Moto2 Race
Moto2 points
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
October 2022
On the Front Cover: The first lap of the MotoGP race at Misano. Close qualifying has resulted in the tightest fields in Grand Prix history, plus surprise winners. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
—
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Log in HERE to read the October 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: 2023 Aprilia 1099cc V4 RSV XTrenta Track Bike,
2023 BMW 999cc I4 S 1000 RR Streetbike, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 2000-2006 Yamaha TZ250
Racing History: Bol d’Or 24-Hour’s 100 Years Of French Lunacy
Intro: Royal Enfield Scram 411
Hanging With: Team Manager/Crew Chief Shiloh Salopek
RACING
MotoAmerica Superbike At New Jersey:
Gagne & Petrucci Split Wins
Seen At The Track: Herrin & Alexander Crowned
MotoAmerica Superbike At Barber: Gagne Is Champion Again!
Seen At The Track: Baby Face and Podium Joy
MotoGP At Misano, Aragon, Motegi: Ducatis Dominate
World Superbike At Magny-Cours, Catalunya: Bautista Pulls Away
Jack Roach: A Canadian Teen Wins In England
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: Dovizioso Profile, More Baggers,
Never Too Old To Ride
10 Years Ago, October 2012: Testing The EBR 1190RS V-Twin Superbike And The
MV Agusta F3 Triple; AMA Pro F1 Race Winner Gregg Smrz’s
Career As A Movie Stunt Man; Josh Hayes Winning In Superbike
& Cam Beaubier Winning In Daytona Sportbike At Laguna Seca
Numbers & Trivia: MotoGP’s Exotic 2023 Schedule
The Kids’ Page: Mahdi Salem
The Crash Page: Cory Ventura at Barber
New Products: : Mini Bike Stands, Clutch Kit, Seat Cover
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer
British Superbike: Race One Results From Donington Park
Editorial Note: American Julian Correa, riding his Microlise Cresswell Racing Honda, finished 17th in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Donington Park.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Sykes strikes to become ninth different winner with race one victory at Donington Park
Tom Sykes delivered a masterful victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship eBay Sprint Race at Donington Park, becoming the ninth different race winner of the season to take the MCE Ducati team back to the top of the podium.
Sykes was inch-perfect during the 15-lap Sprint Race and silenced his critics by leading from the start to celebrate victory with MCE Ducati who become the seventh different team to win this season.
At the start, Sykes launched off the line from the front row to lead the field into Redgate for the first time. The previous World Champion then controlled the race, and despite the gap narrowing in the closing stages, he secured victory in Bennetts BSB for the first time since 2010.
However, the chasing pack continued to shuffle, and it was Jason O’Halloran on the McAMS Yamaha who gave a gritty performance following his two high-speed crashes last week to return to the podium.
The Australian had fought his way through the field after dropping to sixth on the opening laps, taking on his rivals to carve his way up the order with determined moves to keep his title competitors behind him.
The final podium position went down to the last lap to be decided as championship leader Bradley Ray held the initial advantage. Peter Hickman was in close contention and at Goddards for the final time, the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha made a small mistake, which gave the FHO Racing BMW rider the opportunity he needed.
Hickman’s third place came in his 400th Bennetts BSB race start with Ray taking fourth, to extend his advantage by five points as some of his closest rivals missed out in the opening race.
Glenn Irwin was leading the next group of Title Fighters in fifth place for Honda Racing UK as he moved up the order in the closing stages, keeping Lee Jackson and Kyle Ryde behind him.
The pair had been dueling throughout the race as they bid to bag the points with just five races now remaining.
Tommy Bridewell was eighth on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati as he too had been part of an earlier battle with his closest title challengers. Leon Haslam and Ryan Vickers completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park GP, eBay Sprint Race:
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati)
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.476s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +2.085s
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.224s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.277s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +8.052s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +9.979s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +11.075s
- Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +13.069s
- Ryan Vickers (FHO Racing BMW with Attis Sports) +13.453s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1126
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Products Ducati) 1081
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1075
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1073
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1068
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1036
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1031
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1017
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tom Sykes
MCE Ducati
eBay Sprint Race winner
“I can’t thank the team enough and this win is for them. I was obviously hoping for more this season, but Donington Park’s more of a Superbike circuit and although I still had a couple of limitations with the bike, I was able to ride round them and put the MCE Ducati where I wanted to.
