Pons takes pole from Garzo and Casadei as Q1-Q2 format debuts in MotoE™
The number 71 will start from the front despite a crash, taking pole by just 0.063 in Andalucia
Friday, 29 April 2022
LCR E-Team’s Miquel Pons will start from pole position for the opening two races of the 2022 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup after his single completed lap in Q2 at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto was the best of all, edging out Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) by just 0.063. Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) completes the front row, with a few surprises in MotoE™’s Q1-Q2 format debut.
Q1
It was pretty tight at the top in the first ever Q1 for the Cup, and it was Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™) who went quickest to move through on top – despite missing some test time on EWC duty. Newcomer Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) was just 0.085 off but did enough to move through, with replacement rider Lukas Tulovic (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™) the rider to just lose out.
Q2
Pons not only set the crucial quickest lap but also suffered a crash at Turn 8, and that proved another crucial headline. The crash for the number 71 brought out the Yellow Flags and, in a stroke of bad luck, Pons’ teammate Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) was one to lose out with a lap cancellation – and it was a quick one too, enough to provisional pole.
There wasn’t too much more drama thereafter though, with Pons unchallenged at the top, Garzo proving he’s quick as ever and Casadei looking ready to fight it out with reigning Cup winner and new teammate Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) with that front row.
The Grid
Behind the Pons, Garzo, Casadei armada, Granado heads Row 2 ahead of 2021 runner up Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™). Torres is at the head of Row 3 as some key names look to attack off the line, with a packed front few rows of riders who’ll be looking for victory.
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) and Escrig are alongside the reigning Cup winner, Torres, with Canepa completing the Q2 runners in P10.
A successful debut for the new format sees a new name on pole and a very interesting grid for the first weekend of the 2022 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Don’t miss Race 1 on Saturday at 16:25 (GMT +2) as Jerez hosts a return to action, before Race 2 on Sunday at 15:30!
AMA Pro Racing Mourns the Loss of Managing Member David Atlas
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2022) – It is with great sadness that AMA Pro Racing shares news of the passing of David S. Atlas, who died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, on Thursday in the loving presence of his three children, Brian, Anthony, and Lauren Atlas.
David has played an instrumental role in overseeing the growth and development of motorcycle racing in the United States since joining the France family of racing organizations in 2006. As a founding member of Daytona Motorsports Group, he served in key leadership positions for the company over the years, including AMA Pro Racing Chief Operation Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, and remained one of the Managing Members of the company until his passing.
David was a greatly accomplished, highly intelligent and deeply caring individual. He held a mechanical engineering degree from the Cooper Union School of Engineering and a law degree from Harvard Law School. After initially working as a propulsion system design engineer for the US Navy Department, he began a four-decade career in motorsports.
Throughout his career, Atlas worked with the world’s top racing organizations and represented many icons of motorsport, including Jim France, Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jeff Ward, the IROC Series, GRAND-AM and AMA Pro Racing, to name just a few.
David was a talented racer himself, with a passion for motorsports dating back to his teenage years. A fierce and accomplished karting and motorcycle competitor, Atlas raced regularly throughout the ‘90s in CCS/AHRMA competition, guiding a Bridgestone 350 and Suzuki TR500 to several race wins and a regional championship.
Despite his many talents and accomplishments, David was a humble and caring man who served as a friend and mentor to his colleagues. His steadfast leadership, along with his thoughtful and gracious nature, will be dearly missed.
Messages of condolences can be sent to David Atlas’s three children, Brian, Lauren and Anthony, at the following email: [email protected].
Glenn Irwin leads the charge to Oulton Park for Milwaukee Race of the North this Bank Holiday weekend
Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK lead the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title charge to Oulton Park this May Bank Holiday weekend (April 30 – May 2). The event at the Cheshire circuit kicks off the Milwaukee Spring Grand Slam as the contenders bid to outperform their rivals for the chance to win a £50,000 prize across the next two events.
