The final qualifying session for the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy came to a close this evening ahead of the RST Superbike TT and 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Races tomorrow.
Due to rain in the daytime the final session for qualifying was pushed back to the evening, starting at 6.30pm, it was bright skies all round, although riders were warned of damp patches from Ginger Hall through to the Conker Fields and also at Ramsey Hairpin.
Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Peter Hickman’s stranglehold on the Superbike class continuing as he lapped at a mightily impressive 132.874mph on the Gas Monkey Garage by FHO Racing BMW despite the conditions in the north of the Island.
Elsewhere, Michael Dunlop was the man of the moment as he topped the Superstock (129.299mph), Supersport (125.04mph) and Supertwin (120.303mph) leaderboards, whilst newcomer Glenn Irwin again left everyone in awe with a new personal best lap of 128.268mph making him the fifth fastest Superbike on the night.
The damp conditions meant it was the Supersport/Supertwin machines who were the first to take to the Mountain Course and it was 7.18pm before the Superbikes went out on track, Dunlop (Hawk Racing) setting off towards Bray Hill first with Michael Rutter (Bathams Ales), Ian Hutchinson (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) and Craig Neve (Callmac Scaffolding) next to go.
It was Hickman who set the pace on the first lap though, and although Dunlop (129.346mph) was the first to cross the line, Hickman was some 15s quicker at 131.241mph. Jamie Coward (127.546mph) placed third ahead of Irwin (126.196mph), James Hillier (125.958mph) and Shaun Anderson (125.502mph). Mike Browne (124.752mph) was next up in seventh.
A number of leading contenders went out first on their Superstock machines with Dean Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) the early pacesetter at 127.853mph, followed by Conor Cummins (127.635mph), Neve (124.783mph), Nathan Harrison (124.313mph) and Brian McCormack (124.142mph).
As riders got more used to the conditions on lap two, the speeds improved especially Hickman’s as he flashed across the line at 132.876mph, no mean feat given the damp patches in the north of the Island. Hillier (127.449mph) also improved but was soon back down in seventh as Harrison (128.56mph) and Lee Johnston (128.503mph) both overhauled him as did Irwin who posted the aforementioned 128.268mph lap! That put him fifth quickest with Browne deserving another mention as he again went quicker at 125.54mph.
The earlier Supersport/Supertwin session saw Dunlop lead the riders away on his Paton Supertwin and he was swiftly followed by Hillier (RICH Energy OMG Racing), John McGuinness MBE (SMT Racing/Blue Earth Construction), Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) and Hutchinson (Boyce Precision by Russell Racing).
Those four were all Supersport-mounted as were Davey Todd, Hickman and Conor Cummins but Johnston, Gary Johnson and Dominic Herbertson had all chosen their Supertwin machines for their first lap of the evening. The latter soon stopped though at Union Mills.
Harrison and Hickman set the pace to Ramsey with Todd in third but the live coverage on TT+ later caught the latter’s Honda expiring in a plume of smoke just after the Mountain Mile, eventually pulling in at the Mountain Box.
The damp patches kept the times down a little with Harrison (123.044mph), Hutchinson (122.717mph) and Hickman (121.981mph) the leading three 600cc machines first time around closely followed by Cummins (121.779mph), Paul Jordan (121.388mph) and Hillier (121.295mph). Dunlop was the quickest Supertwin (120.303mph), immediately pitting to switch to his Supersport machine, ahead of Johnston (116.06mph) and Rob Hodson (115.04mph).
The second lap saw a similar pace from Hutchinson (122.61mph) but Hickman upped his tempo considerably to 124.835mph, moving him to the top of the leaderboard, although it didn’t last long as Dunlop soon took over after lapping 1.7s quicker at 125.04mph. Cummins (123.524mph) moved up to third, pushing Harrison and Hutchinson down to fourth and fifth, with Browne going well again at 121.889mph.
Dunlop’s Supertwin time remained untouched as did Johnston’s but Jordan (PreZ Racing by Prosper2) squeezed between them with a lap of 116.371mph. Hodson increased his speed to 115.856mph and placed fourth ahead of Michael Evans (114.65mph) and newcomer Joe Loughlin (114.261mph).
An incident at Joey’s involving Supersport, Number 46, Mike Booth as well as a burst water main at Cronk ny Mona meant the Sidecars were confined to just one lap ahead of their race tomorrow. It was Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley who were quickest at 115.441mph followed by Ryan and Callum Crowe (114.276mph), Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney (111.008mph), Dave Molyneux/Daryl Gibson (109.312mph), Paul Leglise/Melanie Farnier (108.634mph) and Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle (107.761mph).
Having dominated the sidecar qualifying sessions so far, the Birchalls started the session before pulling off the course shortly afterwards. Elsewhere there was disappointment for John Holden as he’s been forced to withdraw from the event due to a lack of suitable passenger, newcomer Jason Pitt pulling out due to lack of experience and substitute Dan Sayle’s previous injuries seeing him unable to compete at the optimum level.
Incident update: Mike Booth, off at Joey’s, reported conscious with leg injuries, airlifted to Noble’s Hospital
Rider condition update: Dave Moffitt, off at Laurel Bank, 30th May, remains serious but stable and continues to receive treatment
Qualifying report: Hanika goes for a rapid ride on Spa’s EWC rollercoaster
June 3 2022
*Czech star receives Nathalie Maillet Challenge trophy for stunning pole lap
*YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC fastest again in EWC qualifying
*Wójcik Racing Team first among Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders
*Stage set for a thrilling 24H SPA EWC Motos with race start set for Saturday at 13h00
A stunning lap from Karel Hanika ensured YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC claimed a second consecutive pole position in this season’s FIM Endurance World Championship, which is returning to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the first time since 2001 this weekend.
