will be decided before the Tissot Sprint lights up the stunning Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto… so don’t miss a minute of a truly super Saturday, up next!
FP2: 10:10 (UTC +2)
Q1: 10:50
Q2: 11.15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00
Roberts rockets to the top ahead of Aldeguer
Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) rocketed to the top spot at the end of Friday action in Jerez as the American continued to show strong pace at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, setting a strong 1:40.664 to end Practice 1 ahead of pre-season favourite Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) by 0.234. Race winner at COTA and Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded out the top three after a brilliant session for the #3.
Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) capped off a great opening day for American Racing, finding pace late in the session to set a 1:40.964. Ramirez was ahead of Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who showed strong pace in the early stages of the session, rounding out the top five. Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2), Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp).
Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), CFMOTO Aspar Team’s Izan Guevara, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Aspar Team), Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP ), who took the final place inside the top 14, are currently the final riders set to move through to Q2.
It was a tough day in the office for Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who crashed at the end of the session and was later declared unfit with a broken ankle. He’ll have to watch on as the Moto2™ grid head back on track on Saturday morning at 9:25 local time (UTC+2) for Practice 2 before qualifying at 13:45 local time.
Alonso smashes lap record to pull nearly a second clear on Friday
David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) dominated Day 1 at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, setting an incredible 1:43.710 to destroy a lap record which had just been set by the Colombian on Friday morning. Alonso was almost a second clear of rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) only a further 0.083 adrift on a very impressive Friday for the Dutchman.
Finding time in the afternoon session was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who jumped to fourth position, ending the session ahead of the returning David Almansa (Rivacold Snipers Team), who found time in the final sector on a final fast lap to round out the top five. Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), last year’s race winner Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz, Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s rookie Joel Esteban and Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) round out the top 14 currently set to move straight to Q2.
The Moto3™ grid will have one last chance to fight for the top 14 spots at 8:40 local time (UTC +2) before qualifying begins at 12:50 local time! Come back then for more and check out the full results below.
Joe Roberts led Moto2 World Championship Practice One Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex on Pirelli tires around the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course, Roberts turned a 1:40.664 to top the field of 32 riders.
Fermin Aldeguer was the best of the rest with a 1:40.898 on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, and Sergio Garcia was third in the session with a 1:40.931 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
Moto2 P1
David Alonso broke the All-Time Moto3 Lap Record Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain, and then he lowered it even further Friday afternoon.
Riding his Pirelli-shod Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO in Free Practice One on Friday morning, the 18-year-old Colombian covered the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) road course in 1:44.590, breaking Andrea Migno’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:44.988 from 2021.
In Friday afternoon’s Practice One, Alonso turned a 1:43.710, smashing his own hours-old lap record and topping the next-fastest rider by 0.969 second!
Moto3 P1
David Alonso took pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO, the 18-year-old Colombian did a 1:44.954 around the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 26 riders.
David Munoz was the best of the rest with a 1:45.174 on his BOE Motorsports KTM, and Collin Veijer captured the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:46.013 on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.
Moto3 Comb Qual
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.
Owen Williams
Age: 16.
Current home: Lake Forest, California.
Current height/weight: 5’10”/155 pounds.
Current school grade level: 11th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2014, Rosamond, California, M1GP, 50cc class, last place.
Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.
Current tuner/mechanic: Chad Williams (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport, CVMA.
Top sponsors: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Boyko Racing, HJC, JP43 Training, Bickle Racing, Jack C, SoCal Track Days, NGK Spark Plugs, 64 Degrees Racing, RK Chain, Woodcraft, Vortex, Apex Assassins, Barrett Racing.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, finished 14th in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (best race finish was 7th), won 5 CVMA races; 2022 season, placed 10th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (best race finish was 4th, 9 top-10 finishes), won 2 CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series Championship (500 Supersport, Ultra-Lightweight Shootout, and Formula Ultra-Lightweight), was highest overall point scorer in CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series; 2021 season, finished 14th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (3 top-10 finishes, best race finish was 8th); 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra-Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.
2024 racing goal: Improve on 2023 performance.
Racing career goals: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica and move to World Superbike.
Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Greg Hancock.
Favorite tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Brainerd.
Favorite hobbies: Working out, photography/videography.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing video games or talking with friends.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Marc Marquez mastered tricky conditions to claim pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his year-old Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici on the wet 2.7-mile (4.4 km) track, Marquez turned a 1:46.773. Not only was that good enough to top the 25-rider field and give Marquez his first pole position on a Ducati, it was the 93rd pole position of Marquez’s career.