“I’ve a lot of experience around here and the two qualifying sessions was more beneficial as it enabled us to understand the bike a bit more.
“We made a small change in between Q1 and Q2 and although I had to be conservative in 3-4 corners and lost a bit of time, it was good to be on the front row. I wanted a good, clean start and get away with the leaders and that’s exactly what I did.
“Winning is fantastic because we know the level here and I always have a lot of emotion here. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”
MotoGP: Bezzecchi Takes Career-First Pole Position, In Thailand
MotoGP Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bezzecchi blasts to maiden pole at Buriram, Bagnaia and Quartararo third and fourth
The rookie beats Martin to pole by just 0.021, with Bagnaia and Quartararo next up – and Aleix Espargaro unable to move through from Q1
Saturday, 01 October 2022
The last time two or more MotoGP™ rookies started from pole in a single season was 2006, and Marco Bezzecchi’s stunning new all-time lap record at Buriram ensures 2022 enters the history books as another such year. The Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider took it by just 0.021 from old Moto3™ sparring partner Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completing the Ducati front row lockout.
The fight went down to the final few seconds as Martin’s provisional pole was snatched away by Bezzecchi, but the number 89 had one last shot at it. And it was close, but he couldn’t quite snatch it back, leaving it as just 0.021 splitting the two.
Bagnaia was first to put in a serious challenge for pole as he headed out earlier than many for a second run, and the Italian made up a huge chunk of time late in the lap. In the end, however, it gives him third – and he is the top qualifier of the Championship challengers.
It’s close, however, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) next up at the head of the second row, and that second row is completed by Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). The contrasting fortunes were for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), with both Aprilias failing to make it out of Q1 at a track the new RS-GP is taking on for the first time. He’ll want to leap forward on Sunday from P13.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) splits Quartararo and Bastianini on Row 2, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) at the head of Row 3 – but the same place he qualified at Motegi as he blasted away to a dominant win.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) came through Q1 and was challenging for the front row on his final lap of Q2, but the number 93 then lost over four tenths in the final sector as the final corner proved the lap’s undoing. Still, Marquez will likely prove one to watch on Sunday as the only rider to win at Buriram so far. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) starts alongside the eight-time World Champion.
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completes the top ten ahead of both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines of Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, with the Austrian factory looking for more in that final push of qualifying – but likely to move forward once the lights go out.
So, we have a first-time pole-sitter with a shot at Rookie of the Year, Bagnaia and Quartararo close on the grid, Bastianini with less and less to lose, and Aleix Espargaro looking for a lot more on Sunday. The battle for Buriram supremacy takes place over what are sure to be 26 thrilling laps from 15:00 (GMT +7), so make sure to tune in!
Marco Bezzecchi: “Honestly, I had only one new tyre for the rear so in the final minutes of the session, I said, ‘Okay, I have to go and I don’t care about any others,’ and tried to push the best that I can. I saw that I was fast but I didn’t expect to make a 29.6. Also, I didn’t know that I was in pole position because I couldn’t check any big screen with the sun. So, unbelievable, it’s a big emotion. I’m very proud to get my first pole position but now the important part is tomorrow, so we have to be focused.”
Home turf history: Chantra becomes first Thai rider to take pole
The home hero will head the grid ahead of Arbolino and Ogura, with Fernandez on the third row
The home crowd expected, and he delivered! Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) will start from pole for his home OR Thailand Grand Prix, achieving the feat for the first time in his career and in doing so becoming the first Thai rider to take pole in Grand Prix history. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was the rider denied, by less than a tenth, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) completing the front row.
Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts eighth and has a little work to do on race day, although the number 37 has made short work of a comeback several times already this season.
Two rookies line up on Row 2: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) takes fourth, with fellow rookie race winner Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) in sixth. The two are split by Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) heads up Row 3 ahead of Fernandez.
One key incident in Q2 saw Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) come together. The latter went to the Medical Centre and no fractures were found but he’ll be reviewed before Warm Up. Arenas is left P15 on the grid and Roberts P17.
