Fermin Aldeguer won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, the Spaniard won the 17-lap race by 2.546 seconds.
Aron Canet was the runner-up on is Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, and Pedro Acosta finished third on a Red Bull KTM Ajo machine.
American Joe Roberts took fourth, less than three seconds behind Acosta, on his Italtrans Kalex.
Moto2 Race
Aleix Espargaro used a last-lap pass to win the FIM MotoGP World Championship race at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard passed Francesco Bagnaia on the 20th and final lap to take the lead and the victory.
Defending Champion Bagnaia had to settle for the runner-up position – and 20 valuable points – just 0.215 second back on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici.
Brad Binder finished a close third, a mere 0.4 second behind Bagnaia, on his Red Bull KTM GP16.
Binder just held off CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira, who made an incredible run up to fourth, and Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales, who made it three Aprilias in the top five.
Rain began falling late in the race, causing some riders to come into the pits and switch to bikes fitted with rain tires. The top five riders did not pit.
Riders who crashed before the white rain flags came out were Joan Mir and pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi. Riders who crashed after the white rain flags were displayed included Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini.
MotoGP Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aleix Espargaro snatches victory in a last lap barnstormer at the British GP
The Aprilia rider pips Pecco to the post ahead of Binder, Oliveira and Viñales as Bezzecchi crashes out of contention
Sunday, 06 August 2023
MotoGP™ came back with a bang as the Monster Energy British Grand Prix delivered an instant, last lap classic. With spots of rain falling towards the end of the race, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) mastered the changing conditions to put himself in the perfect position for a last-lap attack on Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Italian had led the majority of the race and withstood both serious pressure and the difficult conditions, but Espargaro studied his prey and pounced late on for Aprilia’s second ever premier class win. Reigning Champion Bagnaia will be happy to take 20 points, however, as his title rival Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed out whilst following Bagnaia earlier in the race, with that dropping back to third overall.
For third in the race, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had his hands full with the Aprilias of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) as the South African fought hard but got the job done to take that podium after it evaded him in Assen. Oliveira, meanwhile, took P4 as top Independent Team rider.
MotoGP™ springs back into life at Silverstone
The grid settled at Silverstone as the 2023 MotoGP™ rollercoaster of a season was set to return to action after a long summer break. The Monster Energy British Grand Prix marks the start of the second half of the season as the title trio prepared to resume battle, and the track was bone-dry but a chance of rain added to tension on the grid.
Bezzecchi started on pole position, but as the revs rose and the grid flew off the line it was a lightning start from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) from the middle of the front row with Bezzecchi eyeing up a way through on the Aussie. Meanwhile, Bagnaia shot up to P3 from 4th on the grid as he had Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Viñales in his wheel-tracks.
Bagnaia did not hesitate in getting past his title rivals as he took his first opportunity to pass Bezzecchi, with his sights set on Miller in the lead. Bezzecchi wasn’t letting Bagnaia have it easy though as he fired it back up the inside. That ignited the fire in the Championship leader as Bagnaia pulled off an incredible move around the outside of Bezzecchi and used his momentum to take the lead away from Miller at the next corner.
Bezzecchi followed pursuit and pushed the Aussie back to P3 into the clutches of Alex Marquez, and once through Bagnaia and Bezzecchi began to break away, the title rivals locked together at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was a man on a mission with 16 laps remaining as the Aprilia rider pushed his way through on Marquez into 3rd place, however, and was the fastest rider on circuit.
Small error, big consequences
Bezzecchi had rushed into turn Stowe corner with 15 laps remaining, running himself slightly wide. If that was a warning it wasn’t heeded, as one lap later the VR46 rider made the same mistake, but this time the Silverstone Circuit wasn’t as kind to the title contender as he tucked the front and went down and out of the British Grand Prix. Rider ok, but with Bagnaia in the lead, this was proving to be a big dent in Bezzecchi’s Championship charge.
The Italian’s crash promoted Espargaro to 2nd place and Brad Binder up into 3rd, with the Spaniard putting the hammer down to reel in the number one plated Ducati out the front. Bagnaia did respond and upped the pace at the front, but the Aprilia was able to hang onto his coattails, initiating an intense battle for the victory that went right to the flag.
Rain flags and several plot twists…
Meanwhile, Viñales had made his way through on Binder with 11 laps to go, making it two Aprilias inside the top 3. Viñales then proceeded to catch the leading group with Binder latched onto his rear wheel. It became a true group of 4 at the front with seven laps remaining, and the white flags were displayed with light spots of rain dropping onto the Silverstone Circuit. And when the rain picked up at turn 15, the Aprilias backed off slightly allowing Binder to fly his way through as the South African was as committed as ever.
The yo-yo in the group continued though, and Espargaro made his way back through on Binder with 4 laps to go as Bagnaia was putting down a strong pace out the front. Espargaro was then able to latch back onto the Italian as Binder began to drop back, with Oliveira then throwing his name into the mix as he came out of seemingly nowhere to catch the leading group.
Oliveira wasted no time in getting past Binder and Viñales as the Portuguese rider pulled off an incredible two-in-one move to make his way into P3.
By last lap time, Binder had gotten the better of Oliveira to slot himself back into P3 as Bagnaia stretched out the group in the first sector, edging a few tenths ahead of Espargaro on the chase. Was there time left for a move? There was. Espargaro dug in and got back on terms with the Ducati before making an incredible move on the power at the exit of Copse Corner to blast past the Italian. The Spaniard went defensive down the Hangar straight too, with Bagnaia desperate to get past the Aprilia, but there was no way through. Espargaro left no room for the reigning Champion, leaving him forced to settle for 2nd place. A historic second win for Aprilia and a ninth different winner in a row at Silverstone, but an extended Championship lead for Pecco.
Binder also put on an impressive defensive display as he fended off Oliveira for the final podium spot. Viñales came home in 5th place, making it three Aprilias inside the top five after a storming Silverstone for the Noale factory. It’s also the first time Aprilia, Ducati and KTM have shared the podium.
Behind that fight, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) took P6 as he gained significant ground on Bezzecchi for P2 in the standings, the Pramac also having earlier been sent quite wide with Binder after the South African found himself in a Lap 1 sandwich.
Alex Marquez retired from the front group with a mechanical issue, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) pulled in to retire too after earlier contact in a crash for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) put in a storming first half of the race from the back of the grid but then tangled with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) before running over his own strewn fairing. He then pitted to change to his second bike on wets to try his luck, and did take the final point as a couple of others gambled too.
Marini took P7 just ahead of Miller, who was sent well wide in an earlier tangle with Viñales, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) in P9 ahead of Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) to make it all Aprilias in the top ten.
It was an important weekend for Aprilia Racing as the Noale manufacturer returned to victory at a Silverstone Circuit that has been both cruel and kind to Aleix Espargaro. But MotoGP™ now turns its attention to the Red Bull Ring in Austria for the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich set to take place from the 18th to the 20th of August… KTM home turf and Ducati’s happy hunting grounds. Can they hit back? We’ll find out soon!