The Czech, who received the Nathalie Maillet Challenge trophy for his charging performance on his Bridgestone-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1, was the only rider to dip below the 2m19s barrier. He’s now preparing to line up for the first 24H SPA EWC Motos, which will recreate the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège when it begins at 13h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday) alongside team-mates Marvin Fritz and Niccolò Canepa from Germany and Italy respectively.
Under new rules for this season EWC qualifying results are based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team, rather than three previously. That means BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger) will start in second position for the eagerly anticipated day and night race with Yoshimura SERT Motul in third. The Suzuki-powered outfit includes home hero Xavier Siméon along with team-mates Gregg Black and Sylvain Guintoli.
In the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, there was a pole for Polish squad Wójcik Racing Team for whom Italian Kevin Manfredi was the fastest of its trio of riders, which also features Briton Danny Webb and Pole Marek Szkopek. BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers, featuring Belgian Loris Cresson, was second followed by National Motos Honda.
How the chase for EWC pole glory unfolded
Gregg Black underlined Yoshimura SERT Motul’s intent with the fastest time in the Blue Rider group, the first of four groups to take to the legendary 6.985-kilometre track for Second Qualifying. The British-born Frenchman clocked a 2m19.368s best to edge Germany’s Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) by 0.017s. Niccolò Canepa was third for YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC followed by Josh Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Tati Team Beringer Racing’s Alan Techer. Xavi Forès (ERC Endurance-Ducati) was sixth quickest ahead of Webike SRC Kawasaki France rider Randy de Puniet. Dominik Vincon (Team LRP Poland), Florian Alt (Viltaïs Racing Igol) and leading Dunlop Superstock Trophy contender Johan Nigon (Team LH Racing) completed the top 10.
YART’s German ace Marvin Fritz was the form Yellow Rider on a 2m19.826s ahead of Ukraine’s Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) by 0.195s with home hero Xavier Siméon leaving it late to post the third fastest time, a 2m20.321s. Gino Rea placed fourth but was a late faller from his F.C.C. TSR Honda France entry. Grégory Leblanc and Etienne Masson were next up for Tati Team Beringer Racing and Webike SRC Kawasaki France respectively with Erwan Nigon seventh quickest for Viltaïs Racing Igol. Team LRP Poland’s late entrant Pepijn Bijsterbosch was eighth ahead of Claudio Corti (Team Moto Ain) and Sheridan Morais (Wójcik Racing Team EWC 77), whose team-mate Dan Linfoot crashed in the first rider group on track. Belgian Loris Cresson (BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers) topped the Dunlop Superstock Trophy classification.
The Red Rider session was interrupted by two red flags but finished with Karel Hanika on top for YART following his epic 2m18.845s lap. Sylvain Guintoli was 1.572s adrift for Yoshimura SERT Motul, while Mike di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) placed third despite falling. Florian Marino (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) and Jérémy Guarnoni (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) were next up with Chaz Davies sixth on his EWC debut. South African Steven Odendaal was seventh quickest for Viltaïs Racing Igol followed by Loïc Arbel (Tati Team Beringer Racing) and Wójcik Racing Team STK 777’s Dunlop Superstock Trophy pacesetting Brit Danny Webb. Christian Iddon was the fastest of the Green Rider group, with the Yoshimura SERT Motil team posting a 2m21.864s best.
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND-UP: HANIKA LEAVES IT LATE TO TOP EWC ORDER
Karel Hanika left it late to put YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC on top following an action-packed First Qualifying. Hanika had trailed Florian Marino (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) in the Red Rider session but snatched first place among the third of four groups on his last lap by a margin of 0.492s.
Hanika’s 2m20.253s eclipsed the fastest times posted in the earlier Blue and Yellow Rider sessions by Josh Hook and Illya Mykhalchyk and continued his strong qualifying form that was much in evidence at the EWC season-opening 24 Heures Motos, where he set a new qualifying lap record on his way to pole position.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s Markus Reiterberger set the early pace among the Blue Riders, slipped down the order before shooting back to the top of the times, ousting Josh Hook in the process. However, his best lap of 2m19.910s was struck from the records after he was adjudged to have exceeded track limits. That left Hook fastest for F.C.C. TSR Honda France in a time of 2m20.411s ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul’s Gregg Black and YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC’s Niccolò Canepa. Randy de Puniet (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) and Xavi Forès (ERC Endurance-Ducati) were next. Hugo Clere (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore) headed the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders followed by Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda).
While Reiterberger was penalised in the Blue Rider session, there were no such problems for Illya Mykhalchyk, who took over the #37 Dunlop-shod BMW M1000RR and went fastest among the Yellow Riders in 2m20.388s. F.C.C. TSR Honda France’s new-for-2022 recruit Gino Rea was second quickest with Marvin Fritz (YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC) heading home hero Xavier Siméon (Yoshimura SERT Motul). Grégory Leblanc was fifth fastest for Tati Team Beringer Racing with Etienne Masson (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) sixth on another ZK 10R. Kevin Manfredi (Wójcik Racing Team STK 777) edged out Belgian rider Loris Cresson (BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers) for the fastest time among the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders. The session was red flagged to enable trackside safety barriers to be repaired after Martin Renaudin crashed 3ART Best of Bike Yamaha, albeit without injury.
Behind Hanika and Marino in the Red Rider session, BMW’s Jérémy Guarnoni was third fastest followed by Sylvain Guintoli (Yoshimura SERT Motul), Chaz Davies (ERC Endurance-Ducati) and Mike di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France). Team Moto Ain’s Corentin Perolari was seventh as Wójcik Racing Team experienced mixed fortunes. While Mathieu Gines crashed his Formula EWC-spec Yamaha, Danny Webb topped the Dunlop Superstock Trophy ahead of Kevin Calia (Team 33 Louit April Moto) and RAC 41 ChromeBurner’s Chris Leesch.