There’s just two points between Fernandez and Ogura heading into race day in Thailand, but the two have to share the spotlight this weekend as Chantra races on home turf. Can the number 35 complete the fairytale weekend? The lights go out at 13:20 (GMT +7) so tune in to find out!
Somkiat Chantra: “I really didn’t expect it because I did the best lap on the second lap and also in Moto2™, nobody did a lap at the end. When I finished the qualifying session, I said, ‘Oh, I’m still in P1,’ and I was super happy. I’m really happy and I’m so excited!
“In FP1 and FP2 I tried to do long runs, and also select what tyre I will use in the race. Finally, we have super good pace and tomorrow I will try to adjust for the rear tyre. For me, I’m happy to see the fans and the support, and when I see this, I feel like I have more power than before.”
Foggia, Masia, Sasaki: the front row looks to gain on Guevara
Foggia sets a searing new lap record in Thailand, Guevara takes 11th and Garcia 20th
A new lap record puts Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) on pole for the OR Thailand Grand Prix, with the riders on the chase in the standings coming out on top on Saturday: Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is second on the grid, 0.292 back, and Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) third a little further in arrears.
Championship leader Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) will start 11th after making it out of Q1, but the number 28’s deficit to Foggia is nearly a second. Nevertheless, he started ninth in Motegi and won.
Even if he can’t repeat that feat, his lead may still extend – his teammate Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), the rider second in the standings, is P20 on the grid after failing to make it out of Q1.
Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) is fourth on the grid ahead of rookies Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MASI) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on the second row.
Foggia now holds the all-time, pole lap and best race lap records at Buriram in Moto3™… can he put them to good use on Sunday? The lightweight class go racing at 12:00 (GMT+7!)
Dennis Foggia: “It was an incredible day and incredible qualifying. I’m really happy with the qualifying. The goal for today was to start in front for tomorrow, and ok, the important thing is that we are ready for tomorrow. I think we are ready for the battle.”
Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Thailand
Moto3: World Championship Race Results From Thailand
October 2022
On the Front Cover: The first lap of the MotoGP race at Misano. Close qualifying has resulted in the tightest fields in Grand Prix history, plus surprise winners. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
—
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Log in HERE to read the October 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: 2023 Aprilia 1099cc V4 RSV XTrenta Track Bike,
2023 BMW 999cc I4 S 1000 RR Streetbike, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 2000-2006 Yamaha TZ250
Racing History: Bol d’Or 24-Hour’s 100 Years Of French Lunacy
Intro: Royal Enfield Scram 411
Hanging With: Team Manager/Crew Chief Shiloh Salopek
RACING
MotoAmerica Superbike At New Jersey:
Gagne & Petrucci Split Wins
Seen At The Track: Herrin & Alexander Crowned
MotoAmerica Superbike At Barber: Gagne Is Champion Again!
Seen At The Track: Baby Face and Podium Joy
MotoGP At Misano, Aragon, Motegi: Ducatis Dominate
World Superbike At Magny-Cours, Catalunya: Bautista Pulls Away
Jack Roach: A Canadian Teen Wins In England
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: Dovizioso Profile, More Baggers,
Never Too Old To Ride
10 Years Ago, October 2012: Testing The EBR 1190RS V-Twin Superbike And The
MV Agusta F3 Triple; AMA Pro F1 Race Winner Gregg Smrz’s
Career As A Movie Stunt Man; Josh Hayes Winning In Superbike
& Cam Beaubier Winning In Daytona Sportbike At Laguna Seca
Numbers & Trivia: MotoGP’s Exotic 2023 Schedule
The Kids’ Page: Mahdi Salem
The Crash Page: Cory Ventura at Barber
New Products: : Mini Bike Stands, Clutch Kit, Seat Cover
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer
British Superbike: Race One Results From Donington Park
Editorial Note: American Julian Correa, riding his Microlise Cresswell Racing Honda, finished 17th in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Donington Park.
SBK R1
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Sykes strikes to become ninth different winner with race one victory at Donington Park
Tom Sykes delivered a masterful victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship eBay Sprint Race at Donington Park, becoming the ninth different race winner of the season to take the MCE Ducati team back to the top of the podium.
