Jaume Masia won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda, the Spaniard won the 17-lap race by 1.546 seconds. Masia’s third win of the season and his second in a row propelled him into the World Championship point lead with six races remaining.
Ayumu Sasaki was the runner-up on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, and Daniel Holgado finished third on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine.
Moto3 Race
On the Front Cover: Can Warrior Monk Johann Zarco help save Honda’s troubled MotoGP program? Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
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Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Log in HERE to read the October 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: Aprilia Twin-Cylinder RS 457, Ducati Multistrada V4 S Grand
Tour, KTM 890 Adventure Rally, MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR, And
Limited Edition Suzuki Katana Coming To America, Plus Heartland Park
Closing Over Taxes, And A Lot More
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1992 Norton NRS588 Rotary
Intro: 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Makes Cleaner Old-School Power
MotoGP Analysis: Can Warrior Monk Johann Zarco Save Honda?
Racer Profile: Torin Collins Jumps From Moto3 In Spain To MotoAmerica Supersport In Texas
Hanging With: 2022 Baggers Champion Kyle Wyman
Product Intro: Alpinestars Racing Absolute V2 Suit
RACING
MotoGP At Catalunya And Misano: Aprilia & Ducati Win
MotoAmerica Superbike In Texas: Gagne & Herrin Split Wins
World Superbike In France: Razgatlioğlu Romps, Bautista Rebounds
Attack Yamaha Fails Fuel Tests
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: More About A Crash At Laguna, And A Circa 2002 GSX-R Build
10 Years Ago, October 2013: MotoGP Racer Stefan Bradl Almost Drags Shoulder On
The Cover; Jeremy Toye Adds Too Much Power To A Project Kawasaki ZX-10R; Marc Marquez Wins His Fourth MotoGP In A Row; Josh Herrin and Martin Cardenas Win AMA Pro Superbike Races; And DMG Officiating Goes Wacky Again
New Products: Cardo Systems PackTalk Edgephones
The Crash Page: Chase Black Gets Collected At Brainerd
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: MotoAmerica Returns to Mid-Ohio in 2024
*******************************************************************
Click here for Roadracing World sample issue (One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bulega clinches WorldSSP title with Portimao Race 1 win
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) captured the FIM Supersport World Championship in Portimao Race 1. Despite a shaky start, Bulega swiftly regained the lead, fending off relentless pressure from rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Bulega’s triumph not only secured his Championship title but also marked Ducati’s first WorldSSP Manufacturers’ title, underlining their dominance in the series.
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) briefly challenged Manzi for second place but suffered a technical issue, allowing Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) to seize third. Meanwhile, Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) fought tenaciously to clinch fourth place, narrowly ahead of Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha), while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) completed the top six, despite losing ground in the closing stages.
With his commanding victory in Race 1 at Portimao, Nicolo Bulega has clinched the 2023 WorldSSP Title.
P1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team
“I arrived in Portimao with an 85-point advantage, but I wasn’t thinking about the Championship until the last lap. Maybe I started to think about it with two or three laps to go. But I began this race with the desire to win the title and the race itself. Winning the title was very important, but I also wanted to win the race along with the title.
I think I will maintain the same mentality for the remaining races because I feel very good. When I see the smiles on my team’s faces, it makes me very proud, and I want to win more races.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Rising to glory: Nicolo Bulega is the 2023 WorldSSP Champion
Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) meteoric rise to the summit of the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is a remarkable achievement. With a total of 14 hard-fought victories and 18 podium finishes over the course of the season, Bulega’s consistent excellence set him apart as a force to be reckoned with on the track. Throughout the campaign, Bulega’s Championship points tally reached an impressive 433, solidifying his commanding position at the top of the standings.
The 2023 WorldSSP season witnessed a captivating Championship duel between Nicolo Bulega and Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). It all began with Bulega taking a 5-point lead after the Australian Round’s Race 1, but he quickly extended his advantage to a commanding 20 points with a brilliant double win in Race 2. However, the Championship’s momentum shifted briefly after Bulega’s unfortunate DNF in Race 2 of the Acerbis Catalunya Round and Manzi’s impressive victory in Race 2 of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. The gap between them narrowed, but Bulega swiftly regrouped, pushing harder than ever and extending his Championship lead. By the time they reached the Pirelli Portuguese Round, Bulega had stretched his advantage to a formidable 85 points, solidifying his position as the dominant force in the Championship and leaving Manzi with a mountain to climb to catch up. His victory in Race 1 secured him the WorldSSP title at Portimao, with three races remaining in the 2023 season.
Bulega’s WorldSSP title marks his inaugural World Championship victory since his triumph in the 2015 CEV Moto3 Championship. He becomes the second Italian Champion in WorldSSP, following in the footsteps of Andrea Locatelli, who clinched the title in 2020.
This triumph also signifies a historic milestone for Ducati, as it is their first-ever WorldSSP Championship victory. Ducati now joins the ranks of winning manufacturers in the series, becoming the fifth manufacturer to achieve this honor, alongside Honda (9 titles), Kawasaki (4 titles), Suzuki (1 title), and Yamaha (10 titles).
