Fantic Racing’s Aron Canet took pole for the Moto2 race at Lusail International Circuit, besting the lap record he set earlier in the day.
Canet’s 1:56.788 was enough to hold off Alonso Lopez and Albert Arenas, who will complete the front row.
American Joe Roberts struggled with technical issues, topped Q1 but could manage only 14th in the final session with a 1:57.720.
Moto2 Q2
Daniel Holgado led a string of riders who crushed the Moto3 lap record in qualifying in Qatar, taking his Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3 to a new all-time mark of 2:02.276.
Holgado took pole ahead of Ivan Ortola and Juan Rueda, who each had led practice sessions over the weekend and who will complete the front row.
Holgado’s time was more than a second quicker than the lap record set earlier in the day by Rueda, and nearly three seconds quicker than the official race lap record. Rueda’s 2:03.465 lap record in practice would have left him 16th on the final grid.
Moto3 Q2
KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Mexican rider Richie Escalante led the MotoAmerica Daytona 200 warm-up session Saturday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Dunlop-shod Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, Escalante lapped the 3.51-mile course in 1:48.901 to top the 58 riders who took part in the 25-minute session.
Josh Herrin, the winner of the 2023 Daytona 200, was second-best with a 1:49.016 on his Dunlop-fitted Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Stefano Mesa was third-quickest at 1:49.178 on his Pirelli-equipped Boulder Motor Sports Ducati. Mesa’s team won the Pit Stop Challenge on Friday evening.
Reigning FIM Endurance World Champion Karel Hanika turned his fastest lap of the weekend, a 1:49.186, on his Bridgestone-backed YART Yamaha YZF-R6 and finished fourth in the session.
Xavi Fores, the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, rounded out the top five with a 1:49.738 on his Pirelli-tired Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha.
24_1_DAY_SSP_WU1_res
Former longtime Westby Racing Yamaha Superbike rider Mathew Scholtz has found a new ride in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with Strack Racing, the team formerly known as Squid Hunter Racing.
For years, Scholtz was one of the top riders in MotoAmerica Superbike, winning five races and earning 52 podium finishes over his seven years in the class. But in December 2023, Westby Racing suddenly pulled the plug on its program due to team patriarch Tryg Westby’s health issues.
Scholtz, who was in his native South Africa on holiday at the time, was suddenly left without a ride after eight seasons with the team.
Scholtz, who was at Daytona International Speedway as a spectator, told RoadracingWorld.com that he could not comment other than say that he will be racing in 2024. In a follow-up conversation, Scholtz identified the team as being “the team that was Squid Hunter Racing.”
In another discussion, Peter Strack said, “I’m the team owner.”
The Squid Hunter team raced in Supersport with Josh Hayes in 2023.
Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin set a new all-time MotoGP lap record in Qatar as he took pole for the first race of the 2024 season.
Martin’s 1:50.789 was nearly a second quicker than the lap record set last year by Luca Marini. Marini’s record had been smashed during practice, with Alex Marquez clocking a 1:51.108 in the final session before qualifying. The top seven riders in the final qualifying session went faster than Marquez’ practice mark.
Aleix Espargaro, Enea Bastianini, Brad Binder, defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez rounded out the top six.
MotoGP Q2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Hundredths in it: Martin snatches lap record pole from Espargaro and Bastianini
A front row split by 0.086, four factories within 0.124… qualifying sets the scene for a stunning season opener
Saturday, 09 March 2024
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) will head the first grids of the year after! The 2023 runner up set a magical 1:50.789 in qualifying for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to take pole, becoming the fastest rider ever to lap Lusail International Circuit. That said, it’s close at the top. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was just 0.083 behind, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounding out the front row only another 0.003 back.
After a Practice session that left Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) just outside the cut, the Spaniard was taking aim at the top in Q1. He got it too, moving through just ahead of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the two left Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) missing out on a place by just 0.010. Nevertheless, the Frenchman continues to impress on his switch to Honda.
Q2 DELIVERS A TANTALISING GRID
There was a lot to learn in the very first Q2 of the year. Everyone fully unleashed, full throttle, and not a single sandbag worth holding on to. After the first runs, a familiar name had taken hold though: Martin. That stunning 1:50.789 came in on his second lap as Ducatis locked out the top five positions early on, and no one would prove able to topple it.
Once the second runs began, Miller and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) were especially hoping to find some time, but then it was all eyes on Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the eight-time World Champion came up with red sectors – but it wasn’t quite enough in the last part of the lap.