Milwaukee, the industry-leading power tool manufacturer, brings an added dimension to the next two rounds with the Milwaukee Spring Grand Slam comprising the Milwaukee Race of the North and the Milwaukee King of Donington (May 20 – 22).
The six-race competition will award a rider who can hammer home an unstoppable performance and if anyone can successfully deliver six race wins from the next six races, they will claim a £50,000 prize.
If a rider can’t claim six, then the competition is still alive with five race wins from the six races as they will be awarded £25,000. The final chance to power to a prize is if a rider can celebrate victory four times across the two events, they will scoop £10,000.
As the championship reaches round two, Glenn Irwin arrives with high confidence after he claimed his first hat trick of race wins at the Silverstone season opener and holds the advantage at the top of the standings.
The Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team had a storming start to their campaign as Kyle Ryde and Bradley Ray claimed a haul of podium finishes at round one and they lock out second and fifth in the standings respectively.
A podium finish for Rory Skinner and FS-3 Racing Kawasaki at Silverstone means they hold third place in the standings ahead of fellow Silverstone podium finisher Andrew Irwin. The SYNETIQ BMW rider has a single point advantage over Ray ahead of round two.
Jason O’Halloran was the hat trick hero on the first visit to Oulton Park last season and the McAMS Yamaha rider will be seeking his first podium of the season for McAMS Yamaha, whilst Lee Jackson and Tommy Bridewell, another race winner at the circuit last season, complete the top eight in the standings.
Meanwhile former race winners Josh Brookes and Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) and Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki), will be eager to deliver an improved performance this weekend to elevate themselves up the standings.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Obviously coming into round two at Oulton Park as the championship leader is a good feeling. It is a feeling I enjoy and feeling that I think can bring more out of me, similar to in 2020. It helped bring good momentum and it is nice to have that tag and everything that comes with it.
“We did have a good test at Oulton Park last week and I think it showed two things. It showed that it continues to be a more difficult track for us and our rivals have some sort of ‘free time’ as I would like to call it. Where they are strong there is not much I can really do, but it also showed that we have made a step there, so I expect it to be difficult.
“As a racer you always want to win but I think targeting three top sevens is realistic and good, but that being said I feel honestly I am riding the best I have ever rode in my life.
“I know this is a more difficult track for us and I do think the bike has made a step, but I feel that I want to get in amongst it and maybe make the difference and that is exactly what I will be trying to do!
“We are in a good moment and we will work hard to continue this momentum.”
Quartararo fends off Ducati for top honours on Friday
The reigning Champion tops Day 1 at one of his signature tracks despite a crash, with Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin on the chase
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 29 April 2022
Reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is the rider to beat so far at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España! The Championship leader pulled two tenths clear on Friday to hold off the hard-charging Ducati trio of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), with the Frenchman finding a late 1:37.071 in FP2 to sit top of the pile despite a crash earlier in the day.
FP1
2020 Champion Joan MIr (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped FP1, the Spaniard’s penultimate lap good enough to hold off a last lap charge from teammate Alex Rins, who ended up just 0.025 behind in second. LCR Castrol’s Honda’s Alex Marquez slotted into third, but there was some headline stealing from Quartararo in a different way to start the day.
The Frenchman was sitting pretty at the top of the timesheets before a wet patch caught him out at the final corner, and the crash left him wincing as the rear wheel of his Yamaha flicked him in the groin. No harm done once he’d had a few minutes to recover, but there were two further moments as well: The first came under braking at Turn 9, before he was then forced to straight line it through the gravel trap at Turn 5. Despite all of that, the number 20 closed out the opening session in fifth, just behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).