As he basks in the glory of his 2023 WorldSSP Championship victory, Nicolo Bulega looks forward to the next chapter in his racing journey. In 2024, he will transition to WorldSBK with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, where he aims to continue his legacy of success on the world stage.
Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team
“I feel incredible. After a lot of hard work, a lot of concentration, working with my team but also alone at home, in the end, I am and we are World Champions, and this is incredible. I came here to this paddock with this team in a mentally tough situation because I didn’t enjoy riding bikes anymore, and even my training wasn’t at its best. Eventually, I tried to change everything that I thought wasn’t helping me perform at my best to try to go faster and win. In the end, all the hard work paid off. It’s incredible to have a manufacturer like Ducati supporting you, even if it means some pressure. Maybe I needed that pressure. It’s very emotional to win for Ducati, their first title in Supersport. Thanks to them!”
Nicolo Bulega biography
The journey of the 2023 WorldSSP Champion started with minimoto racing at the age of eight, and he swiftly progressed through the ranks. In 2011, he secured victories in both the Italian and European MiniGP 50 Championships, before achieving the title of Italian Champion in the PreGP 125 class in 2012. In the subsequent year, he clinched the pinnacle of the PreGP 250 Championship, showcasing a consistent trajectory of achievement.
Advancing to 2014, Bulega transitioned to the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship. During his inaugural season, achieved a sixth-place overall finish, marked by two podium appearances. In 2015, he won the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship, signifying a significant milestone on the international stage.
In parallel, Bulega made his entry into the Grand Prix sphere, debuting during the Valencia GP of the same year, where he secured a twelfth-place finish. The subsequent year of 2016 witnessed his first full season in the FIM Moto3™ World Championship, culminating in a seventh-place finish in the standings. This marked a promising commencement to his global career and laid the groundwork for future achievements.
During the ensuing years of 2017 and 2018, Bulega grappled with challenges in maintaining consistent results within the Moto3™ class. Despite these difficulties, his efforts translated into two podium finishes, with a notable second place as his best result. Between 2019 and 2021, he faced a challenging stint in the FIM Moto2™ World Championship.
In 2022, a significant turning point arrived as Bulega joined the Ducati project within the FIM Supersport World Championship. Under the banner of the Aruba.It Racing WorldSSP Team, his mastery of Ducati machinery was evident as he clinched a commendable fourth place finish in the Championship, establishing his stature as a frontrunner within the WorldSSP grid. The crowning achievement came in the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship season. His impressive tally of 14 victories culminated in the prestigious title of the 2023 WorldSSP Champion. This remarkable feat solidified his reputation as a dominant force, setting the stage for his forthcoming WorldSBK journey in 2024.
World Championship Career:
2014-2015: FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship
2015: FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Champion
2015-2019: FIM Moto3™ World Championship
2019 – 2021: FIM Moto2™ World Championship
2022-2023: FIM World Supersport Championship
2023: World Supersport Champion
Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished second and 10th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Donington Park, in England.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
V for Vickers victory as title chase takes a dramatic turn at Donington Park
Ryan Vickers claimed a dominant Bennetts British Superbike Championship victory in the BikeSocial Sprint Race at Donington Park as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team’s tyre choice paid off in the wet conditions whilst the leading title rivals had a disastrous opening race.
Rain before the start of the race meant that it would be a crucial call on tyre choice on the grid and a last minute switch to wet tyres on both the front and rear gave Vickers the confidence to push to a lights-to-flag victory.
Vickers launched from the start into the front with the chasing pack led by Peter Hickman, Lee Jackson and Jack Kennedy, and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was then controlling the race from the front.
The race proved to be one to forget for standings leaders BeerMonster Ducati as their choice of intermediates on both the front and rear for Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell meant they would both fail to score a point, meaning they remain separated by just half a point at the top of the standings. Irwin ended the race in 23rd position with Bridewell in 24th.
Kyle Ryde was unable to capitalise on the BeerMonster Ducati Team’s misfortune though, with the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha also making the same choice as his title rivals, he was able to salvage four points in 12th place but he has dropped to fourth in the overall standings by a single point.
As Vickers delivered a perfect performance for the win, Leon Haslam was determined to close the advantage despite the conditions. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider fought throughout to take an impressive second place finish despite the combination of a wet tyre in the front and an intermediate in the rear. The result means he has edged ahead of Ryde in the title chase, with 55.5 points the deficit to Irwin at the top of the standings.
The fight for the final podium position went down to the finish, with Luke Mossey taking his first podium finish in six years for the Tactix by Lloyd & Jones BMW team after making a move on Jack Kennedy on the final run to the chequered flag.
Lee Jackson claimed a top five finish for the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki team with Franco Bourne debuting the BSB Pathway specification Marvel HCL Motorsport Honda taking his best finish in the Championship in sixth place.
Josh Brookes ended seventh for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team with Storm Stacey splitting him from teammate Peter Hickman. Rookie Louis Valleley claimed an impressive top ten finish for the Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki team.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Ryan Vickers
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“It was really difficult to make the choice on tyre – I couldn’t make my decision, it wasn’t raining at the time but also the track was drying in front of us. I said to the team to put wets in and luckily it was the right decision.
“I got into the front and knew I had a bit of an advantage and I was just monitoring the pit board really. I was riding it as safe as I could to keep the advantage to bring home the win.