Marco Bezzecchi was the best of the rest with a 1:47.044 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati, and Jorge Martin claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:47.381 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Q2
More, from a press release issued by ASBK:
Jones sets Queensland Raceway alight in ASBK Superbike qualifying
Yamaha’s Mike Jones has laid down the gauntlet with a stunning pole position in round three of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Queensland Raceway.
The three-time Alpinestars Superbike champion – still trying to fight off a pesky virus – was in rare form, not only slotting himself at the sharp end of the 20-rider grid for tomorrow’s two 16-lap races, but also banking a new best lap around the 3.216km circuit.
Max Stauffer (Yamaha) and Glenn Allerton (BMW) will join him on the front row, with a bunch of powerhouse contenders lurking behind, including Ducati pair Troy Herfoss and Josh Waters as well as Cru Halliday (Yamaha).
There was also plenty of excitement across the other classes today, with Tom Toparis (Yamaha) on top in Michelin Supersport qualifying and Josh Newman (Kawasaki) and Hunter Corney (Yamaha) winning the opening races in the Race and Road Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup categories.
Tomorrow it’s all racing: a jam-packed schedule, which will also include Aussie Racing Cars.
For full results from Queensland Raceway, visit www.computime.com.au.
Alpinestars Superbike
Jones was second on the grid in 2023 and finished in the same position across both races behind Herfoss.
He’s on pole position in 2024: is it a positive omen of things to come tomorrow?
That will play itself out, but the 30-year-old certainly reinforced why he’s been a perennial contender around Queensland Raceway in the past.
As well as his pole-sitting time of 1:07.155, the other key takeout from practice and qualifying was Jones’ metronomic consistency, which will keep his opposition second guessing in the two feature races.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had some success, so I’m really happy with the pole position,” said Jones.
“It’s a track I know well, and once I managed to get in the zone I was able to find some extra time.
“Thanks to my team for putting together a fantastic package, and I’m excited for the races.”
Stauffer (Penrite Racing, 1:07.535) and Glenn Allerton (GT Racing, 1:07.651) – the emerging star and the wily veteran – were unable to make a late hustle for pole after a brief rain shower came across the circuit. However, they’ve still put themselves right in the mix tomorrow.
Row two is a Ducati lockout with Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport), Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport), while Yamaha completed the same monopoly on row three: Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team), Arthur Sissis (Stop & Seal) and Friday pacesetter Bryan Staring (MotoGo).
The two races will be held at 11:00am and 2:55pm respectively.
Michelin Supersport
Toparis (Stop & Seal) has a bonus Michelin Supersport championship point in the bank after securing pole position at Queensland Raceway.
Qualifying was held over two 25-minute sessions, but a light shower before the second meant that it became more about a final shakedown rather than all-out attack.
As a result, Toparis’ 1:10.381 in Q1 was more than enough for pole, ahead of Stop & Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald, Jake Farnsworth (Wurth Race Developments Yamaha), Tom Bramich (Apex Group Yamaha), Jack Mahaffy (Stop & Seal Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (YRD Yamaha Australia).
“Another pole position, and I’ve over the moon. I was very happy with this morning’s time – it was a circuit PB for me – and the afternoon it was really just a matter of riding around and getting ready for tomorrow,” said Toparis.
“Again, a massive thanks to the Stop & Seal team – it’s getting quite busy in our garage with all the riders, but it’s certainly an interesting place to be.”
Race and Road Supersport 300
Josh Newman (Wet4U Race Fairings Kawasaki) produced a stirring final lap to win the opening Race and Road Supersport 300 battle at Queensland Raceway.
The New South Welshman made up four spots at the business end to win the frantic four-lapper from closest championship rival Harrison Watts (Champion’s Ride Days Kawasaki), polesitter Valentino Knezovic (Motocity Yamaha), Casey Middleton (RaceDNA Yamaha), Ryan Larkin (Green Planet Nutrients Yamaha), Calvin Moylan (Race DNA Kawasaki) and Tara Morrison (B&L Mechanical Air Services Kawasaki).
Will Nassif (Complete AV Yamaha) was sixth across the finish line, but a 10-second penalty for jumping the start saw him classified in 14th.
The first attempt at the race was red-flagged on lap four after Haych Short (Plexus PT Yamaha) and New Zealander Jesse Stroud (Connect Homes Yamaha) collided on the final turn. The duo didn’t make the restart.
Newman now leads the championship by 5pts (131 to 126) over Watts, followed by Knezovic (116).