Aldeguer takes first Grand Prix win with a Silverstone stunner
The number 54 pulls away for a stylish visit to the top step, with Canet second and Acosta completing the podium to take the Championship lead
Moto2™ delivered enthralling action at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix as Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) came out guns blazing with the heat turned up in Silverstone, taking his first Grand Prix win in style. The Spaniard got the better of Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) who had the bit between his teeth in 2nd place. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was fighting at the sharp end as always, and a British GP podium saw him take the Championship lead from Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who could only manage 10th place.
It was Aldeguer who took the holeshot down into turn 1, before being pushed back down the order to 4th place with teammate Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Acosta, and Canet hitting the front.
Meanwhile, it was a disaster home Grand Prix for Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) who was looking for redemption in the race after crashing out of qualifying. Unfortunately, it was a similar fate for the Brit in the race as the Aspar rider went down and out of the race with 16 laps to go after a clash with Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP).
Meanwhile, back at the front, Canet began to put the hammer down and pull away from Lopez, Acosta, and Aldeguer. The Spaniard had stretched out a one-second lead with 11 laps remaining.
One lap later there was drama still to come as Lopez went down. Out of the Grand Prix after dropping off the back of Acosta and Aldeguer, there would be no follow up to his dream first rostrum at the venue in 2022.
Aldeguer went on to put down a scintillating pace as he reeled in Canet, wasting no time to snatch the lead from his compatriot with 8 laps to go. Canet did all he could to hold on, but then was forced to drop a position to Acosta after overtaking under yellow flags.
The Boscoscuro of Aldeguer went on to pull away at the front, setting the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap with the only 2:04s of the weekend. The Spaniard’s pace was unmatched as he went on to take the win by 2.546s.
Canet then bounced back at Acosta, snatching 2nd place from his compatriot as the KTM Ajo rider was forced to settle for P3, but it did see him take hold of the Championship standings, now leading the way by 2 points.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing) picked up a great result in P4, ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) who carved through the field to round out the top 5 after being battered down out of points earlier in the race.
The attention now turns to the Red Bull Ring in Austria where Acosta will be looking to extend his newly gained Championship lead even further, and on KTM’s home turf. You can keep up to date with all the upcoming Moto2™ action at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich on motogp.com, as well as the one-day test at Silverstone on Monday.
Alonso makes history in all-time classic at Silverstone
The first Colombian Grand Prix winner is here, and his name is David Alonso
The Moto3™ showdown at Silverstone will live long in the memory, not least for first time Grand Prix winner David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). The number 80 becomes the first Colombian Grand Prix winner in history, and after gaining a stunning 27 places from the back of the grid after a disastrous qualifying. It was a close, close fight at the front, however, and the finish is the second-closest top 15 in history.
Second place went to Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) as the Japanese rider’s run of podiums continued, moving him up into second overall as the rider who held that on the way in, Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) slid out of the lead early doors. Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took third, however, minimising the damage from Sasaki’s recent charge.
There was immediate heartbreak for Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) was unable to get off the line on the Warm Up lap. By the time the Brit had gotten his bike restarted he was behind the safety car and was forced to start his home Grand Prix from the back of the grid, instead of the front row.
When the lights went out it was a good start for Holgado, who snatched the holeshot from Masia into turn 1. Masia, who started from pole, bit straight back though as Holgado who was then pushed back to 4th place with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sasaki getting themselves stuck in on lap one.
Öncü led as they came across the line for the first time ahead of Masia and Holgado. The typical Moto3™ freight train then began to form as Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) joined the battle at the front.
With 13 laps still remaining it was a disaster for Masia as the Spaniard crashed out at Village corner, remounting straight away and firing himself back into the race, but with a mountain to climb to the top 15, he was unable to score a point.
Meanwhile at the front, Diogo Moreira (MT Helemts MSI) and Alonso had joined the party whilst Masia’s title rival Holgado was leading the freight train, with 20 riders locked together in victory contention. It was blink-and-miss-it stuff as the laps ticked away with the Moto3™ riders banging bars, swapping paintwork, and bashing elbows in a hard but fair battle for victory.
Alonso was looking racey with eight laps remaining as the youngster wasn’t shy of battling with the big names at the front. Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) also threw his name into the mix with six laps to go, utilising his unique wide-swooping style to take the lead with an incredible round-the-outside move, but only to battered back down the order.
When last lap time came around, it was Holgado that led Alonso and Öncü with Ortola, Sasaki, and Moreira eager to break into the top 3. Alonso took the lead halfway around but it didn’t last long as Sasaki pushed his way to the front ahead of the final sector.
Alonso snatched the lead back on the hangar straight as Öncü jumped into P2 to then be pushed wide creating a gap in the group, this allowed the Colombian to hold onto the lead until the line as the youngster took his debut win in his rookie season at Grand Prix level, ahead of Sasaki who fended off Holgado to the line.
Ortola narrowly missed out on the podium in P4 as he fended off the menacing David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) who rounded out the top 5.
Ogden was a rider on a mission as he pushed his way into the top 20 with 12 laps remaining, tagging himself onto the back of the leading group. The Brit pushed his way into the points with 4 laps to go but dropped back to P16 in the closing stages, then classified one further back due to track limits on the last lap.
And so the standings change again as Sasaki continues his charge, and what do you know it’s a venue where, last year, he pulled off a stunning victory despite a double Long Lap. Can he keep the roll going? We’ll find out in two weeks as Moto3™ returns to the Red Bull Ring!
David Alonso won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. The Colombian won the 15-lap race by 0.152 second on his Gaviota Aspar M3 GASGAS.
Ayumu Sasaki was the runner-up on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, just 0.051 second ahead of third-place finisher – and Championship point leader – Daniel Holgado, who rode a Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine.
The top five finishers were covered by just 0.471 second, and the top 15 riders crossed the finish line within 1.572 seconds of each other.
Moto3 Race
Mattia Casadei won wet MotoE World Championship Race Two at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his HP Pons Los40 Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the six-lap race by 1.108 seconds.
Eric Granado was the runner-up on his LCR E-Team machine, and Casadei’s teammate Nicolas Spinelli finished third, 6.776 seconds back.
Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres was fourth, 0.133 second behind Spinelli, which was enough for him to maintain his lead in the point standings.
MotoE R2
Alex Marquez won the wet MotoGP World Championship Sprint race Saturday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Gresini Ducati Desmosedici, the Spaniard won the 10-lap race, his first Sprint race win, by 0.366 second over pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi.
Second place in the Sprint was enough for Bezzecchi to move into second in the World Championship point standings.