“I’m so, so happy, the team did an amazing job and made no mistakes and that’s the hard thing so I’m pleased to give them the win.”
Defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista took one more step closer to capturing the 2023 Superbike World Championship with a victory in Race One Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, Bautista won the 20-lap race by 2.098 seconds.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up on his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, and Jonathan Rea placed third on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
American Garrett Gerloff started the race 12th on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR and pushed forward to finish fourth overall, top BMW rider, and Top Independent rider.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Ducati seals Manufacturers’ Title with Bautista’s Race 1 win in Portimao
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) showcased his Championship mettle in an electrifying Race 1 at Portimao, sealing a hard-fought victory to extend his lead in the standings by five points. It was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who initially grabbed the lead, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) making a jaw-dropping recovery after a Turn 3 incident. However, Bautista’s unwavering determination led him to overtake and secure his 22nd win of the season, closing in on the all-time Ducati record held by Carl Fogarty. Ducati also celebrated as Bautista’s win guaranteed them the 2023 Manufacturers’ Title.
In the fierce battle for fourth place, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) emerged victorious ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took the flag in seventh. The race also witnessed Andrea Locatelli’s (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) strong charge from the back of the grid to ninth place, setting the stage for an intriguing Tissot Superpole Race.
With his Race 1 win, Bautista further solidified his standing atop the Championship, now leading by 52 points.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“For sure, today has been a really good day for Ducati because they won the Manufacturers’ Title. I’m so happy to be part of this success. Congratulations to all the Ducati family! I’m also happy from my side because today was a very difficult day for me. In the Superpole, we made a small change to the bike that didn’t work, and I couldn’t set a good lap time. But, in any case, I was confident for the race. Certainly, track conditions were tricky with the strong wind. The wind was different on every lap, and for me, it was difficult to understand and find reference points. At the beginning, I enjoyed the battle with Jonathan and Toprak. I took the lead. It was challenging for me to maintain the same pace as yesterday afternoon or this morning because the wind was too strong. Maybe it’s because I’m light, and I feel it more, but I tried to understand it and not make any mistakes. Toprak was pushing hard, I was keeping an eye on the gap, and it remained constant. Congratulations to him because he made a big improvement between yesterday and today, and he was able to match my race pace. As for me, I tried not to make any mistakes, and today I could win again, so I’m very happy.”
If Bautista wins both races on Sunday, Razgatlioglu must finish second to take the title fight to Jerez.
Currently third in the Championship, Rea added to his podium tally with a hard-fought third-place finish in Race 1.
Gerloff had an outstanding performance in Race 1 at Portimao, battling through the field to secure a fourth-place finish.
World Championship point leader Nicolo Bulega broke the lap record and captured pole position during World Supersport qualifying Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Italian lapped the 2.8-mile (4.6 km) track in 1:42.769, which eclipsed Dominique Aegerter’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:43.065.
Stefano Manzi was the best of the rest with a 1:43.292 on his Ten Kate Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, and Yari Montella claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:43.504 on his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport front runner Valentin Debise qualified fifth with a 1:43.553 on his GMT94 Yamaha.
SSP Superpole Qual
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea claimed pole position during World Superbike Superpole Qualifying Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, the Ulsterman lapped the 2.8-mile (4.6 km) road course in 1:39.620, which was just short of his own All-Time Lap Record of 1:36.610.
Rea’s teammate Alex Lowes was second-best with a 1:39.762, and Andrea Locatelli earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:39.872 on his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1.
American Garrett Gerloff qualified 12th with a 1:40.385 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
SBK Superppole Qual
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Starting from pole position on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, the Spaniard won the 12-lap race by 1.390 seconds.
Brad Binder was the runner-up on his Red Bull KTM RC 16, and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia finished third on his Lenovo Team Ducati.
The results of the Sprint Race reduced Bagnaia’s lead in the World Championship to just eight points over Martin.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Eight points in it: Martin outruns Binder as Bagnaia vs Miller writes some poetry in the podium fight
It’s getting CLOSE! The Pramac rider’s momentum grows again with another Sprint win as Binder grabs second and Pecco gets the gloves off with Miller
Saturday, 30 September 2023
If Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) wins the Grand Prix race at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) doesn’t follow him home, we’ll have a new Championship leader in MotoGP™ – such is the momentum carried by the number 89, who won the Tissot Sprint at Motegi in style. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was off like a shot to make a good run of it in the early stages, ultimately taking second for some more silverware, with Bagnaia completing the podium after going toe-to-toe in a spectacular duel against former teammate Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
The best start on the front row came from polesitter Martin as he shot forward for the holeshot, with Miller out-dragging Pecco for second as Binder then also managed to slot up the inside of the reigning Champion into third. As ever, the KTMs made it game on early doors.
Binder wasn’t for sitting behind teammate Miller for long though, taking over in second after a brutal but fair move and then tagging onto the rear wheel of Martin. Almost immediately, the two were creating a small but real gap, leaving Miller between that lead duo and another comprising Bagnaia and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
By third race distance, Martin and Binder were starting to pull the pin. Miller was then left looking over his shoulder as Bagnaia homed in, with Marquez also losing ground to the duo ahead of him – making it two duels at the front followed by what was becoming an increasingly close fight for fifth headed by an eight-time World Champion.