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
Hunter Corney claimed maximum advantage of pole position in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, scoring a runaway three-second win – a margin that’s extremely rare in the category where victories are normally mentioned in microseconds.
Not today, though, as Corney waltzed to success in the six-lapper from Ethan Johnson, Connor Lewis, Hunter Charlett, Rossi McAdam and Elijah Andrew.
Nikolas Lazos was third across the line, but was then bumped back to seventh after a jump start. A fastest lap of the race for Lazos was some consolation.
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull:
Quiles steals Rookie pole from Uriarte in final Jerez sector
The first Qualifying session for the 18th season of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup provided speed and surprise. Brian Uriarte seemed certain to make his Rookie debut from pole having set the fastest ever Rookies Cup time around Jerez.
On the timing screen, no one looked like bettering him on the final lap. Then a red helmet flashed up next to KTM #28 and Màximo Quiles had done it with a stunning final sector!
Màximo Quiles grabs it
“It was really tricky to do that,” beamed the 16-year-old Spaniard starting his 3rd Rookies Cup season. “It only happened in the last lap and finally I was a little bit lucky because there was someone ahead who I could chase after and catch just at the right time, at the end of the lap.”
“At the the beginning of the session I wanted to ride on my own to find the right rhythm, I did that but I needed a bit extra to get the pole and that is what I found on the last lap.”
“The bike is good, I will change nothing for the race, not perfect but I am ready to race.”
Brian Uriarte improving
“I’m very happy with that,” explained the Spanish 15-year-old. “I was confident that I could do a good time but I knew that there were some things I needed to work on. I know that my weak point is getting the bike turned in the middle of the corner and I particularly feel that through the double right of Peluqui that leads to the last fast right-handers at the end of the lap. I really worked on that and found some speed.”
“Towards the end of the session the rear was moving around quite a bit but I think that is the same for everyone. I love this track I have done a lot of laps here and I feel ready for the race.”
Hakim Danish at his best
“I’m happy to be in the front row for the very first time,” grinned the 16-year-old Malaysian who starts his 2nd Cup season. “The bike is very good, I like the way it feels and it gives me confidence. It really makes me feel that I can go out and have a good race.”
“I want to start the year with a good race, to battle with the other riders at the front.”
Veda Pratama confident
“I really enjoyed that,” stated the 15-year-old Indonesian quietly after recording the 4th best time in his Rookies debut. “The test here gave me a lot of confidence and I wanted to do well. I expected that I could and I really enjoyed today.”
“The bike is good but I think perhaps we can still improve it for the race so I am going to talk to the technical staff and see if we should try something more. We will see.”
“I am very much looking forward to tomorrow and my first Rookies Cup race.”
Marco Morelli still wants more
“I’m happy for sure, compared to last year I think I made a good step,” stated the Argentinian 16-year-old starting year 2 in the Cup. “I think I was P18 at the beginning of last year, so that’s a lot better. It’s a good step forward but of course, always I want more.”
“The bike set-up is good and I am looking forward to the race. The Quali was a bit difficult because it was windy, I was in a group but finally, I managed P5 and I am happy with that and I want more tomorrow.”
Kristian Daniel Jr. feeling good
“I’m super happy with that,” enthused the 15-year-old American who qualified 8th. “Happy to have made a good job of my first Rookies Cup Quali. I had super good feelings through that session, we improved a lot.”
“I have to do a little bit better at making sure I can situate myself better so that I am not following so many people. But I did manage to put in a good lap and that is what I needed to do.”
“I came into the test without doing a lot of running on big tracks through the off-season. That improved through the test and with my racing last weekend so I was a lot more confident coming here.”
“I had a good feeling with the bike through all three sessions today and we kept improving so that’s great.”
Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.
Race 1 is at 16:15 CET on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 08:45, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
More, from a press release issued by ASBK:
Staring sets the Friday Superbike pace at Queensland Raceway
Round three of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) kicked off at Queensland Raceway today, with veteran Bryan Staring taking the early honours in the premier Alpinestars Superbike class.
The West Aussie is the lap record holder around Queensland Raceway, and he showed his affinity with the 3.126km circuit hadn’t waned after he completed practice at the top of the timesheets on the MotoGo Yamaha ahead of Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) and Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati).
In superb conditions which will continue into the weekend, Archie McDonald (Stop & Seal Yamaha), Harrison Watts (Champion’s Ride Days Kawasaki) and Ethan Johnson (Yamaha YZF-R15) were the fastest in the other ASBK Championship classes at Queensland Raceway: Michelin Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.
