Introducing: the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship
A new project is announced by the FIM and Dorna Sports
Saturday, 29 April 2023
The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto hosted a very special presentation on Saturday as the FIM and Dorna Sports announced a new project: the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship. The new competition is intended to widen access to the sport of motorcycle racing for women and create a platform of representation for female riders.
On launch in 2024, the initial series will primarily run alongside the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The target for the first season is at least six rounds, with two races to take place per round. The grid will race on equal machinery, with a single motorcycle supplier to be announced in due course.
The new Championship aims to create opportunities for female riders who are already competing – providing an environment in which they can build a professional, viable career in motorcycle racing – and looks to lay the groundwork for more equal representation across all motorcycling paddocks of the future. Providing a positive example for prospective female competitors, the series will further underline that motorcycling is a sport for all to enjoy, on and off track.
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “This is the first time ever, since 1904, that we are going to start next year with the FIM Women’s World Championship. I also hope you like the logo, it’s a surprise for all of you!
“We gave a lot of thought to this, and we had a lot of demand. As we do in Motocross, Enduro and Trial, we are starting with a women’s World Championship next year in circuit racing. Our plan is to have six races in Europe, and we are planning to do a single brand competition. We will try to have women from all over the world racing in this new Championship. It will be organised primarily within the frame of the WorldSBK Championship.
“It’s a Championship where we want women to be pro. It’s not a step to another category, we want women who race here to be able to earn a wage as a rider, as professionals. We hope to start in March or April next year.”
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director: “When I was informed about this project and its possibilities I took a lot of interest and had a lot of enthusiasm. Currently, we thought that the World Superbike platform could be one of the places to start this project, but it doesn’t mean that it could only be in Superbike. It’s within Dorna, so we will see how this develops.
“We don’t have all the details yet, this is a live project, evolving all the time. It’s important that we expand the opportunities available, and especially seeing a lot of Cups and projects that we’ve started, I think it’s a big challenge but all of us must be proud of being able to offer this opportunity. At the end of the season I would like to see a good progression for the future ahead in order to have more riders and more possibilities in this sport.
“The best platform to start with is a single brand, and we’ve been discussing it informally with manufacturers already. We will start to define the details, but we expect something in a similar range to Supersport displacement. There has been a lot of interest but this is a project that is progressing, and can progress through the years to expand with different manufacturers, teams… we want to create a destination where female riders from around the world can join the Championship and find professional success. That means we can also explore new ways to promote the motorcycle industry. If we start from zero, we can be more creative. Like I said from my side, I will put in my full commitment to make it happen and to make it work at the standard that we want, and hopefully, we can be successful and enjoy it.”
Françoise Emery, FIM CEO: “We created a commission for women in motorcycling more than twenty years ago now so it is not really anything new in the FIM. We try to promote and support the women in motorcycle racing. What we try to do is offer female riders all opportunities and possibilities for them to ride, and as mentioned by the FIM President, we already have championships in Motocross, Enduro and Trial. So now we are pleased to launch a women’s Championship in circuit racing.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are used to making announcements in extraordinary Press Conferences, and today is an extraordinary one! After much reflection, we have taken a decision, along with the FIM, which is very important both for us and for the future of the motorcycling world.
“We’re very happy to announce this project and be part of this important initiative, the FIM Women’s Motorcycle Racing World Championship.”
Pure gold! Binder vs Miller vs Bagnaia lights up the Tissot Sprint in Spain
KTM put on a true showstopper as Bagnaia picks a late race pocket to complete his Saturday turnaround
Brad Binder (33) narrowly beat Francesco Bagnaia (1), Jack Miller (43), and Jorge Martin to the finish line in Saturday’s Sprint race. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 29 April 2023
There’s racing, and there’s racing. MotoGP™ is in the business of the latter, and the Tissot Sprint at Jerez was another sublime showdown as 2023 continues to deliver. The same can be said of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as with the South African went toe-to-toe with teammate Jack Miller over the slightly shortened 11-lap dash, just able to edge clear on the final lap to his second Sprint win in four. Miller certainly made it a Thriller at the front, but the Australian was ultimately pipped to second by reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the final lap, heading ever-so-slightly wide and Pecco needing no second invitation.
The first start saw a crash bring out the red flag as Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi was caught out by an incident between Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), with Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) also unable to avoid it. The riders were all ok and able to head back for the restart, but damaged bikes needed moving. Morbidelli was also then given a Long Lap for the contact, to be served on Sunday.
LIGHTS OUT = ELBOWS OUT
Ready to race? You bet. The KTMs attacked straight away on take two, with Binder grabbing the lead from Miller and both Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Bagnaia also slicing past polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). Martin then went for Miller, but it wasn’t long before the Aussie struck back, and the squabble offered Bagnaia his first pickpocketing opportunity of the afternoon as he slotted into third: Binder, Miller, Bagnaia and Martin were locked together.
Drama hit then for Alex Marquez as hit the gravel trap, and just one lap later and disaster struck for another Spaniard as Aleix Espargaro crashed out of a point-scoring position for the 3rd time in 2023. The polesitter was out of it, and both will try and reset for Sunday.
Miller took to the front by eight to go, however, and the duel was on. The KTMs still began to pull away from the two Ducatis though, and by four laps to go the gap was half a second. Meanwhile, Martin was riding all over the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s factory Ducati, as the reigning Champion seemed to struggle to hold onto the leading duo. Martin was desperate to find a way past the Italian as the number #1 was proving a tricky hurdle.
Brad Binder (33) leads Jorge Martin (89), Francesco Bagnaia (behind Martin), and Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miller and Binder were ragged perfection in the lead though, sliding their way around Jerez circuit in a two-man show for a few laps. Binder looked ready to pounce, Miller held him off, the two blasted round in tandem and then the South African tried it once, denied, but twice, absolutely not shy. It looked like a lot to ask as the number 33 machine squirreled and headed in a little deep, but on the exit Binder sealed the deal, back into the lead with a lap and half to go.
From there, Binder had it pinned. There was no catching the South African this time, and instead the duel was now for second. The Ducatis had gained ground and Bagnaia lined up a move on Miller into the Pedrosa corner, with the Australian trying to resist on the brakes but overshooting it, giving the reigning Champion an opportunity he wouldn’t turn down.
Miller gathered it back up to avoid another duel with earlier sparring partner Martin, and the Australian didn’t quite get that win or make it a 1-2, but he definitely still stormed Jerez. Bagnaia’s second is an impressive turnaround from where his Saturday started in Q1 too.
DUELS, DUELS, DUELS
Fifth was also an incredibly close finish. Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Racing Team) also had viewers glued to their screens as the Portuguese rider fended off the MotoGP™ Legend for 5th place… just.
Just 1.5 seconds further back Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) had his hands full trying to defend his 7th place from Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing Ducati), but the Spaniard came out on top in that scrap leaving the Frenchman to settle for P8. The Mooney VR46 Racing riders were involved in an intense fight for the final point-scoring position in the Sprint too, in the end it was Bezzecchi who won the battle against Luca Marini to bag 9th place. Bezzecchi is now only three points clear of Pecco in the title fight…
After an incredible day of action at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, MotoGP™ fans now have the opportunity to digest all of Saturday’s action before it all kicks off again on Sunday. If Saturday is anything to go by, you do not want to miss any on Sunday’s billing as the race gets underway at 15:00 local time (GMT +2)!
QUOTES: TOP 3
BRAD BINDER: “Today was a tough one, made sure I had a better start the second time around, went straight to the front but had to take it a bit easy to bring the tyres up, they felt a bit sketchy! As I started to get comfortable, I tried to stay super close to Jack ’cause he had great pace. To be able to fight to the end, push through and come home with the win is incredible. I need to say a massive thank you to my team, it’s fantastic to have both of us up on the podium. They’ve been working so incredibly hard and it’s paying off. I can’t tell them how much I appreciate it.”
PECCO BAGNAIA: “I’m very happy, this morning I was improving my feeling but it wasn’t enough. I was a bit behind and my team worked a lot to give me the maximum. I was losing a lot of time in Sector 3 but we managed to be competitive. It wasn’t easy for the hot conditions and the front tyre. But I’m really happy, to get more than this would have been difficult!”
JACK MILLER: “Mega race from Brad, we were having a good dice there! I murdered the drive part of the tyre and started suffering on the back straight, and I was just a sitting duck! Then I made a mistake on the last lap, went extra deep and had a couple of locks and let Pecco through, made it easy for him! So a bit disappointed but nah, stoked. I mean it’s the fourth race, we’ve been challenging but to be up here on the podium in the Sprint is nice, it’s my first experience of it. Awesome to see both the bikes up there! And Dani! It’s not only me, as we can see, we’ve got one of the best test riders in the world. He’s doing a fantastic job and the whole project’s really just taken a step this year and it’s awesome.”
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes on a high in Jerez! The Brit takes dominant pole ahead of Acosta and Dixon
It’s not often we see a dominant performance in the tightly contested Moto2™ category, but this time it was Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who blew away the field with an incredible 1:40.750 taking pole position by 0.578s. 2nd and 3rd place were decided in typical Moto2™ fashion, however, with just 0.002s between Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in 2nd place and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the front row.
As always it was a hard-fought battle in Q1 as the Moto2™ riders toughed it for a chance at Q2 promotion. It was Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) who took top spot, dominating the session to take the first Q2 place. Fast laps came flying in at the end of the session and it was Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (Fieten Olie Racing GP), and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 MasterCamp) who joined the Japanese rider in securing Q2 promotion.
As the green flag dropped and Q2 got underway and it was Dixon who set the benchmark, leading the way from Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Lowes. It wasn’t long before Ogura put himself in the mix, slotting into 3rd place and demoting Lowes just before the final runs.
With four minutes to go the red sectors were coming in from Acosta, who then took over the top spot. The Spaniard’s time at the top didn’t last long however, as straight after Sam Lowes made some magic happen, pulling out a scintillating lap time to move the goalposts by over half a second. Despite efforts from the competition, Lowes’ lap stood and he will start the Spanish Grand Prix from pole!
Lopez bagged the first spot on the 2nd row in 4th, as he’ll line up ahead of Ogura. Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) who bagged the final spot on the 2nd row in 6th.
The Moto2™ riders’ attention now turns to the race on Sunday, make sure not to miss any of the action as it commences at 13:15 local time (GMT +2)!
Deniz Öncü (53). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Öncü unstoppable to pip Ortola by a tenth
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was able to convert his superior Practice pace into pole position at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, as 0.115s splits the Turk from second place Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) in Moto3™ qualifying. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) claimed P3, but the Spaniard suffered a Turn 13 crash at the end of the session. After going to the medical centre for a check-up, Muñoz was taken to the hospital for further examination and unfortunately later declared unfit after sustaining a left heel fracture, so he won’t be taking that third place on the grid.
After Q1 graduate Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) sat top of the pile for the first 10 minutes of the session, Öncü struck with just under four minutes to go. On his next flying lap, he moved the goalposts further, with that 1:45.668 too much for anyone else to beat. Öncü starts on pole for the first time since the 2022 San Marino GP, as Americas GP winner Ortola comes through Q1 to claim P2 having ended the second part of qualifying very strongly.
Qualifying in P3, Muñoz finished in front of Fenati, Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar) as half a second covers the top six in Jerez. Grid positions will move up as Muñoz sits it out though, putting World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) onto the second row.
Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PrüstelGP) are next up, ahead of rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completes the third row.
Second in the World Championship, Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) starts P13 as he aims to make progress in Sunday’s race in order to not lose ground in the title chase…
Make sure you tune into the Moto3™ Spanish GP race at 12:00 local time (GMT+2)!
Turkish racer Deniz Öncü, riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo, earned pole position during Moto3 Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Spaniard Aleix Espargaro, riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, took pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Aleix Espargaro denies Miller in frenetic pole position shootout at Jerez
From rain to slicks and near lap-record pace, Aleix said it best himself: “It’s been a crazy morning!” Buckle up for a wild qualifying ride…
Saturday, 29 April 2023
Saturday mornings don’t get much better than that! Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will start the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix race from pole position at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España after coming out on top in an unbelievable Q2. Light rain fell at the start of the session but conditions improved dramatically to allow an all-time classic pole battle played out in Jerez. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) claim P2 and P3 respectively, with some other huge players left stranded well down the order.
Bezzecchi, Quartararo and Rins miss Q2 cut
Q1 was a star-studded affair as the top three in the World Championship, as well as Argentina Sprint winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) found themselves battling for two crucial spots in the pole position fight. Title leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) set the early pace, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) P5 and P6 with five minutes to go.