On Lap 6, there was a first real move in that fight as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) attacked and passed Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), the young Italian then able to lock on to Marquez almost immediately. Bezzecchi feinted a couple of moves before committing to a lunge, but ultimately overcooked it and sent both of them wide, letting a fast-starting Zarco back through and allowing Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) to split the duo too.
Up ahead, Martin was on the march by the final few laps, with Binder in a secure second and Bagnaia still wrapped up behind Miller, keenly looking for a way past. He saw one and took it on Lap 9, but the Australian wasn’t having it. And so began a poetic and epic scrap to complete the Sprint podium, with both sideways, squiggly, and absolutely on the limit until a final and decisive move on the penultimate lap saw Miller forced to cede.
The Australian then watched the Ducati just edge out of reach, forced to settle for fourth and forced to keep it pinned thereafter too as a late charge from Zarco started to reel him in.
Just up the road, Martin managed to hold on to just over a second of breathing space ahead of Binder, with the two taking the top two steps on Saturday as Bagnaia came home third to complete the Sprint rostrum. Behind, Miller did manage to hold off Zarco’s late threat, with the Australian taking fourth by a tenth.
After his earlier ambition outweighed track limits when attacking Marquez, Bezzecchi had to get the hammer down get back past and stay ahead, with the eight-time World Champion right back on his rear wheel on the last two laps. A quality final tour ensured the Italian was just able to stay ahead, coming come P6 as Marquez took seventh.
Behind that battle but not by much, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took his first Sprint points in P8, within a second of Marquez by the flag as his impressive Japanese GP continues. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) took the final Sprint point in P9. Teammate Aleix Espargaro, after fighting for fifth in the early stages, was forced to pull into pitlane and retire.
After all that, it’s just eight points in it at the top as Martin homes in. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a serious title fight! Tune in for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan Sunday showdown 15:00 (GMT +9)!
Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra broke the All-Time Lap Record and earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex, Chantra covered the 3.0-mile (4.8 km) course in 1:49.898 to top the field of 30 competitors. Chantra’s time also eclipsed Johann Zarco’s 2016 All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.961
American Joe Roberts qualified 11th with a 1:50.597 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex, and fellow American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) was 25th with a time of 1:51.608 on his Forward Racing machine.
Moto2 Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
The stage is set: Martin sets searing new pole record to head Bagnaia, Miller and Bezzecchi at Motegi
Friday’s freshly pressed lap record is already a memory as the number 89 comes out swinging on super Saturday, heading a host of serious contenders at the front
Saturday, 30 September 2023
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was absolutely untouchable in qualifying for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, setting a 1:43.198 new lap record to book a first class ticket to pole position. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) put in another impressive comeback under pressure in the final minutes to cut the gap to just 0.171 as the Championship leader takes second, with 2022 Motegi winner Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completing the front row.
Q1: MARQUEZ VS QUARTARARO
As ever, it was a star-studded Q1 and one with plenty on the line for Honda and Yamaha on home turf. And it was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) setting the early pace and trading fast laps on the first runs.
On take two, the number 93 shadowed El Diablo out of pitlane, setting in motion a tandem push for the top. But a late attack from Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) split the duo on the timesheets with just under two minutes remaining, and on the final lap around, Quartararo couldn’t hit back – with track limits also biting for the number 20.
Marquez kept his place at the top, the only rider in the 1:43s, with Raul Fernandez moving through in second.
Q2: SHOCK EARLY DRAMA
One headline was made almost immediately as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) suddenly barreled out at Turn 13, rider ok but then facing a race back to the garage to try and reset. Meanwhile, Martin had taken over on top and Marquez, who had been following Bezzecchi, had latched on behind the number 89 instead.
Martin, however, was just on rails, and banged in that 1:43.198 to head the timing sheets ahead of Miller by more than half a second, three tenths quicker than Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Friday lap record.
With seven minutes to go, Bezzecchi was back out, a little out of sync with the rest as the majority sat in the pitlane ready to head back out on Run 2. But once that second bite at the cherry began in earnest, the spotlight was instead on Bagnaia. He was within a tenth of Martin’s lap before making a late mistake and losing out, putting himself under some pressure to move up from fourth. But that he did, taking over in second next time round as he managed to cut the gap to the top to 0.171.
Miller improved again to end the session 0.353 off pole but on the outside of the front row, with the timing screens then largely dormant as few found late improvements. Bezzecchi, however, did manage to take fourth, just ahead of Binder.
THE GRID
Martin heads Bagnaia and Miller, with Bezzecchi right in the mix in fourth ahead of Binder. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) continued his impressive speed in Japan to take sixth, with Marquez heading Row 3 in seventh.
The eight-time World Champion is joined by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and teammate Aleix Espargaro, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) unable to move up from tenth. Raul Fernandez, from Q1, pipped Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) to P11.
Then comes Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), the first to miss out on Q2, with Quartararo down in P14 just ahead of Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) as the number 36 suffered a late crash in Q1 that put paid to a very hot lap.