Maverick Vinales charged from the third row to finish third on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Alex Marquez holds off Bezzecchi for stunning Sprint win at Silverstone
The Gresini rider takes to the top step for the first time in MotoGP™, with Bezzecchi gaining some big points in second and Viñales back at the front in third
Saturday, 05 August 2023
There’s a new Tissot Sprint winner on the block! Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) moved through to the front and took off on a wet but drying track, with Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) chasing him down late on but not quite close enough to launch a last lap attack. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) made steady progress to pick his way through the order, the Aprilia rider coming home third for his first Saturday podium.
One headline also saw Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score, the number 1 having a couple of close moments on track to lose ground and ultimately forced to settle for 14th – outside the points on super Saturday! Bezzecchi therefore gains some ground with second place, and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) too as he took P6.
Bezzecchi held the hold shot from pole, but Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) didn’t waste time to strike and take over in the lead. From there it was a frenetic opening couple of laps to the Sprint, with the track wet enough for the medium wets but conditions starting to dry.
Miller quickly made his way back through on the VR46 rider to take the lead as Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) shot into P3 with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) trying to force his way through on the rookie. Martin eventually got the better of Fernandez with Alex Marquez quickly following suit, his charge beginning in earnest. Martin then tried his hand at taking the lead but Miller wasn’t letting the Spaniard have it easy as the Aussie had plenty of answers for the Pramac rider’s attacks.
Who dares wins!
The race began to settle with a seven-bike freight train battling for the victory with the top guys swapping and changing postions corner after corner. Once Alex Marquez took the lead, however, he went on to set the fastest lap and begin to stretch out the field.
Marquez, Bezzecchi, Miller, Viñales, and Martin was the order with six laps to go, with a second between Marquez and Bezzecchi, and another half a second back to Miller who had the rest of the front group right in his wheel tracks.
Marquez kept Bezzecchi at arm’s length for the rest of the race but as the rain started to come down once again on the final couple of laps, the Italian began to make up significant ground on the Gresini machine ahead. By the final sector it was only a handful of tenths but Bezzecchi didn’t quite have enough in the tank to make a move, seeing Alex Marquez sweep through to his first ever Sprint win.
Aprilia always deliver at Silverstone
Despite starting down in 8th place, Viñales was a man on a mission during Saturday’s Sprint action. The Spaniard was on the move and eventually pushed his way past the Aussie Jack Miller for the final podium spot, holding onto P3 as Miller faded the other way.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also had his head down as he climbed his way up from 12th on the grid to 4th, before being demoted down to P5 by a late-charging Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). Sixth went to Martin, meaning Bezzecchi just edges him down into third in the standings, and behid Miller came Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Miguel Oliveira (CrytoDARA RNF MotoGP) completed the top ten.
That leaves some big names out. Reigning Champion Bagnaia failed to score in a Sprint for the first time this year, getting pushed a little wide by Zarco but then fading down to P14. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) rode home behind teammate Joan Mir to literally observe as the Japanese giants work to make big steps forward, in P17 and P18, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) came home in P20 after that difficult qualifying too.
Next: Grand Prix Sunday!
In the wet it was a whole new picture, but the weather on Sunday looks like it might change again. Can Bezzecchi keep making gains? Will more history be made? Find out at 13:00 (GMT +1) local time as we go Grand Prix racing at Silverstone!
More, from a press release issued by FIM EWC:
TEAM HRC CHARGES TO EWC SUZUKA 8 HOURS POLE WITH THRILLING TOP 10 TRIAL TRIUMPH
*Honda-powered squad all set to line up at the front for Japan’s famous EWC counter
*YART Yamaha quickest in qualifying and boosts EWC title advantage with bonus score
*TOHO Racing completes top three ahead of SDG Honda and Yoshimura SERT Motul
*Drama for F.C.C. TSR Honda France as new recruit Mackenzie falls in Top 10 Trial
*Suzuka’s iconic 8 Hours will be broadcast live on TV and around the world on Sunday
(5 August 2023): Team HRC with Japan Post has won the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race Top 10 Trial to secure pole position for tomorrow’s third round of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship.
Its riders Xavi Vierge and Tetsuta Nagashima combined to beat Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team pairing of Karel Hanika and Marvin Fritz as Ryuichi Kiyonari and Ikuhiro Enokido joined forces to claim third for TOHO Racing following the thrilling one-at-a-time shootout for top spot on the starting grid.
With the Top 10 Trial – which is unique to the Suzuka 8 Hours – for two riders only, Takumi Takahashi, Niccolò Canepa and Takuma Kunimine didn’t ride for HRC, YART and TOHO respectively, but all three played key roles in getting their respective teams to the grid battle, which awarded bonus points on a descending 5-4-3-2-1 scale to the fastest five squads.
It means Austria-based YART has edged five points ahead of defending EWC world champion team F.C.C. TSR Honda France after the Japanese squad was a non-scorer when it completed the Top 10 Trial in 10th position.
TOP TRIO SAID WHAT?
Nagashima, who was part of the Honda-powered HRC line-up that won the Suzuka 8 Hours last season, recovered from a foot injury to secure his entry for his home round of the EWC. And it was his 2m05.329s lap time that made the difference in the Top 10 Trial.
“I’m really happy to be back and to be in pole position,” Nagashima said. “After my injury I felt very discouraged, I lost a bit of my confidence and physically I could not push to the limit. But I would like to thank HRC for believing in me and for bringing me back here. To be able to have the pole position again makes me really happy.”
While Hanika managed a 2m05.519s on his run, Fritz had to make do with a 2m06.115s, which meant Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team settled for second on Sunday’s grid.
“It was my first Top 10 Trial, I could have ridden already three times but every time there was a typhoon or bad weather so it was cancelled so I was very happy it was happening today,” German rider Fritz said. “Unfortunately, my lap wasn’t perfect, I had a bad third sector but, in the end, Karel made an amazing lap time. The most important thing is we worked very hard from the test here to now. Our set-up is pretty good, we’re feeling good on the bike and I feel we have a good package for the race tomorrow.”
After securing third place, Kiyonari said: “My lap time wasn’t the best, I felt a bit slow. If Takuma [Kunimine] had done the lap instead of me he would have been faster but I am thankful the team passed the opportunity to me. I did enjoy it but tomorrow is going to be another day for us and we will do our best.”
HOW THE BATTLE FOR TOP 10 TRIAL GLORY UNFOLDED
Teams placed 10th to sixth in the Combined Qualifying Classification went first with Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA’s Kohta Arakawa the opening rider in the one-at-a-time shootout. He clocked a 2m07.828s, which Atsumi Cocoro tried but failed to beat for S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC.
Drama followed for F.C.C. TSR Honda France when new recruit Tarran Mackenzie fell at the 200R Chicane during his run, making team-mate Mike Di Meglio’s subsequent effort of 2m07.788s immaterial with the 2022 EWC world champion team restricted to 10th position.