Christian Iddon edged the battle of the reserves in the Green Rider session with a 2m21.774s best for Yoshimura SERT Motul. Kenny Forray (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team), YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC’s Robin Mulhauser was third fastest followed by James Westmoreland (Viltaïs Racing Igol) and Balint Kovács, the quickest of the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders for Wójcik Racing Team STK 777 in fifth overall.
DISCOVERY SPORTS EVENTS AND CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS ANNOUNCE THE NATHALIE MAILLET CHALLENGE
As part of the first edition of the 24H Spa EWC Motos, Discovery Sports Events and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps have announced a tribute to Nathalie Maillet, the former circuit manager who lost her life last year. The Nathalie Maillet Challenge has been created in the form of a special trophy to be awarded each year to the rider setting the best lap in qualifying for rounds two of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship. François Ribeiro, Head of Discovery Sports Events, said: “This trophy is the perfect opportunity to honour the essential role played by the late Nathalie Maillet, whose invaluable help made this race possible. It was her vision that led to the first discussions, and which ultimately led us to where we are today.” Amaury Bertholome, Managing Director, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, said: “The 24H SPA EWC Motos taking place this weekend is the culmination of a process that began in May 2016 under the impetus of my predecessor Nathalie Maillet. This trophy reflects perfectly her character, a person who was driven by an unwavering desire to win and a passion for the circuit that we have in common.”
RIDER QUOTES
Formula EWC, Karel Hanika (YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC): “My team prepared a great bike and my team-mates were riding in front of me and they told me how is the situation with the race track and they helped me to prepare the bike for the perfect lap. For myself I was just looking to have a clean lap and this I was able to achieve in the last few minutes. I did no mistakes and was trying to hit my lines and the bike was working great. I believe there was one or two tenths possible to do better but, for sure, you are always on the limit every time you go into qualifying. You are 100 per cent at these moments and I did the best that I could do. Of course we will try to win, it’s our main target every time we go into a race. We’ve worked hard since the last race in Le Mans to improve the things we were struggling with and we believe it’s now properly fixed. We are enjoying riding here at Spa, it’s a great circuit, we’re having a lot of fun and it’s great to share the bike with my team-mates. Thanks to my team, they did an amazing job, and we have the pole position again. I am very happy.”
Dunlop Superstock Trophy, Kevin Manfredi (Wójcik Racing Team STK 777): “After the injury now it’s okay. At Le Mans I had a little more pain on my body but now it’s okay. Danny [Webb] helped me a lot with the bike and with the track a lot. He knows the track from the classic bike races and this is important for my lap time. I was not on the limit and I don’t close two corners very and maybe it was possible to go a little more fast. Now I just hope for the best result for the team, but it’s a new race for all the teams and maybe this is the biggest challenge because anything can happen.”
Best laps
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 2m20.411s
First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Illya Mykhalchyk, 2m20.388s
First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m20.253s
First Qualifying Green Rider: Christian Iddon, 2m21.774s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Gregg Black, 2m19.368s
Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 2m19.826s
Second Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m18.845s
Second Qualifying Green Rider: Christian Iddon 2m21.864s
What’s next?
The 24H SPA EWC Motos, round two of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship, is due to begin at 13h00 CET on Saturday 5 June. Click HERE for details of the global networks broadcasting the race live.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Josh Herrin Dominates Day One at Road America
Herrin sets the fastest times in Practice 1 and Qualifying 1
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 3, 2022 — Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) and the Panigale V2 continue to prove a formidable pairing: the 2013 AMA Superbike champion finished Qualifying 1 at Road America in first place, 0.726 seconds ahead of Suzuki’s Tyler Scott.
Herrin displayed speed and consistency right out of the box. In Practice 1, Herrin was black flagged because of a technical issue with the timing transponder on his Panigale V2, limiting him to recording only three timed laps. Unphased, he clocked the fastest lap of the session, a 2:21.045—four-tenths faster than Stefano Mesa in second place.
In Qualifying 1, Herrin’s session was interrupted by oil on the track, but after MotoAmerica marshals cleared the surface, Herrin started where he left off, posting a 2:19.805 to top the session.
Going into Qualifying 2, Herrin has a comfortable seven-tenths margin and is feeling confident ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s 11-lap races.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 2:19.805
P2 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 2:20.531
P3 – Stefano Mesa (Kawasaki) 2:21.011
P4 – Samuel Lochoff (Suzuki) 2:21.360
P5 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 2:21.421
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #2)
“Today went well. In the first session, we had an issue with our transponder, but they got it running quickly and we were able to be fastest. Then we went out for qualifying and there was oil on the track, so they had to clean it up with oil absorbent. We went out for the first couple laps and there were tons of it spraying up everywhere, so we had to come in and missed part of the session. We went back out for the second half and were able to put it in P1 for provisional qualifying. Overall, the day went really well. I’m super happy with the results and super happy with the bike and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Qualifying 2 is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at 9:35 am EDT, followed by Race 1 at 3:10 pm EDT, and Race 2 on Sunday, June 5 at 3:10 pm.
Aleix Espargaro & Viñales make it an Aprilia 1-2 on Friday
The Noale factory head Ducati and KTM on Day 1 in Barcelona
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna
Friday, 03 June 2022
Aprilia Racing dominated the opening day at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, with Aleix Espargaro clinched top spot ahead of teammate Maverick Viñales. The pair were split by three tenths after sharing the lead of the timesheets throughout FP2, with Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini the Noale factory’s closest challenger in third.
FP1
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was fastest in FP1, putting in a 1:40.101 in the final few minutes of the opening session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and backing that up with a 1:40.185 as he greeted the chequered flag. Like Rins, Viñales finished the session on new medium compound Michelin tyres, front and rear, and consolidated second on the timing screen with a 1:40.296 on his final lap to sit second.
