Martin crushes lap record to grab pole from Bezzecchi, Bagnaia
Going without a pole since last year’s Valencia GP, Martin was a dominant force in qualifying at Misano on Saturday morning, as he set two outright lap records to seal the deal. A final effort of 1m30.390s moved him miles clear of the competition, with VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi his closest rival in second, […]
MotoGP pays tribute as IRTA chief Mike Trimby passes away
Trimby was an immensely important figure in the MotoGP paddock, owing to his work in making the championship what it is today. A former racer, Trimby – helped in no small part by his wife Irene — headed a union for grand prix riders in 1982 to help bring about better pay for competitors and […]
KTM’s radical new MotoGP chassis shows true success of European marques
Carbon fibre chassis are not a new concept in MotoGP, but a full frame made of the material has not been used since Ducati did so with its 2009, 2010 and 2011 bike. Though it was a race winner with Casey Stoner, Ducati struggled to retain its title-winning form from 2007 when it ran a […]
Bagnaia’s Misano MotoGP practice top 10 «like a pole» after Barcelona crash
The Ducati rider escaped serious injury on the opening lap of last week’s Catalan GP after a huge highside before his leg was run over by KTM’s Brad Binder. The championship leader suffered extensive bruising and is still undergoing physiotherapy, but rode on Friday, finishing 20th in FP1. Bagnaia said the morning’s running was «more […]
«Japan reacting» to Marquez feedback as Honda future hangs in balance
The eight-time world champion has been enveloped in gossip that he will switch to the Gresini Ducati squad in 2024 as Honda’s problems in MotoGP persist, though Marquez has continually stated «I have a contract» with HRC. Monday’s post-race test is seen as vital in Marquez’s decision to remain or leave Honda, with the Japanese […]
Bezzecchi leads Vinales, Espargaro misses Q2 after crash
A week on from leading a historic Aprilia 1-2 at the Catalan GP, Espargaro will face the opening segment of qualifying on Saturday after a late fast crash at the penultimate corner on Friday afternoon at Misano. A last-gasp effort from Bezzecchi of 1m30.846s, marking a new lap record, put him top of the order […]
Pirro leads Marini in opening practice
The Aruba.it rider, who regularly tests at Misano in his role for the manufacturer, set a 1m31.909s to top the timesheet on Friday morning. He led from Marini, who was confirmed on Thursday to be staying with VR46 for 2024, with Pramac’s Jorge Martin in third. Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia, who escaped serious injury in […]
Gardner gets second World Superbike season with GRT Yamaha
Gardner, the son of 1987 500cc champion Wayne, will again partner Dominique Aegerter at the satellite Yamaha squad next season. Aegerter’s contract extension with Yamaha was announced last month without any official mention of which team he would ride for, but he is now confirmed to be staying at GRT. That follows the news that […]
Marc Marquez flirts with a possible Gresini Ducati 2024 MotoGP switch
The speculation, which in recent weeks was labelled as a rumour, has kicked up a gear on Thursday at the San Marino Grand Prix, with some media outlets even writing that Marquez has already decided to quit his Honda contract a year early. Speedweek, a Red Bull-owned publication, claimed that Marquez will join Gresini with […]