Dan Linfoot was also unable to beat Arakawa’s benchmark, the British rider posting a 2m07.671s best for AutoRace Ube Racing Team. After a handful of moments, Haruki Noguchi could only manage a 2m08.046s run for SDG Honda Racing.
Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA’s second rider, Daijiro Hiura, built on team-mate Arakawa’s strong opening run with a time of 2m06.970s. Marcel Schrötter clocked a 2m08.542s for S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC before Di Meglio set his 2m07.788s.
Takuya Tsuda then went quickest of all for AutoRace Ube Racing Team in 2m06.811s only for Naomichi Uramoto to go quicker still, his 2m06.644s the best so far for SDG Honda Racing.
The teams qualifying from fifth to first were next up with Ryuichi Kiyonari posting a 2m08.132s for TOHO Racing. Kazuma Watanabe then registered a 2m07.518s for Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, while Gregg Black recorded a 2m07.252s for Yoshimura SERT Motul.
World Superbike ace and EWC rookie Xavi Vierge flew to a 2m05.919s best for Team HRC with Japan Post before Karel Hanika delivered in style by recording a 2m05.519s best for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team.
TOHO Racing’s Ikuhiro Enokido was the first of the final group of five riders to take on the Top 10 Trial. He managed a 2m06.343s with Ryo Mizuno clocking a 2m06.756s for Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing. Yoshimura SERT Motul rider Sylvain Guintoli charged to a 2m06.720s to set up a final pole position showdown between Team HRC’s Tetsuta Nagashima and YART Yamaha’s Marvin Fritz.
Nagashima was first to go aboard his Bridgestone-equipped Honda and the home hero shrugged off his lack of recent riding time owing to a foot injury to set a 2m05.329s around Suzuka Circuit’s 5.821-kilometre Full Course 2-Wheels layout.
Fritz gave his all aboard his Yamaha, also running on Bridgestone tyres, but a slower third sector than Nagashima had managed left him crossing the line in a time of 2m06.115s.
It meant Team HRC with Japan Post won the Top 10 Trial to take pole position for the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team, TOHO Racing, SDG Honda Racing, Yoshimura SERT Motul, Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, AutoRace Ube Racing Team, Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA, S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC and F.C.C. TSR Honda France.
Of the other all-season EWC teams competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is set to start 11th followed by Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar in 12th. Honda Viltaïs Racing is due to line up in 21st, KM99 in 23rd and Motobox Kremer Racing 38th.
American Kayla Yaakov, age 16, won Yamaha bLU cRU R7 Cup Race One Saturday at Cartagena Circuit, in Spain.
Yaakov won the 10-lap race by 0.118 second over Matias Perez, and Eric Molina finished third just 0.631 second behind Yaakov.
The race had 16 starters.
Randy Krummenacher won MotoE World Championship Race One Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Dynavolt Intact GP electrified Ducati racebike, the Swiss racer won the five-lap sprint by 0.142 second over Ongetta SIC58 Squardacorse’s Kevin Manfredi. LCR E-Team’s Eric Granado finished third.
MotoE R1
Marco Bezzecchi claimed pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici, the Italian lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:15.359 to lead the field of 22 riders.
Australian Jack Miller was the best of the rest with a 2:15.629 on his Red Bull KTM RC16, and Alex Marquez earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:15.771 on his Gresini Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bezzecchi steals stunning pole position from Miller as the rain hits at Silverstone
Despite a late crash, the Italian nabs the honours from early pacesetter Miller, with Alex Marquez completing the front row and the rain shaking up the order in qualifying
Saturday, 05 August 2023
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) pulled a stunner out of the hat in qualifying for the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, reigning in the rain to take a second pole in succession and deny an early charge from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The Australian couldn’t quite hit back despite a late crash for Bezzecchi, and the front row is completed by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the number 73 showed more wet weather prowess, also despite a crash. With a wet qualifying setting the grid for both the Tissot Sprint, expected to be in the wet, and the Grand Prix race, which may prove dry… the stage is set for another weekend of unpredictability in MotoGP™!
Q1: Marc Marquez & Quartararo out, Morbidelli top
As ever, the fight to get through from Q1 featured plenty superstar names, amongst them Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).
After Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had topped FP2 in similar conditions, he was the one to watch initiailly – but then the number 49 crashed out, rider ok but his progress then seriously dented. Next up, Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took over on top, and the more veteran Italian was in the groove.
The next drama was for Quartararo as the Frenchman pulled off quite a save, but he stopped at the side of the track and that also put paid to his progress. He got back to pitlane but didn’t set another fast lap, just one more on the board.
Bastianini threatened and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) also emerged as a serious threat for a place in Q2, slotting into second. Then it all came down to Marc Marquez, losing out in the first part of the lap, then gaining some time back… but then tagging onto teammate Joan Mir and having to overtake the number 36. It wasn’t enough for either, with Morbidelli easing through on top and rookie Augusto Fernandez nabbing that second place in Q2.
Q2
The conditions remained torrential in Q2. The first serious shot at pole was a stunning lap from Miller as the Australian pulled over a second and a half clear, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking over in second. But then came the first drama as Pecco slid out, rider ok but losing his chance to head back out.
Alex Marquez was the first to make a real attack on Miller’s time, the number 73 getting within a tenth and a half as the field managed to home in on the goalposts. He then also suffered a crash, rider ok, but out of contention. And then came Bezzecchi. The sophomore sliced round Silverstone to knock an impressive 0.270 off rain master Miller’s time, taking over in provisional pole.
From there, Bezzecchi stole more headlines as he had a fairly fast crash out of the session, but rider ok… and that laptime remained unbeatable. He takes back to back poles in very different conditions and at very different venues, with Miller forced to settle for second.
THE GRID
Behind Bezzecchi and Miller, Alex Marquez takes that third on the grid to complete the front row. He’s ahead of Bagnaia, whose crash seemed like it could be costly for his grid position, but the reigning Champion actually didn’t lose out too much as he heads the second row. He’s joined by a stunning Q2 performance from Q1 graduate and rookie Augusto Fernandez who takes fifth, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completing Row 2 despite also crashing in the session.
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) lend their firepower to Row 3, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in P10 and looking for a classic Binder slice through the order. Morbidelli is next up, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) left ruing the weather more than anyone after his amazing speed in the dry on Friday gives way to P12 on the grid on Saturday and Sunday.
Bastianini is left in P13 on the grid, ahead of Marc Marquez and a truly impressive first qualifying back for Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) just behind his former teammate. Quartararo finds himself at the back of the field at Silverstone, looking for much more once the lights go out. Join us for the first instance of that this afternoon!
Pedro Acosta earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the Spaniard covered the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) road course in 2:16.953 to top the field of 29 riders.
American Joe Roberts qualified 10th with a time of 2:18.811 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) is not racing at Silverstone. He is still recovering from surgery on his right forearm.