FP2
Quartararo was able to pull out those two tenths to take back to the top, but he had competition from Ducati. Looking at the opening day of action, it’s the Bologna factory who may well be his closest challengers on Sunday after Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin all impressed. The ‘Beast’ jumped ahead of his factory counterpart with the chequered flag out to take second spot late on, but after Bagnaia had earlier led the session too. The number 63 appeared to be back to his brilliant best as he threw in a handful of fast laps, with his best placing him third overall and a quarter of a second adrift of his 2021 title rival.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, suffered two crashes. The first off was at Turn 6, before quickly picking up the bike and rejoining. Whilst heading back to the pitlane, however, the eight-time World Champion was cruising off the racing line at Turn 9 and touched a damp patch that remained from Thursday’s rain. Down went the Spaniard again but former teammate and now KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was on hand for a taxi back.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the Quartararo-Ducati caravan in the top four then, it’s Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) who ends Friday as top Honda in fifth. It was close though, the Japanese rider edging out Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by just 0.004, and the gap didn’t get much bigger thereafter either, with Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro in seventh and only another 0.005 off.
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was eighth and the only rider in the top ten from FP1’s top three, and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales finished Friday in ninth. 2021 winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) is currently the last set to move through, the Australian in P10 on Day 1.
That leaves the likes of Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Mir looking for more on Saturday morning, with FP3 underway at 9:55 (GMT +2). Then, it’s time to decide the grid for another stunning Gran Premio Red Bull de España, so make sure to tune in for qualifying – on track from 14:10!
2 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.201
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.212
Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Dixon dominates Day 1 in Jerez
The Brit is looking for some redemption and starts the weekend in the hot seat, with Fernandez and Ogura inside the top three
Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team’s Jake Dixon completed a Day 1 clean sweep at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España after topping both FP1 and FP2 to sit over two tenths clear of second place Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The British rider’s 1:41.646 was three tenths faster than he went on Friday morning too, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) slotting into third and 0.363s shy of Dixon’s pace.
FP1
Dixon started the weekend on top and the Brit was 0.275 seconds clear of compatriot Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing), as well as the only man to break the 1:42 barrier on Friday morning, setting a 1:41.938.
Third fastest was Fernandez, with Ogura a further spot back in fourth. Dixon did have a run-in with his teammate Albert Arenas, who was fifth, as the two got close for comfort at the exit of Turn 1. Arenas also crashed in the session, rider ok. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) also crashed, rider ok and P6 in the session.
FP2
In the second session of the day, the top 13 riders on the timesheets were able to better their lap times from the cooler morning conditions. Fernandez had gone quickest briefly before Dixon responded towards the closing stages to reclaim top spot from the Spaniard – and it was a time that wouldn’t be beaten before the end of play.
Ogura was fast once again, moving up into third as the Japanese rider proved a consistent threat on Friday. Lowes was fourth in the afternoon, just ahead of teammate Arbolino.
Provisional Q2 places
Dixon, Fernandez, Ogura, Lowes and Arbolino are the top five, and Arenas suffered a small crash at Jorge Lorenzo corner at the end of the day but the Spaniard had a positive outing to finish P6.
Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta was finding the limits of his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine before firing in a lap good enough for seventh, and the rookie was marginally ahead of Portugal race winner Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team).
The American is P8 ahead of Saturday’s all-important FP3 shootout and just behind him sits the injured Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), who is riding through the pain barrier as he looks to gain back ground lost on the Algarve. Indonesian GP winner Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) currently occupy the remaining automatic Q2 places in P11, P12, P13 and P14 respectively… and Vietti will be the first looking for more on Saturday morning in FP3.
Make sure you tune in for that at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) before the intermediate class take part in qualifying at 15:10!
3 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – +0.363
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Guevara fastest on home turf on Friday
The GASGAS rider ends the day 0.132 clear of Sasaki, with Garcia 11th and Foggia 13th
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is top of the pile after Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, with the home hero setting an impressive 1:46.341 halfway through FP2 and remaining unchallenged. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was second quickest, just less than a tenth and a half off, with fellow Portugal podium finisher Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) crashed out late on and ended the day in 11th, and closest rival Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was down in P13 too – with both a little close to that Q2 cut off zone…
FP1
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü stormed to the top in the opening session, three tenths clear thanks to his 1:47.888. There were some wet patches left from Thursday’s late rain showers affecting laptimes, but skies were blue and clear at least.
