MOTORGP: TECH3 KTM CONFIRM LUCA MARINI SIGNING FOR 2027 SEASON

 

Luca Marini will swap red for orange in MotoGP next season

Luca Marini will join Tech3 KTM for the 2027 MotoGP season after spending the last three years with Honda.

The Italian has played an integral role in Honda’s MotoGP project since he joined them in 2024, proving to be a valuable asset on the technical development of the RC213V, whilst being a trustworthy, consistent rider on the track.

Marini takes the spot vacated by Enea Bastianini, who confirmed earlier this week that he would be racing for Trackhouse Aprilia next year alongside Raul Fernandez.

Luca Marini onboard the Honda RC213V during the 2026 MotoGP season

“Luca is a rider we have been watching closely, and we are very pleased to welcome him to Tech3 from 2027,” team CEO Guenther Steiner said. “He brings a huge amount of experience, but also the right mentality and approach for what we are building here.

“2027 will be a big reset for MotoGP, so having a rider who can contribute to our progress in this new era will be important.”

2027 will be Marini’s seventh season in the premier class. The 29-year-old spent the first half of his MotoGP career with Ducati power, first via an Esponsorama Ducati partnership with Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team, and then as a full VR46 Ducati rider once Rossi’s team made the move to the premier class on a full-scale basis.

Marini celebrated his maiden podium at the Circuit of the Americas in 2023, before going on to secure Sprint podiums later that year in Indonesia and Thailand. Marini also broke the lap record in Indonesia to take his first pole.

More success followed in 2023 when Marini secured pole position in Qatar and followed this up with a Sprint and GP podium at the Lusail International Circuit.

Advice from The Doctor and brother, Valentino Rossi for Luca Marini

Given his success in 2023, it came as a surprise to many that Marini chose to depart not only Ducati, but his brother’s team in favour of the struggling factory Honda team.

Whilst there have been no podiums during his time with HRC, Marini’s results have continued to improve as the bike becomes more competitive.

“We are very happy to have Luca joining us from 2027,” Tech3 KTM team manager, Nicolas Goyon said. “He has already shown his ability to perform at the highest level, and his experience in MotoGP will be extremely valuable as we enter this new chapter.

“He has a strong understanding of what is required from both the rider and technical side, and we are confident that he will be an important part of our progress with KTM. We are looking forward to working with him and seeing what we can achieve together.”

Marini is expected to be joined inside the Tech3 KTM garage by current Moto2 frontrunner Senna Agius.

- Josh Close

ALEX MARQUEZ LEADS MARCO BEZZECCHI IN SILVERSTONE MOTOGP FP1

Alex Marquez kicked off the British Grand Prix fastest of all in FP1

Alex Marquez led the way in FP1 at Silverstone
© Gold and Goose

Gresini Ducati MotoGP rider Alex Marquez was fastest of all by 0.173s in opening practice for the MotoGP British Grand Prix ahead of the returning Marco Bezzecchi.

The first round after the summer break takes place at Silverstone, which has seen 11 different winners in the last 11 editions of the British Grand Prix.

Alex Marquez will be looking to add his name to that list this weekend, having taken a sprint victory previously at the former RAF airbase.

Alex Marquez, 2026 Silverstone MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

He got his weekend off to the best start on the Gresini Ducati, posting a 1m58.692s to lead the field by 0.173s.

The younger Marquez brother headed the leading Aprilia of Marco Bezzecchi, who is making his comeback following a collarbone injury in Germany ahead of the summer break.

Last year’s British Grand Prix winner completed 13 laps on his RS-GP and was faster than KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who was the only crasher in FP1.

Bezzecchi set the early pace at the start of the 45-minute FP1 at 2m01.807s, before Aprilia counterpart Raul Fernandez - fresh from signing a new two-year deal with Trackhouse - took over with a 1m59.807s.

Alex Marquez hit the front for the first time with just under 10 minutes of the session gone with a 1m59.436s, before Jorge Martin edged ahead on the sister factory team Aprilia with a 1m59.372s.