Moto2 Comb Qual
Fermin Aldeguer won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, the Spaniard won the 17-lap race by 2.546 seconds.
Aron Canet was the runner-up on is Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, and Pedro Acosta finished third on a Red Bull KTM Ajo machine.
American Joe Roberts took fourth, less than three seconds behind Acosta, on his Italtrans Kalex.
Moto2 Race
Aleix Espargaro used a last-lap pass to win the FIM MotoGP World Championship race at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard passed Francesco Bagnaia on the 20th and final lap to take the lead and the victory.
Defending Champion Bagnaia had to settle for the runner-up position – and 20 valuable points – just 0.215 second back on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici.
Brad Binder finished a close third, a mere 0.4 second behind Bagnaia, on his Red Bull KTM GP16.
Binder just held off CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira, who made an incredible run up to fourth, and Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales, who made it three Aprilias in the top five.
Rain began falling late in the race, causing some riders to come into the pits and switch to bikes fitted with rain tires. The top five riders did not pit.
Riders who crashed before the white rain flags came out were Joan Mir and pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi. Riders who crashed after the white rain flags were displayed included Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini.
MotoGP Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aleix Espargaro snatches victory in a last lap barnstormer at the British GP
The Aprilia rider pips Pecco to the post ahead of Binder, Oliveira and Viñales as Bezzecchi crashes out of contention
Sunday, 06 August 2023
MotoGP™ came back with a bang as the Monster Energy British Grand Prix delivered an instant, last lap classic. With spots of rain falling towards the end of the race, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) mastered the changing conditions to put himself in the perfect position for a last-lap attack on Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Italian had led the majority of the race and withstood both serious pressure and the difficult conditions, but Espargaro studied his prey and pounced late on for Aprilia’s second ever premier class win. Reigning Champion Bagnaia will be happy to take 20 points, however, as his title rival Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed out whilst following Bagnaia earlier in the race, with that dropping back to third overall.
For third in the race, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had his hands full with the Aprilias of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) as the South African fought hard but got the job done to take that podium after it evaded him in Assen. Oliveira, meanwhile, took P4 as top Independent Team rider.
MotoGP™ springs back into life at Silverstone
The grid settled at Silverstone as the 2023 MotoGP™ rollercoaster of a season was set to return to action after a long summer break. The Monster Energy British Grand Prix marks the start of the second half of the season as the title trio prepared to resume battle, and the track was bone-dry but a chance of rain added to tension on the grid.
Bezzecchi started on pole position, but as the revs rose and the grid flew off the line it was a lightning start from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) from the middle of the front row with Bezzecchi eyeing up a way through on the Aussie. Meanwhile, Bagnaia shot up to P3 from 4th on the grid as he had Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Viñales in his wheel-tracks.
Bagnaia did not hesitate in getting past his title rivals as he took his first opportunity to pass Bezzecchi, with his sights set on Miller in the lead. Bezzecchi wasn’t letting Bagnaia have it easy though as he fired it back up the inside. That ignited the fire in the Championship leader as Bagnaia pulled off an incredible move around the outside of Bezzecchi and used his momentum to take the lead away from Miller at the next corner.
Bezzecchi followed pursuit and pushed the Aussie back to P3 into the clutches of Alex Marquez, and once through Bagnaia and Bezzecchi began to break away, the title rivals locked together at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was a man on a mission with 16 laps remaining as the Aprilia rider pushed his way through on Marquez into 3rd place, however, and was the fastest rider on circuit.
Small error, big consequences
Bezzecchi had rushed into turn Stowe corner with 15 laps remaining, running himself slightly wide. If that was a warning it wasn’t heeded, as one lap later the VR46 rider made the same mistake, but this time the Silverstone Circuit wasn’t as kind to the title contender as he tucked the front and went down and out of the British Grand Prix. Rider ok, but with Bagnaia in the lead, this was proving to be a big dent in Bezzecchi’s Championship charge.
The Italian’s crash promoted Espargaro to 2nd place and Brad Binder up into 3rd, with the Spaniard putting the hammer down to reel in the number one plated Ducati out the front. Bagnaia did respond and upped the pace at the front, but the Aprilia was able to hang onto his coattails, initiating an intense battle for the victory that went right to the flag.
Rain flags and several plot twists…
Meanwhile, Viñales had made his way through on Binder with 11 laps to go, making it two Aprilias inside the top 3. Viñales then proceeded to catch the leading group with Binder latched onto his rear wheel. It became a true group of 4 at the front with seven laps remaining, and the white flags were displayed with light spots of rain dropping onto the Silverstone Circuit. And when the rain picked up at turn 15, the Aprilias backed off slightly allowing Binder to fly his way through as the South African was as committed as ever.
The yo-yo in the group continued though, and Espargaro made his way back through on Binder with 4 laps to go as Bagnaia was putting down a strong pace out the front. Espargaro was then able to latch back onto the Italian as Binder began to drop back, with Oliveira then throwing his name into the mix as he came out of seemingly nowhere to catch the leading group.
Oliveira wasted no time in getting past Binder and Viñales as the Portuguese rider pulled off an incredible two-in-one move to make his way into P3.
By last lap time, Binder had gotten the better of Oliveira to slot himself back into P3 as Bagnaia stretched out the group in the first sector, edging a few tenths ahead of Espargaro on the chase. Was there time left for a move? There was. Espargaro dug in and got back on terms with the Ducati before making an incredible move on the power at the exit of Copse Corner to blast past the Italian. The Spaniard went defensive down the Hangar straight too, with Bagnaia desperate to get past the Aprilia, but there was no way through. Espargaro left no room for the reigning Champion, leaving him forced to settle for 2nd place. A historic second win for Aprilia and a ninth different winner in a row at Silverstone, but an extended Championship lead for Pecco.
Binder also put on an impressive defensive display as he fended off Oliveira for the final podium spot. Viñales came home in 5th place, making it three Aprilias inside the top five after a storming Silverstone for the Noale factory. It’s also the first time Aprilia, Ducati and KTM have shared the podium.
Behind that fight, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) took P6 as he gained significant ground on Bezzecchi for P2 in the standings, the Pramac also having earlier been sent quite wide with Binder after the South African found himself in a Lap 1 sandwich.
Alex Marquez retired from the front group with a mechanical issue, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) pulled in to retire too after earlier contact in a crash for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) put in a storming first half of the race from the back of the grid but then tangled with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) before running over his own strewn fairing. He then pitted to change to his second bike on wets to try his luck, and did take the final point as a couple of others gambled too.
Marini took P7 just ahead of Miller, who was sent well wide in an earlier tangle with Viñales, with Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) in P9 ahead of Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) to make it all Aprilias in the top ten.
It was an important weekend for Aprilia Racing as the Noale manufacturer returned to victory at a Silverstone Circuit that has been both cruel and kind to Aleix Espargaro. But MotoGP™ now turns its attention to the Red Bull Ring in Austria for the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich set to take place from the 18th to the 20th of August… KTM home turf and Ducati’s happy hunting grounds. Can they hit back? We’ll find out soon!