The stage is most definitely set for some stunning racing! So you know what to do…
Jaume Masia won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda, the Spaniard won the 17-lap race by 1.546 seconds. Masia’s third win of the season and his second in a row propelled him into the World Championship point lead with six races remaining.
Ayumu Sasaki was the runner-up on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, and Daniel Holgado finished third on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine.
Moto3 Race
On the Front Cover: Can Warrior Monk Johann Zarco help save Honda’s troubled MotoGP program? Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
—
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Log in HERE to read the October 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: Aprilia Twin-Cylinder RS 457, Ducati Multistrada V4 S Grand
Tour, KTM 890 Adventure Rally, MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR, And
Limited Edition Suzuki Katana Coming To America, Plus Heartland Park
Closing Over Taxes, And A Lot More
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1992 Norton NRS588 Rotary
Intro: 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Makes Cleaner Old-School Power
MotoGP Analysis: Can Warrior Monk Johann Zarco Save Honda?
Racer Profile: Torin Collins Jumps From Moto3 In Spain To MotoAmerica Supersport In Texas
Hanging With: 2022 Baggers Champion Kyle Wyman
Product Intro: Alpinestars Racing Absolute V2 Suit
RACING
MotoGP At Catalunya And Misano: Aprilia & Ducati Win
MotoAmerica Superbike In Texas: Gagne & Herrin Split Wins
World Superbike In France: Razgatlioğlu Romps, Bautista Rebounds
Attack Yamaha Fails Fuel Tests
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: More About A Crash At Laguna, And A Circa 2002 GSX-R Build
10 Years Ago, October 2013: MotoGP Racer Stefan Bradl Almost Drags Shoulder On
The Cover; Jeremy Toye Adds Too Much Power To A Project Kawasaki ZX-10R; Marc Marquez Wins His Fourth MotoGP In A Row; Josh Herrin and Martin Cardenas Win AMA Pro Superbike Races; And DMG Officiating Goes Wacky Again
New Products: Cardo Systems PackTalk Edgephones
The Crash Page: Chase Black Gets Collected At Brainerd
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: MotoAmerica Returns to Mid-Ohio in 2024
*******************************************************************
Click here for Roadracing World sample issue (One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bulega clinches WorldSSP title with Portimao Race 1 win
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) captured the FIM Supersport World Championship in Portimao Race 1. Despite a shaky start, Bulega swiftly regained the lead, fending off relentless pressure from rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Bulega’s triumph not only secured his Championship title but also marked Ducati’s first WorldSSP Manufacturers’ title, underlining their dominance in the series.
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) briefly challenged Manzi for second place but suffered a technical issue, allowing Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) to seize third. Meanwhile, Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) fought tenaciously to clinch fourth place, narrowly ahead of Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha), while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) completed the top six, despite losing ground in the closing stages.
With his commanding victory in Race 1 at Portimao, Nicolo Bulega has clinched the 2023 WorldSSP Title.
P1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team
“I arrived in Portimao with an 85-point advantage, but I wasn’t thinking about the Championship until the last lap. Maybe I started to think about it with two or three laps to go. But I began this race with the desire to win the title and the race itself. Winning the title was very important, but I also wanted to win the race along with the title.
I think I will maintain the same mentality for the remaining races because I feel very good. When I see the smiles on my team’s faces, it makes me very proud, and I want to win more races.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Rising to glory: Nicolo Bulega is the 2023 WorldSSP Champion
Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) meteoric rise to the summit of the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is a remarkable achievement. With a total of 14 hard-fought victories and 18 podium finishes over the course of the season, Bulega’s consistent excellence set him apart as a force to be reckoned with on the track. Throughout the campaign, Bulega’s Championship points tally reached an impressive 433, solidifying his commanding position at the top of the standings.
The 2023 WorldSSP season witnessed a captivating Championship duel between Nicolo Bulega and Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). It all began with Bulega taking a 5-point lead after the Australian Round’s Race 1, but he quickly extended his advantage to a commanding 20 points with a brilliant double win in Race 2. However, the Championship’s momentum shifted briefly after Bulega’s unfortunate DNF in Race 2 of the Acerbis Catalunya Round and Manzi’s impressive victory in Race 2 of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. The gap between them narrowed, but Bulega swiftly regrouped, pushing harder than ever and extending his Championship lead. By the time they reached the Pirelli Portuguese Round, Bulega had stretched his advantage to a formidable 85 points, solidifying his position as the dominant force in the Championship and leaving Manzi with a mountain to climb to catch up. His victory in Race 1 secured him the WorldSSP title at Portimao, with three races remaining in the 2023 season.
Bulega’s WorldSSP title marks his inaugural World Championship victory since his triumph in the 2015 CEV Moto3 Championship. He becomes the second Italian Champion in WorldSSP, following in the footsteps of Andrea Locatelli, who clinched the title in 2020.
This triumph also signifies a historic milestone for Ducati, as it is their first-ever WorldSSP Championship victory. Ducati now joins the ranks of winning manufacturers in the series, becoming the fifth manufacturer to achieve this honor, alongside Honda (9 titles), Kawasaki (4 titles), Suzuki (1 title), and Yamaha (10 titles).