Gresini’s Marquez would post his session-topping 1m58.692s lap with around 30 minutes to go, and would not be challenged through to the chequered flag.

Bezzecchi moved up to second, while Acosta fitted some fresh rubber to move up to third with a 1m58.974s after a crash at Stowe with 20 minutes remaining.

Fernandez was fourth on the Trackhouse Aprilia, while Fabio Di Giannantonio was fifth on the VR46 Ducati.

Marc Marquez was sixth on the factory team Ducati, while Ai Ogura was only seventh on the Trackhouse Aprilia despite a switch to fresh medium rubber late on.

A FAST crash for @37_pedroacosta at Stowe 🫢#BritishGP 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ylxm1Ui2hp

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 7, 2026

Championship leader Martin was eighth on a 1m59.372s, while Franco Morbidelli was ninth on the second of the VR46 Ducatis.

Pecco Bagnaia completed the top 10 on the second of the factory team Ducatis.

Joan Mir was Honda’s leading campaigner in 11th, while Fabio Quartararo led the Yamaha charge in 15th.

Gresini stand-in Iker Lecuona was 16th, while Pol Espargaro was 21st for Tech3 as he stands in for Pol Espargaro.

Home hero Cal Crutchlow was 22nd on the LCR Honda.

- Lewis Duncan

MARCO BEZZECCHI OUT OF GERMANY GP, NEEDS SURGERY AFTER BIG CRASH

Marco Bezzecchi will miss the German Grand Prix following a huge crash in qualifying

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Sachsenring MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Aprilia has announced that Marco Bezzecchi will miss the remainder of the MotoGP German Grand Prix following a huge crash in qualifying.

The erstwhile championship leader lost the rear of his Aprilia going through Turn 7 in the early stages of Q2.

When it gripped again, he was flung over his bike’s handlebars and bounced violently through the gravel.

Though he was able to walk away from the crash under his own steam, he was seen clutching his left arm when he got back to the paddock.

He was transferred to the circuit medical centre by ambulance shortly afterwards, where a displaced collarbone fracture was detected.

Marco Bezzecchi will require surgery on the injury.

“Following the crash, Marco Bezzecchi was taken to the circuit medical centre where, under the supervision of MotoGP Medical Director Dr. Angel Charte, he underwent an X-ray examination which revealed a complete and displaced fracture of the left clavicle,” Aprilia said in a statement.

“The type of fracture requires surgical intervention for optimal recovery, and it will be performed by Dr. Giuseppe Porcellini in Italy.

“Marco Bezzecchi is planning to return to Italy as soon as possible. We will keep you updated.”

Marco Bezzecchi's season goes from bad to worse

Bezzecchi was due to start from eighth on the grid, ahead of Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin. 

It marks his second big accident in as many rounds, following a fast crash during the Dutch Grand Prix. 

With Bezzecchi withdrawing from the rest of the Germany weekend, it will bring his tally of non-scores in main races to four in a row, and marks his second scoreless event in three. 

His crash out of the Dutch Grand Prix lost him the championship lead, dropping him seven points behind Martin. Currently, Martin is unlikely to fight for victory in either race, but the likes of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez could overhaul Bezzecchi in the points. 

Bezzecchi's season has quickly turned hellish since his dominant start to the campaign, in which he won the first three grands prix and added a fourth to his tally in Italy. 

Since then, he was involved in a Turn 1 pile-up triggered by Martin in Hungary, crashed out of the sprint at Brno and was subsequently banned from the main race for striking a marshal, before falling out of the Dutch Grand Prix. 

Bezzecchi now has three weeks within which to have the surgery and recover in time to compete at the British Grand Prix at the start of August. 

- Lewis Duncan

"SIMPLY TOO FAST" - APRILIA VERDICT ON MARCO BEZZECCHI'S ASSEN MOTOGP CRASH

Aprilia believes Marco Bezzecchi's frightening Assen MotoGP crash was simply the result of carrying too much speed through Turn 15.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“Simply too fast".