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had been the early pace-setter as the Italian showed strong form, and the 1:40.695 set on his first run put him third when the music stopped. Aleix Espargaro, who has now finished third for the last four MotoGP™ races in a row, took fourth with Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro making it for different manufacturers in the top five, heading a Honda trio continued by Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol).
World Championship leader and newly re-signed Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ rider Fabio Quartararo was back in P14 and right behind him was the man who reignited his title bid with victory a week ago at Mugello: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
The only crasher was Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), rider ok.
FP2
Noale fought back in the afternoon, with Espargaro taking over at the top with 20 minutes remaining to displace Rins. With seven minutes left we saw the first rider stick some soft rubber in, with Viñales deciding it was the moment for a time attack.
The Spaniard put it to good use to steal top spot from his teammate, and Top Gun then found another two tenths on his next lap, posting a 1:39.705. The Ducati trio of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Bastianini and Martin all had a go at trying to better Viñales but all three failed in their quests.
Then, with the chequered flag out, Aleix Espargaro snatched the honour of Friday’s fastest with a blistering 1:39.402 – just half a second shy of Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) outright lap record from 12 months ago. That made it a 1-2 for the Aprilia teammates to start the weekend, as both Espargaro and Viñales look to repeat their Catalan heroics after taking 1-2 on the grid whilst riding for Suzuki at the 2015 Catalan Grand Prix.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the two Aprilias comes Bastianini, with the ‘Beast’ 0.488 off the top to lead the resistance. Bagnaia secured fourth overall, with Martin in fifth and only four hundreths further back. A strong final flying lap from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) saw the South African then jump up to sixth on the timesheets, pushing Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) down to P7.
Quartararo moved up to P8 in FP2, but overall Rins’ FP1 table topper is quicker and that puts the Suzuki rider in eighth. Quartararo is relegated to ninth, just ahead of a resurgent Morbidelli, who is the last currently on to move through to Q2.
Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) was the only crasher, rider ok as he gets back into the racing groove in place of the recovering Marc Marquez.
FP3 promises a real shootout on Saturday morning, with Aprilia showing a strong hand early doors. Can it continue? Find out at 10:55, before qualifying from 14:10 to decide the grid for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya.
3 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.488
Aron Canet (40). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Canet heads tight top three at Catalunya
0.079 covers the fastest trio on Day 1 in Barcelona as Moto2™ gets close
Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) bounced back in style on Friday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, taking to the top to head Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) as just 0.079 covered the top three by the end of Day 1.
FP1
Canet put his Mugello frustrations behind him early doors by topping FP1, ending the session 0.024 clear of compatriot Fernandez. Dixon made it an incredibly close top three, just 0.079 seconds adrift in third, with the top three not set to change. Incredibly, yhe top 19 riders were split by just under a second.
Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Sam Lowes sat 0.125 seconds adrift of Canet, Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team’s Bo Bendsneyder completed the top five. Last weekend’s record-breaking race winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was eighth, ahead of Lightech Conveyors Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez and Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura sat ninth and tenth.
FP2
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) struck late to deny Canet the chance to top both the day’s sessions. The Americas was just over a tenth clear of the Spaniard, with Mugello winner Acosta in third and only another 0.076 off.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) impressed in fourth, as did Lopez in fifth as the rookie newcomer continues to impress.
Provisional Q2 places
It’s FP1 that sets the combined timesheets from first to seventh, so that’s Canet, Fernandez, Dixon, Lowes, Bendsneyder, Inde GASGAS Aspar’s Albert Arenas and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP). Next up comes Roberts thanks to his FP2 best. Acosta and Lopez complete the top ten.
Championship leader Vietti was pipped by Ogura as they are both currently set to move through, with Dalla Porta in P13 and Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2) the last on to join them as it stands.
Find out how that shuffles in FP3 before qualifying from 15:10 (GMT +2)!
Two sessions and two fastest laps see the Mallorcan end Day 1 top of the pile
Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) took top honours on Day 1 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, topping FP1 and FP2 to end Friday with a two tenths in hand over rookie Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was third quickest, another tenth in arrears.
FP1
Guevara set the pace in FP1, clocking a 1:48.675 in the closing minutes of the opening session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Holgado moved to second with the chequered flag out when he set a 1:48.870, pushing Foggia back to third.
Jaume Masia was just 0.016 seconds slower again on the second Red Bull KTM Ajo bike, 0.103 seconds up on the second Leopard of Tatsuki Suzuki. World Championship leader and Italian GP winner Sergio Garcia set a 1:49.392 for P7.
The 40-minute session was mostly incident-free although Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) was seen in the gravel – upright – at Turn 5 before setting a 1:49.451 which was good enough to be classified eighth. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had a late spill at Turn 1 – rider okay – having logged a 1:49.919 which saw him ultimately classified 14th.
FP2
Guevara was once again the rider to watch, but the gap between the number 28 and Foggia was only 0.023 by the end of play. Suzuki was third quickest ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP), with Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) completing the top five 0.351 off the top.
Garcia was next up, only 0.032 further back.
Tatay had a second incident, and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) and Suzuki also crashed in FP2.
Provisional Q2 places
It’s Guevara on top ahead of Holgado from their FP1 times, with Foggia and Masia next. Suzuki is fifth thanks to his FP2 best, ahead of fellow afternoon improver Yamanaka.
Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) is seventh overall, ahead of Toba. Garcia is ninth on the combined timesheets, with Öncü, Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Tatay and recent debutant David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) next up. The final rider to move straight through to Q2 as it stands is Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), but it could all change in FP3. Tune in for that from 9:00 (GMT +2), before qualifying from 12:35!
After review by the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards, no further action will be taken regarding a number of Moto3™ riders momentarily slowing at Turn 10.
Editorial Note: The existing MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers (KOTB) overall lap record at Road America is 2:27.460, which was set by Kyle Wyman in 2021.
Peter Hickman (10) in action during the 2022 Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.