Espargaro was another who looked to be challenging Martin’s dominion at the top but he ultimately jumped into second, losing out by less than a tenth, as Bastianini held onto a first front row of the year in third, and at a venue he’s reigned before.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) heads the second row, just 0.124 off the top, and lost the chance to make a final improvement as he slid off on his last attempt. Alongside Binder will be reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who starts from fifth. And then it’s Marc Marquez rounding out the second row, making it 12 World Championships lining up on Row 2.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) will head the third row in P7, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi having a tougher weekend of it and left down in Q1. Acosta will start eighth for his first Tissot Sprint and premier class Grand Prix race, having been P3 on Friday and gone straight through to Q2 to boot.
Alex Marquez rounds out Row 3 after he couldn’t replicate his time from Practice that saw him top that session, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Miller and Raul Fernandez, who crashed in Q2, rider ok, locking out the positions down to P12. Then it’s Zarco and that very solid debut with Honda, the first of those who didn’t make it through to Q2.
The grids are set, the stage is set, and soon the sun will set. Come back for more MotoGP™ at 19:00 local time (UTC +3) for the first Tissot Sprint of what promises to be a stunning 2024!
Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez set a new MotoGP outright lap record at Lusail International Circuit, clocking a 1:51.108 to lead the final practice session before qualifying.
The top 12 riders all were under the old record of 1:51.762, set by Luca Marini last year.
With Saturday’s final practice determining qualifying groupings, both factory Yamahas and all four Hondas missed out on transferring to Q2, with Ducati locking out the top four spots and European machines taking the first 13 placings.
motogp practice
Aron Canet took his Fantic Racing Kalex to the top of the timesheets on Saturday in Moto2 practice, setting a new outright lap record. Canet’s 1:57.176 edged the 1:57.305 mark set last year by American Joe Roberts.
Somkiat Chantra, Tony Arbolino and Fermin Aldeguer followed Canet, ahead of Ai Ogura and Zonta van den Goorbergh, the top six covered by less than half a second. Roberts improved from Friday, finishing 17th, 1.044 seconds off the pace.
Moto2 practice
Fantic Racing’s Aron Canet took pole for the Moto2 race at Lusail International Circuit, besting the lap record he set earlier in the day.
Canet’s 1:56.788 was enough to hold off Alonso Lopez and Albert Arenas, who will complete the front row.
American Joe Roberts struggled with technical issues, topped Q1 but could manage only 14th in the final session with a 1:57.720.
Moto2 Q2
Daniel Holgado led a string of riders who crushed the Moto3 lap record in qualifying in Qatar, taking his Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3 to a new all-time mark of 2:02.276.
Holgado took pole ahead of Ivan Ortola and Juan Rueda, who each had led practice sessions over the weekend and who will complete the front row.
Holgado’s time was more than a second quicker than the lap record set earlier in the day by Rueda, and nearly three seconds quicker than the official race lap record. Rueda’s 2:03.465 lap record in practice would have left him 16th on the final grid.
Moto3 Q2
KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Mexican rider Richie Escalante led the MotoAmerica Daytona 200 warm-up session Saturday morning at Daytona International Speedway.
Riding his Dunlop-shod Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, Escalante lapped the 3.51-mile course in 1:48.901 to top the 58 riders who took part in the 25-minute session.
Josh Herrin, the winner of the 2023 Daytona 200, was second-best with a 1:49.016 on his Dunlop-fitted Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Stefano Mesa was third-quickest at 1:49.178 on his Pirelli-equipped Boulder Motor Sports Ducati. Mesa’s team won the Pit Stop Challenge on Friday evening.
Reigning FIM Endurance World Champion Karel Hanika turned his fastest lap of the weekend, a 1:49.186, on his Bridgestone-backed YART Yamaha YZF-R6 and finished fourth in the session.
Xavi Fores, the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, rounded out the top five with a 1:49.738 on his Pirelli-tired Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha.
24_1_DAY_SSP_WU1_res
Former longtime Westby Racing Yamaha Superbike rider Mathew Scholtz has found a new ride in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with Strack Racing, the team formerly known as Squid Hunter Racing.
For years, Scholtz was one of the top riders in MotoAmerica Superbike, winning five races and earning 52 podium finishes over his seven years in the class. But in December 2023, Westby Racing suddenly pulled the plug on its program due to team patriarch Tryg Westby’s health issues.