Fresh from the podium five days ago, Sasaki was second fastest and Garcia third as the day started well. Compatriot Carlos Tatay (CFMoto PrüstelGP) sat out the first ten minutes before conditions improved, then taking fourth ahead of Guevara. Foggia was sixth.
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) crashed, riders ok.
FP2
The afternoon saw Guevara rise to the fore and remain there, and everyone improved in the session with the exception of Whatley as he sat it out after his morning crash. Sasaki was the only rider in the latter half of the session to briefly depose Guevara, but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for second ahead of Masia.
Tatay was fast and fourth once more, ahead of FP1’s fastest man Öncü in fifth. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) was seriously impressive to finish sixth on his replacement ride for the injured John McPhee. Another great ride came courtesy of the top Honda, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing), who has form around Jerez after winning in the then-FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship last year.
Provisional Q2 places
The combined timesheets are the same as FP2 with the exception of Whatley, so it’s Guevara, Sasaki, Masia, Tatay and Öncü in the top five ahead of Salvador and Ogden. Angeluss MTA Team’s Ivan Ortola was another rookie who impressed in P8, as did Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) just behind him. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) completes the top ten, just ahead of Garcia.
Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) splits the Championship leader from his closest challenger Foggia, with Suzuki in P14 and the last rider currently set to move straight through, with Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) just missing out as it stands.
That could all change in FP3, with Moto3™ back out at 9:00 (GMT +2). Then it’s time to decide the grid, with qualifying beginning at 12:35.
Pons takes pole from Garzo and Casadei as Q1-Q2 format debuts in MotoE™
The number 71 will start from the front despite a crash, taking pole by just 0.063 in Andalucia
Friday, 29 April 2022
LCR E-Team’s Miquel Pons will start from pole position for the opening two races of the 2022 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup after his single completed lap in Q2 at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto was the best of all, edging out Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) by just 0.063. Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) completes the front row, with a few surprises in MotoE™’s Q1-Q2 format debut.
Q1
It was pretty tight at the top in the first ever Q1 for the Cup, and it was Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™) who went quickest to move through on top – despite missing some test time on EWC duty. Newcomer Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) was just 0.085 off but did enough to move through, with replacement rider Lukas Tulovic (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™) the rider to just lose out.
Q2
Pons not only set the crucial quickest lap but also suffered a crash at Turn 8, and that proved another crucial headline. The crash for the number 71 brought out the Yellow Flags and, in a stroke of bad luck, Pons’ teammate Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) was one to lose out with a lap cancellation – and it was a quick one too, enough to provisional pole.
There wasn’t too much more drama thereafter though, with Pons unchallenged at the top, Garzo proving he’s quick as ever and Casadei looking ready to fight it out with reigning Cup winner and new teammate Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) with that front row.
The Grid
Behind the Pons, Garzo, Casadei armada, Granado heads Row 2 ahead of 2021 runner up Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™). Torres is at the head of Row 3 as some key names look to attack off the line, with a packed front few rows of riders who’ll be looking for victory.
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) and Escrig are alongside the reigning Cup winner, Torres, with Canepa completing the Q2 runners in P10.
A successful debut for the new format sees a new name on pole and a very interesting grid for the first weekend of the 2022 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Don’t miss Race 1 on Saturday at 16:25 (GMT +2) as Jerez hosts a return to action, before Race 2 on Sunday at 15:30!
David Atlas, R.I.P. Photo courtesy AMA Pro Racing.