As he basks in the glory of his 2023 WorldSSP Championship victory, Nicolo Bulega looks forward to the next chapter in his racing journey. In 2024, he will transition to WorldSBK with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, where he aims to continue his legacy of success on the world stage.
Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team
“I feel incredible. After a lot of hard work, a lot of concentration, working with my team but also alone at home, in the end, I am and we are World Champions, and this is incredible. I came here to this paddock with this team in a mentally tough situation because I didn’t enjoy riding bikes anymore, and even my training wasn’t at its best. Eventually, I tried to change everything that I thought wasn’t helping me perform at my best to try to go faster and win. In the end, all the hard work paid off. It’s incredible to have a manufacturer like Ducati supporting you, even if it means some pressure. Maybe I needed that pressure. It’s very emotional to win for Ducati, their first title in Supersport. Thanks to them!”
Nicolo Bulega biography
The journey of the 2023 WorldSSP Champion started with minimoto racing at the age of eight, and he swiftly progressed through the ranks. In 2011, he secured victories in both the Italian and European MiniGP 50 Championships, before achieving the title of Italian Champion in the PreGP 125 class in 2012. In the subsequent year, he clinched the pinnacle of the PreGP 250 Championship, showcasing a consistent trajectory of achievement.
Advancing to 2014, Bulega transitioned to the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship. During his inaugural season, achieved a sixth-place overall finish, marked by two podium appearances. In 2015, he won the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship, signifying a significant milestone on the international stage.
In parallel, Bulega made his entry into the Grand Prix sphere, debuting during the Valencia GP of the same year, where he secured a twelfth-place finish. The subsequent year of 2016 witnessed his first full season in the FIM Moto3™ World Championship, culminating in a seventh-place finish in the standings. This marked a promising commencement to his global career and laid the groundwork for future achievements.
During the ensuing years of 2017 and 2018, Bulega grappled with challenges in maintaining consistent results within the Moto3™ class. Despite these difficulties, his efforts translated into two podium finishes, with a notable second place as his best result. Between 2019 and 2021, he faced a challenging stint in the FIM Moto2™ World Championship.
In 2022, a significant turning point arrived as Bulega joined the Ducati project within the FIM Supersport World Championship. Under the banner of the Aruba.It Racing WorldSSP Team, his mastery of Ducati machinery was evident as he clinched a commendable fourth place finish in the Championship, establishing his stature as a frontrunner within the WorldSSP grid. The crowning achievement came in the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship season. His impressive tally of 14 victories culminated in the prestigious title of the 2023 WorldSSP Champion. This remarkable feat solidified his reputation as a dominant force, setting the stage for his forthcoming WorldSBK journey in 2024.
World Championship Career:
2014-2015: FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship
2015: FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Champion
2015-2019: FIM Moto3™ World Championship
2019 – 2021: FIM Moto2™ World Championship
2022-2023: FIM World Supersport Championship
2023: World Supersport Champion
Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished second and 10th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Donington Park, in England.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
V for Vickers victory as title chase takes a dramatic turn at Donington Park
Ryan Vickers claimed a dominant Bennetts British Superbike Championship victory in the BikeSocial Sprint Race at Donington Park as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team’s tyre choice paid off in the wet conditions whilst the leading title rivals had a disastrous opening race.
Rain before the start of the race meant that it would be a crucial call on tyre choice on the grid and a last minute switch to wet tyres on both the front and rear gave Vickers the confidence to push to a lights-to-flag victory.
Vickers launched from the start into the front with the chasing pack led by Peter Hickman, Lee Jackson and Jack Kennedy, and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was then controlling the race from the front.
The race proved to be one to forget for standings leaders BeerMonster Ducati as their choice of intermediates on both the front and rear for Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell meant they would both fail to score a point, meaning they remain separated by just half a point at the top of the standings. Irwin ended the race in 23rd position with Bridewell in 24th.
Kyle Ryde was unable to capitalise on the BeerMonster Ducati Team’s misfortune though, with the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha also making the same choice as his title rivals, he was able to salvage four points in 12th place but he has dropped to fourth in the overall standings by a single point.
As Vickers delivered a perfect performance for the win, Leon Haslam was determined to close the advantage despite the conditions. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider fought throughout to take an impressive second place finish despite the combination of a wet tyre in the front and an intermediate in the rear. The result means he has edged ahead of Ryde in the title chase, with 55.5 points the deficit to Irwin at the top of the standings.
The fight for the final podium position went down to the finish, with Luke Mossey taking his first podium finish in six years for the Tactix by Lloyd & Jones BMW team after making a move on Jack Kennedy on the final run to the chequered flag.
Lee Jackson claimed a top five finish for the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki team with Franco Bourne debuting the BSB Pathway specification Marvel HCL Motorsport Honda taking his best finish in the Championship in sixth place.
Josh Brookes ended seventh for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team with Storm Stacey splitting him from teammate Peter Hickman. Rookie Louis Valleley claimed an impressive top ten finish for the Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki team.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Ryan Vickers
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“It was really difficult to make the choice on tyre – I couldn’t make my decision, it wasn’t raining at the time but also the track was drying in front of us. I said to the team to put wets in and luckily it was the right decision.
“I got into the front and knew I had a bit of an advantage and I was just monitoring the pit board really. I was riding it as safe as I could to keep the advantage to bring home the win.