HICKMAN ENDS QUALIFYING AS THE FASTEST
The final qualifying session for the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy came to a close this evening ahead of the RST Superbike TT and 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Races tomorrow.
Due to rain in the daytime the final session for qualifying was pushed back to the evening, starting at 6.30pm, it was bright skies all round, although riders were warned of damp patches from Ginger Hall through to the Conker Fields and also at Ramsey Hairpin.
Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Peter Hickman’s stranglehold on the Superbike class continuing as he lapped at a mightily impressive 132.874mph on the Gas Monkey Garage by FHO Racing BMW despite the conditions in the north of the Island.
Elsewhere, Michael Dunlop was the man of the moment as he topped the Superstock (129.299mph), Supersport (125.04mph) and Supertwin (120.303mph) leaderboards, whilst newcomer Glenn Irwin again left everyone in awe with a new personal best lap of 128.268mph making him the fifth fastest Superbike on the night.
The damp conditions meant it was the Supersport/Supertwin machines who were the first to take to the Mountain Course and it was 7.18pm before the Superbikes went out on track, Dunlop (Hawk Racing) setting off towards Bray Hill first with Michael Rutter (Bathams Ales), Ian Hutchinson (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) and Craig Neve (Callmac Scaffolding) next to go.
It was Hickman who set the pace on the first lap though, and although Dunlop (129.346mph) was the first to cross the line, Hickman was some 15s quicker at 131.241mph. Jamie Coward (127.546mph) placed third ahead of Irwin (126.196mph), James Hillier (125.958mph) and Shaun Anderson (125.502mph). Mike Browne (124.752mph) was next up in seventh.
A number of leading contenders went out first on their Superstock machines with Dean Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) the early pacesetter at 127.853mph, followed by Conor Cummins (127.635mph), Neve (124.783mph), Nathan Harrison (124.313mph) and Brian McCormack (124.142mph).
As riders got more used to the conditions on lap two, the speeds improved especially Hickman’s as he flashed across the line at 132.876mph, no mean feat given the damp patches in the north of the Island. Hillier (127.449mph) also improved but was soon back down in seventh as Harrison (128.56mph) and Lee Johnston (128.503mph) both overhauled him as did Irwin who posted the aforementioned 128.268mph lap! That put him fifth quickest with Browne deserving another mention as he again went quicker at 125.54mph.
The earlier Supersport/Supertwin session saw Dunlop lead the riders away on his Paton Supertwin and he was swiftly followed by Hillier (RICH Energy OMG Racing), John McGuinness MBE (SMT Racing/Blue Earth Construction), Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) and Hutchinson (Boyce Precision by Russell Racing).
Those four were all Supersport-mounted as were Davey Todd, Hickman and Conor Cummins but Johnston, Gary Johnson and Dominic Herbertson had all chosen their Supertwin machines for their first lap of the evening. The latter soon stopped though at Union Mills.
Harrison and Hickman set the pace to Ramsey with Todd in third but the live coverage on TT+ later caught the latter’s Honda expiring in a plume of smoke just after the Mountain Mile, eventually pulling in at the Mountain Box.
The damp patches kept the times down a little with Harrison (123.044mph), Hutchinson (122.717mph) and Hickman (121.981mph) the leading three 600cc machines first time around closely followed by Cummins (121.779mph), Paul Jordan (121.388mph) and Hillier (121.295mph). Dunlop was the quickest Supertwin (120.303mph), immediately pitting to switch to his Supersport machine, ahead of Johnston (116.06mph) and Rob Hodson (115.04mph).
The second lap saw a similar pace from Hutchinson (122.61mph) but Hickman upped his tempo considerably to 124.835mph, moving him to the top of the leaderboard, although it didn’t last long as Dunlop soon took over after lapping 1.7s quicker at 125.04mph. Cummins (123.524mph) moved up to third, pushing Harrison and Hutchinson down to fourth and fifth, with Browne going well again at 121.889mph.
Dunlop’s Supertwin time remained untouched as did Johnston’s but Jordan (PreZ Racing by Prosper2) squeezed between them with a lap of 116.371mph. Hodson increased his speed to 115.856mph and placed fourth ahead of Michael Evans (114.65mph) and newcomer Joe Loughlin (114.261mph).
An incident at Joey’s involving Supersport, Number 46, Mike Booth as well as a burst water main at Cronk ny Mona meant the Sidecars were confined to just one lap ahead of their race tomorrow. It was Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley who were quickest at 115.441mph followed by Ryan and Callum Crowe (114.276mph), Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney (111.008mph), Dave Molyneux/Daryl Gibson (109.312mph), Paul Leglise/Melanie Farnier (108.634mph) and Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle (107.761mph).
Having dominated the sidecar qualifying sessions so far, the Birchalls started the session before pulling off the course shortly afterwards. Elsewhere there was disappointment for John Holden as he’s been forced to withdraw from the event due to a lack of suitable passenger, newcomer Jason Pitt pulling out due to lack of experience and substitute Dan Sayle’s previous injuries seeing him unable to compete at the optimum level.
Incident update: Mike Booth, off at Joey’s, reported conscious with leg injuries, airlifted to Noble’s Hospital
Rider condition update: Dave Moffitt, off at Laurel Bank, 30th May, remains serious but stable and continues to receive treatment
Qualifying report: Hanika goes for a rapid ride on Spa’s EWC rollercoaster
June 3 2022
*Czech star receives Nathalie Maillet Challenge trophy for stunning pole lap
*YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC fastest again in EWC qualifying
*Wójcik Racing Team first among Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders
*Stage set for a thrilling 24H SPA EWC Motos with race start set for Saturday at 13h00
A stunning lap from Karel Hanika ensured YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC claimed a second consecutive pole position in this season’s FIM Endurance World Championship, which is returning to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the first time since 2001 this weekend.