Aldeguer takes first Grand Prix win with a Silverstone stunner
The number 54 pulls away for a stylish visit to the top step, with Canet second and Acosta completing the podium to take the Championship lead
Moto2™ delivered enthralling action at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix as Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) came out guns blazing with the heat turned up in Silverstone, taking his first Grand Prix win in style. The Spaniard got the better of Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) who had the bit between his teeth in 2nd place. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was fighting at the sharp end as always, and a British GP podium saw him take the Championship lead from Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who could only manage 10th place.
It was Aldeguer who took the holeshot down into turn 1, before being pushed back down the order to 4th place with teammate Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Acosta, and Canet hitting the front.
Meanwhile, it was a disaster home Grand Prix for Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) who was looking for redemption in the race after crashing out of qualifying. Unfortunately, it was a similar fate for the Brit in the race as the Aspar rider went down and out of the race with 16 laps to go after a clash with Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP).
Meanwhile, back at the front, Canet began to put the hammer down and pull away from Lopez, Acosta, and Aldeguer. The Spaniard had stretched out a one-second lead with 11 laps remaining.
One lap later there was drama still to come as Lopez went down. Out of the Grand Prix after dropping off the back of Acosta and Aldeguer, there would be no follow up to his dream first rostrum at the venue in 2022.
Aldeguer went on to put down a scintillating pace as he reeled in Canet, wasting no time to snatch the lead from his compatriot with 8 laps to go. Canet did all he could to hold on, but then was forced to drop a position to Acosta after overtaking under yellow flags.
The Boscoscuro of Aldeguer went on to pull away at the front, setting the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap with the only 2:04s of the weekend. The Spaniard’s pace was unmatched as he went on to take the win by 2.546s.
Canet then bounced back at Acosta, snatching 2nd place from his compatriot as the KTM Ajo rider was forced to settle for P3, but it did see him take hold of the Championship standings, now leading the way by 2 points.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing) picked up a great result in P4, ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) who carved through the field to round out the top 5 after being battered down out of points earlier in the race.
The attention now turns to the Red Bull Ring in Austria where Acosta will be looking to extend his newly gained Championship lead even further, and on KTM’s home turf. You can keep up to date with all the upcoming Moto2™ action at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich on motogp.com, as well as the one-day test at Silverstone on Monday.
Alonso makes history in all-time classic at Silverstone
The first Colombian Grand Prix winner is here, and his name is David Alonso
The Moto3™ showdown at Silverstone will live long in the memory, not least for first time Grand Prix winner David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). The number 80 becomes the first Colombian Grand Prix winner in history, and after gaining a stunning 27 places from the back of the grid after a disastrous qualifying. It was a close, close fight at the front, however, and the finish is the second-closest top 15 in history.
Second place went to Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) as the Japanese rider’s run of podiums continued, moving him up into second overall as the rider who held that on the way in, Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) slid out of the lead early doors. Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took third, however, minimising the damage from Sasaki’s recent charge.
There was immediate heartbreak for Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) was unable to get off the line on the Warm Up lap. By the time the Brit had gotten his bike restarted he was behind the safety car and was forced to start his home Grand Prix from the back of the grid, instead of the front row.
When the lights went out it was a good start for Holgado, who snatched the holeshot from Masia into turn 1. Masia, who started from pole, bit straight back though as Holgado who was then pushed back to 4th place with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sasaki getting themselves stuck in on lap one.
Öncü led as they came across the line for the first time ahead of Masia and Holgado. The typical Moto3™ freight train then began to form as Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) joined the battle at the front.
With 13 laps still remaining it was a disaster for Masia as the Spaniard crashed out at Village corner, remounting straight away and firing himself back into the race, but with a mountain to climb to the top 15, he was unable to score a point.
Meanwhile at the front, Diogo Moreira (MT Helemts MSI) and Alonso had joined the party whilst Masia’s title rival Holgado was leading the freight train, with 20 riders locked together in victory contention. It was blink-and-miss-it stuff as the laps ticked away with the Moto3™ riders banging bars, swapping paintwork, and bashing elbows in a hard but fair battle for victory.
Alonso was looking racey with eight laps remaining as the youngster wasn’t shy of battling with the big names at the front. Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) also threw his name into the mix with six laps to go, utilising his unique wide-swooping style to take the lead with an incredible round-the-outside move, but only to battered back down the order.
When last lap time came around, it was Holgado that led Alonso and Öncü with Ortola, Sasaki, and Moreira eager to break into the top 3. Alonso took the lead halfway around but it didn’t last long as Sasaki pushed his way to the front ahead of the final sector.
Alonso snatched the lead back on the hangar straight as Öncü jumped into P2 to then be pushed wide creating a gap in the group, this allowed the Colombian to hold onto the lead until the line as the youngster took his debut win in his rookie season at Grand Prix level, ahead of Sasaki who fended off Holgado to the line.
Ortola narrowly missed out on the podium in P4 as he fended off the menacing David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) who rounded out the top 5.
Ogden was a rider on a mission as he pushed his way into the top 20 with 12 laps remaining, tagging himself onto the back of the leading group. The Brit pushed his way into the points with 4 laps to go but dropped back to P16 in the closing stages, then classified one further back due to track limits on the last lap.
And so the standings change again as Sasaki continues his charge, and what do you know it’s a venue where, last year, he pulled off a stunning victory despite a double Long Lap. Can he keep the roll going? We’ll find out in two weeks as Moto3™ returns to the Red Bull Ring!
David Alonso won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. The Colombian won the 15-lap race by 0.152 second on his Gaviota Aspar M3 GASGAS.
Ayumu Sasaki was the runner-up on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, just 0.051 second ahead of third-place finisher – and Championship point leader – Daniel Holgado, who rode a Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine.
The top five finishers were covered by just 0.471 second, and the top 15 riders crossed the finish line within 1.572 seconds of each other.
Moto3 Race
Mattia Casadei won wet MotoE World Championship Race Two at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his HP Pons Los40 Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the six-lap race by 1.108 seconds.
Eric Granado was the runner-up on his LCR E-Team machine, and Casadei’s teammate Nicolas Spinelli finished third, 6.776 seconds back.
Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres was fourth, 0.133 second behind Spinelli, which was enough for him to maintain his lead in the point standings.
MotoE R2
Alex Marquez won the wet MotoGP World Championship Sprint race Saturday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Gresini Ducati Desmosedici, the Spaniard won the 10-lap race, his first Sprint race win, by 0.366 second over pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi.
Second place in the Sprint was enough for Bezzecchi to move into second in the World Championship point standings.