That was Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola's verdict when asked about the cause of Marco Bezzecchi's frightening Assen MotoGP crash.

Bezzecchi lost control through the ultra-fast Turn 15 left-hander on lap two of the grand prix while holding fourth.

The Italian cartwheeled through the gravel but was fortunately seen sitting upright and talking to marshals afterwards.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

The accident went on to cost Bezzecchi the world championship lead to team-mate Jorge Martin, who completed an Aprilia podium sweep behind Trackhouse riders Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez.

“I honestly think the Aprilia was not strong just in Turn 15, in all the very fast parts of the circuit, the Aprilia normally shows something special,” Rivola added.

Rivola said: “We are just waiting for the very latest news. Luckily, it doesn't seem like anything to worry about."

Aprilia duly confirmed that CT scans and radiological examinations found no injuries, and that Bezzecchi will travel back home tonight.

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia.

© Gold and Goose

Sunday marked Bezzecchi's fourth non-score in the last six races.

Before Assen, he was taken out by Martin in Hungary, then crashed in the Brno Sprint before being suspended from the grand prix.

Bezzecchi, who has led the world championship since COTA, now trails Martin by nine points.

- Peter McLaren

APRILIA LAND FRANCESCO BAGNAIA IN MAJOR MOTOGP RIDER MARKET COUP

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is officially joining Aprilia next year after much speculation about the Italian's future.

After yesterday's triple-announcement from Ducati, in which Marc Marquez's contract was renewed and Pedro Acosta was confirmed to join the team next year while Bagnaia departs, many believed that it wouldn't be long until the Aprilia deal was confirmed.

As reported by GP Blog several months ago, the rumours linking Bagnaia to Aprilia have been around for some time now. It is no secret that 'Pecco' Bagnaia has struggled to adapt since the arrival of Marc Marquez in the team, winning just two races in as many years since the Spaniard joined.

Like many of the suspected deals in the MotoGP rider market, Bagnaia's inevitable exit from Ducati was delayed due to the finalization of a 'concorde agreement' between MotoGP Group and the respective manufacturers. Fortunately, the deal was signed at last weekend's Czech Grand Prix, leading to a cascade of announcements this week and likely even more in the immediate future.

An all-Italian line-up

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has made it clear that he views Aprilia as a 'national team' for Italy, in contrast to Ducati's recent decision to favour Spanish riders. Having already secured current championship leader Marco Bezzecchi on a multi-year deal, Aprilia is now signing an even more experienced and proven Italian star.

With a massive regulation overhaul set to be introduced next year, there is no telling whether Aprilia will still be one of the frontrunners. However, with Bagnaia and Bezzecchi at the helm, it is clear that Aprilia have already secured one of the most promising rider lineups for 2027.

This means that Jorge Martin is going to make way, with rumours linking him heavily to Yamaha next year. It is no secret that the Spaniard and 2024 World Champion has not has the best of times with the Italian manufacturer, and even almost came to blows with his own boss in Catalonia.

Elswhere, there are several other major announcements expected later in the week. Fabio Quartararo is likely to leave Yamaha for Honda next year, with Ogura joining Martin in blue. VR46 have yet to confirm the arrival of Nicolo Bulega, but that is also expected soon. Meanwhile the fates of Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli, Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales and Raul Fernandez remain uncertain.

- Andrew McLarney

FIM STEWARDS REJECT APRILIA APPEAL FOR.MARCO BEZZECCHI BRNO MOTOGP BAN

The FIM Appeal Stewards have dismissed an appeal from Aprilia in relation to the suspension of Marco Bezzecchi from the Czech MotoGP.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 MotoGP Czech Grand Prix, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose

An appeal lodged by Aprilia against the suspension of Marco Bezzecchi from the Brno MotoGP has been rejected by the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel.

The decision to suspend Marco Bezzecchi was announced by the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel as a result of an investigation into an incident which occurred after Bezzecchi crashed out of the Sprint at Brno, as the Italian pushed and struck a marshal who was trying to recover his bike.