Sykes was inch-perfect during the 15-lap Sprint Race and silenced his critics by leading from the start to celebrate victory with MCE Ducati who become the seventh different team to win this season.
At the start, Sykes launched off the line from the front row to lead the field into Redgate for the first time. The previous World Champion then controlled the race, and despite the gap narrowing in the closing stages, he secured victory in Bennetts BSB for the first time since 2010.
However, the chasing pack continued to shuffle, and it was Jason O’Halloran on the McAMS Yamaha who gave a gritty performance following his two high-speed crashes last week to return to the podium.
The Australian had fought his way through the field after dropping to sixth on the opening laps, taking on his rivals to carve his way up the order with determined moves to keep his title competitors behind him.
The final podium position went down to the last lap to be decided as championship leader Bradley Ray held the initial advantage. Peter Hickman was in close contention and at Goddards for the final time, the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha made a small mistake, which gave the FHO Racing BMW rider the opportunity he needed.
Hickman’s third place came in his 400th Bennetts BSB race start with Ray taking fourth, to extend his advantage by five points as some of his closest rivals missed out in the opening race.
Glenn Irwin was leading the next group of Title Fighters in fifth place for Honda Racing UK as he moved up the order in the closing stages, keeping Lee Jackson and Kyle Ryde behind him.
The pair had been dueling throughout the race as they bid to bag the points with just five races now remaining.
Tommy Bridewell was eighth on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati as he too had been part of an earlier battle with his closest title challengers. Leon Haslam and Ryan Vickers completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park GP, eBay Sprint Race:
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati)
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.476s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +2.085s
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.224s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.277s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +8.052s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +9.979s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +11.075s
- Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +13.069s
- Ryan Vickers (FHO Racing BMW with Attis Sports) +13.453s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1126
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Products Ducati) 1081
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1075
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1073
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1068
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1036
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1031
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1017
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tom Sykes
MCE Ducati
eBay Sprint Race winner
“I can’t thank the team enough and this win is for them. I was obviously hoping for more this season, but Donington Park’s more of a Superbike circuit and although I still had a couple of limitations with the bike, I was able to ride round them and put the MCE Ducati where I wanted to.
“I’ve a lot of experience around here and the two qualifying sessions was more beneficial as it enabled us to understand the bike a bit more.
“We made a small change in between Q1 and Q2 and although I had to be conservative in 3-4 corners and lost a bit of time, it was good to be on the front row. I wanted a good, clean start and get away with the leaders and that’s exactly what I did.
“Winning is fantastic because we know the level here and I always have a lot of emotion here. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”
MotoGP: Bezzecchi Takes Career-First Pole Position, In Thailand
MotoGP Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bezzecchi blasts to maiden pole at Buriram, Bagnaia and Quartararo third and fourth
The rookie beats Martin to pole by just 0.021, with Bagnaia and Quartararo next up – and Aleix Espargaro unable to move through from Q1
Saturday, 01 October 2022
The last time two or more MotoGP™ rookies started from pole in a single season was 2006, and Marco Bezzecchi’s stunning new all-time lap record at Buriram ensures 2022 enters the history books as another such year. The Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider took it by just 0.021 from old Moto3™ sparring partner Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completing the Ducati front row lockout.
The fight went down to the final few seconds as Martin’s provisional pole was snatched away by Bezzecchi, but the number 89 had one last shot at it. And it was close, but he couldn’t quite snatch it back, leaving it as just 0.021 splitting the two.
Bagnaia was first to put in a serious challenge for pole as he headed out earlier than many for a second run, and the Italian made up a huge chunk of time late in the lap. In the end, however, it gives him third – and he is the top qualifier of the Championship challengers.
It’s close, however, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) next up at the head of the second row, and that second row is completed by Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). The contrasting fortunes were for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), with both Aprilias failing to make it out of Q1 at a track the new RS-GP is taking on for the first time. He’ll want to leap forward on Sunday from P13.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) splits Quartararo and Bastianini on Row 2, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) at the head of Row 3 – but the same place he qualified at Motegi as he blasted away to a dominant win.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) came through Q1 and was challenging for the front row on his final lap of Q2, but the number 93 then lost over four tenths in the final sector as the final corner proved the lap’s undoing. Still, Marquez will likely prove one to watch on Sunday as the only rider to win at Buriram so far. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) starts alongside the eight-time World Champion.