The Czech, who received the Nathalie Maillet Challenge trophy for his charging performance on his Bridgestone-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1, was the only rider to dip below the 2m19s barrier. He’s now preparing to line up for the first 24H SPA EWC Motos, which will recreate the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège when it begins at 13h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday) alongside team-mates Marvin Fritz and Niccolò Canepa from Germany and Italy respectively.
Under new rules for this season EWC qualifying results are based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team, rather than three previously. That means BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger) will start in second position for the eagerly anticipated day and night race with Yoshimura SERT Motul in third. The Suzuki-powered outfit includes home hero Xavier Siméon along with team-mates Gregg Black and Sylvain Guintoli.
In the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, there was a pole for Polish squad Wójcik Racing Team for whom Italian Kevin Manfredi was the fastest of its trio of riders, which also features Briton Danny Webb and Pole Marek Szkopek. BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers, featuring Belgian Loris Cresson, was second followed by National Motos Honda.
How the chase for EWC pole glory unfolded
Gregg Black underlined Yoshimura SERT Motul’s intent with the fastest time in the Blue Rider group, the first of four groups to take to the legendary 6.985-kilometre track for Second Qualifying. The British-born Frenchman clocked a 2m19.368s best to edge Germany’s Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) by 0.017s. Niccolò Canepa was third for YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC followed by Josh Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Tati Team Beringer Racing’s Alan Techer. Xavi Forès (ERC Endurance-Ducati) was sixth quickest ahead of Webike SRC Kawasaki France rider Randy de Puniet. Dominik Vincon (Team LRP Poland), Florian Alt (Viltaïs Racing Igol) and leading Dunlop Superstock Trophy contender Johan Nigon (Team LH Racing) completed the top 10.
YART’s German ace Marvin Fritz was the form Yellow Rider on a 2m19.826s ahead of Ukraine’s Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) by 0.195s with home hero Xavier Siméon leaving it late to post the third fastest time, a 2m20.321s. Gino Rea placed fourth but was a late faller from his F.C.C. TSR Honda France entry. Grégory Leblanc and Etienne Masson were next up for Tati Team Beringer Racing and Webike SRC Kawasaki France respectively with Erwan Nigon seventh quickest for Viltaïs Racing Igol. Team LRP Poland’s late entrant Pepijn Bijsterbosch was eighth ahead of Claudio Corti (Team Moto Ain) and Sheridan Morais (Wójcik Racing Team EWC 77), whose team-mate Dan Linfoot crashed in the first rider group on track. Belgian Loris Cresson (BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers) topped the Dunlop Superstock Trophy classification.
The Red Rider session was interrupted by two red flags but finished with Karel Hanika on top for YART following his epic 2m18.845s lap. Sylvain Guintoli was 1.572s adrift for Yoshimura SERT Motul, while Mike di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) placed third despite falling. Florian Marino (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) and Jérémy Guarnoni (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) were next up with Chaz Davies sixth on his EWC debut. South African Steven Odendaal was seventh quickest for Viltaïs Racing Igol followed by Loïc Arbel (Tati Team Beringer Racing) and Wójcik Racing Team STK 777’s Dunlop Superstock Trophy pacesetting Brit Danny Webb. Christian Iddon was the fastest of the Green Rider group, with the Yoshimura SERT Motil team posting a 2m21.864s best.
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND-UP: HANIKA LEAVES IT LATE TO TOP EWC ORDER
Karel Hanika left it late to put YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC on top following an action-packed First Qualifying. Hanika had trailed Florian Marino (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) in the Red Rider session but snatched first place among the third of four groups on his last lap by a margin of 0.492s.
Hanika’s 2m20.253s eclipsed the fastest times posted in the earlier Blue and Yellow Rider sessions by Josh Hook and Illya Mykhalchyk and continued his strong qualifying form that was much in evidence at the EWC season-opening 24 Heures Motos, where he set a new qualifying lap record on his way to pole position.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s Markus Reiterberger set the early pace among the Blue Riders, slipped down the order before shooting back to the top of the times, ousting Josh Hook in the process. However, his best lap of 2m19.910s was struck from the records after he was adjudged to have exceeded track limits. That left Hook fastest for F.C.C. TSR Honda France in a time of 2m20.411s ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul’s Gregg Black and YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC’s Niccolò Canepa. Randy de Puniet (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) and Xavi Forès (ERC Endurance-Ducati) were next. Hugo Clere (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore) headed the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders followed by Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda).
While Reiterberger was penalised in the Blue Rider session, there were no such problems for Illya Mykhalchyk, who took over the #37 Dunlop-shod BMW M1000RR and went fastest among the Yellow Riders in 2m20.388s. F.C.C. TSR Honda France’s new-for-2022 recruit Gino Rea was second quickest with Marvin Fritz (YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC) heading home hero Xavier Siméon (Yoshimura SERT Motul). Grégory Leblanc was fifth fastest for Tati Team Beringer Racing with Etienne Masson (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) sixth on another ZK 10R. Kevin Manfredi (Wójcik Racing Team STK 777) edged out Belgian rider Loris Cresson (BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers) for the fastest time among the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders. The session was red flagged to enable trackside safety barriers to be repaired after Martin Renaudin crashed 3ART Best of Bike Yamaha, albeit without injury.
Behind Hanika and Marino in the Red Rider session, BMW’s Jérémy Guarnoni was third fastest followed by Sylvain Guintoli (Yoshimura SERT Motul), Chaz Davies (ERC Endurance-Ducati) and Mike di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France). Team Moto Ain’s Corentin Perolari was seventh as Wójcik Racing Team experienced mixed fortunes. While Mathieu Gines crashed his Formula EWC-spec Yamaha, Danny Webb topped the Dunlop Superstock Trophy ahead of Kevin Calia (Team 33 Louit April Moto) and RAC 41 ChromeBurner’s Chris Leesch.