An appeal was lodged by Aprilia shortly after the suspension was announced at 19:52 local time in Brno. The appeal hearings were held between 20:05 and 20:37 and involved Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing team manager Paolo Bonora, and Simon Crafar, Tamara Matko, and Andres Somolinos from the MotoGP Stewards panel.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

A statement released from stewards confirmed the rejection of the appeal and the upholding of the suspension of Bezzecchi from the Czech Grand Prix.

The reasoning given by the FIM MotoGP Stewards for the rejection of the appeal is as follows.

“The FIM Appeal Stewards have carefully considered the submissions made on behalf of the rider and the evidence presented, including video footage, official reports and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” a statement from the stewards reads.

“Whilst the Appeal Stewards recognise that riders involved in accidents may experience frustration, disappointment and heightened emotion immediately following an accident, such circumstances cannot excuse or justify physical aggression directed towards circuit personnel performing their official duties.

“Circuit marshals and other safety officials are fundamental to the safe conduct of motorcycle sport. They operate in hazardous environments, often placing themselves in close proximity to moving motorcycles and other dangers in order to protect competitors and facilitate the safe continuation of the event. The sport relies on these officials carrying out their responsibilities without fear of intimidation, abuse, or physical assault.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“The principles of sporting conduct require all participants to treat officials, marshals, and volunteers with respect at all times. Any physical contact of an aggressive nature towards a circuit safety official represents a serious departure from those standards and undermines the mutual trust and respect upon which the safe operation of the Championship depends.

“The Appeal Stewards consider it particularly significant that the individuals involved were marshals actively engaged in the recovery of the rider's machine following an accident. Such personnel were acting solely in the interests of rider safety, event safety, and the orderly conduct of the competition.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“Physical aggression towards marshals is wholly unacceptable in professional motorsport and cannot be tolerated regardless of the circumstances leading to the incident. Failure to respond appropriately to such conduct would risk sending the wrong message to competitors throughout the Championship and would be inconsistent with the governing body's obligation to protect officials, volunteers, and workers who contribute to the sport.

“Having regard to the seriousness of the conduct, the status of the persons involved as circuit safety officials, the need to uphold proper standards of behavior, and the need for both specific and general deterrence, the Appeal Stewards are satisfied that the Stewards Panel was entitled to conclude that the rider's actions constituted an action prejudicial to the interests of the sport.

“The Appeal Stewards further conclude that the sanction imposed is proportionate to the seriousness of the infringement and falls within the reasonable range of penalties available to the Stewards Panel. Accordingly, the appeal is rejected and the original decision is upheld in its entirety.”

- Alex Whitworth

'IT LOOKS STUPID' - APRILIA BOSS CRITICAL OF JORGE MARTIN AFTER TURN ONE MOTOGP PILE-UP

Massimo Rivola has put the blame on Jorge Martin for the turn one crash at the Hungary MotoGP.

Jorge Martin after turn one crash, 2026 MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose

The Hungary MotoGP race was blown apart for Aprilia at the first corner thanks to a mistake by one of its own riders, Massimo Rivola says.

Marco Bezzecchi had seemingly done what he did in the Sprint, moving up from sixth on the grid to third at the first corner. But then Jorge Martin lost control in braking and Bezzecchi – as well as Fermin Aldeguer, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez – were taken down with the 2024 MotoGP champion.

Ordinarily a team manager would find a justification for the crash that does not involve blaming their own riders. Aprilia Racing CEO, though, was clear that the crash was Martin’s mistake.

Martin falls at Turn 1, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“My first thought is always for the riders, I'm sorry,” Rivola told Sky Sport Italy after the race in Hungary.

"Martin's mistake should never happen, especially when safety is at stake and you're so aggressively approaching the first turn. 

“It was a strange mistake, not one of enthusiasm. He made a bad braking mistake, but he didn't brake too late. 

“He applied more power with the bike leaning slightly, in a part of the track where there's less grip. But it's a mistake a world champion shouldn't make.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing, 2026 Hungary MotoGP

© Gold and Goose

The crash brought about memories of Martin’s crash at turn one at Motegi last year, where he also took out Bezzecchi. But Rivola says the two incidents are different.