It was all about to change as the second set of fresh rear soft tyres were slotted in. Bezzecchi improved his time at the top but Pecco moved the goalposts, before Binder then went P1. Bezzecchi was suddenly shoved to P3, but crucially he got one more bite at the cherry. Bezzecchi was 0.076s shy off Pecco’s time through the third split, and he couldn’t claw back any time in the final sector – Bezzecchi missed out on a Q2 place by 0.037s, as Pecco and Binder sailed into Q2. Elsewhere, Quartararo could only manage P6 in Q1, P16 on the grid, for his worst MotoGP™ qualifying in Jerez!
Rain DOESN’T stop play: a Q2 belter
As if we didn’t have enough drama already, the heavens opened as the chequered flag waved to signal the end of Q1. It was only light rain, but how much would it affect track conditions? We were about to find out. Binder was one of the riders who ventured out on wet tyres, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) another, while the others were lapping on slicks.
Interestingly, Marquez came straight into pitlane to change for slicks, while Binder chose to plough on. A 1:43.003 was Miller’s benchmark time and Bagnaia was an early second, 0.7s off, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) in P3. Binder on the wet tyres slotted into P7, 3.7s away from teammate Miller.
Then, out on slick tyres, Alex Marquez suddenly shot to P1 to beat Miller’s effort by 0.328s. And on his next lap, Marquez went 0.9s faster as the times started to tumble. The riders were getting more comfortable and finding where the grip was, and heading into the final six minutes, red sector times were everywhere.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) then briefly went P1 before Aleix Espargaro was top. The latter’s time at the top didn’t last though as Marquez returned to P1 by 1.1s – a 1:39.944 was the new pole time to beat. Espargaro and Marquez exchanged P1 again, with the Ducati star now 0.2s clear.
It was all happening. Miller, lighting up the rear end on the damp patch on the exit of Turn 13, climbed back to the summit before Zarco then went provisional pole. Miller and Zarco improved again a minute and a half later, as Binder popped up to P3 after finally heading out on slick tyres.
Espargaro took it back, but Binder, Martin and Miller beat his time as the latter sat provisional pole. But Espargaro was coming on one last push. On his final flying lap, the Spaniard beat Miller by 0.2s to claim a dream home GP pole, as Miller and Martin complete the front row in a spellbinding MotoGP™ Q2.
The last rider round was hovering within a tenth, but couldn’t quite attack for pole: Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He’s on the second row though… right behind the reigning Champion.
How the top 12 are set for the Tissot Sprint and GP race
Binder comes through Q1 to claim a slightly ominous P4, with Bagnaia in fifth after a good rescue. MotoGP™ Legend Pedrosa will launch from that phenomenal P6, with Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), Zarco and Marini on the third row.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Alex Marquez will start from P10, P11 and P12.
Does that whet your appetite for the Tissot Sprint this afternoon?* Tune into the Spanish GP Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (GMT+2)!
Aron Canet, riding his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, broke the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 Free Practice Three (FP3) Saturday morning at Jerez. Canet turned a 1:40.640, breaking Remy Gardner’s 2021 lap record of 1:40.667.
American’s Joe Roberts and Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) were 21st and 23rd, respectively, in FP3.
The heat is on as Morelli splits Quiles & Piqueras in Jerez Rookies Qualifying
In sweltering Jerez heatwave conditions, Maximo Quiles was in brilliant form taking pole from an impressive Marco Morelli with points leader Angel Piqueras completing the front row. The second event in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season demands that 15-year-old Spaniard Quiles bounce back from a very disappointing opening weekend in Portugal and show he can match his fellow countryman, 16-year-old Piqueras.
Quiles won a desperately thrilling Jerez Race 2 last year but Piqueras had been 2nd in Race 1 and these two rivals will give no quarter this weekend.
It is unlikely to be just the pair chasing the win as Morelli, the 15-year-old Argentine demonstrated with a blistering Qualifying performance now that he is feeling at home on the KTM.
Maximo Quiles even stronger than last year
“Pole position is good, that makes me happy. I think the lap time could be even better because I didn’t get any slipstream but I am very comfortable, I have good rhythm, good feeling, the bike is perfect.”
“In FP2 I tried the shorter gearing but I was on the rev limiter on the back straight and that was when I was riding alone, with the slipstream it would be worse so we went back to the medium gearing.”
“I am very happy with the bike, I think I do have a little bit of chatter but I don’t remember which turn so I will just think about things a bit and talk to the guys.”
“I feel even stronger than last year and I think I can make a good race.”
Marco Morelli confident
“P2 is a great position for tomorrow, I was happy with the progress through Practice and Qualifying. I feel confident on the bike now and ready to race tomorrow.”
“I enjoyed Portimão, I knew the track but I was learning about the bike. I am a lot more confident after those two races, I have done many laps here so all together I feel much stronger.”
“The bike and I are working well together now. In Free Practice 2 I was not so happy with the front but we worked on that, the guys found a good solution and now it is really great.”
Angel Piqueras fast but looking for more
“I’m happy with that, happy to be on the front row. We didn’t change a lot through Practice and Qualifying but now I have to think if we should try something because I have some chattering on the front and perhaps we can make it better. It’s just when I am hard on the brakes going into the corner.”
“It’s hot out there and we will have to watch the tyre performance later in the race, it could drop off. I am feeling good about the race though, we’ll see how it goes.”
Jacob Roulstone takes a step forward
“I’ve been working very hard in the break since Portimão and that is paying off I think,” said the 18-year-old Australian. “I am very happy with the way that today went.”
“It was tricky, hot and slippery out there so you have to be as smooth as possible on the bike. In Free Practice 2 I was trying to work as much alone as I could, just focus on race pace and try and do many consistent times, not focus on one lap pace.”
“Going into Qualifying I felt confident, I knew I had to get the lap time early because later on the games start.”
“Since Portimão I have been testing on my Junior GP bike and then here I got some good help in FP1 from Dani (Ribalta, rider coach) He helped me out with some tips. Also, I’ve worked on staying cool, going into it cool and calm, not hot and bothered, I think that is important.”
Dodo Boggio recovering from his testing injury
“Changing down is still difficult but I am very happy to be back on the bike and qualifying on the second row,” enthused the 15-year-old Italian.”
“I was happy with FP1 this morning, I did well, P7 then FP2 I was very bad, I didn’t have a good feeling with the bike I ran alone for the session, P14. Then we got new tyres for Qualifying, the new tyre is very very good and I felt great so I could improve more than one second.”
“The bike is perfect now so tomorrow in the race I will enjoy it. In the race I will forget about the pain from my ankle, the racing takes over, I will only feel the pain after the race,” he laughed.
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 16:10 CEST on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 09:30, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
Aleix, Viñales… PEDROSA! It’s all change in Jerez with Aprilia & KTM top as Bezzecchi, Bagnaia AND Quartararo head for Q1
A late Aprilia attack sees the Noale factory take a 1-2 on Friday, but it’s a familiar number 26 in third ahead of Martin and Miller as key names fail to make the cut
Friday, 28 April 2023
Aprilia Racing made it a Friday to remember at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, with Aleix Espargaro heading teammate Maverick Viñales on the combined timesheets by just 0.002. Stealing some serious headline space, however, is the rider in third: wildcard and MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It was a stunning return to action for the number 26 as he topped P1 and remained the third quickest overall by the close of play.
Dani Pedrosa (26). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The morning saw Pedrosa quickest in the final few minutes before other fast laps started to fly in, but the Little Samurai struck back with a 1:36.770. Only two faster laps would come in by the end play, and from only one machine: the Aprilia. Somewhat dampening the fairy-tale for Pedrosa, Aleix Espargaro and Viñales instead add another chapter to that of Aprilia after a tougher run of late despite some seriously threatening speed from one of the big story-makers of the last couple of seasons.
LAST DASH FOR Q2
With track temperatures soaring in the afternoon, the track became much slicker than the morning and the pressure was on for the fastest motorcycle racers in the world to book their place in Qualifying 2. As ever, the opening stages of P2 were used for fine-tuning race pace, and it wasn’t until the end of the session that we saw the soft rubber go in for the riders to put the hammer down for their final time attacks.
One bit of drama saw Iker Lecuona (Repsol Honda Team) crash out with 36 minutes remaining, seeing the red flags come out as the air fence needed repairing – rider ok. As the green flag dropped though, it was crunch time to secure an automatic place in Q2.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) was the first to improve in the latter stages with a minute and a half remaining, as the Portuguese rider slotted himself into P4, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) following closely and putting himself into P5.
A flying lap from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) came in just after, putting the Aussie into P3 and bumping Oliveria and Marquez back down the order. But then, the two factory Aprilias were locked together and came flying over the line to reshuffle the order once again, taking over on top in the session and overall on Friday.
Still, Pedrosa’s P1 best and Jorge Martin’s (Prima Pramac Racing) morning effort see them slot into third and fourth, just ahead of Miller. Next up it’s Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) ahead of Oliveira and Alex Marquez, with a really good day at the office for Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) seeing the Japanese rider take ninth. First time podium finisher last time out, Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), completes the top ten and automatic entrants to Q2… leaving some huge names looking for a way through Q1!
ALL EYES ON Q1
With only two Q2 spots up for grabs, a bunch of big hitters in Q1 sets the stage perfectly for a dramatic morning on Saturday.
Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crossed the line with just over a minute left of P2, but despite setting a personal best the Ducati top dog didn’t have enough in the tank for Qualifying 2, and finished the day in 13th place. The Italian did get one more bite at the cherry but a yellow flag in sector 2 halted the progress for the number 1.
Marco Bezzecchi suffered different drama as his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati went up in smoke with 25 minutes to go, forcing the Championship leader pull to the side of Dani Pedrosa corner and make his way back to the pitlane. Having jumped onto his 2nd bike, the Italian pushed on but it wasn’t enough and he only managed 12th.
Americas GP victor Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) also suffered misfortune at Pedrosa corner, as the Spaniard went down and out of the session with 4 minutes to go. Placed down in 15th, the Honda rider will have to fight Bagnaia and Bezzecchi in Q1, as well as 2021 Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) after a tough day at the office for the Frenchman.
Another slightly awkward Q1 appearance from a multiple Grand Prix winner is that of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the South African ended the Day in P11… and Pedrosa stole some of the thunder. Having won the Tissot Sprint in Argentina from P15 on the grid, however, and taken his first ever Grand Prix in Moto3™ at this very track… and from the very back, the number 33 will likely have plenty in the locker once the lights go out regardless.
SHOWTIME
Friday’s action served as the perfect appetiser to competitive action in Jerez. The stage is set for Qualifying and the Tissot Sprint, and here’s when it all gets underway in GMT+2:
MotoGP™ FP: 10:10
MotoGP™ Q1: 10:40
MotoGP™ Q2: 11:15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00
See you there!
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes fastest on Friday, Chantra and Lopez on the chase
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) is the fastest rider on Friday in Jerez, pulling out two tenths ahead of Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Alonso Lopez (CAG SpeedUp) on a hot Day 1. Nearly the entire field set their best laps in the morning as the temperatures rose in the afternoon.
Americas GP winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is fourth, just 0.008 behind Lopez and after having topped P2, whereas Texan sparring partner and Championship leader Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) ended the day in tenth.
Between Acosta and Arbolino there are some familiar fast faces: Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar) in fifth, Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in sixth, Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) in seventh and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) – with Barry Baltus ( Fieten Olie Racing GP) impressing in ninth.
Check out the full timesheets below! Moto2™ will be back in action on Saturday for more practice, before qualifying at 13:45 local (GMT +2).
Deniz Öncü (53). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Öncü takes charge on Day 1 in Moto3™
A veteran duo topped the timesheets on Day 1 in Jerez, but it was Turkish rider Deniz Öncü with the best hand of all. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider ended Friday action in Andalucia a whopping four tenths clear of the rest, with Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) first on the chase in second. Sophomore sensation and Championship leader Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took third.
Those three laps were all set in P1 as temperatures soared in the afternoon, but veteran Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) ends the day in fourth thanks to his P2 best. Rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was back at the sharp end on more familiar turf in fifth, ahead of COTA winner Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team).
Fellow Americas GP podium finisher Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) is next up, ahead of replacement rider Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power), rookie Filippo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and, in 10th looking for more, title challenger Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), who is equal with Holgado on points.
Moto3™ action continues on Saturday, with more practice in the morning before qualifying at 12:50 local time (GMT +2)! Check out the full timesheets below!
More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:
MARQUEZ SECURES ANOTHER DIRECT SEED TO Q2 AT JEREZ
The opening day of action at Jerez de la Frontera started off the best way possible for Alex Marquez, who secured his second direct seed to Q2 of the season after the one claimed in Austin as he logged an encouraging 1’37.041secs lap time which was exactly three tenths of a second shy of today’s top performance by Espargaró.