Scholtz, who was in his native South Africa on holiday at the time, was suddenly left without a ride after eight seasons with the team.
Scholtz, who was at Daytona International Speedway as a spectator, told RoadracingWorld.com that he could not comment other than say that he will be racing in 2024. In a follow-up conversation, Scholtz identified the team as being “the team that was Squid Hunter Racing.”
In another discussion, Peter Strack said, “I’m the team owner.”
The Squid Hunter team raced in Supersport with Josh Hayes in 2023.
Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin set a new all-time MotoGP lap record in Qatar as he took pole for the first race of the 2024 season.
Martin’s 1:50.789 was nearly a second quicker than the lap record set last year by Luca Marini. Marini’s record had been smashed during practice, with Alex Marquez clocking a 1:51.108 in the final session before qualifying. The top seven riders in the final qualifying session went faster than Marquez’ practice mark.
Aleix Espargaro, Enea Bastianini, Brad Binder, defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez rounded out the top six.
MotoGP Q2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Hundredths in it: Martin snatches lap record pole from Espargaro and Bastianini
A front row split by 0.086, four factories within 0.124… qualifying sets the scene for a stunning season opener
Saturday, 09 March 2024
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) will head the first grids of the year after! The 2023 runner up set a magical 1:50.789 in qualifying for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to take pole, becoming the fastest rider ever to lap Lusail International Circuit. That said, it’s close at the top. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was just 0.083 behind, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounding out the front row only another 0.003 back.
After a Practice session that left Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) just outside the cut, the Spaniard was taking aim at the top in Q1. He got it too, moving through just ahead of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the two left Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) missing out on a place by just 0.010. Nevertheless, the Frenchman continues to impress on his switch to Honda.
Q2 DELIVERS A TANTALISING GRID
There was a lot to learn in the very first Q2 of the year. Everyone fully unleashed, full throttle, and not a single sandbag worth holding on to. After the first runs, a familiar name had taken hold though: Martin. That stunning 1:50.789 came in on his second lap as Ducatis locked out the top five positions early on, and no one would prove able to topple it.
Once the second runs began, Miller and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) were especially hoping to find some time, but then it was all eyes on Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the eight-time World Champion came up with red sectors – but it wasn’t quite enough in the last part of the lap.
Espargaro was another who looked to be challenging Martin’s dominion at the top but he ultimately jumped into second, losing out by less than a tenth, as Bastianini held onto a first front row of the year in third, and at a venue he’s reigned before.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) heads the second row, just 0.124 off the top, and lost the chance to make a final improvement as he slid off on his last attempt. Alongside Binder will be reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who starts from fifth. And then it’s Marc Marquez rounding out the second row, making it 12 World Championships lining up on Row 2.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) will head the third row in P7, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi having a tougher weekend of it and left down in Q1. Acosta will start eighth for his first Tissot Sprint and premier class Grand Prix race, having been P3 on Friday and gone straight through to Q2 to boot.
Alex Marquez rounds out Row 3 after he couldn’t replicate his time from Practice that saw him top that session, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Miller and Raul Fernandez, who crashed in Q2, rider ok, locking out the positions down to P12. Then it’s Zarco and that very solid debut with Honda, the first of those who didn’t make it through to Q2.
The grids are set, the stage is set, and soon the sun will set. Come back for more MotoGP™ at 19:00 local time (UTC +3) for the first Tissot Sprint of what promises to be a stunning 2024!
Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez set a new MotoGP outright lap record at Lusail International Circuit, clocking a 1:51.108 to lead the final practice session before qualifying.
The top 12 riders all were under the old record of 1:51.762, set by Luca Marini last year.
With Saturday’s final practice determining qualifying groupings, both factory Yamahas and all four Hondas missed out on transferring to Q2, with Ducati locking out the top four spots and European machines taking the first 13 placings.
motogp practice
Aron Canet took his Fantic Racing Kalex to the top of the timesheets on Saturday in Moto2 practice, setting a new outright lap record. Canet’s 1:57.176 edged the 1:57.305 mark set last year by American Joe Roberts.
Somkiat Chantra, Tony Arbolino and Fermin Aldeguer followed Canet, ahead of Ai Ogura and Zonta van den Goorbergh, the top six covered by less than half a second. Roberts improved from Friday, finishing 17th, 1.044 seconds off the pace.
Moto2 practice