“I think the [outcome] is similar but the mistake is quite different,” he said.

“Last year he overbraked and it was another reaction. This time it was, I don't want to say a small mistake, but he didn't behave with the front brake as he should have done in that part of the track at corner one. 

“That is quite different from Japan. A smaller mistake but the same [outcome]. For us, even worse.”

Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi, Turn 1 crash, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Rivola also feels that the design of the first corner is perhaps not the thing to blame for the crash, given that the first corner at Barcelona was also blamed for a turn one incident only a few races ago.

Instead, Rivola thinks the way to avoid crashes like this is for the riders to approach the first corner more cautiously.

“If we go to Barcelona, we say that it's too dangerous at the first corner,” said Rivola.

“When you are on Sunday, you know very well the track layout, the grip condition. I think that at the first corner, everybody should take it a bit more easy. 

“Then, the fact that we are also unlucky that when we crash, we have another Aprilia or even two in the middle, it looks also stupid. 

“But the point is that when you know that the conditions are bad, you take it more easy.”

- Alex Whitworth

JORGE MARTIN CALLS FOR BARCELONA SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AFTER “DANGEROUS” MOTOGP CRASH

Jorge Martin suffered a concussion after an unusual crash at Turn 12 during opening practice in Barcelona on Friday

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Jorge Martin believes the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya needs to extend the run-off area at Turn 12 after a crash during Catalan Grand Prix practice left him with a concussion.

The 2024 MotoGP champion lost the front-end of his Aprilia into the right-hander, with the bike smashing into the air fence before bouncing back into the gravel. With limited run-off available to slow him down, Martin hit the front fairing and was visibly shaken after getting back to his feet.

The Spaniard had to visit the medical centre for check-ups, with MotoGP’s official doctor later revealing that he was “slightly concussed” and also suffered bruising to his left forearm.

Martin was eventually cleared to take part in practice starts at the end of the session, but the incident renewed concerns about rider safety at what Martin described as a dangerous part of the circuit.

The 28-year-old said the crash immediately reminded him of the fatal accident that claimed the life of Moto2 rider Luis Salmon at the same corner in 2016.

“I think that it's really dangerous to crash there," he said. "I don't really like to say it, but it reminds me a lot about Luis Salom. When I was crashing, I thought about him straight away.

“Luckily, the bike turned so I went into the fairing and not the handlebars or other pieces. For sure, it's a place where they need to improve because it's really dangerous.”

Martin explained that he was trying to warm-up the tyre when he made a mistake at Turn 12 and hit the ground.

“I had more lean angle and more brake than the lap before,” he said. “But I was relaxed, I wasn't pushing. 

“But we struggled a lot to put temperature into the front in the morning. The evening was very good, we could go with the medium, but the morning was tough to put temperature and that's why you couldn't even push. And if you don't push, you don't warm up, and then it never stops.

“The problem is more on the left for sure, but it happened also on the right. So we have to be really careful. At that point I wanted to be behind Fabio [di Giannantonio] just to warm up the tyre and then I crashed.”

Martin also went down at Turn 2 towards the end of the main practice session on Friday afternoon, leaving him 17th on the timesheets and forcing him to go through Q1 for the first time this season.

While both team-mate Marco Bezzecchi and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez earned a direct passage into Q2, Martin struggled for pace throughout the hour-long session, despite having finished second in first practice.

Martin insisted that there were no lingering effects from his Turn 12 crash when he took to the track in the afternoon session.

Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
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Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

“I'm good,” he said.  “I feel lucky that nothing happened in the morning because I think it was a dangerous and a really scary crash.

“But I was fine to ride in the evening and physically, I feel great. In the second run I didn't feel anything about the first crash.

“For sure, after the evening crash, [there is] again some pain in other places, but we'll check later.”