In what was a day marked by scorching hot weather conditions, with extremely high track temperatures, Fabio Di Giannantonio could not finish higher than 19th, eight tenths away from his teammate.
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
8th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’37.041s)
“It was a good first day: I felt immediately good in the morning, even though we had changed something in the set-up compared to Austin. I adjusted well immediately, while in the afternoon we focused on our race pace with high temperatures. We also managed to get into Q2, so we earned our paycheck today. Now let’s work on some fine-tuning in order to be even closer to the front tomorrow.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
19th – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’37.860s)
“The bad thing is that we’re still having the same old problems, the good one is that we found something to work on to improve tomorrow, and we’ll do our best to achieve that. We’ll have to go through Q1, but we’ll have time during FP3 to continue working in the same direction as the second Free Practice session, and once again focused on the front-end.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:
THE RIDERS OF THE MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM ONLY 4-TENTHS FROM THE FIRST GUYS AT JEREZ
Luca Marini closes in P10 and hits the Q2 while Marco Bezzecchi is at the limits of the Top10 in P12
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), April 28th 2023 – Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi are back at work in Andalucia for the fourth round of the 2023 season. An overall good start with the riders of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team riders in the slip stream of the fastest group respectively in tenth and twelfth position.
Immediately at ease on the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the morning session, Luca suffered from the rise in temperatures in the afternoon and closed, thanks to the lap time of the first free practice (1’37.053), at the limits of the Top10 thus gaining the direct access into tomorrow’s Q2 (11.15 am local time).
More complicated day for Marco, who tries to close the gap in Practice 2, but is forced into the garage due to a technical problem. On track for the last minutes of the session, he hits the time of 1’37.174 and will go through the Q1 (10.50 am local time).
Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
LUCA MARINI – 10
Not a perfect day with a standings with very minimal gaps. I was strong in the first free practice and I didn’t want to risk another tire in the afternoon for a second time attack. I was lucky. I didn’t feel very well with the medium on the rear, which here is the tire for the race, because the bike had no grip, it slipped and didn’t turn as I wanted. This is the aspect on which we need to work most for tomorrow. All the Teams, especially the Factory ones, have a lot of data from the test riders who were here a few weeks ago, so the level is incredibly high. In any case, I’m happy because, even without being perfect, we’re in Q2. Tomorrow qualifying will be crucial.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
MARCO BEZZECCHI – 72
I wasn’t perfect this morning, I struggled a bit. I didn’t feel comfortable in braking and I wasn’t fast. Instead, in the afternoon session we made a big step forward. I had great pace with the used tires, both medium and soft, but a technical problem made everything more complicated. For the time attack, I was unable to be to the track with bike 1, my favorite. I used bike 2 which was set up very similar to the first session and I wasn’t able to hit the Q2. I’m not far from the top guys, but tomorrow I’ll be forced to go through the Q1.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Progress on Honda debut for Lecuona as Mir targets recovery
A complicated first day of track action at the Spanish GP saw both Repsol Honda Team riders tumble, Joan Mir eventually finishing the day in 18th as Iker Lecuona closed the gap to the top riders.
The 2023 Spanish GP is building to be a memorable Grand Prix weekend with blazing temperatures and fans already flocking to the hills surrounding the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. Excited to run in front of their home crowd, the Repsol Honda Team began to build their weekend from the first moments of Free Practice 1. Temperatures would steadily rise throughout the day, making for treacherous track conditions, but Mir and Lecuona persisted in their quest for improvements.
It proved to be a complicated day for double-World Champion Joan Mir, suffering two falls in the afternoon. Unharmed in both falls, Mir and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage have already begun work on preparing for Saturday’s crucial Qualifying sessions and the Sprint Race afterwards. The hot temperatures beating down on the 4.4 kilometers of the Jerez circuit made for difficult conditions, but look set to remain for the weekend. With less than a second dividing the top 17 riders, even an improvement of just a tenth could be enough to see Mir in the mix for Q2.
Iker Lecuona made his MotoGP return, and his Honda MotoGP debut, in front of the enthusiastic Spanish GP crowd. Friday was all about adjustments and getting comfortable on the Honda RC213V, times and results were of no major focus for the 23-year-old from Valencia. From a 1’40.509 in FP1, Lecuona was able to end the day with a best time of 1’39.274 – an improvement of over one second. On the combined times, the #27 was 1.4 second behind HRC Test Rider Stefan Bradl, the German intimately familiar with the Jerez circuit after a number of tests here. A solid debut day.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Joan Mir
18TH 1’37.850
“It was not the best day today honestly, it was very complicated. We had two crashes today, one at Turn Five and one at Turn Six – the second one was a bit bigger but we are OK. When temperatures are high like this it makes everything more complicated, every point in the lap is more critical. Our feeling in the morning was not too bad but it looks like the race will be quite hot so we need to work to prepare the bike and ourselves for these conditions.”
Iker Lecuona (27). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Iker Lecuona
24TH 1’39.274
“What a day! It is incredible to come back to MotoGP and with a team like the Repsol Honda Team, it has been a real pleasure to work with all of them. The crash today at Turn 13 was frustrating, finally I am a racer and I always want to be faster! We understood why we crashed and already for tomorrow the team have suggested a few things to improve the bike and try some things. I am quite close to Bradl considering our circumstances and this is something we have to focus on and be positive about.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Search for Perfect Set-Up on Scorching Spanish GP Friday
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 28th April 2023
GRAND PRIX OF SPAIN
PRACTICE
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli experienced a difficult first day at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. They finished in 16th and 17th place respectively in the combined P1 + P2 results.
LOCAL TIME: 15:00 GMT+2
AIR TEMPERATURE: 33°C
TRACK TEMPERATURE: 49°C
WEATHER: SUNNY / HUMIDITY 24%
MORE CIRCUIT INFO
16th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’37.505 (P2) / 21+28 LAPS
17th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’37.700 (P2) / 16+25 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli ended a hot first day of the Gran Premio MotoGP de España in 16th and 17th place respectively in the combined practice timesheets. The teammates will have to take part in tomorrow‘s Q1 session.
Quartararo needed less than ten minutes in P1 to put his M1 at the top of the provisional rankings. But the level of the other riders in the morning session was very competitive. The Frenchman opted to stay out on his medium-soft tyre combination to assess tyre degradation in the hot Andalusian temperatures. His 1‘38.073s best time, set on lap 6/20, put him in 18th place, 1.303s off the fastest time.
El Diablo was quick to provisionally top P2 again, before settling in second place. The number-20 rider was keen to set hot laps in the one-hour long afternoon session. Despite the increased heat and wind, the Yamaha man pushed to the limit and set a 1‘37.505s on lap 25/28. However, it wasn‘t enough to improve his placement in the combined results. He finished in P15 in the P2 results and in 16th position in the P1+P2 rankings, 0.797s from the top.
Morbidelli was keen to start P1, riding with a new exhaust to collect data. He put in six laps, with a best time of 1‘38.735s, before heading back into the box to give his initial feedback. The time kept him in 13th place in the early stages of the session. Though the Italian improved his time on his second run, he didn‘t climb up in the provisional order. In the final ten minutes, he started his third and final run and temporarily secured ninth place with a 1‘38.106s, set on lap 14/16, but was pushed down to 20th, 1.336s from first.
Morbido knew there was work to do and pushed hard in the hot afternoon session. He used most the available hour of practice to get up to speed. Once on his second time attack of the day, the number-21 rider booked improvement. He set a 1‘37.700s on lap 21/25 to climb up to 11th. But as the pace quickened in the later stages, he fell back to 16th in the P2 classification. He found himself in 17th place in the combined results, with a 0.992s gap to the fastest rider.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Team Director
Our strategy didn‘t work out today. We decided to not do a time attack this morning, because we wanted to compare new soft and new medium tyres in the same track conditions in order to decide which one of these two options could work better for the Sprint. This afternoon, after the tyre comparison when it was time to push for a hot lap, the conditions were not as good as they were this morning. Having said that, others were able to improve their time despite the heat. So, we have to understand the reason and prepare something for tomorrow‘s FP session with the aim to improve the time attack, because our pace so far has been good.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I had many problems. We have to figure out why we were not on par today. Hopefully we will find a solution for tomorrow and make a great qualifying. This morning – apart from the feeling with the soft front tyre, which was bad for us – my overall feeling was not so bad, but I was being more careful. This afternoon, we tried all the tyre options and stayed with the medium front – which for me will be the best tyre for the race – but we didn’t find many positive improvements. We will try to turn it around, and we’ll do our best tomorrow.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
Today, we were able to make nice improvements from the morning to the afternoon. This means that the team worked very well to give me a better feeling. The problem is that we are suffering quite a bit with the new tyre, and with the hot temperatures we suffer even more. That’s tough, but I want to stay positive. I want to focus on the good energy from the improvements the team made today and the decent pace we had in the afternoon.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
POSITIVE FRIDAY FOR TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI IN JEREZ
LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami has finished 9th on the combined standings of today’s practice sessions.
Nakagami carried out a solid Friday: he set the third-fastest lap time in the morning session, kept the momentum in the afternoon, and secured a Q2 spot. He admits liking this track and being focused on the weekend’s work, as he’s determined to get an excellent result and feels good riding on the Spanish soil.
Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Takaaki Nakagami 9th
(1’37.044)
“We’ve struggled with the rear grip in the afternoon; we didn’t have the same feeling as in the morning. Overall, I’m pleased with the job done as we already are in Q2, and we’ve been fast. Our strategy is to make the most of the weekend because I want to do a good result”.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
BUSY FRIDAY FOR ALEX RINS IN JEREZ
LCR Honda CASTROL rider Alex Rins has finished 15th on the combined standings after the two practice sessions of Friday’s track action at the Circuit of Jerez.
The Spaniard has struggled a bit due to a lack of grip in the morning and the sweltering conditions on home soil. Having finished 12th at the end of practice 1, Alex and the team had a clear plan to push and make their way to Q2. However, a crash in the afternoon (without consequences) jeopardized it while he was about to set a faster lap time. The team and the rider are committed to finding a solution to make a step forward on Saturday.
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Alex Rins 15th
(1’37.487)
“The crash was a shame because I was fast during that lap, and we could have done a nice job. I still am getting used to this bike; we need to learn and keep improving. My strategy is always the same: work, learn and do my best”.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3 DUO COMPLETES DAY 1 OF SPANISH GRAND PRIX WITH POSITIVE FEELINGS
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 returned to European soil on Friday in Jerez for the fourth round of the MotoGP™ World Championship at the good old Circuito de Jerez – Àngel Nieto. After scoring his first top 10 in the category, rookie Augusto Fernandez from Spain was excited to race on home turf in front of family, friends and fans. After his terrific return to MotoGP™ in Texas with a P12, German Jonas Folger was lining up again alongside Fernandez, with Pol Espargaro still recovering from his injuries at home.
The Spanish layout is one that Augusto Fernandez knows very well and has found memories from. The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider took his maiden GP podium here in 2019, finishing P3 in Moto2™. This year, a new challenge was awaiting the Spaniard on a more powerful machine. If the challenge was not enough already, mother earth added some spice as hot air from north Africa traveling across the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic islands has brought April record breaking temperatures in Andalusia, with 27 degrees already in the air at 10:45 local time. In Practice 1, the Spaniard rode his fastest lap in 1’38.278 (+1.508) for his first time on the track in MotoGP™. If he did not manage to improve his lap times in the afternoon, he gained more confidence on both the track and the bike at the end of the Practice 2, and will head to Saturday eager to do a good qualifying at home, before the Tissot Sprint in the afternoon.
German Jonas Folger was once again part of the adventure with GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 after his great comeback in Austin two weeks ago. Jerez is a circuit which he has always cherished in his previous career, and he was happy to be back racing in Andalusia on the RC16. As he continued to adapt to the machine, he completed nineteen laps in Practice 1 and registered his fastest lap in 1’39.545. In the afternoon, track temperatures showed 49 degrees, but it did not prevent Jonas from improving his lap times, despite the tough track conditions. He rode his fastest lap in 1’38.698, an encouraging progress for Espargaro’s substitute. Happy about the progress made today, he will look forward to his second qualifying day on Saturday, which will be followed by the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 (GMT+2), for twelve laps.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Augusto Fernandez
Position: 22nd
Time: 1’38.278
Laps: 43
“It was not an easy start to my Spanish Grand Prix. This morning, I struggled to find the feelings on both the bike and the track. In Practice 2, we made a huge step and I gained a lot in confidence. I was able to be more consistent and I think that we can do a good job tomorrow.”