AMA Pro Racing Mourns the Loss of Managing Member David Atlas
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2022) – It is with great sadness that AMA Pro Racing shares news of the passing of David S. Atlas, who died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, on Thursday in the loving presence of his three children, Brian, Anthony, and Lauren Atlas.
David has played an instrumental role in overseeing the growth and development of motorcycle racing in the United States since joining the France family of racing organizations in 2006. As a founding member of Daytona Motorsports Group, he served in key leadership positions for the company over the years, including AMA Pro Racing Chief Operation Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, and remained one of the Managing Members of the company until his passing.
David was a greatly accomplished, highly intelligent and deeply caring individual. He held a mechanical engineering degree from the Cooper Union School of Engineering and a law degree from Harvard Law School. After initially working as a propulsion system design engineer for the US Navy Department, he began a four-decade career in motorsports.
Throughout his career, Atlas worked with the world’s top racing organizations and represented many icons of motorsport, including Jim France, Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jeff Ward, the IROC Series, GRAND-AM and AMA Pro Racing, to name just a few.
David was a talented racer himself, with a passion for motorsports dating back to his teenage years. A fierce and accomplished karting and motorcycle competitor, Atlas raced regularly throughout the ‘90s in CCS/AHRMA competition, guiding a Bridgestone 350 and Suzuki TR500 to several race wins and a regional championship.
Despite his many talents and accomplishments, David was a humble and caring man who served as a friend and mentor to his colleagues. His steadfast leadership, along with his thoughtful and gracious nature, will be dearly missed.
Messages of condolences can be sent to David Atlas’s three children, Brian, Lauren and Anthony, at the following email: [email protected].
The start of a British Superbike race at Oulton Park in 2021. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin leads the charge to Oulton Park for Milwaukee Race of the North this Bank Holiday weekend
Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK lead the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title charge to Oulton Park this May Bank Holiday weekend (April 30 – May 2). The event at the Cheshire circuit kicks off the Milwaukee Spring Grand Slam as the contenders bid to outperform their rivals for the chance to win a £50,000 prize across the next two events.
Milwaukee, the industry-leading power tool manufacturer, brings an added dimension to the next two rounds with the Milwaukee Spring Grand Slam comprising the Milwaukee Race of the North and the Milwaukee King of Donington (May 20 – 22).
The six-race competition will award a rider who can hammer home an unstoppable performance and if anyone can successfully deliver six race wins from the next six races, they will claim a £50,000 prize.
If a rider can’t claim six, then the competition is still alive with five race wins from the six races as they will be awarded £25,000. The final chance to power to a prize is if a rider can celebrate victory four times across the two events, they will scoop £10,000.
As the championship reaches round two, Glenn Irwin arrives with high confidence after he claimed his first hat trick of race wins at the Silverstone season opener and holds the advantage at the top of the standings.
The Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team had a storming start to their campaign as Kyle Ryde and Bradley Ray claimed a haul of podium finishes at round one and they lock out second and fifth in the standings respectively.
A podium finish for Rory Skinner and FS-3 Racing Kawasaki at Silverstone means they hold third place in the standings ahead of fellow Silverstone podium finisher Andrew Irwin. The SYNETIQ BMW rider has a single point advantage over Ray ahead of round two.
Jason O’Halloran was the hat trick hero on the first visit to Oulton Park last season and the McAMS Yamaha rider will be seeking his first podium of the season for McAMS Yamaha, whilst Lee Jackson and Tommy Bridewell, another race winner at the circuit last season, complete the top eight in the standings.
Meanwhile former race winners Josh Brookes and Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) and Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki), will be eager to deliver an improved performance this weekend to elevate themselves up the standings.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Obviously coming into round two at Oulton Park as the championship leader is a good feeling. It is a feeling I enjoy and feeling that I think can bring more out of me, similar to in 2020. It helped bring good momentum and it is nice to have that tag and everything that comes with it.