- Rachit Thukral & Germán Garcia Casanova

APRILIA MAKES HISTORY | LE MANS 2026

 

MARCO BEZZECCHI ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY IN MARC MARQUEZ MOTOGP CRASH

Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Factory Racing, 2025 Indonesian MotoGP
© Gold and Goose

Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola says Marco Bezzecchi has escaped serious injury following his MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix crash with Marc Marquez on Sunday.

The Italian qualified on pole but once again dropped down the order at the start, forcing him into a repeat of his sprint recovery from Saturday at Mandalika.

But the race ended for Marco Bezzecchi at Turn 7 when he made an ambitious move to overtake world champion Marc Marquez and ran into the back of his Ducati.

The violent crash resulted in a collarbone fracture for Marquez, who will return to Spain to evaluate the next stages of his recovery.

Bezzecchi was taken to a local hospital for checks, but was diagnosed with no serious injuries.

The stewards have deferred a decision on the incident until they are able to speak with Bezzecchi.

“Strange is maybe not really the right wording, but showing a great speed of all the Aprilias,” Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said.

"Pitty to have only two riders, Marco I think was clearly the fastest rider during this weekend, so obviously the expectation was very high. Shit happens. This is racing at the end.

“Marco is ok. We just got the news from Dr Charte that he was brought to the hospital for a scan and there’s no broken bones.

“He has a lot of pain, maybe the pain is also some of the two crashes: the one of Motegi and this one.

“First of all, we need to apologise to Marc. What happened, ok it’s racing, but it’s also very bad when we see crashes and you are part of putting someone out of a race.

“So, apologies to him and his team.”

Bezzecchi apologised to Marquez after the crash, with the latter later saying that he accepted it and understood it as a race incident.

Rivola added: “I saw Davide Tardozzi and apologised to him, and he said also Marco apologised to Marc twice.

“But that’s it. It’s really something that we would like to avoid seeing, but in this kind of competition we know how tight MotoGP is, how the performance is so close, and they are all warriors trying to get the best out of the bike.

“Maybe not thinking too much about strategy, because clearly he had the pace to recovery. He did it yesterday in half the number of laps.”

- Lewis Duncan

MOTOGP WILL HAVE 13 WORLD CHAMPIONS (FIVE IN THE PREMIER CLASS)

© Michelin / PhotoPSP / Lukasz Swiderek

The MotoGP season kicks off in just over a week with the Thai GP… and the grid will feature 13 world champions – five of them with titles in the premier class.

Jorge Martín (Aprilia) was the MotoGP champion last year and will defend his crown, but he had already won the Moto3 title in 2018. Besides the Spaniard, other riders who have claimed the most coveted title include Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), and Marc Márquez (Gresini).

Then, there are riders who have only won championships in the lower classes so far – notably Ai Ogura (Trackhouse/Aprilia), who enters MotoGP after winning the Moto2 title last year.

The promising Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) and Álex Márquez (Gresini/Ducati) have yet to win a MotoGP title. Could one of them achieve it this year?

Additionally, five other riders have only won titles in the lower classes: in Moto2, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46/Ducati), and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR); and in Moto3, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3).

Motorcycle World Champions on MotoGP 2025 grid

• MotoGP
• Fabio Quartararo
• Francesco Bagnaia
• Joan Mir
• Jorge Martín
• Marc Márquez

• Moto2 and Moto3
• Álex Márquez
• Pedro Acosta
• 
  
• Only Moto2
• Enea Bastianini
• Franco Morbidelli
• Johann Zarco
• Only Moto3
• Brad Binder
• Maverick Viñales

- BERNARDO MATIAS

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA HAILS MALAYSIAN MOTOGP POLE AFTER 'INCREDIBLE' JORGE MARTIN BATTLE

“It’s incredible what we did today”

Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, qualifying, 2024 Malaysian MotoGP

MotoGP title rivals Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin spectacularly slugged it out for pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Both smashed the Sepang lap record as they surged almost one second clear of the field.

Martin landed what looked like a knockout blow with a new official lap record on his first run, pitting with a half-second advantage over Bagnaia.

But with the pressure on, practice leader Bagnaia responded magnificently on his final run, beating Martin's record time by 0.216s!