Jonas Folger (94). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Jonas Folger
Position: 23rd
Time: 1’38.698
Laps: 38
“I am happy with the progress we made today. The feelings on the bike were even better than in Austin, and this is something that I am happy about. During testing, I always struggled with soft tyres and today was really the first time that I felt I could really take the maximum out of the tyres. In Practice 2, I was following other guys and I was able to stick with them, learn from them, and I also figured out things on the track by myself, so I am happy. Thank you to my team for the job today, I look forward to tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC):
Bradl takes 20th on Friday in Jerez
Fresh from challenging for the top-ten in Austin, Stefan Bradl was back competing against the MotoGP field as a wildcard with the HRC Test Team. Combining a race weekend with a few key test items, the German worked through the items he had to.
A best time of 1’37.873 saw Bradl end the day in 20th place, 0.8s from top Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami in ninth place.
Saturday will see Bradl contest his second MotoGP Sprint Race, the red-hot conditions of Jerez adding in another challenge.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy HRC.
Stefan Bradl 6
Rider – MotoGP
“We had a decent opening day here in Jerez, a track I am familiar with after many tests here. Today we tried a few items, as is our job as the Test Team, and we were able to work well while improving our speed. The temperature this weekend is going to make things a bit more complicated because it changes the track condition quite a lot, but we keep on working and adapting. The target for tomorrow is to make another step and get closer once more to the front.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
APRILIA ONE-TWO IN THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSIONS AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
ALEIX AND MAVERICK DOMINATE IN SPAIN: FIRST AND SECOND SEPARATED BY TWO THOUSANDTHS!
Because of the new MotoGP weekend format, the Friday practice sessions are particularly important since they are the ones that decide who goes straight through to the second qualifiers. This situation amplifies the extraordinary result achieved today by Aprilia in Jerez de la Frontera. In fact, Aleix and Maverick finished respectively in first and second place, separated by just 2 thousandths of a second, despite the fact that the scorching temperatures made it difficult to improve on their already good times from P1.
This performance come on their return to Europe, confirming what had already emerged, although not clearly, during the first three weekends of the 2023 MotoGP season. Aprilia is in the mix, stronger than ever before and ready for battle. This trend was reiterated by Miguel Oliveira’s seventh place with his Team RNF RS-GP.
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Aleix
“The flying lap this afternoon almost surprised me, I’ll be honest. With this heat and with a less than perfect level of grip, similar to what we had in Argentina, it seems that the Aprilias are able to fully exploit the situation. This does not mean that it’s easy. To the contrary! In any case, I am rather satisfied, also because I think that we are among the best if not the best in terms of pace. We are off on the right foot for this weekend here in Jerez”.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Maverick
“This afternoon the situation was not at all easy, so dropping below 1’37 is extremely positive. In sector 4, I have always been rather fast. This year I improved my times a lot in the first and third sector because the bike allows it. We knew that we could be fast and what we had been lacking until now was setting up the perfect weekend. Now we need to focus on qualifying because starting from the front is fundamental. The feelings are good and we’ll definitely be able to have our say”.
More, from a press release issued by Lenovo Ducati:
Thirteenth Bagnaia at the end of Day 1 of the Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera. A still-recovering Bastianini finishes twenty-first
Jorge Martin closes fourth with the Desmosedici GP of Pramac Racing
Francesco Bagnaia closed in thirteenth place on Day 1 of the first day of practices for the Spanish GP, the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP season held this weekend at the Jerez Circuit in Andalusia.
After closing Practice 1 ninth this morning, when the asphalt temperatures were lower compared to the 49 degrees reached in the afternoon, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider was then able to improve his lap time with the soft tyre in Practice 2. However, still, he was unable to go under the 1:37 (1:37.233) wall, finishing thirteenth.
Pecco will therefore have to take part in Q1 tomorrow, along with teammate Enea Bastianini, who is back on track on the Desmosedici GP after the right shoulder injury that forced him to miss the first three GPs of the season. Still sore, Enea completed 30 laps, ending the day in 21st place overall.
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 13th (1:37.233)
“We are still looking for a good bike setup that will allow me to feel better with the front. Today I repeated my performance from last year, but in the meantime, lap times and our rivals have improved. I have confidence in my team and know we can take a step forward tomorrow. Q1 will definitely not be easy as many fast riders will be competing for the top two spots, but I am confident that I can do well.”
“It was a challenging day, but I expected it given my condition. Tomorrow morning the goal is to get on track for Free Practice and see if I can continue with qualifying and then the Sprint in the afternoon. In any case, I had fun and enjoyed being back on my bike. Even though I’m still not 100%, it was a great feeling.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track tomorrow at 10:10am local time for Free Practice, while qualifying will be held at 10:50am local time. The Sprint race, on the other hand, will begin at 3:00pm over a 12-lap distance.
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira grabs direct Q2 ticket, Fernandez with decent debut on home soil
The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend marks the return of the MotoGP World Championship to Europe after the first round in Portugal and the second and third GP in Argentina and Texas. Midsummer conditions have been awaiting riders, teams and fans this week at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in the South of Spain.
Despite scorching conditions this afternoon, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira remained unfazed. Following a steady pace in Practice 1 this morning, he faced an issue on his fast lap and ended in P13. Although temperatures have been increasing in Practice 2, the Portuguese star managed to get the best of the final laps, improving his best time from this morning by 0.677 seconds to claim P7 in the combined standings securing a direct entry to Q2 for tomorrow.
On the other side of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team garage, Raul Fernandez who made his debut on his MotoGP bike at his home track today, after missing the Spanish GP last year, got acclimatized nicely throughout today. He ended Practice 1 in P17 and managed to move up to P14 in the combined standings at the end of Practice 2 with a consistent pace. With a 0.652 second improvement in Practice 2 compared to Practice 1, he lost out on the top 10 by only 0.350 seconds.
Yet, after Practice three tomorrow morning at 10:10 local time, Fernandez needs to tackle Qualifying one at 10:50 local time in order to try to get the best possible grid position and hopefully a ticket for Q2 as well. Q2 starts at 11:15 local time, while 15:00 the red lights will go off for the 12 laps Sprint Race on Saturday.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Practice one was a little bit disappointing at the end, because we had a little issue with the front brake and could not make the time attack towards the end. We knew it was a good chance in terms of temperature and the wind conditions to attack, but it was not ideal. However, we made the most out of Practice two, we did a good job and all the Aprilia were very competitive. It’s good that we can look to the other garage and try. Even if the bikes are completely different, we can at least choose a direction to try for tomorrow. We always follow our way but it’s nice when we have a performance which is very close to the factory guys inside the Q2, and it gives us a little more room to breathe tomorrow and do a good job.”
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“It was really fun today in Jerez. Practice one was super difficult for me, because it was my first time here at my home Grand Prix in the MotoGP class. For Practice two, we collected some good information, we did a good job and I enjoyed it a lot on the bike. I just need to understand more on how to use the soft tyre the best, it was a bit complicated for me in these last two or three turns and I need to understand more on the bike. But I am really happy, the pace is good and the team helped me in both sessions and we improved a lot. I am very motivated for tomorrow and I believe we can do a good job.”
Herfoss Leads the way on Friday at Queensland Raceway
As the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul returned to Queensland Raceway on Friday morning to get official on-track proceedings underway, the championship was greeted with clear, blue skies and a steady ambient temperature hovering around 22 degrees celsius. Overnight rain had left the circuit damp, however it quickly dried out as the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup competitors headed out of the pits to turn the first laps of round three.
ALPINESTARS SUPERBIKE
After three sessions on day one, it was Troy Herfoss and his Penrite Honda team who sit atop the combined standings. Herfoss was straight down to business from the opening laps in FP1 and made solid progress throughout the day to be able to consistently run in the 1:07 bracket, this style of circuit proving to be a lot more comfortable for Herfoss aboard his Fireblade than the Grand Prix circuits that opened the season. You could not wipe the smile off his face as Herfoss put the icing on the cake in FP3, saving the best for last, when he broke Bryan Staring’s race lap record with a time of 1:07.705.
Yamaha’s Cru Halliday was second fastest. He drew first blood as he immediately settled into a rhythm onboard the YZF-R1 M and was challenging the ASBK race lap record just minutes into the day. The track had cooled for the third and final session of the day, allowing riders to hunt lap time with confidence. Halliday was the only rider alongside Herfoss to dip into the 1:07 bracket, ending the day on a 1:07.952.
ASBK lap records have tumbled at both previous rounds in season 2023, and this weekend looks set to see another record broken.
Halliday’s team-mate, and defending ASBK Champion, Mike Jones was third fastest, but could not enter the elusive 1:07 second bracket that Herfoss and Halliday managed. Speaking to ASBK post-session, Jones is confident he and machine made positive progress throughout the day to be in contention when it matters. Rewind the clock back to round two last year and Jones was untouchable here at Queensland Raceway. With another free practice session prior to qualifying on Saturday, the reigning champion has time on his side and will no doubt be in contention for AMX Superstores pole tomorrow afternoon.
Current points leaders Josh Waters and McMartin Racing with K-Tech find themselves in unfamiliar territory tonight as they leave the circuit not in a commanding position. The stop-start nature of the Queensland Raceway layout, combined with the climbing ambient temperature remains a concern for the Ducati which runs hotter than most. Time will tell on Sunday if the V4 R is vulnerable over a race distance, with temperatures set to match the ones recorded this afternoon.
Queensland Raceway remains favourable for Yamaha as MotoGo and Bryan Staring made it three in the top five as they made significant gains between FP2 and FP3 to leap ahead of GT Racing’s Glenn Allerton. Long-run pace and setup appeared to be the order of the day for Staring, stringing together consistent times to cut half a second off his best time to that point.
MICHELIN SUPERSPORT
The talk of the town is the depth of the field in Michelin Supersport this weekend as no less than 27 machines burbled their way out of pitlane on Friday. A mix of experience and youth make up the field this weekend, and it was experience that prevailed in the early running as Tom Bramich, Olly Simpson, Ty Lynch, Scott Nicholson and 2022 Champion John Lytras make up the top five after three practice sessions.
The field is incredibly close, as one second covers the top twelve riders in class from Bramich down to Dallas Skeer. Returning riders Aidan Wagner and Marcus Chiodo bring Superbike experience to the category, yet had difficult days adapting to supersport machinery with Wagner in 11th and Chiodo in 17th aboard his Triumph. A race winner last time out in Sydney, Cameron Dunker once again heads to a new track with his Yamaha YZF-R6, the 15 year-old had his head down all afternoon as he gets up to speed with the ‘Paperclip’ layout on significantly faster machinery than this time last year – He ended the day in tenth, a little over seven tenths back from pace-setting Bramich.
SUPERSPORT 300 AND YAMAHA FINANCIAL SERVICES R3 CUP
A mechanical glitch towards the end of the day couldn’t deny Cameron Swain top honours in both Supersport 300 and R3 Cup. In the intensely fought class, the 14-year-old has ascended to another level since his breakaway victory at Phillip Island at the end of February. Swain dominated Friday, dipping under the lap record on multiple occasions, setting up another battle with title rival Brandon Demmery who ended the day third in Supersport 300.
Splitting the two of them and leaving Queensland Raceway Friday night second in both classes was Marcus Hamod who laid down consistent improvements every time he went out. The #13 ended the day just two tenths behind Swain which will no doubt instill confidence ahead of qualifying and race one on Saturday.
Missing out on the top ten by just 0.006 of a second in supersport 300 was Tara Morrison. Speaking to ASBK at the beginning of the season at the Official ABSK Test, Morrison’s goal was clear – Top 10. She has been in top ten contention at Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park, achieving her goal once thus far, she finished today’s three practice sessions in 14th, 13th and 11th – Knocking on the door of that top ten with improvements in each session.
BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP
Hunter Corney stamped his authority on the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup field on Friday with a 1:35.794 in FP1 going unbeaten the rest of the afternoon. Try as they might, the gaps tightened but the #40 remained clear at the top of the charts by two tenths of a second which is a significant margin when every rider is on the same equipment.
Rikki Henry, Bodie Paige, Riley Nauta and Valentino Knezovic traded places second through fourth throughout the day as Ella McCausland picked up where she left off from at Sydney to finish the day fifth with a 1:36.174 – McCausland has come out swinging this weekend, determined to etch her name into history as the first female rider to win an OJC race. Standing between herself and that first place are four riders covered by less than half a second. OJC proving to be anyone’s game and as close as ever as we get set for another round of action.