And the great part: today was just the appetiser ahead of what’s expected to be an exhilarating weekend of qualifying and racing at a circuit which never fails to deliver showstopping action.
Aussie Racing Cars are also in action this weekend, and off-track there’s the ASBK Trade Alley, autograph sessions with all the top riders, and a few lucky patrons will score the ride of their lives behind former Aussie Superbike champions Steve Martin and Troy Corser in the ASBK Pillion Program.
To purchase tickets for Queensland Raceway, click here. Tickets will also available at the gate over the weekend.
For full results from Queensland Raceway, visit www.computime.com.au.
Alpinestars Superbike
Staring was in the groove from the get-go this morning, so it was no surprise when the 2010 Alpinestars Superbike champion ended the day on top with a best lap of 1m07.508s – one of five riders to eclipse the current lap record.
Jones, battling a debilitating virus, looked like he might be able to challenge Staring but he was still more than impressive with a 1:07.609.
Waters (1:07.654), Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing Yamaha, 1:07.669) and last year’s double winner Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport Ducati, 1:07.781) were the others to dip below Staring’s circuit benchmark.
Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW, 1:07.885) also enjoyed a productive Friday, with the top 10 completed by Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati, 1:08.168), Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, 1:08.399), Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha, 1:08.421) and Arthur Sissis (1:08.867) making his debut on the Stop & Seal-backed Yamaha.
The 20-rider Alpinestars Superbike field will reconvene for final practice tomorrow morning, and then qualifying begins at 2:20pm to decide the grid positions for Sunday two 16-lap races.
Michelin Supersport
McDonald put the hammer down in Michelin Supersport, showing no signs of fatigue after returning from round one European Stock 600 commitments in Italy last weekend.
The Albury teenager edged out his teammates Tom Toparis, Corey Turner and Jack Mahaffy in an intra-squad shootout, followed by Tom Bramich (Apex Group Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (Yamaha Australia).
Championship leader Jonathan Nahlous (Complete AV Yamaha) and Marcus Chiodo (Honda Australia) were next – but it’s all extremely tight, pointing to some exciting rolling scrums coming our way in Sunday’s two 14-lap races.
Race and Road Supersport 300
Race and Road Supersport 300 co-leader Watts is on a rapid trajectory of both speed and maturity, and he delivered another example today by leading from the front in practice.
Jordan Simpson (YRD Yamaha Australia), Ryan Larkin (Green Panet Nutrients Yamaha), Valentino Knezovic (Motocity Yamaha), Josh Newman (Wet4U Race Fairings Kawaski) and New Zealander Jesse Stroud (Connect Homes Yamaha) completed the top six.
Newman leads the standings with Watts, while Stroud is on his first visit to Queensland Raceway.
There’s still plenty more to play out, with qualifying tomorrow followed by race one for the 23 riders at 3:15pm.
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
The standings sometimes don’t tell lies. Today, the top six riders in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup filled the top six positions in practice.
The order was Johnson from Hunter Charlett, Hunter Corney, Rossi, McAdam, Nikolas Lazos and Elijah Andrew.
Corney leads the points from Charlett and McAdam.
The young brigade will race for the first time tomorrow, with the final two battles on Sunday.
For more information on the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul:
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Practice Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP24 on Michelin control tires, the two-time and defending World Champion lapped the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course in 1:36.025, which was good enough to top the field of 25 riders and to break his own All-Time Lap Record of 1:36.170 from 2022.
Factory Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales was also under the old lap record with 1:36.125, as was Marc Marquez, who did a third-quickest 1:36.168 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Demosedici GP23.
That’s 0.143 second separating the top three.
MotoGP P1
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Just 0.143 splits Bagnaia, Viñales and Marquez as lap records fall on Friday
Day 1 serves up the perfect aperitivo ahead of a tantalising super Saturday in Andalucia
Friday, 26 April 2024
It was a hard battle for the top 10 in MotoGP™ Practice at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España as the shootout for direct entry to Q2 went down to the wire, setting the stage for a truly super Saturday. By the end of play, a top three split by only 0.143 had emerged: reigning Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), COTA winner Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™).
For Bagnaia, it was a day to test things out on the bike following by a shiny new lap record; for Viñales, a crash early doors before a laptime that initially put him top; and for Marquez, just one sector that stood between him and the fastest lap of the day. All three were under the previous lap record too, not just Bagnaia, and that teases plenty of action on super Saturday even before the full cast of characters are brought onto the stage.
Despite a crash at turn one at the beginning of the session, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) fought back to fourth in the final 10 minutes of the day, with he and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio both having a positive Friday and ‘Diggia’ also through to Q2 in P9.
Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is fifth on Friday, but it’s a four-tenth gap to the top he’s looking to bridge in Q2, and he’s got some company he’d likely rather escape right behind him: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The rookie sensation was outside the top 10 heading into the final run but got the pedal to the metal and jumped up to sixth at the end of the day, after earlier running round in tandem with MotoGP™ Legend and wildcard Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) too.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was seventh as he looks to get back on a par with Viñales at a track that saw the #41 take pole last year, making it both factory Aprilias securing a spot in Q2. Second in the Championship Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) set a 1:36.480 for P8 – improving on his pace from the morning Free Practice session – but he’ll want more on Saturday.
Behind the aforementioned Diggia, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the final rider heading straight through. That means there are a few fast and famous faces ready to do battle in a star-studded Q1.
One of the most famous is probably Pedrosa, as he was P14 at the end of play. And the most desperate to get through is probably teammate Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who finished up P11 after a crash near the end of PR when he was setting red sectors. Barring any bad luck or trouble, the South African would seem a safe bet for moving up from Q1. Teammate Jack Miller looks to do the same, ending Friday in P13, and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) wants to ruin the party for them all. The Italian, who missed pre-season through injury, is really getting there on pace and put in a convincing Friday in Jerez, in the upper echelons of the timesheets until getting pushed down to P12 by the end of the decisive PR session.
Erstwhile master of Jerez Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was in P20 too, and will aim for a big step on Saturday after teammate Alex Rins turned the tables on Day 1, taking P15 and four tenths up the road.
The next time the MotoGP™ field is out on track will be at 10:10 local time (UTC +2) for Free Practice before the battle begins at 10:50 local time for qualifying, with that Q1 promising a showdown. Then the full grids and pole will be decided before the Tissot Sprint lights up the stunning Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto… so don’t miss a minute of a truly super Saturday, up next!
FP2: 10:10 (UTC +2)
Q1: 10:50
Q2: 11.15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00
Roberts rockets to the top ahead of Aldeguer
Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) rocketed to the top spot at the end of Friday action in Jerez as the American continued to show strong pace at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, setting a strong 1:40.664 to end Practice 1 ahead of pre-season favourite Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) by 0.234. Race winner at COTA and Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded out the top three after a brilliant session for the #3.
Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) capped off a great opening day for American Racing, finding pace late in the session to set a 1:40.964. Ramirez was ahead of Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who showed strong pace in the early stages of the session, rounding out the top five. Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2), Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp).
Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), CFMOTO Aspar Team’s Izan Guevara, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Aspar Team), Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP ), who took the final place inside the top 14, are currently the final riders set to move through to Q2.
It was a tough day in the office for Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who crashed at the end of the session and was later declared unfit with a broken ankle. He’ll have to watch on as the Moto2™ grid head back on track on Saturday morning at 9:25 local time (UTC+2) for Practice 2 before qualifying at 13:45 local time.
Alonso smashes lap record to pull nearly a second clear on Friday
David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) dominated Day 1 at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, setting an incredible 1:43.710 to destroy a lap record which had just been set by the Colombian on Friday morning. Alonso was almost a second clear of rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) only a further 0.083 adrift on a very impressive Friday for the Dutchman.
Finding time in the afternoon session was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who jumped to fourth position, ending the session ahead of the returning David Almansa (Rivacold Snipers Team), who found time in the final sector on a final fast lap to round out the top five. Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), last year’s race winner Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz, Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s rookie Joel Esteban and Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) round out the top 14 currently set to move straight to Q2.
The Moto3™ grid will have one last chance to fight for the top 14 spots at 8:40 local time (UTC +2) before qualifying begins at 12:50 local time! Come back then for more and check out the full results below.
Joe Roberts led Moto2 World Championship Practice One Friday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain. Riding his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex on Pirelli tires around the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) course, Roberts turned a 1:40.664 to top the field of 32 riders.
Fermin Aldeguer was the best of the rest with a 1:40.898 on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, and Sergio Garcia was third in the session with a 1:40.931 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
Moto2 P1
David Alonso broke the All-Time Moto3 Lap Record Friday morning at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain, and then he lowered it even further Friday afternoon.
Riding his Pirelli-shod Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO in Free Practice One on Friday morning, the 18-year-old Colombian covered the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) road course in 1:44.590, breaking Andrea Migno’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:44.988 from 2021.
In Friday afternoon’s Practice One, Alonso turned a 1:43.710, smashing his own hours-old lap record and topping the next-fastest rider by 0.969 second!
Moto3 P1