Christian Iddon edged the battle of the reserves in the Green Rider session with a 2m21.774s best for Yoshimura SERT Motul. Kenny Forray (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team), YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC’s Robin Mulhauser was third fastest followed by James Westmoreland (Viltaïs Racing Igol) and Balint Kovács, the quickest of the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contenders for Wójcik Racing Team STK 777 in fifth overall.
DISCOVERY SPORTS EVENTS AND CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS ANNOUNCE THE NATHALIE MAILLET CHALLENGE
As part of the first edition of the 24H Spa EWC Motos, Discovery Sports Events and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps have announced a tribute to Nathalie Maillet, the former circuit manager who lost her life last year. The Nathalie Maillet Challenge has been created in the form of a special trophy to be awarded each year to the rider setting the best lap in qualifying for rounds two of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship. François Ribeiro, Head of Discovery Sports Events, said: “This trophy is the perfect opportunity to honour the essential role played by the late Nathalie Maillet, whose invaluable help made this race possible. It was her vision that led to the first discussions, and which ultimately led us to where we are today.” Amaury Bertholome, Managing Director, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, said: “The 24H SPA EWC Motos taking place this weekend is the culmination of a process that began in May 2016 under the impetus of my predecessor Nathalie Maillet. This trophy reflects perfectly her character, a person who was driven by an unwavering desire to win and a passion for the circuit that we have in common.”
RIDER QUOTES
Formula EWC, Karel Hanika (YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC): “My team prepared a great bike and my team-mates were riding in front of me and they told me how is the situation with the race track and they helped me to prepare the bike for the perfect lap. For myself I was just looking to have a clean lap and this I was able to achieve in the last few minutes. I did no mistakes and was trying to hit my lines and the bike was working great. I believe there was one or two tenths possible to do better but, for sure, you are always on the limit every time you go into qualifying. You are 100 per cent at these moments and I did the best that I could do. Of course we will try to win, it’s our main target every time we go into a race. We’ve worked hard since the last race in Le Mans to improve the things we were struggling with and we believe it’s now properly fixed. We are enjoying riding here at Spa, it’s a great circuit, we’re having a lot of fun and it’s great to share the bike with my team-mates. Thanks to my team, they did an amazing job, and we have the pole position again. I am very happy.”
Dunlop Superstock Trophy, Kevin Manfredi (Wójcik Racing Team STK 777): “After the injury now it’s okay. At Le Mans I had a little more pain on my body but now it’s okay. Danny [Webb] helped me a lot with the bike and with the track a lot. He knows the track from the classic bike races and this is important for my lap time. I was not on the limit and I don’t close two corners very and maybe it was possible to go a little more fast. Now I just hope for the best result for the team, but it’s a new race for all the teams and maybe this is the biggest challenge because anything can happen.”
Best laps
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 2m20.411s
First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Illya Mykhalchyk, 2m20.388s
First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m20.253s
First Qualifying Green Rider: Christian Iddon, 2m21.774s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Gregg Black, 2m19.368s
Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 2m19.826s
Second Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m18.845s
Second Qualifying Green Rider: Christian Iddon 2m21.864s
What’s next?
The 24H SPA EWC Motos, round two of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship, is due to begin at 13h00 CET on Saturday 5 June. Click HERE for details of the global networks broadcasting the race live.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Josh Herrin Dominates Day One at Road America
Herrin sets the fastest times in Practice 1 and Qualifying 1
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 3, 2022 — Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) and the Panigale V2 continue to prove a formidable pairing: the 2013 AMA Superbike champion finished Qualifying 1 at Road America in first place, 0.726 seconds ahead of Suzuki’s Tyler Scott.
Herrin displayed speed and consistency right out of the box. In Practice 1, Herrin was black flagged because of a technical issue with the timing transponder on his Panigale V2, limiting him to recording only three timed laps. Unphased, he clocked the fastest lap of the session, a 2:21.045—four-tenths faster than Stefano Mesa in second place.
In Qualifying 1, Herrin’s session was interrupted by oil on the track, but after MotoAmerica marshals cleared the surface, Herrin started where he left off, posting a 2:19.805 to top the session.
Going into Qualifying 2, Herrin has a comfortable seven-tenths margin and is feeling confident ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s 11-lap races.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 2:19.805
P2 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 2:20.531
P3 – Stefano Mesa (Kawasaki) 2:21.011
P4 – Samuel Lochoff (Suzuki) 2:21.360
P5 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 2:21.421
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #2)
“Today went well. In the first session, we had an issue with our transponder, but they got it running quickly and we were able to be fastest. Then we went out for qualifying and there was oil on the track, so they had to clean it up with oil absorbent. We went out for the first couple laps and there were tons of it spraying up everywhere, so we had to come in and missed part of the session. We went back out for the second half and were able to put it in P1 for provisional qualifying. Overall, the day went really well. I’m super happy with the results and super happy with the bike and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Qualifying 2 is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at 9:35 am EDT, followed by Race 1 at 3:10 pm EDT, and Race 2 on Sunday, June 5 at 3:10 pm.
Aleix Espargaro & Viñales make it an Aprilia 1-2 on Friday
The Noale factory head Ducati and KTM on Day 1 in Barcelona
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna
Friday, 03 June 2022
Aprilia Racing dominated the opening day at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, with Aleix Espargaro clinched top spot ahead of teammate Maverick Viñales. The pair were split by three tenths after sharing the lead of the timesheets throughout FP2, with Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini the Noale factory’s closest challenger in third.
FP1
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was fastest in FP1, putting in a 1:40.101 in the final few minutes of the opening session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and backing that up with a 1:40.185 as he greeted the chequered flag. Like Rins, Viñales finished the session on new medium compound Michelin tyres, front and rear, and consolidated second on the timing screen with a 1:40.296 on his final lap to sit second.