(From left) Françoise Emery, FIM CEO; Jorge Viegas, FIM President; Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports; and Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, as seen in 2023 at the launch of the FIM Women Circuit Racing World Championship. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Introducing: the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship
A new project is announced by the FIM and Dorna Sports
Saturday, 29 April 2023
The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto hosted a very special presentation on Saturday as the FIM and Dorna Sports announced a new project: the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship. The new competition is intended to widen access to the sport of motorcycle racing for women and create a platform of representation for female riders.
On launch in 2024, the initial series will primarily run alongside the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The target for the first season is at least six rounds, with two races to take place per round. The grid will race on equal machinery, with a single motorcycle supplier to be announced in due course.
The new Championship aims to create opportunities for female riders who are already competing – providing an environment in which they can build a professional, viable career in motorcycle racing – and looks to lay the groundwork for more equal representation across all motorcycling paddocks of the future. Providing a positive example for prospective female competitors, the series will further underline that motorcycling is a sport for all to enjoy, on and off track.
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “This is the first time ever, since 1904, that we are going to start next year with the FIM Women’s World Championship. I also hope you like the logo, it’s a surprise for all of you!
“We gave a lot of thought to this, and we had a lot of demand. As we do in Motocross, Enduro and Trial, we are starting with a women’s World Championship next year in circuit racing. Our plan is to have six races in Europe, and we are planning to do a single brand competition. We will try to have women from all over the world racing in this new Championship. It will be organised primarily within the frame of the WorldSBK Championship.
“It’s a Championship where we want women to be pro. It’s not a step to another category, we want women who race here to be able to earn a wage as a rider, as professionals. We hope to start in March or April next year.”
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director: “When I was informed about this project and its possibilities I took a lot of interest and had a lot of enthusiasm. Currently, we thought that the World Superbike platform could be one of the places to start this project, but it doesn’t mean that it could only be in Superbike. It’s within Dorna, so we will see how this develops.
“We don’t have all the details yet, this is a live project, evolving all the time. It’s important that we expand the opportunities available, and especially seeing a lot of Cups and projects that we’ve started, I think it’s a big challenge but all of us must be proud of being able to offer this opportunity. At the end of the season I would like to see a good progression for the future ahead in order to have more riders and more possibilities in this sport.
“The best platform to start with is a single brand, and we’ve been discussing it informally with manufacturers already. We will start to define the details, but we expect something in a similar range to Supersport displacement. There has been a lot of interest but this is a project that is progressing, and can progress through the years to expand with different manufacturers, teams… we want to create a destination where female riders from around the world can join the Championship and find professional success. That means we can also explore new ways to promote the motorcycle industry. If we start from zero, we can be more creative. Like I said from my side, I will put in my full commitment to make it happen and to make it work at the standard that we want, and hopefully, we can be successful and enjoy it.”
Françoise Emery, FIM CEO: “We created a commission for women in motorcycling more than twenty years ago now so it is not really anything new in the FIM. We try to promote and support the women in motorcycle racing. What we try to do is offer female riders all opportunities and possibilities for them to ride, and as mentioned by the FIM President, we already have championships in Motocross, Enduro and Trial. So now we are pleased to launch a women’s Championship in circuit racing.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are used to making announcements in extraordinary Press Conferences, and today is an extraordinary one! After much reflection, we have taken a decision, along with the FIM, which is very important both for us and for the future of the motorcycling world.
“We’re very happy to announce this project and be part of this important initiative, the FIM Women’s Motorcycle Racing World Championship.”
Pure gold! Binder vs Miller vs Bagnaia lights up the Tissot Sprint in Spain
KTM put on a true showstopper as Bagnaia picks a late race pocket to complete his Saturday turnaround
Brad Binder (33) narrowly beat Francesco Bagnaia (1), Jack Miller (43), and Jorge Martin to the finish line in Saturday’s Sprint race. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 29 April 2023
There’s racing, and there’s racing. MotoGP™ is in the business of the latter, and the Tissot Sprint at Jerez was another sublime showdown as 2023 continues to deliver. The same can be said of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as with the South African went toe-to-toe with teammate Jack Miller over the slightly shortened 11-lap dash, just able to edge clear on the final lap to his second Sprint win in four. Miller certainly made it a Thriller at the front, but the Australian was ultimately pipped to second by reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the final lap, heading ever-so-slightly wide and Pecco needing no second invitation.
The first start saw a crash bring out the red flag as Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi was caught out by an incident between Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), with Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) also unable to avoid it. The riders were all ok and able to head back for the restart, but damaged bikes needed moving. Morbidelli was also then given a Long Lap for the contact, to be served on Sunday.
LIGHTS OUT = ELBOWS OUT
Ready to race? You bet. The KTMs attacked straight away on take two, with Binder grabbing the lead from Miller and both Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Bagnaia also slicing past polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). Martin then went for Miller, but it wasn’t long before the Aussie struck back, and the squabble offered Bagnaia his first pickpocketing opportunity of the afternoon as he slotted into third: Binder, Miller, Bagnaia and Martin were locked together.
Drama hit then for Alex Marquez as hit the gravel trap, and just one lap later and disaster struck for another Spaniard as Aleix Espargaro crashed out of a point-scoring position for the 3rd time in 2023. The polesitter was out of it, and both will try and reset for Sunday.
Miller took to the front by eight to go, however, and the duel was on. The KTMs still began to pull away from the two Ducatis though, and by four laps to go the gap was half a second. Meanwhile, Martin was riding all over the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s factory Ducati, as the reigning Champion seemed to struggle to hold onto the leading duo. Martin was desperate to find a way past the Italian as the number #1 was proving a tricky hurdle.
Brad Binder (33) leads Jorge Martin (89), Francesco Bagnaia (behind Martin), and Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miller and Binder were ragged perfection in the lead though, sliding their way around Jerez circuit in a two-man show for a few laps. Binder looked ready to pounce, Miller held him off, the two blasted round in tandem and then the South African tried it once, denied, but twice, absolutely not shy. It looked like a lot to ask as the number 33 machine squirreled and headed in a little deep, but on the exit Binder sealed the deal, back into the lead with a lap and half to go.
From there, Binder had it pinned. There was no catching the South African this time, and instead the duel was now for second. The Ducatis had gained ground and Bagnaia lined up a move on Miller into the Pedrosa corner, with the Australian trying to resist on the brakes but overshooting it, giving the reigning Champion an opportunity he wouldn’t turn down.
Miller gathered it back up to avoid another duel with earlier sparring partner Martin, and the Australian didn’t quite get that win or make it a 1-2, but he definitely still stormed Jerez. Bagnaia’s second is an impressive turnaround from where his Saturday started in Q1 too.
DUELS, DUELS, DUELS
Fifth was also an incredibly close finish. Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Racing Team) also had viewers glued to their screens as the Portuguese rider fended off the MotoGP™ Legend for 5th place… just.
Just 1.5 seconds further back Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) had his hands full trying to defend his 7th place from Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing Ducati), but the Spaniard came out on top in that scrap leaving the Frenchman to settle for P8. The Mooney VR46 Racing riders were involved in an intense fight for the final point-scoring position in the Sprint too, in the end it was Bezzecchi who won the battle against Luca Marini to bag 9th place. Bezzecchi is now only three points clear of Pecco in the title fight…
After an incredible day of action at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, MotoGP™ fans now have the opportunity to digest all of Saturday’s action before it all kicks off again on Sunday. If Saturday is anything to go by, you do not want to miss any on Sunday’s billing as the race gets underway at 15:00 local time (GMT +2)!
QUOTES: TOP 3
BRAD BINDER: “Today was a tough one, made sure I had a better start the second time around, went straight to the front but had to take it a bit easy to bring the tyres up, they felt a bit sketchy! As I started to get comfortable, I tried to stay super close to Jack ’cause he had great pace. To be able to fight to the end, push through and come home with the win is incredible. I need to say a massive thank you to my team, it’s fantastic to have both of us up on the podium. They’ve been working so incredibly hard and it’s paying off. I can’t tell them how much I appreciate it.”
PECCO BAGNAIA: “I’m very happy, this morning I was improving my feeling but it wasn’t enough. I was a bit behind and my team worked a lot to give me the maximum. I was losing a lot of time in Sector 3 but we managed to be competitive. It wasn’t easy for the hot conditions and the front tyre. But I’m really happy, to get more than this would have been difficult!”
JACK MILLER: “Mega race from Brad, we were having a good dice there! I murdered the drive part of the tyre and started suffering on the back straight, and I was just a sitting duck! Then I made a mistake on the last lap, went extra deep and had a couple of locks and let Pecco through, made it easy for him! So a bit disappointed but nah, stoked. I mean it’s the fourth race, we’ve been challenging but to be up here on the podium in the Sprint is nice, it’s my first experience of it. Awesome to see both the bikes up there! And Dani! It’s not only me, as we can see, we’ve got one of the best test riders in the world. He’s doing a fantastic job and the whole project’s really just taken a step this year and it’s awesome.”
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes on a high in Jerez! The Brit takes dominant pole ahead of Acosta and Dixon
It’s not often we see a dominant performance in the tightly contested Moto2™ category, but this time it was Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who blew away the field with an incredible 1:40.750 taking pole position by 0.578s. 2nd and 3rd place were decided in typical Moto2™ fashion, however, with just 0.002s between Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in 2nd place and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the front row.
As always it was a hard-fought battle in Q1 as the Moto2™ riders toughed it for a chance at Q2 promotion. It was Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) who took top spot, dominating the session to take the first Q2 place. Fast laps came flying in at the end of the session and it was Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (Fieten Olie Racing GP), and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 MasterCamp) who joined the Japanese rider in securing Q2 promotion.
As the green flag dropped and Q2 got underway and it was Dixon who set the benchmark, leading the way from Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Lowes. It wasn’t long before Ogura put himself in the mix, slotting into 3rd place and demoting Lowes just before the final runs.
With four minutes to go the red sectors were coming in from Acosta, who then took over the top spot. The Spaniard’s time at the top didn’t last long however, as straight after Sam Lowes made some magic happen, pulling out a scintillating lap time to move the goalposts by over half a second. Despite efforts from the competition, Lowes’ lap stood and he will start the Spanish Grand Prix from pole!
Lopez bagged the first spot on the 2nd row in 4th, as he’ll line up ahead of Ogura. Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) who bagged the final spot on the 2nd row in 6th.
The Moto2™ riders’ attention now turns to the race on Sunday, make sure not to miss any of the action as it commences at 13:15 local time (GMT +2)!
Deniz Öncü (53). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Öncü unstoppable to pip Ortola by a tenth
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was able to convert his superior Practice pace into pole position at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, as 0.115s splits the Turk from second place Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) in Moto3™ qualifying. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) claimed P3, but the Spaniard suffered a Turn 13 crash at the end of the session. After going to the medical centre for a check-up, Muñoz was taken to the hospital for further examination and unfortunately later declared unfit after sustaining a left heel fracture, so he won’t be taking that third place on the grid.
After Q1 graduate Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) sat top of the pile for the first 10 minutes of the session, Öncü struck with just under four minutes to go. On his next flying lap, he moved the goalposts further, with that 1:45.668 too much for anyone else to beat. Öncü starts on pole for the first time since the 2022 San Marino GP, as Americas GP winner Ortola comes through Q1 to claim P2 having ended the second part of qualifying very strongly.
Qualifying in P3, Muñoz finished in front of Fenati, Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar) as half a second covers the top six in Jerez. Grid positions will move up as Muñoz sits it out though, putting World Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) onto the second row.
Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PrüstelGP) are next up, ahead of rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completes the third row.
Second in the World Championship, Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) starts P13 as he aims to make progress in Sunday’s race in order to not lose ground in the title chase…
Make sure you tune into the Moto3™ Spanish GP race at 12:00 local time (GMT+2)!
Turkish racer Deniz Öncü, riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo, earned pole position during Moto3 Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday afternoon at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Spaniard Aleix Espargaro, riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, took pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Aleix Espargaro denies Miller in frenetic pole position shootout at Jerez
From rain to slicks and near lap-record pace, Aleix said it best himself: “It’s been a crazy morning!” Buckle up for a wild qualifying ride…
Saturday, 29 April 2023
Saturday mornings don’t get much better than that! Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will start the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix race from pole position at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España after coming out on top in an unbelievable Q2. Light rain fell at the start of the session but conditions improved dramatically to allow an all-time classic pole battle played out in Jerez. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) claim P2 and P3 respectively, with some other huge players left stranded well down the order.
Bezzecchi, Quartararo and Rins miss Q2 cut
Q1 was a star-studded affair as the top three in the World Championship, as well as Argentina Sprint winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) found themselves battling for two crucial spots in the pole position fight. Title leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) set the early pace, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) P5 and P6 with five minutes to go.