“I’m so, so happy, the team did an amazing job and made no mistakes and that’s the hard thing so I’m pleased to give them the win.”
Defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista took one more step closer to capturing the 2023 Superbike World Championship with a victory in Race One Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, Bautista won the 20-lap race by 2.098 seconds.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up on his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, and Jonathan Rea placed third on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
American Garrett Gerloff started the race 12th on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR and pushed forward to finish fourth overall, top BMW rider, and Top Independent rider.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Ducati seals Manufacturers’ Title with Bautista’s Race 1 win in Portimao
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) showcased his Championship mettle in an electrifying Race 1 at Portimao, sealing a hard-fought victory to extend his lead in the standings by five points. It was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who initially grabbed the lead, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) making a jaw-dropping recovery after a Turn 3 incident. However, Bautista’s unwavering determination led him to overtake and secure his 22nd win of the season, closing in on the all-time Ducati record held by Carl Fogarty. Ducati also celebrated as Bautista’s win guaranteed them the 2023 Manufacturers’ Title.
In the fierce battle for fourth place, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) emerged victorious ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took the flag in seventh. The race also witnessed Andrea Locatelli’s (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) strong charge from the back of the grid to ninth place, setting the stage for an intriguing Tissot Superpole Race.
With his Race 1 win, Bautista further solidified his standing atop the Championship, now leading by 52 points.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“For sure, today has been a really good day for Ducati because they won the Manufacturers’ Title. I’m so happy to be part of this success. Congratulations to all the Ducati family! I’m also happy from my side because today was a very difficult day for me. In the Superpole, we made a small change to the bike that didn’t work, and I couldn’t set a good lap time. But, in any case, I was confident for the race. Certainly, track conditions were tricky with the strong wind. The wind was different on every lap, and for me, it was difficult to understand and find reference points. At the beginning, I enjoyed the battle with Jonathan and Toprak. I took the lead. It was challenging for me to maintain the same pace as yesterday afternoon or this morning because the wind was too strong. Maybe it’s because I’m light, and I feel it more, but I tried to understand it and not make any mistakes. Toprak was pushing hard, I was keeping an eye on the gap, and it remained constant. Congratulations to him because he made a big improvement between yesterday and today, and he was able to match my race pace. As for me, I tried not to make any mistakes, and today I could win again, so I’m very happy.”
If Bautista wins both races on Sunday, Razgatlioglu must finish second to take the title fight to Jerez.
Currently third in the Championship, Rea added to his podium tally with a hard-fought third-place finish in Race 1.
Gerloff had an outstanding performance in Race 1 at Portimao, battling through the field to secure a fourth-place finish.
World Championship point leader Nicolo Bulega broke the lap record and captured pole position during World Supersport qualifying Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Italian lapped the 2.8-mile (4.6 km) track in 1:42.769, which eclipsed Dominique Aegerter’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:43.065.
Stefano Manzi was the best of the rest with a 1:43.292 on his Ten Kate Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, and Yari Montella claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:43.504 on his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport front runner Valentin Debise qualified fifth with a 1:43.553 on his GMT94 Yamaha.
SSP Superpole Qual
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea claimed pole position during World Superbike Superpole Qualifying Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, the Ulsterman lapped the 2.8-mile (4.6 km) road course in 1:39.620, which was just short of his own All-Time Lap Record of 1:36.610.
Rea’s teammate Alex Lowes was second-best with a 1:39.762, and Andrea Locatelli earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:39.872 on his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1.
American Garrett Gerloff qualified 12th with a 1:40.385 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
SBK Superppole Qual
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Starting from pole position on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, the Spaniard won the 12-lap race by 1.390 seconds.
Brad Binder was the runner-up on his Red Bull KTM RC 16, and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia finished third on his Lenovo Team Ducati.
The results of the Sprint Race reduced Bagnaia’s lead in the World Championship to just eight points over Martin.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Eight points in it: Martin outruns Binder as Bagnaia vs Miller writes some poetry in the podium fight
It’s getting CLOSE! The Pramac rider’s momentum grows again with another Sprint win as Binder grabs second and Pecco gets the gloves off with Miller
Saturday, 30 September 2023
If Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) wins the Grand Prix race at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) doesn’t follow him home, we’ll have a new Championship leader in MotoGP™ – such is the momentum carried by the number 89, who won the Tissot Sprint at Motegi in style. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was off like a shot to make a good run of it in the early stages, ultimately taking second for some more silverware, with Bagnaia completing the podium after going toe-to-toe in a spectacular duel against former teammate Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
The best start on the front row came from polesitter Martin as he shot forward for the holeshot, with Miller out-dragging Pecco for second as Binder then also managed to slot up the inside of the reigning Champion into third. As ever, the KTMs made it game on early doors.
Binder wasn’t for sitting behind teammate Miller for long though, taking over in second after a brutal but fair move and then tagging onto the rear wheel of Martin. Almost immediately, the two were creating a small but real gap, leaving Miller between that lead duo and another comprising Bagnaia and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
By third race distance, Martin and Binder were starting to pull the pin. Miller was then left looking over his shoulder as Bagnaia homed in, with Marquez also losing ground to the duo ahead of him – making it two duels at the front followed by what was becoming an increasingly close fight for fifth headed by an eight-time World Champion.