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had been the early pace-setter as the Italian showed strong form, and the 1:40.695 set on his first run put him third when the music stopped. Aleix Espargaro, who has now finished third for the last four MotoGP™ races in a row, took fourth with Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro making it for different manufacturers in the top five, heading a Honda trio continued by Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol).
World Championship leader and newly re-signed Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ rider Fabio Quartararo was back in P14 and right behind him was the man who reignited his title bid with victory a week ago at Mugello: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
The only crasher was Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), rider ok.
FP2
Noale fought back in the afternoon, with Espargaro taking over at the top with 20 minutes remaining to displace Rins. With seven minutes left we saw the first rider stick some soft rubber in, with Viñales deciding it was the moment for a time attack.
The Spaniard put it to good use to steal top spot from his teammate, and Top Gun then found another two tenths on his next lap, posting a 1:39.705. The Ducati trio of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Bastianini and Martin all had a go at trying to better Viñales but all three failed in their quests.
Then, with the chequered flag out, Aleix Espargaro snatched the honour of Friday’s fastest with a blistering 1:39.402 – just half a second shy of Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) outright lap record from 12 months ago. That made it a 1-2 for the Aprilia teammates to start the weekend, as both Espargaro and Viñales look to repeat their Catalan heroics after taking 1-2 on the grid whilst riding for Suzuki at the 2015 Catalan Grand Prix.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the two Aprilias comes Bastianini, with the ‘Beast’ 0.488 off the top to lead the resistance. Bagnaia secured fourth overall, with Martin in fifth and only four hundreths further back. A strong final flying lap from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) saw the South African then jump up to sixth on the timesheets, pushing Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) down to P7.
Quartararo moved up to P8 in FP2, but overall Rins’ FP1 table topper is quicker and that puts the Suzuki rider in eighth. Quartararo is relegated to ninth, just ahead of a resurgent Morbidelli, who is the last currently on to move through to Q2.
Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) was the only crasher, rider ok as he gets back into the racing groove in place of the recovering Marc Marquez.
FP3 promises a real shootout on Saturday morning, with Aprilia showing a strong hand early doors. Can it continue? Find out at 10:55, before qualifying from 14:10 to decide the grid for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya.
3 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.488
Aron Canet (40). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Canet heads tight top three at Catalunya
0.079 covers the fastest trio on Day 1 in Barcelona as Moto2™ gets close
Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) bounced back in style on Friday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, taking to the top to head Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) as just 0.079 covered the top three by the end of Day 1.
FP1
Canet put his Mugello frustrations behind him early doors by topping FP1, ending the session 0.024 clear of compatriot Fernandez. Dixon made it an incredibly close top three, just 0.079 seconds adrift in third, with the top three not set to change. Incredibly, yhe top 19 riders were split by just under a second.
Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Sam Lowes sat 0.125 seconds adrift of Canet, Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team’s Bo Bendsneyder completed the top five. Last weekend’s record-breaking race winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was eighth, ahead of Lightech Conveyors Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez and Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura sat ninth and tenth.
FP2
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) struck late to deny Canet the chance to top both the day’s sessions. The Americas was just over a tenth clear of the Spaniard, with Mugello winner Acosta in third and only another 0.076 off.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) impressed in fourth, as did Lopez in fifth as the rookie newcomer continues to impress.
Provisional Q2 places
It’s FP1 that sets the combined timesheets from first to seventh, so that’s Canet, Fernandez, Dixon, Lowes, Bendsneyder, Inde GASGAS Aspar’s Albert Arenas and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP). Next up comes Roberts thanks to his FP2 best. Acosta and Lopez complete the top ten.
Championship leader Vietti was pipped by Ogura as they are both currently set to move through, with Dalla Porta in P13 and Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2) the last on to join them as it stands.
Find out how that shuffles in FP3 before qualifying from 15:10 (GMT +2)!
Two sessions and two fastest laps see the Mallorcan end Day 1 top of the pile
Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) took top honours on Day 1 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, topping FP1 and FP2 to end Friday with a two tenths in hand over rookie Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was third quickest, another tenth in arrears.
FP1
Guevara set the pace in FP1, clocking a 1:48.675 in the closing minutes of the opening session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Holgado moved to second with the chequered flag out when he set a 1:48.870, pushing Foggia back to third.
Jaume Masia was just 0.016 seconds slower again on the second Red Bull KTM Ajo bike, 0.103 seconds up on the second Leopard of Tatsuki Suzuki. World Championship leader and Italian GP winner Sergio Garcia set a 1:49.392 for P7.
The 40-minute session was mostly incident-free although Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) was seen in the gravel – upright – at Turn 5 before setting a 1:49.451 which was good enough to be classified eighth. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had a late spill at Turn 1 – rider okay – having logged a 1:49.919 which saw him ultimately classified 14th.
FP2
Guevara was once again the rider to watch, but the gap between the number 28 and Foggia was only 0.023 by the end of play. Suzuki was third quickest ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP), with Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) completing the top five 0.351 off the top.
Garcia was next up, only 0.032 further back.
Tatay had a second incident, and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) and Suzuki also crashed in FP2.
Provisional Q2 places
It’s Guevara on top ahead of Holgado from their FP1 times, with Foggia and Masia next. Suzuki is fifth thanks to his FP2 best, ahead of fellow afternoon improver Yamanaka.
Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) is seventh overall, ahead of Toba. Garcia is ninth on the combined timesheets, with Öncü, Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Tatay and recent debutant David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) next up. The final rider to move straight through to Q2 as it stands is Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), but it could all change in FP3. Tune in for that from 9:00 (GMT +2), before qualifying from 12:35!
After review by the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards, no further action will be taken regarding a number of Moto3™ riders momentarily slowing at Turn 10.
Kyle Wyman (1) at speed on his Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson Road Glide earlier this season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Editorial Note: The existing MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers (KOTB) overall lap record at Road America is 2:27.460, which was set by Kyle Wyman in 2021.
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alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