It was all about to change as the second set of fresh rear soft tyres were slotted in. Bezzecchi improved his time at the top but Pecco moved the goalposts, before Binder then went P1. Bezzecchi was suddenly shoved to P3, but crucially he got one more bite at the cherry. Bezzecchi was 0.076s shy off Pecco’s time through the third split, and he couldn’t claw back any time in the final sector – Bezzecchi missed out on a Q2 place by 0.037s, as Pecco and Binder sailed into Q2. Elsewhere, Quartararo could only manage P6 in Q1, P16 on the grid, for his worst MotoGP™ qualifying in Jerez!
Rain DOESN’T stop play: a Q2 belter
As if we didn’t have enough drama already, the heavens opened as the chequered flag waved to signal the end of Q1. It was only light rain, but how much would it affect track conditions? We were about to find out. Binder was one of the riders who ventured out on wet tyres, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) another, while the others were lapping on slicks.
Interestingly, Marquez came straight into pitlane to change for slicks, while Binder chose to plough on. A 1:43.003 was Miller’s benchmark time and Bagnaia was an early second, 0.7s off, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) in P3. Binder on the wet tyres slotted into P7, 3.7s away from teammate Miller.
Then, out on slick tyres, Alex Marquez suddenly shot to P1 to beat Miller’s effort by 0.328s. And on his next lap, Marquez went 0.9s faster as the times started to tumble. The riders were getting more comfortable and finding where the grip was, and heading into the final six minutes, red sector times were everywhere.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) then briefly went P1 before Aleix Espargaro was top. The latter’s time at the top didn’t last though as Marquez returned to P1 by 1.1s – a 1:39.944 was the new pole time to beat. Espargaro and Marquez exchanged P1 again, with the Ducati star now 0.2s clear.
It was all happening. Miller, lighting up the rear end on the damp patch on the exit of Turn 13, climbed back to the summit before Zarco then went provisional pole. Miller and Zarco improved again a minute and a half later, as Binder popped up to P3 after finally heading out on slick tyres.
Espargaro took it back, but Binder, Martin and Miller beat his time as the latter sat provisional pole. But Espargaro was coming on one last push. On his final flying lap, the Spaniard beat Miller by 0.2s to claim a dream home GP pole, as Miller and Martin complete the front row in a spellbinding MotoGP™ Q2.
The last rider round was hovering within a tenth, but couldn’t quite attack for pole: Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He’s on the second row though… right behind the reigning Champion.
How the top 12 are set for the Tissot Sprint and GP race
Binder comes through Q1 to claim a slightly ominous P4, with Bagnaia in fifth after a good rescue. MotoGP™ Legend Pedrosa will launch from that phenomenal P6, with Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), Zarco and Marini on the third row.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Alex Marquez will start from P10, P11 and P12.
Does that whet your appetite for the Tissot Sprint this afternoon?* Tune into the Spanish GP Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (GMT+2)!
Aron Canet, riding his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, broke the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 Free Practice Three (FP3) Saturday morning at Jerez. Canet turned a 1:40.640, breaking Remy Gardner’s 2021 lap record of 1:40.667.
American’s Joe Roberts and Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) were 21st and 23rd, respectively, in FP3.
The heat is on as Morelli splits Quiles & Piqueras in Jerez Rookies Qualifying
In sweltering Jerez heatwave conditions, Maximo Quiles was in brilliant form taking pole from an impressive Marco Morelli with points leader Angel Piqueras completing the front row. The second event in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season demands that 15-year-old Spaniard Quiles bounce back from a very disappointing opening weekend in Portugal and show he can match his fellow countryman, 16-year-old Piqueras.
Quiles won a desperately thrilling Jerez Race 2 last year but Piqueras had been 2nd in Race 1 and these two rivals will give no quarter this weekend.
It is unlikely to be just the pair chasing the win as Morelli, the 15-year-old Argentine demonstrated with a blistering Qualifying performance now that he is feeling at home on the KTM.
Maximo Quiles even stronger than last year
“Pole position is good, that makes me happy. I think the lap time could be even better because I didn’t get any slipstream but I am very comfortable, I have good rhythm, good feeling, the bike is perfect.”
“In FP2 I tried the shorter gearing but I was on the rev limiter on the back straight and that was when I was riding alone, with the slipstream it would be worse so we went back to the medium gearing.”
“I am very happy with the bike, I think I do have a little bit of chatter but I don’t remember which turn so I will just think about things a bit and talk to the guys.”
“I feel even stronger than last year and I think I can make a good race.”
Marco Morelli confident
“P2 is a great position for tomorrow, I was happy with the progress through Practice and Qualifying. I feel confident on the bike now and ready to race tomorrow.”
“I enjoyed Portimão, I knew the track but I was learning about the bike. I am a lot more confident after those two races, I have done many laps here so all together I feel much stronger.”
“The bike and I are working well together now. In Free Practice 2 I was not so happy with the front but we worked on that, the guys found a good solution and now it is really great.”
Angel Piqueras fast but looking for more
“I’m happy with that, happy to be on the front row. We didn’t change a lot through Practice and Qualifying but now I have to think if we should try something because I have some chattering on the front and perhaps we can make it better. It’s just when I am hard on the brakes going into the corner.”
“It’s hot out there and we will have to watch the tyre performance later in the race, it could drop off. I am feeling good about the race though, we’ll see how it goes.”
Jacob Roulstone takes a step forward
“I’ve been working very hard in the break since Portimão and that is paying off I think,” said the 18-year-old Australian. “I am very happy with the way that today went.”
“It was tricky, hot and slippery out there so you have to be as smooth as possible on the bike. In Free Practice 2 I was trying to work as much alone as I could, just focus on race pace and try and do many consistent times, not focus on one lap pace.”
“Going into Qualifying I felt confident, I knew I had to get the lap time early because later on the games start.”
“Since Portimão I have been testing on my Junior GP bike and then here I got some good help in FP1 from Dani (Ribalta, rider coach) He helped me out with some tips. Also, I’ve worked on staying cool, going into it cool and calm, not hot and bothered, I think that is important.”
Dodo Boggio recovering from his testing injury
“Changing down is still difficult but I am very happy to be back on the bike and qualifying on the second row,” enthused the 15-year-old Italian.”
“I was happy with FP1 this morning, I did well, P7 then FP2 I was very bad, I didn’t have a good feeling with the bike I ran alone for the session, P14. Then we got new tyres for Qualifying, the new tyre is very very good and I felt great so I could improve more than one second.”
“The bike is perfect now so tomorrow in the race I will enjoy it. In the race I will forget about the pain from my ankle, the racing takes over, I will only feel the pain after the race,” he laughed.
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 16:10 CEST on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 09:30, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
Aleix, Viñales… PEDROSA! It’s all change in Jerez with Aprilia & KTM top as Bezzecchi, Bagnaia AND Quartararo head for Q1
A late Aprilia attack sees the Noale factory take a 1-2 on Friday, but it’s a familiar number 26 in third ahead of Martin and Miller as key names fail to make the cut
Friday, 28 April 2023
Aprilia Racing made it a Friday to remember at the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, with Aleix Espargaro heading teammate Maverick Viñales on the combined timesheets by just 0.002. Stealing some serious headline space, however, is the rider in third: wildcard and MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It was a stunning return to action for the number 26 as he topped P1 and remained the third quickest overall by the close of play.
Dani Pedrosa (26). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The morning saw Pedrosa quickest in the final few minutes before other fast laps started to fly in, but the Little Samurai struck back with a 1:36.770. Only two faster laps would come in by the end play, and from only one machine: the Aprilia. Somewhat dampening the fairy-tale for Pedrosa, Aleix Espargaro and Viñales instead add another chapter to that of Aprilia after a tougher run of late despite some seriously threatening speed from one of the big story-makers of the last couple of seasons.
LAST DASH FOR Q2
With track temperatures soaring in the afternoon, the track became much slicker than the morning and the pressure was on for the fastest motorcycle racers in the world to book their place in Qualifying 2. As ever, the opening stages of P2 were used for fine-tuning race pace, and it wasn’t until the end of the session that we saw the soft rubber go in for the riders to put the hammer down for their final time attacks.
One bit of drama saw Iker Lecuona (Repsol Honda Team) crash out with 36 minutes remaining, seeing the red flags come out as the air fence needed repairing – rider ok. As the green flag dropped though, it was crunch time to secure an automatic place in Q2.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) was the first to improve in the latter stages with a minute and a half remaining, as the Portuguese rider slotted himself into P4, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) following closely and putting himself into P5.
A flying lap from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) came in just after, putting the Aussie into P3 and bumping Oliveria and Marquez back down the order. But then, the two factory Aprilias were locked together and came flying over the line to reshuffle the order once again, taking over on top in the session and overall on Friday.
Still, Pedrosa’s P1 best and Jorge Martin’s (Prima Pramac Racing) morning effort see them slot into third and fourth, just ahead of Miller. Next up it’s Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) ahead of Oliveira and Alex Marquez, with a really good day at the office for Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) seeing the Japanese rider take ninth. First time podium finisher last time out, Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), completes the top ten and automatic entrants to Q2… leaving some huge names looking for a way through Q1!
ALL EYES ON Q1
With only two Q2 spots up for grabs, a bunch of big hitters in Q1 sets the stage perfectly for a dramatic morning on Saturday.
Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crossed the line with just over a minute left of P2, but despite setting a personal best the Ducati top dog didn’t have enough in the tank for Qualifying 2, and finished the day in 13th place. The Italian did get one more bite at the cherry but a yellow flag in sector 2 halted the progress for the number 1.
Marco Bezzecchi suffered different drama as his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati went up in smoke with 25 minutes to go, forcing the Championship leader pull to the side of Dani Pedrosa corner and make his way back to the pitlane. Having jumped onto his 2nd bike, the Italian pushed on but it wasn’t enough and he only managed 12th.
Americas GP victor Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) also suffered misfortune at Pedrosa corner, as the Spaniard went down and out of the session with 4 minutes to go. Placed down in 15th, the Honda rider will have to fight Bagnaia and Bezzecchi in Q1, as well as 2021 Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) after a tough day at the office for the Frenchman.
Another slightly awkward Q1 appearance from a multiple Grand Prix winner is that of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the South African ended the Day in P11… and Pedrosa stole some of the thunder. Having won the Tissot Sprint in Argentina from P15 on the grid, however, and taken his first ever Grand Prix in Moto3™ at this very track… and from the very back, the number 33 will likely have plenty in the locker once the lights go out regardless.
SHOWTIME
Friday’s action served as the perfect appetiser to competitive action in Jerez. The stage is set for Qualifying and the Tissot Sprint, and here’s when it all gets underway in GMT+2:
MotoGP™ FP: 10:10
MotoGP™ Q1: 10:40
MotoGP™ Q2: 11:15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00
See you there!
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes fastest on Friday, Chantra and Lopez on the chase
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) is the fastest rider on Friday in Jerez, pulling out two tenths ahead of Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Alonso Lopez (CAG SpeedUp) on a hot Day 1. Nearly the entire field set their best laps in the morning as the temperatures rose in the afternoon.
Americas GP winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is fourth, just 0.008 behind Lopez and after having topped P2, whereas Texan sparring partner and Championship leader Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) ended the day in tenth.
Between Acosta and Arbolino there are some familiar fast faces: Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar) in fifth, Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in sixth, Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) in seventh and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) – with Barry Baltus ( Fieten Olie Racing GP) impressing in ninth.
Check out the full timesheets below! Moto2™ will be back in action on Saturday for more practice, before qualifying at 13:45 local (GMT +2).
Deniz Öncü (53). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Öncü takes charge on Day 1 in Moto3™
A veteran duo topped the timesheets on Day 1 in Jerez, but it was Turkish rider Deniz Öncü with the best hand of all. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider ended Friday action in Andalucia a whopping four tenths clear of the rest, with Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) first on the chase in second. Sophomore sensation and Championship leader Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took third.
Those three laps were all set in P1 as temperatures soared in the afternoon, but veteran Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) ends the day in fourth thanks to his P2 best. Rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was back at the sharp end on more familiar turf in fifth, ahead of COTA winner Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team).
Fellow Americas GP podium finisher Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) is next up, ahead of replacement rider Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power), rookie Filippo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and, in 10th looking for more, title challenger Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), who is equal with Holgado on points.
Moto3™ action continues on Saturday, with more practice in the morning before qualifying at 12:50 local time (GMT +2)! Check out the full timesheets below!
More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:
MARQUEZ SECURES ANOTHER DIRECT SEED TO Q2 AT JEREZ
The opening day of action at Jerez de la Frontera started off the best way possible for Alex Marquez, who secured his second direct seed to Q2 of the season after the one claimed in Austin as he logged an encouraging 1’37.041secs lap time which was exactly three tenths of a second shy of today’s top performance by Espargaró.