On Lap 6, there was a first real move in that fight as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) attacked and passed Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), the young Italian then able to lock on to Marquez almost immediately. Bezzecchi feinted a couple of moves before committing to a lunge, but ultimately overcooked it and sent both of them wide, letting a fast-starting Zarco back through and allowing Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) to split the duo too.
Up ahead, Martin was on the march by the final few laps, with Binder in a secure second and Bagnaia still wrapped up behind Miller, keenly looking for a way past. He saw one and took it on Lap 9, but the Australian wasn’t having it. And so began a poetic and epic scrap to complete the Sprint podium, with both sideways, squiggly, and absolutely on the limit until a final and decisive move on the penultimate lap saw Miller forced to cede.
The Australian then watched the Ducati just edge out of reach, forced to settle for fourth and forced to keep it pinned thereafter too as a late charge from Zarco started to reel him in.
Just up the road, Martin managed to hold on to just over a second of breathing space ahead of Binder, with the two taking the top two steps on Saturday as Bagnaia came home third to complete the Sprint rostrum. Behind, Miller did manage to hold off Zarco’s late threat, with the Australian taking fourth by a tenth.
After his earlier ambition outweighed track limits when attacking Marquez, Bezzecchi had to get the hammer down get back past and stay ahead, with the eight-time World Champion right back on his rear wheel on the last two laps. A quality final tour ensured the Italian was just able to stay ahead, coming come P6 as Marquez took seventh.
Behind that battle but not by much, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took his first Sprint points in P8, within a second of Marquez by the flag as his impressive Japanese GP continues. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) took the final Sprint point in P9. Teammate Aleix Espargaro, after fighting for fifth in the early stages, was forced to pull into pitlane and retire.
After all that, it’s just eight points in it at the top as Martin homes in. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a serious title fight! Tune in for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan Sunday showdown 15:00 (GMT +9)!
Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra broke the All-Time Lap Record and earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex, Chantra covered the 3.0-mile (4.8 km) course in 1:49.898 to top the field of 30 competitors. Chantra’s time also eclipsed Johann Zarco’s 2016 All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.961
American Joe Roberts qualified 11th with a 1:50.597 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex, and fellow American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) was 25th with a time of 1:51.608 on his Forward Racing machine.
Moto2 Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
The stage is set: Martin sets searing new pole record to head Bagnaia, Miller and Bezzecchi at Motegi
Friday’s freshly pressed lap record is already a memory as the number 89 comes out swinging on super Saturday, heading a host of serious contenders at the front
Saturday, 30 September 2023
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was absolutely untouchable in qualifying for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, setting a 1:43.198 new lap record to book a first class ticket to pole position. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) put in another impressive comeback under pressure in the final minutes to cut the gap to just 0.171 as the Championship leader takes second, with 2022 Motegi winner Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completing the front row.
Q1: MARQUEZ VS QUARTARARO
As ever, it was a star-studded Q1 and one with plenty on the line for Honda and Yamaha on home turf. And it was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) setting the early pace and trading fast laps on the first runs.
On take two, the number 93 shadowed El Diablo out of pitlane, setting in motion a tandem push for the top. But a late attack from Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) split the duo on the timesheets with just under two minutes remaining, and on the final lap around, Quartararo couldn’t hit back – with track limits also biting for the number 20.
Marquez kept his place at the top, the only rider in the 1:43s, with Raul Fernandez moving through in second.
Q2: SHOCK EARLY DRAMA
One headline was made almost immediately as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) suddenly barreled out at Turn 13, rider ok but then facing a race back to the garage to try and reset. Meanwhile, Martin had taken over on top and Marquez, who had been following Bezzecchi, had latched on behind the number 89 instead.
Martin, however, was just on rails, and banged in that 1:43.198 to head the timing sheets ahead of Miller by more than half a second, three tenths quicker than Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Friday lap record.
With seven minutes to go, Bezzecchi was back out, a little out of sync with the rest as the majority sat in the pitlane ready to head back out on Run 2. But once that second bite at the cherry began in earnest, the spotlight was instead on Bagnaia. He was within a tenth of Martin’s lap before making a late mistake and losing out, putting himself under some pressure to move up from fourth. But that he did, taking over in second next time round as he managed to cut the gap to the top to 0.171.
Miller improved again to end the session 0.353 off pole but on the outside of the front row, with the timing screens then largely dormant as few found late improvements. Bezzecchi, however, did manage to take fourth, just ahead of Binder.
THE GRID
Martin heads Bagnaia and Miller, with Bezzecchi right in the mix in fourth ahead of Binder. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) continued his impressive speed in Japan to take sixth, with Marquez heading Row 3 in seventh.
The eight-time World Champion is joined by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and teammate Aleix Espargaro, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) unable to move up from tenth. Raul Fernandez, from Q1, pipped Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) to P11.
Then comes Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), the first to miss out on Q2, with Quartararo down in P14 just ahead of Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) as the number 36 suffered a late crash in Q1 that put paid to a very hot lap.
The stage is most definitely set for some stunning racing! So you know what to do…