Delight in the factory Ducati pits was matched by shock in the Pramac garage, but Martin rolled up his sleeves and was equal to Bagnaia through the opening sectors…

However, the title leader was forced to lift his GP24 when the front slid away at Turn 14, ending an epic pole contest.

“It’s incredible what we did today because already the lap time of Jorge was incredible,” said Bagnaia, before underlining the psychological importance of defeating Martin in qualifying.

“Being able to drop this lap time was also super important for the mental side because I know how difficult it is when you are doing your maximum and your opponent is faster.

“So it was very important and I’m very proud of my team because we did a very good again. Super happy.”

Martin, who starts this afternoon’s Sprint race 17 points ahead of Bagnaia, admitted: 

“For sure I thought [my first lap] was enough, but Pecco was incredible today.

“It is what it is. I tried my best. I think the first row was the target so I’m happy.

“The race will be tough, both of us have a really good pace so it will be important to understand where to be stronger.”

Martin can wrap up the title one round early if he holds a 38-point lead on Sunday evening.

A maximum of 12 points are available in the Sprint and 25 in the Grand Prix this weekend.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez was a commendable, if distant, third on the grid.

“I closed my eyes and pushed in every corner at the limit!” he smiled. “I tried my best and I love this place. We made a really good lap, also in FP2 we were not bad for race pace.”

The Gresini rider paid tribute to the ‘magnificent’ performance of the duo ahead as he ruled out repeating last year’s Sprint victory.

“Looking forward to the race but we are not like last year, we don’t have the chance to win because these two are super magnificent," Marquez said.

“When you are fighting for the title you have like another step more [mentally]. So congrats to Pecco and Martin.

“But we are happy to be here after some difficult races.”

Martin’s team-mate Franco Morbidelli, Alex’s team-mate Marc Marquez and Bagnaia’s team-mate Enea Bastianini (who fell) will form row two of the grid.

KTM's Jack Miller was the top non-Ducati rider in seventh followed by the Yamahas of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, who are enjoying their most competitive team performance of the season.

Brad Binder (KTM), Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) and Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) completed the Qualifying 2 riders.

Zarco turned heads by leaping to the top of Qualifying 1 on his final lap, pushing Pedro Acosta out of Qualifying 2 in the process.

Meanwhile, Andrea Iannone enjoyed the best session of his MotoGP comeback with 17th on the grid.

"It wasn't an easy qualifying, but I'm happy," Iannone said. "On a physical level, with the heat, the humidity and considering how these bikes are physical in braking, it's complicated but I’m having fun. 

"It's a shame we had so little time, because we have the potential to be competitive, we're only 0.8 from the first GP23. 

"It will be my first time in the Sprint, I will have to understand how to manage myself, I don't know exactly what to expect, especially in the slipstream with all these wings."

- Peter McLaren

BREAKING: ROMANO ALBESIANO TO JOIN HRC

 

MARTIN HOLDS OFF WOUNDED ITALIANS TO SEAL SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX

Reuters

Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin led the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano Adriatico from start to finish on Sunday to complete a second sprint and race double of the season and cut Francesco Bagnaia's championship lead to 36 points.

The Spaniard finished 1.350 seconds ahead of Marco Bezzecchi of VR46 Racing, who was hampered by a wrist injury he suffered at the Catalan Grand Prix.

Ducati's MotoGP world champion Bagnaia, who had his leg run over in a separate crash last week, finished third.

Bagnaia is top of the riders' standings with 283 points, with Martin (247) in second and Bezzecchi (218) in third.

After his sprint and race double this weekend and a third-placed finish in Catalunya, Martin has reduced Bagnaia's lead by 30 points in just two weeks.

MOTOGP: ANDREA IANNONE WILL REPLACE SCOTT REDDING AT APRILIA NEXT SEASON

Aprilia has announced that Scott Redding will be replaced by Andrea Iannone...

MOTOGP: APRILIA 2018 | NEW LIVERY

Aprilia has rolled out it's new livery for the 2018 season...