In what was a day marked by scorching hot weather conditions, with extremely high track temperatures, Fabio Di Giannantonio could not finish higher than 19th, eight tenths away from his teammate.
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
8th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’37.041s)
“It was a good first day: I felt immediately good in the morning, even though we had changed something in the set-up compared to Austin. I adjusted well immediately, while in the afternoon we focused on our race pace with high temperatures. We also managed to get into Q2, so we earned our paycheck today. Now let’s work on some fine-tuning in order to be even closer to the front tomorrow.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
19th – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’37.860s)
“The bad thing is that we’re still having the same old problems, the good one is that we found something to work on to improve tomorrow, and we’ll do our best to achieve that. We’ll have to go through Q1, but we’ll have time during FP3 to continue working in the same direction as the second Free Practice session, and once again focused on the front-end.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:
THE RIDERS OF THE MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM ONLY 4-TENTHS FROM THE FIRST GUYS AT JEREZ
Luca Marini closes in P10 and hits the Q2 while Marco Bezzecchi is at the limits of the Top10 in P12
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), April 28th 2023 – Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi are back at work in Andalucia for the fourth round of the 2023 season. An overall good start with the riders of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team riders in the slip stream of the fastest group respectively in tenth and twelfth position.
Immediately at ease on the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the morning session, Luca suffered from the rise in temperatures in the afternoon and closed, thanks to the lap time of the first free practice (1’37.053), at the limits of the Top10 thus gaining the direct access into tomorrow’s Q2 (11.15 am local time).
More complicated day for Marco, who tries to close the gap in Practice 2, but is forced into the garage due to a technical problem. On track for the last minutes of the session, he hits the time of 1’37.174 and will go through the Q1 (10.50 am local time).
Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
LUCA MARINI – 10
Not a perfect day with a standings with very minimal gaps. I was strong in the first free practice and I didn’t want to risk another tire in the afternoon for a second time attack. I was lucky. I didn’t feel very well with the medium on the rear, which here is the tire for the race, because the bike had no grip, it slipped and didn’t turn as I wanted. This is the aspect on which we need to work most for tomorrow. All the Teams, especially the Factory ones, have a lot of data from the test riders who were here a few weeks ago, so the level is incredibly high. In any case, I’m happy because, even without being perfect, we’re in Q2. Tomorrow qualifying will be crucial.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
MARCO BEZZECCHI – 72
I wasn’t perfect this morning, I struggled a bit. I didn’t feel comfortable in braking and I wasn’t fast. Instead, in the afternoon session we made a big step forward. I had great pace with the used tires, both medium and soft, but a technical problem made everything more complicated. For the time attack, I was unable to be to the track with bike 1, my favorite. I used bike 2 which was set up very similar to the first session and I wasn’t able to hit the Q2. I’m not far from the top guys, but tomorrow I’ll be forced to go through the Q1.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Progress on Honda debut for Lecuona as Mir targets recovery
A complicated first day of track action at the Spanish GP saw both Repsol Honda Team riders tumble, Joan Mir eventually finishing the day in 18th as Iker Lecuona closed the gap to the top riders.
The 2023 Spanish GP is building to be a memorable Grand Prix weekend with blazing temperatures and fans already flocking to the hills surrounding the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. Excited to run in front of their home crowd, the Repsol Honda Team began to build their weekend from the first moments of Free Practice 1. Temperatures would steadily rise throughout the day, making for treacherous track conditions, but Mir and Lecuona persisted in their quest for improvements.
It proved to be a complicated day for double-World Champion Joan Mir, suffering two falls in the afternoon. Unharmed in both falls, Mir and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage have already begun work on preparing for Saturday’s crucial Qualifying sessions and the Sprint Race afterwards. The hot temperatures beating down on the 4.4 kilometers of the Jerez circuit made for difficult conditions, but look set to remain for the weekend. With less than a second dividing the top 17 riders, even an improvement of just a tenth could be enough to see Mir in the mix for Q2.
Iker Lecuona made his MotoGP return, and his Honda MotoGP debut, in front of the enthusiastic Spanish GP crowd. Friday was all about adjustments and getting comfortable on the Honda RC213V, times and results were of no major focus for the 23-year-old from Valencia. From a 1’40.509 in FP1, Lecuona was able to end the day with a best time of 1’39.274 – an improvement of over one second. On the combined times, the #27 was 1.4 second behind HRC Test Rider Stefan Bradl, the German intimately familiar with the Jerez circuit after a number of tests here. A solid debut day.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Joan Mir
18TH 1’37.850
“It was not the best day today honestly, it was very complicated. We had two crashes today, one at Turn Five and one at Turn Six – the second one was a bit bigger but we are OK. When temperatures are high like this it makes everything more complicated, every point in the lap is more critical. Our feeling in the morning was not too bad but it looks like the race will be quite hot so we need to work to prepare the bike and ourselves for these conditions.”
Iker Lecuona (27). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Iker Lecuona
24TH 1’39.274
“What a day! It is incredible to come back to MotoGP and with a team like the Repsol Honda Team, it has been a real pleasure to work with all of them. The crash today at Turn 13 was frustrating, finally I am a racer and I always want to be faster! We understood why we crashed and already for tomorrow the team have suggested a few things to improve the bike and try some things. I am quite close to Bradl considering our circumstances and this is something we have to focus on and be positive about.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Search for Perfect Set-Up on Scorching Spanish GP Friday
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 28th April 2023
GRAND PRIX OF SPAIN
PRACTICE
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli experienced a difficult first day at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. They finished in 16th and 17th place respectively in the combined P1 + P2 results.
LOCAL TIME: 15:00 GMT+2
AIR TEMPERATURE: 33°C
TRACK TEMPERATURE: 49°C
WEATHER: SUNNY / HUMIDITY 24%
MORE CIRCUIT INFO
16th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’37.505 (P2) / 21+28 LAPS
17th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’37.700 (P2) / 16+25 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli ended a hot first day of the Gran Premio MotoGP de España in 16th and 17th place respectively in the combined practice timesheets. The teammates will have to take part in tomorrow‘s Q1 session.
Quartararo needed less than ten minutes in P1 to put his M1 at the top of the provisional rankings. But the level of the other riders in the morning session was very competitive. The Frenchman opted to stay out on his medium-soft tyre combination to assess tyre degradation in the hot Andalusian temperatures. His 1‘38.073s best time, set on lap 6/20, put him in 18th place, 1.303s off the fastest time.
El Diablo was quick to provisionally top P2 again, before settling in second place. The number-20 rider was keen to set hot laps in the one-hour long afternoon session. Despite the increased heat and wind, the Yamaha man pushed to the limit and set a 1‘37.505s on lap 25/28. However, it wasn‘t enough to improve his placement in the combined results. He finished in P15 in the P2 results and in 16th position in the P1+P2 rankings, 0.797s from the top.
Morbidelli was keen to start P1, riding with a new exhaust to collect data. He put in six laps, with a best time of 1‘38.735s, before heading back into the box to give his initial feedback. The time kept him in 13th place in the early stages of the session. Though the Italian improved his time on his second run, he didn‘t climb up in the provisional order. In the final ten minutes, he started his third and final run and temporarily secured ninth place with a 1‘38.106s, set on lap 14/16, but was pushed down to 20th, 1.336s from first.
Morbido knew there was work to do and pushed hard in the hot afternoon session. He used most the available hour of practice to get up to speed. Once on his second time attack of the day, the number-21 rider booked improvement. He set a 1‘37.700s on lap 21/25 to climb up to 11th. But as the pace quickened in the later stages, he fell back to 16th in the P2 classification. He found himself in 17th place in the combined results, with a 0.992s gap to the fastest rider.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Team Director
Our strategy didn‘t work out today. We decided to not do a time attack this morning, because we wanted to compare new soft and new medium tyres in the same track conditions in order to decide which one of these two options could work better for the Sprint. This afternoon, after the tyre comparison when it was time to push for a hot lap, the conditions were not as good as they were this morning. Having said that, others were able to improve their time despite the heat. So, we have to understand the reason and prepare something for tomorrow‘s FP session with the aim to improve the time attack, because our pace so far has been good.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I had many problems. We have to figure out why we were not on par today. Hopefully we will find a solution for tomorrow and make a great qualifying. This morning – apart from the feeling with the soft front tyre, which was bad for us – my overall feeling was not so bad, but I was being more careful. This afternoon, we tried all the tyre options and stayed with the medium front – which for me will be the best tyre for the race – but we didn’t find many positive improvements. We will try to turn it around, and we’ll do our best tomorrow.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
Today, we were able to make nice improvements from the morning to the afternoon. This means that the team worked very well to give me a better feeling. The problem is that we are suffering quite a bit with the new tyre, and with the hot temperatures we suffer even more. That’s tough, but I want to stay positive. I want to focus on the good energy from the improvements the team made today and the decent pace we had in the afternoon.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
POSITIVE FRIDAY FOR TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI IN JEREZ
LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami has finished 9th on the combined standings of today’s practice sessions.
Nakagami carried out a solid Friday: he set the third-fastest lap time in the morning session, kept the momentum in the afternoon, and secured a Q2 spot. He admits liking this track and being focused on the weekend’s work, as he’s determined to get an excellent result and feels good riding on the Spanish soil.
Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Takaaki Nakagami 9th
(1’37.044)
“We’ve struggled with the rear grip in the afternoon; we didn’t have the same feeling as in the morning. Overall, I’m pleased with the job done as we already are in Q2, and we’ve been fast. Our strategy is to make the most of the weekend because I want to do a good result”.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
BUSY FRIDAY FOR ALEX RINS IN JEREZ
LCR Honda CASTROL rider Alex Rins has finished 15th on the combined standings after the two practice sessions of Friday’s track action at the Circuit of Jerez.
The Spaniard has struggled a bit due to a lack of grip in the morning and the sweltering conditions on home soil. Having finished 12th at the end of practice 1, Alex and the team had a clear plan to push and make their way to Q2. However, a crash in the afternoon (without consequences) jeopardized it while he was about to set a faster lap time. The team and the rider are committed to finding a solution to make a step forward on Saturday.
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Alex Rins 15th
(1’37.487)
“The crash was a shame because I was fast during that lap, and we could have done a nice job. I still am getting used to this bike; we need to learn and keep improving. My strategy is always the same: work, learn and do my best”.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3 DUO COMPLETES DAY 1 OF SPANISH GRAND PRIX WITH POSITIVE FEELINGS
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 returned to European soil on Friday in Jerez for the fourth round of the MotoGP™ World Championship at the good old Circuito de Jerez – Àngel Nieto. After scoring his first top 10 in the category, rookie Augusto Fernandez from Spain was excited to race on home turf in front of family, friends and fans. After his terrific return to MotoGP™ in Texas with a P12, German Jonas Folger was lining up again alongside Fernandez, with Pol Espargaro still recovering from his injuries at home.
The Spanish layout is one that Augusto Fernandez knows very well and has found memories from. The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider took his maiden GP podium here in 2019, finishing P3 in Moto2™. This year, a new challenge was awaiting the Spaniard on a more powerful machine. If the challenge was not enough already, mother earth added some spice as hot air from north Africa traveling across the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic islands has brought April record breaking temperatures in Andalusia, with 27 degrees already in the air at 10:45 local time. In Practice 1, the Spaniard rode his fastest lap in 1’38.278 (+1.508) for his first time on the track in MotoGP™. If he did not manage to improve his lap times in the afternoon, he gained more confidence on both the track and the bike at the end of the Practice 2, and will head to Saturday eager to do a good qualifying at home, before the Tissot Sprint in the afternoon.
German Jonas Folger was once again part of the adventure with GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 after his great comeback in Austin two weeks ago. Jerez is a circuit which he has always cherished in his previous career, and he was happy to be back racing in Andalusia on the RC16. As he continued to adapt to the machine, he completed nineteen laps in Practice 1 and registered his fastest lap in 1’39.545. In the afternoon, track temperatures showed 49 degrees, but it did not prevent Jonas from improving his lap times, despite the tough track conditions. He rode his fastest lap in 1’38.698, an encouraging progress for Espargaro’s substitute. Happy about the progress made today, he will look forward to his second qualifying day on Saturday, which will be followed by the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 (GMT+2), for twelve laps.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Augusto Fernandez
Position: 22nd
Time: 1’38.278
Laps: 43
“It was not an easy start to my Spanish Grand Prix. This morning, I struggled to find the feelings on both the bike and the track. In Practice 2, we made a huge step and I gained a lot in confidence. I was able to be more consistent and I think that we can do a good job tomorrow.”