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completes the top ten ahead of both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines of Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, with the Austrian factory looking for more in that final push of qualifying – but likely to move forward once the lights go out.
So, we have a first-time pole-sitter with a shot at Rookie of the Year, Bagnaia and Quartararo close on the grid, Bastianini with less and less to lose, and Aleix Espargaro looking for a lot more on Sunday. The battle for Buriram supremacy takes place over what are sure to be 26 thrilling laps from 15:00 (GMT +7), so make sure to tune in!
Marco Bezzecchi: “Honestly, I had only one new tyre for the rear so in the final minutes of the session, I said, ‘Okay, I have to go and I don’t care about any others,’ and tried to push the best that I can. I saw that I was fast but I didn’t expect to make a 29.6. Also, I didn’t know that I was in pole position because I couldn’t check any big screen with the sun. So, unbelievable, it’s a big emotion. I’m very proud to get my first pole position but now the important part is tomorrow, so we have to be focused.”
Home turf history: Chantra becomes first Thai rider to take pole
The home hero will head the grid ahead of Arbolino and Ogura, with Fernandez on the third row
The home crowd expected, and he delivered! Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) will start from pole for his home OR Thailand Grand Prix, achieving the feat for the first time in his career and in doing so becoming the first Thai rider to take pole in Grand Prix history. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was the rider denied, by less than a tenth, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) completing the front row.
Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts eighth and has a little work to do on race day, although the number 37 has made short work of a comeback several times already this season.
Two rookies line up on Row 2: Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) takes fourth, with fellow rookie race winner Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) in sixth. The two are split by Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) heads up Row 3 ahead of Fernandez.
One key incident in Q2 saw Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) come together. The latter went to the Medical Centre and no fractures were found but he’ll be reviewed before Warm Up. Arenas is left P15 on the grid and Roberts P17.
There’s just two points between Fernandez and Ogura heading into race day in Thailand, but the two have to share the spotlight this weekend as Chantra races on home turf. Can the number 35 complete the fairytale weekend? The lights go out at 13:20 (GMT +7) so tune in to find out!
Somkiat Chantra: “I really didn’t expect it because I did the best lap on the second lap and also in Moto2™, nobody did a lap at the end. When I finished the qualifying session, I said, ‘Oh, I’m still in P1,’ and I was super happy. I’m really happy and I’m so excited!
“In FP1 and FP2 I tried to do long runs, and also select what tyre I will use in the race. Finally, we have super good pace and tomorrow I will try to adjust for the rear tyre. For me, I’m happy to see the fans and the support, and when I see this, I feel like I have more power than before.”
Foggia, Masia, Sasaki: the front row looks to gain on Guevara
Foggia sets a searing new lap record in Thailand, Guevara takes 11th and Garcia 20th
A new lap record puts Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) on pole for the OR Thailand Grand Prix, with the riders on the chase in the standings coming out on top on Saturday: Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is second on the grid, 0.292 back, and Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) third a little further in arrears.
Championship leader Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) will start 11th after making it out of Q1, but the number 28’s deficit to Foggia is nearly a second. Nevertheless, he started ninth in Motegi and won.
Even if he can’t repeat that feat, his lead may still extend – his teammate Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), the rider second in the standings, is P20 on the grid after failing to make it out of Q1.
Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) is fourth on the grid ahead of rookies Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MASI) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on the second row.
Foggia now holds the all-time, pole lap and best race lap records at Buriram in Moto3™… can he put them to good use on Sunday? The lightweight class go racing at 12:00 (GMT+7!)
Dennis Foggia: “It was an incredible day and incredible qualifying. I’m really happy with the qualifying. The goal for today was to start in front for tomorrow, and ok, the important thing is that we are ready for tomorrow. I think we are ready for the battle.”
Moto2: Chantra Claims Pole Position At Chang International Circuit
Moto3: Foggia Breaks Lap Record Again, Takes Pole In Thailand
Moto2: Ogura P1, Beaubier P6 And Top American In FP3 In Thailand
Moto3: Foggia Breaks Lap Record In FP3 In Thailand