Maverick Vinales charged from the third row to finish third on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Alex Marquez holds off Bezzecchi for stunning Sprint win at Silverstone
The Gresini rider takes to the top step for the first time in MotoGP™, with Bezzecchi gaining some big points in second and Viñales back at the front in third
Saturday, 05 August 2023
There’s a new Tissot Sprint winner on the block! Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) moved through to the front and took off on a wet but drying track, with Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) chasing him down late on but not quite close enough to launch a last lap attack. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) made steady progress to pick his way through the order, the Aprilia rider coming home third for his first Saturday podium.
One headline also saw Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score, the number 1 having a couple of close moments on track to lose ground and ultimately forced to settle for 14th – outside the points on super Saturday! Bezzecchi therefore gains some ground with second place, and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) too as he took P6.
Bezzecchi held the hold shot from pole, but Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) didn’t waste time to strike and take over in the lead. From there it was a frenetic opening couple of laps to the Sprint, with the track wet enough for the medium wets but conditions starting to dry.
Miller quickly made his way back through on the VR46 rider to take the lead as Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) shot into P3 with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) trying to force his way through on the rookie. Martin eventually got the better of Fernandez with Alex Marquez quickly following suit, his charge beginning in earnest. Martin then tried his hand at taking the lead but Miller wasn’t letting the Spaniard have it easy as the Aussie had plenty of answers for the Pramac rider’s attacks.
Who dares wins!
The race began to settle with a seven-bike freight train battling for the victory with the top guys swapping and changing postions corner after corner. Once Alex Marquez took the lead, however, he went on to set the fastest lap and begin to stretch out the field.
Marquez, Bezzecchi, Miller, Viñales, and Martin was the order with six laps to go, with a second between Marquez and Bezzecchi, and another half a second back to Miller who had the rest of the front group right in his wheel tracks.
Marquez kept Bezzecchi at arm’s length for the rest of the race but as the rain started to come down once again on the final couple of laps, the Italian began to make up significant ground on the Gresini machine ahead. By the final sector it was only a handful of tenths but Bezzecchi didn’t quite have enough in the tank to make a move, seeing Alex Marquez sweep through to his first ever Sprint win.
Aprilia always deliver at Silverstone
Despite starting down in 8th place, Viñales was a man on a mission during Saturday’s Sprint action. The Spaniard was on the move and eventually pushed his way past the Aussie Jack Miller for the final podium spot, holding onto P3 as Miller faded the other way.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also had his head down as he climbed his way up from 12th on the grid to 4th, before being demoted down to P5 by a late-charging Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). Sixth went to Martin, meaning Bezzecchi just edges him down into third in the standings, and behid Miller came Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Miguel Oliveira (CrytoDARA RNF MotoGP) completed the top ten.
That leaves some big names out. Reigning Champion Bagnaia failed to score in a Sprint for the first time this year, getting pushed a little wide by Zarco but then fading down to P14. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) rode home behind teammate Joan Mir to literally observe as the Japanese giants work to make big steps forward, in P17 and P18, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) came home in P20 after that difficult qualifying too.
Next: Grand Prix Sunday!
In the wet it was a whole new picture, but the weather on Sunday looks like it might change again. Can Bezzecchi keep making gains? Will more history be made? Find out at 13:00 (GMT +1) local time as we go Grand Prix racing at Silverstone!
More, from a press release issued by FIM EWC:
TEAM HRC CHARGES TO EWC SUZUKA 8 HOURS POLE WITH THRILLING TOP 10 TRIAL TRIUMPH
*Honda-powered squad all set to line up at the front for Japan’s famous EWC counter
*YART Yamaha quickest in qualifying and boosts EWC title advantage with bonus score
*TOHO Racing completes top three ahead of SDG Honda and Yoshimura SERT Motul
*Drama for F.C.C. TSR Honda France as new recruit Mackenzie falls in Top 10 Trial
*Suzuka’s iconic 8 Hours will be broadcast live on TV and around the world on Sunday
(5 August 2023): Team HRC with Japan Post has won the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race Top 10 Trial to secure pole position for tomorrow’s third round of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship.
Its riders Xavi Vierge and Tetsuta Nagashima combined to beat Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team pairing of Karel Hanika and Marvin Fritz as Ryuichi Kiyonari and Ikuhiro Enokido joined forces to claim third for TOHO Racing following the thrilling one-at-a-time shootout for top spot on the starting grid.
With the Top 10 Trial – which is unique to the Suzuka 8 Hours – for two riders only, Takumi Takahashi, Niccolò Canepa and Takuma Kunimine didn’t ride for HRC, YART and TOHO respectively, but all three played key roles in getting their respective teams to the grid battle, which awarded bonus points on a descending 5-4-3-2-1 scale to the fastest five squads.
It means Austria-based YART has edged five points ahead of defending EWC world champion team F.C.C. TSR Honda France after the Japanese squad was a non-scorer when it completed the Top 10 Trial in 10th position.
TOP TRIO SAID WHAT?
Nagashima, who was part of the Honda-powered HRC line-up that won the Suzuka 8 Hours last season, recovered from a foot injury to secure his entry for his home round of the EWC. And it was his 2m05.329s lap time that made the difference in the Top 10 Trial.
“I’m really happy to be back and to be in pole position,” Nagashima said. “After my injury I felt very discouraged, I lost a bit of my confidence and physically I could not push to the limit. But I would like to thank HRC for believing in me and for bringing me back here. To be able to have the pole position again makes me really happy.”
While Hanika managed a 2m05.519s on his run, Fritz had to make do with a 2m06.115s, which meant Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team settled for second on Sunday’s grid.
“It was my first Top 10 Trial, I could have ridden already three times but every time there was a typhoon or bad weather so it was cancelled so I was very happy it was happening today,” German rider Fritz said. “Unfortunately, my lap wasn’t perfect, I had a bad third sector but, in the end, Karel made an amazing lap time. The most important thing is we worked very hard from the test here to now. Our set-up is pretty good, we’re feeling good on the bike and I feel we have a good package for the race tomorrow.”
After securing third place, Kiyonari said: “My lap time wasn’t the best, I felt a bit slow. If Takuma [Kunimine] had done the lap instead of me he would have been faster but I am thankful the team passed the opportunity to me. I did enjoy it but tomorrow is going to be another day for us and we will do our best.”
HOW THE BATTLE FOR TOP 10 TRIAL GLORY UNFOLDED
Teams placed 10th to sixth in the Combined Qualifying Classification went first with Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA’s Kohta Arakawa the opening rider in the one-at-a-time shootout. He clocked a 2m07.828s, which Atsumi Cocoro tried but failed to beat for S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC.
Drama followed for F.C.C. TSR Honda France when new recruit Tarran Mackenzie fell at the 200R Chicane during his run, making team-mate Mike Di Meglio’s subsequent effort of 2m07.788s immaterial with the 2022 EWC world champion team restricted to 10th position.