Jonas Folger (94). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Jonas Folger
Position: 23rd
Time: 1’38.698
Laps: 38
“I am happy with the progress we made today. The feelings on the bike were even better than in Austin, and this is something that I am happy about. During testing, I always struggled with soft tyres and today was really the first time that I felt I could really take the maximum out of the tyres. In Practice 2, I was following other guys and I was able to stick with them, learn from them, and I also figured out things on the track by myself, so I am happy. Thank you to my team for the job today, I look forward to tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC):
Bradl takes 20th on Friday in Jerez
Fresh from challenging for the top-ten in Austin, Stefan Bradl was back competing against the MotoGP field as a wildcard with the HRC Test Team. Combining a race weekend with a few key test items, the German worked through the items he had to.
A best time of 1’37.873 saw Bradl end the day in 20th place, 0.8s from top Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami in ninth place.
Saturday will see Bradl contest his second MotoGP Sprint Race, the red-hot conditions of Jerez adding in another challenge.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy HRC.
Stefan Bradl 6
Rider – MotoGP
“We had a decent opening day here in Jerez, a track I am familiar with after many tests here. Today we tried a few items, as is our job as the Test Team, and we were able to work well while improving our speed. The temperature this weekend is going to make things a bit more complicated because it changes the track condition quite a lot, but we keep on working and adapting. The target for tomorrow is to make another step and get closer once more to the front.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
APRILIA ONE-TWO IN THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSIONS AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
ALEIX AND MAVERICK DOMINATE IN SPAIN: FIRST AND SECOND SEPARATED BY TWO THOUSANDTHS!
Because of the new MotoGP weekend format, the Friday practice sessions are particularly important since they are the ones that decide who goes straight through to the second qualifiers. This situation amplifies the extraordinary result achieved today by Aprilia in Jerez de la Frontera. In fact, Aleix and Maverick finished respectively in first and second place, separated by just 2 thousandths of a second, despite the fact that the scorching temperatures made it difficult to improve on their already good times from P1.
This performance come on their return to Europe, confirming what had already emerged, although not clearly, during the first three weekends of the 2023 MotoGP season. Aprilia is in the mix, stronger than ever before and ready for battle. This trend was reiterated by Miguel Oliveira’s seventh place with his Team RNF RS-GP.
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Aleix
“The flying lap this afternoon almost surprised me, I’ll be honest. With this heat and with a less than perfect level of grip, similar to what we had in Argentina, it seems that the Aprilias are able to fully exploit the situation. This does not mean that it’s easy. To the contrary! In any case, I am rather satisfied, also because I think that we are among the best if not the best in terms of pace. We are off on the right foot for this weekend here in Jerez”.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Maverick
“This afternoon the situation was not at all easy, so dropping below 1’37 is extremely positive. In sector 4, I have always been rather fast. This year I improved my times a lot in the first and third sector because the bike allows it. We knew that we could be fast and what we had been lacking until now was setting up the perfect weekend. Now we need to focus on qualifying because starting from the front is fundamental. The feelings are good and we’ll definitely be able to have our say”.
More, from a press release issued by Lenovo Ducati:
Thirteenth Bagnaia at the end of Day 1 of the Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera. A still-recovering Bastianini finishes twenty-first
Jorge Martin closes fourth with the Desmosedici GP of Pramac Racing
Francesco Bagnaia closed in thirteenth place on Day 1 of the first day of practices for the Spanish GP, the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP season held this weekend at the Jerez Circuit in Andalusia.
After closing Practice 1 ninth this morning, when the asphalt temperatures were lower compared to the 49 degrees reached in the afternoon, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider was then able to improve his lap time with the soft tyre in Practice 2. However, still, he was unable to go under the 1:37 (1:37.233) wall, finishing thirteenth.
Pecco will therefore have to take part in Q1 tomorrow, along with teammate Enea Bastianini, who is back on track on the Desmosedici GP after the right shoulder injury that forced him to miss the first three GPs of the season. Still sore, Enea completed 30 laps, ending the day in 21st place overall.
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 13th (1:37.233)
“We are still looking for a good bike setup that will allow me to feel better with the front. Today I repeated my performance from last year, but in the meantime, lap times and our rivals have improved. I have confidence in my team and know we can take a step forward tomorrow. Q1 will definitely not be easy as many fast riders will be competing for the top two spots, but I am confident that I can do well.”
“It was a challenging day, but I expected it given my condition. Tomorrow morning the goal is to get on track for Free Practice and see if I can continue with qualifying and then the Sprint in the afternoon. In any case, I had fun and enjoyed being back on my bike. Even though I’m still not 100%, it was a great feeling.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track tomorrow at 10:10am local time for Free Practice, while qualifying will be held at 10:50am local time. The Sprint race, on the other hand, will begin at 3:00pm over a 12-lap distance.
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira grabs direct Q2 ticket, Fernandez with decent debut on home soil
The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend marks the return of the MotoGP World Championship to Europe after the first round in Portugal and the second and third GP in Argentina and Texas. Midsummer conditions have been awaiting riders, teams and fans this week at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in the South of Spain.
Despite scorching conditions this afternoon, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira remained unfazed. Following a steady pace in Practice 1 this morning, he faced an issue on his fast lap and ended in P13. Although temperatures have been increasing in Practice 2, the Portuguese star managed to get the best of the final laps, improving his best time from this morning by 0.677 seconds to claim P7 in the combined standings securing a direct entry to Q2 for tomorrow.
On the other side of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team garage, Raul Fernandez who made his debut on his MotoGP bike at his home track today, after missing the Spanish GP last year, got acclimatized nicely throughout today. He ended Practice 1 in P17 and managed to move up to P14 in the combined standings at the end of Practice 2 with a consistent pace. With a 0.652 second improvement in Practice 2 compared to Practice 1, he lost out on the top 10 by only 0.350 seconds.
Yet, after Practice three tomorrow morning at 10:10 local time, Fernandez needs to tackle Qualifying one at 10:50 local time in order to try to get the best possible grid position and hopefully a ticket for Q2 as well. Q2 starts at 11:15 local time, while 15:00 the red lights will go off for the 12 laps Sprint Race on Saturday.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Practice one was a little bit disappointing at the end, because we had a little issue with the front brake and could not make the time attack towards the end. We knew it was a good chance in terms of temperature and the wind conditions to attack, but it was not ideal. However, we made the most out of Practice two, we did a good job and all the Aprilia were very competitive. It’s good that we can look to the other garage and try. Even if the bikes are completely different, we can at least choose a direction to try for tomorrow. We always follow our way but it’s nice when we have a performance which is very close to the factory guys inside the Q2, and it gives us a little more room to breathe tomorrow and do a good job.”
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“It was really fun today in Jerez. Practice one was super difficult for me, because it was my first time here at my home Grand Prix in the MotoGP class. For Practice two, we collected some good information, we did a good job and I enjoyed it a lot on the bike. I just need to understand more on how to use the soft tyre the best, it was a bit complicated for me in these last two or three turns and I need to understand more on the bike. But I am really happy, the pace is good and the team helped me in both sessions and we improved a lot. I am very motivated for tomorrow and I believe we can do a good job.”
Herfoss Leads the way on Friday at Queensland Raceway
As the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul returned to Queensland Raceway on Friday morning to get official on-track proceedings underway, the championship was greeted with clear, blue skies and a steady ambient temperature hovering around 22 degrees celsius. Overnight rain had left the circuit damp, however it quickly dried out as the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup competitors headed out of the pits to turn the first laps of round three.
ALPINESTARS SUPERBIKE
After three sessions on day one, it was Troy Herfoss and his Penrite Honda team who sit atop the combined standings. Herfoss was straight down to business from the opening laps in FP1 and made solid progress throughout the day to be able to consistently run in the 1:07 bracket, this style of circuit proving to be a lot more comfortable for Herfoss aboard his Fireblade than the Grand Prix circuits that opened the season. You could not wipe the smile off his face as Herfoss put the icing on the cake in FP3, saving the best for last, when he broke Bryan Staring’s race lap record with a time of 1:07.705.
Yamaha’s Cru Halliday was second fastest. He drew first blood as he immediately settled into a rhythm onboard the YZF-R1 M and was challenging the ASBK race lap record just minutes into the day. The track had cooled for the third and final session of the day, allowing riders to hunt lap time with confidence. Halliday was the only rider alongside Herfoss to dip into the 1:07 bracket, ending the day on a 1:07.952.
ASBK lap records have tumbled at both previous rounds in season 2023, and this weekend looks set to see another record broken.
Halliday’s team-mate, and defending ASBK Champion, Mike Jones was third fastest, but could not enter the elusive 1:07 second bracket that Herfoss and Halliday managed. Speaking to ASBK post-session, Jones is confident he and machine made positive progress throughout the day to be in contention when it matters. Rewind the clock back to round two last year and Jones was untouchable here at Queensland Raceway. With another free practice session prior to qualifying on Saturday, the reigning champion has time on his side and will no doubt be in contention for AMX Superstores pole tomorrow afternoon.
Current points leaders Josh Waters and McMartin Racing with K-Tech find themselves in unfamiliar territory tonight as they leave the circuit not in a commanding position. The stop-start nature of the Queensland Raceway layout, combined with the climbing ambient temperature remains a concern for the Ducati which runs hotter than most. Time will tell on Sunday if the V4 R is vulnerable over a race distance, with temperatures set to match the ones recorded this afternoon.
Queensland Raceway remains favourable for Yamaha as MotoGo and Bryan Staring made it three in the top five as they made significant gains between FP2 and FP3 to leap ahead of GT Racing’s Glenn Allerton. Long-run pace and setup appeared to be the order of the day for Staring, stringing together consistent times to cut half a second off his best time to that point.
MICHELIN SUPERSPORT
The talk of the town is the depth of the field in Michelin Supersport this weekend as no less than 27 machines burbled their way out of pitlane on Friday. A mix of experience and youth make up the field this weekend, and it was experience that prevailed in the early running as Tom Bramich, Olly Simpson, Ty Lynch, Scott Nicholson and 2022 Champion John Lytras make up the top five after three practice sessions.
The field is incredibly close, as one second covers the top twelve riders in class from Bramich down to Dallas Skeer. Returning riders Aidan Wagner and Marcus Chiodo bring Superbike experience to the category, yet had difficult days adapting to supersport machinery with Wagner in 11th and Chiodo in 17th aboard his Triumph. A race winner last time out in Sydney, Cameron Dunker once again heads to a new track with his Yamaha YZF-R6, the 15 year-old had his head down all afternoon as he gets up to speed with the ‘Paperclip’ layout on significantly faster machinery than this time last year – He ended the day in tenth, a little over seven tenths back from pace-setting Bramich.
SUPERSPORT 300 AND YAMAHA FINANCIAL SERVICES R3 CUP
A mechanical glitch towards the end of the day couldn’t deny Cameron Swain top honours in both Supersport 300 and R3 Cup. In the intensely fought class, the 14-year-old has ascended to another level since his breakaway victory at Phillip Island at the end of February. Swain dominated Friday, dipping under the lap record on multiple occasions, setting up another battle with title rival Brandon Demmery who ended the day third in Supersport 300.
Splitting the two of them and leaving Queensland Raceway Friday night second in both classes was Marcus Hamod who laid down consistent improvements every time he went out. The #13 ended the day just two tenths behind Swain which will no doubt instill confidence ahead of qualifying and race one on Saturday.
Missing out on the top ten by just 0.006 of a second in supersport 300 was Tara Morrison. Speaking to ASBK at the beginning of the season at the Official ABSK Test, Morrison’s goal was clear – Top 10. She has been in top ten contention at Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park, achieving her goal once thus far, she finished today’s three practice sessions in 14th, 13th and 11th – Knocking on the door of that top ten with improvements in each session.
BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP
Hunter Corney stamped his authority on the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup field on Friday with a 1:35.794 in FP1 going unbeaten the rest of the afternoon. Try as they might, the gaps tightened but the #40 remained clear at the top of the charts by two tenths of a second which is a significant margin when every rider is on the same equipment.
Rikki Henry, Bodie Paige, Riley Nauta and Valentino Knezovic traded places second through fourth throughout the day as Ella McCausland picked up where she left off from at Sydney to finish the day fifth with a 1:36.174 – McCausland has come out swinging this weekend, determined to etch her name into history as the first female rider to win an OJC race. Standing between herself and that first place are four riders covered by less than half a second. OJC proving to be anyone’s game and as close as ever as we get set for another round of action.
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www.roadracingworld.com
April 28, 2026
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Disability profiles supported in our website
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Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
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Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