“We did have a good test at Oulton Park last week and I think it showed two things. It showed that it continues to be a more difficult track for us and our rivals have some sort of ‘free time’ as I would like to call it. Where they are strong there is not much I can really do, but it also showed that we have made a step there, so I expect it to be difficult.
“As a racer you always want to win but I think targeting three top sevens is realistic and good, but that being said I feel honestly I am riding the best I have ever rode in my life.
“I know this is a more difficult track for us and I do think the bike has made a step, but I feel that I want to get in amongst it and maybe make the difference and that is exactly what I will be trying to do!
“We are in a good moment and we will work hard to continue this momentum.”
Quartararo fends off Ducati for top honours on Friday
The reigning Champion tops Day 1 at one of his signature tracks despite a crash, with Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin on the chase
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 29 April 2022
Reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is the rider to beat so far at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España! The Championship leader pulled two tenths clear on Friday to hold off the hard-charging Ducati trio of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), with the Frenchman finding a late 1:37.071 in FP2 to sit top of the pile despite a crash earlier in the day.
FP1
2020 Champion Joan MIr (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped FP1, the Spaniard’s penultimate lap good enough to hold off a last lap charge from teammate Alex Rins, who ended up just 0.025 behind in second. LCR Castrol’s Honda’s Alex Marquez slotted into third, but there was some headline stealing from Quartararo in a different way to start the day.
The Frenchman was sitting pretty at the top of the timesheets before a wet patch caught him out at the final corner, and the crash left him wincing as the rear wheel of his Yamaha flicked him in the groin. No harm done once he’d had a few minutes to recover, but there were two further moments as well: The first came under braking at Turn 9, before he was then forced to straight line it through the gravel trap at Turn 5. Despite all of that, the number 20 closed out the opening session in fifth, just behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).
FP2
Quartararo was able to pull out those two tenths to take back to the top, but he had competition from Ducati. Looking at the opening day of action, it’s the Bologna factory who may well be his closest challengers on Sunday after Bastianini, Bagnaia and Martin all impressed. The ‘Beast’ jumped ahead of his factory counterpart with the chequered flag out to take second spot late on, but after Bagnaia had earlier led the session too. The number 63 appeared to be back to his brilliant best as he threw in a handful of fast laps, with his best placing him third overall and a quarter of a second adrift of his 2021 title rival.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, suffered two crashes. The first off was at Turn 6, before quickly picking up the bike and rejoining. Whilst heading back to the pitlane, however, the eight-time World Champion was cruising off the racing line at Turn 9 and touched a damp patch that remained from Thursday’s rain. Down went the Spaniard again but former teammate and now KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was on hand for a taxi back.
Provisional Q2 places
Behind the Quartararo-Ducati caravan in the top four then, it’s Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) who ends Friday as top Honda in fifth. It was close though, the Japanese rider edging out Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by just 0.004, and the gap didn’t get much bigger thereafter either, with Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro in seventh and only another 0.005 off.
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was eighth and the only rider in the top ten from FP1’s top three, and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales finished Friday in ninth. 2021 winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) is currently the last set to move through, the Australian in P10 on Day 1.
That leaves the likes of Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Mir looking for more on Saturday morning, with FP3 underway at 9:55 (GMT +2). Then, it’s time to decide the grid for another stunning Gran Premio Red Bull de España, so make sure to tune in for qualifying – on track from 14:10!
2 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – +0.201
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.212
Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Dixon dominates Day 1 in Jerez
The Brit is looking for some redemption and starts the weekend in the hot seat, with Fernandez and Ogura inside the top three
Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team’s Jake Dixon completed a Day 1 clean sweep at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España after topping both FP1 and FP2 to sit over two tenths clear of second place Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The British rider’s 1:41.646 was three tenths faster than he went on Friday morning too, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) slotting into third and 0.363s shy of Dixon’s pace.
FP1
Dixon started the weekend on top and the Brit was 0.275 seconds clear of compatriot Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing), as well as the only man to break the 1:42 barrier on Friday morning, setting a 1:41.938.