Dan Linfoot was also unable to beat Arakawa’s benchmark, the British rider posting a 2m07.671s best for AutoRace Ube Racing Team. After a handful of moments, Haruki Noguchi could only manage a 2m08.046s run for SDG Honda Racing.
Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA’s second rider, Daijiro Hiura, built on team-mate Arakawa’s strong opening run with a time of 2m06.970s. Marcel Schrötter clocked a 2m08.542s for S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC before Di Meglio set his 2m07.788s.
Takuya Tsuda then went quickest of all for AutoRace Ube Racing Team in 2m06.811s only for Naomichi Uramoto to go quicker still, his 2m06.644s the best so far for SDG Honda Racing.
The teams qualifying from fifth to first were next up with Ryuichi Kiyonari posting a 2m08.132s for TOHO Racing. Kazuma Watanabe then registered a 2m07.518s for Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, while Gregg Black recorded a 2m07.252s for Yoshimura SERT Motul.
World Superbike ace and EWC rookie Xavi Vierge flew to a 2m05.919s best for Team HRC with Japan Post before Karel Hanika delivered in style by recording a 2m05.519s best for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team.
TOHO Racing’s Ikuhiro Enokido was the first of the final group of five riders to take on the Top 10 Trial. He managed a 2m06.343s with Ryo Mizuno clocking a 2m06.756s for Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing. Yoshimura SERT Motul rider Sylvain Guintoli charged to a 2m06.720s to set up a final pole position showdown between Team HRC’s Tetsuta Nagashima and YART Yamaha’s Marvin Fritz.
Nagashima was first to go aboard his Bridgestone-equipped Honda and the home hero shrugged off his lack of recent riding time owing to a foot injury to set a 2m05.329s around Suzuka Circuit’s 5.821-kilometre Full Course 2-Wheels layout.
Fritz gave his all aboard his Yamaha, also running on Bridgestone tyres, but a slower third sector than Nagashima had managed left him crossing the line in a time of 2m06.115s.
It meant Team HRC with Japan Post won the Top 10 Trial to take pole position for the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team, TOHO Racing, SDG Honda Racing, Yoshimura SERT Motul, Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, AutoRace Ube Racing Team, Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA, S-PULSE DREAM RACING -ITEC and F.C.C. TSR Honda France.
Of the other all-season EWC teams competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is set to start 11th followed by Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar in 12th. Honda Viltaïs Racing is due to line up in 21st, KM99 in 23rd and Motobox Kremer Racing 38th.
American Kayla Yaakov, age 16, won Yamaha bLU cRU R7 Cup Race One Saturday at Cartagena Circuit, in Spain.
Yaakov won the 10-lap race by 0.118 second over Matias Perez, and Eric Molina finished third just 0.631 second behind Yaakov.
The race had 16 starters.
Randy Krummenacher won MotoE World Championship Race One Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Dynavolt Intact GP electrified Ducati racebike, the Swiss racer won the five-lap sprint by 0.142 second over Ongetta SIC58 Squardacorse’s Kevin Manfredi. LCR E-Team’s Eric Granado finished third.
MotoE R1
Marco Bezzecchi claimed pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici, the Italian lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:15.359 to lead the field of 22 riders.
Australian Jack Miller was the best of the rest with a 2:15.629 on his Red Bull KTM RC16, and Alex Marquez earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:15.771 on his Gresini Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bezzecchi steals stunning pole position from Miller as the rain hits at Silverstone
Despite a late crash, the Italian nabs the honours from early pacesetter Miller, with Alex Marquez completing the front row and the rain shaking up the order in qualifying
Saturday, 05 August 2023
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) pulled a stunner out of the hat in qualifying for the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, reigning in the rain to take a second pole in succession and deny an early charge from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The Australian couldn’t quite hit back despite a late crash for Bezzecchi, and the front row is completed by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the number 73 showed more wet weather prowess, also despite a crash. With a wet qualifying setting the grid for both the Tissot Sprint, expected to be in the wet, and the Grand Prix race, which may prove dry… the stage is set for another weekend of unpredictability in MotoGP™!
Q1: Marc Marquez & Quartararo out, Morbidelli top
As ever, the fight to get through from Q1 featured plenty superstar names, amongst them Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).
After Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had topped FP2 in similar conditions, he was the one to watch initiailly – but then the number 49 crashed out, rider ok but his progress then seriously dented. Next up, Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took over on top, and the more veteran Italian was in the groove.
The next drama was for Quartararo as the Frenchman pulled off quite a save, but he stopped at the side of the track and that also put paid to his progress. He got back to pitlane but didn’t set another fast lap, just one more on the board.
Bastianini threatened and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) also emerged as a serious threat for a place in Q2, slotting into second. Then it all came down to Marc Marquez, losing out in the first part of the lap, then gaining some time back… but then tagging onto teammate Joan Mir and having to overtake the number 36. It wasn’t enough for either, with Morbidelli easing through on top and rookie Augusto Fernandez nabbing that second place in Q2.
Q2
The conditions remained torrential in Q2. The first serious shot at pole was a stunning lap from Miller as the Australian pulled over a second and a half clear, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking over in second. But then came the first drama as Pecco slid out, rider ok but losing his chance to head back out.
Alex Marquez was the first to make a real attack on Miller’s time, the number 73 getting within a tenth and a half as the field managed to home in on the goalposts. He then also suffered a crash, rider ok, but out of contention. And then came Bezzecchi. The sophomore sliced round Silverstone to knock an impressive 0.270 off rain master Miller’s time, taking over in provisional pole.
From there, Bezzecchi stole more headlines as he had a fairly fast crash out of the session, but rider ok… and that laptime remained unbeatable. He takes back to back poles in very different conditions and at very different venues, with Miller forced to settle for second.
THE GRID
Behind Bezzecchi and Miller, Alex Marquez takes that third on the grid to complete the front row. He’s ahead of Bagnaia, whose crash seemed like it could be costly for his grid position, but the reigning Champion actually didn’t lose out too much as he heads the second row. He’s joined by a stunning Q2 performance from Q1 graduate and rookie Augusto Fernandez who takes fifth, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completing Row 2 despite also crashing in the session.
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) lend their firepower to Row 3, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in P10 and looking for a classic Binder slice through the order. Morbidelli is next up, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) left ruing the weather more than anyone after his amazing speed in the dry on Friday gives way to P12 on the grid on Saturday and Sunday.
Bastianini is left in P13 on the grid, ahead of Marc Marquez and a truly impressive first qualifying back for Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) just behind his former teammate. Quartararo finds himself at the back of the field at Silverstone, looking for much more once the lights go out. Join us for the first instance of that this afternoon!
Pedro Acosta earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at rainy Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the Spaniard covered the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) road course in 2:16.953 to top the field of 29 riders.
American Joe Roberts qualified 10th with a time of 2:18.811 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) is not racing at Silverstone. He is still recovering from surgery on his right forearm.
Moto2 Comb Qual