Third fastest was Fernandez, with Ogura a further spot back in fourth. Dixon did have a run-in with his teammate Albert Arenas, who was fifth, as the two got close for comfort at the exit of Turn 1. Arenas also crashed in the session, rider ok. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) also crashed, rider ok and P6 in the session.
FP2
In the second session of the day, the top 13 riders on the timesheets were able to better their lap times from the cooler morning conditions. Fernandez had gone quickest briefly before Dixon responded towards the closing stages to reclaim top spot from the Spaniard – and it was a time that wouldn’t be beaten before the end of play.
Ogura was fast once again, moving up into third as the Japanese rider proved a consistent threat on Friday. Lowes was fourth in the afternoon, just ahead of teammate Arbolino.
Provisional Q2 places
Dixon, Fernandez, Ogura, Lowes and Arbolino are the top five, and Arenas suffered a small crash at Jorge Lorenzo corner at the end of the day but the Spaniard had a positive outing to finish P6.
Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta was finding the limits of his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine before firing in a lap good enough for seventh, and the rookie was marginally ahead of Portugal race winner Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team).
The American is P8 ahead of Saturday’s all-important FP3 shootout and just behind him sits the injured Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), who is riding through the pain barrier as he looks to gain back ground lost on the Algarve. Indonesian GP winner Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) currently occupy the remaining automatic Q2 places in P11, P12, P13 and P14 respectively… and Vietti will be the first looking for more on Saturday morning in FP3.
Make sure you tune in for that at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) before the intermediate class take part in qualifying at 15:10!
3 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – +0.363
Izan Guevara (28). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Guevara fastest on home turf on Friday
The GASGAS rider ends the day 0.132 clear of Sasaki, with Garcia 11th and Foggia 13th
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is top of the pile after Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, with the home hero setting an impressive 1:46.341 halfway through FP2 and remaining unchallenged. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was second quickest, just less than a tenth and a half off, with fellow Portugal podium finisher Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) crashed out late on and ended the day in 11th, and closest rival Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was down in P13 too – with both a little close to that Q2 cut off zone…
FP1
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü stormed to the top in the opening session, three tenths clear thanks to his 1:47.888. There were some wet patches left from Thursday’s late rain showers affecting laptimes, but skies were blue and clear at least.
Fresh from the podium five days ago, Sasaki was second fastest and Garcia third as the day started well. Compatriot Carlos Tatay (CFMoto PrüstelGP) sat out the first ten minutes before conditions improved, then taking fourth ahead of Guevara. Foggia was sixth.
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Josh Whatley (VisionTrack Racing Team) crashed, riders ok.
FP2
The afternoon saw Guevara rise to the fore and remain there, and everyone improved in the session with the exception of Whatley as he sat it out after his morning crash. Sasaki was the only rider in the latter half of the session to briefly depose Guevara, but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for second ahead of Masia.
Tatay was fast and fourth once more, ahead of FP1’s fastest man Öncü in fifth. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) was seriously impressive to finish sixth on his replacement ride for the injured John McPhee. Another great ride came courtesy of the top Honda, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing), who has form around Jerez after winning in the then-FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship last year.
Provisional Q2 places
The combined timesheets are the same as FP2 with the exception of Whatley, so it’s Guevara, Sasaki, Masia, Tatay and Öncü in the top five ahead of Salvador and Ogden. Angeluss MTA Team’s Ivan Ortola was another rookie who impressed in P8, as did Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) just behind him. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) completes the top ten, just ahead of Garcia.
Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) splits the Championship leader from his closest challenger Foggia, with Suzuki in P14 and the last rider currently set to move straight through, with Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) just missing out as it stands.
That could all change in FP3, with Moto3™ back out at 9:00 (GMT +2). Then it’s time to decide the grid, with qualifying beginning at 12:35.
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