Gloves off, visors down: MotoGP™ arrives in Misano
The battle traces are drawn because the world’s most fun sport arrives on turf poised to serve up a storm
Wednesday, 04 September 2024
Hallowed floor. Dwelling turf. Enemy territory. All are true without delay for the MotoGP™ grid at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with the stage set for an intriguing showdown this weekend within the Gran Premio Crimson Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Championship chief Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) heads behind enemy traces with a bonus of 23 factors atop the standings, holding off house hero Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Crew). The motivation to defeat the reigning Champion on his personal turf, and for his personal Italian group, might be matched solely by the dedication of the #1 to cease him doing simply that. Particularly as Bagnaia seems to bounce again – one thing he’s seemingly magically capable of do when he most must.
In the meantime, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was again on the highest step in Aragon, 1043 days after profitable his final Grand Prix. And that simply occurred to be the Emilia-Romagna GP at Misano in 2021. He’s the rider with most wins throughout all at Misano, and he’d love so as to add one other. His incentives likewise arrange a showdown to recollect: enemy territory. Future teammate territory. And present group house turf…
The rider with the following most podiums and an exemplary report at Misano, in the meantime, is one other house hero: Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Crew). The Beast’s nightmare Apply and Q1 left him with work to do in Aragon however he did it, slicing up the order as ever to get again to the entrance and solely cede third place general by only a single level. It might not have been the weekend he’d anticipated, given the 2022 Aragon GP, but it surely was removed from a catastrophe by conclusion. Misano is more likely to see Bastianini gunning for glory as soon as once more.
The house heroes don’t cease there. Final 12 months Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Crew) took two podiums and he’ll hope some house magic might be added to the combination too in a more durable season. Teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio simply had the sting nonetheless earlier than a tyre strain penalty in Aragon, nonetheless, and with one other few days to get again to raised energy he’ll be one to observe on his and the group’s house turf. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) continues a formidable trajectory of progress over latest rounds too, with Misano one other likelihood to place all of it collectively and attempt to assault for the rostrum.
Attacking for that podium was precisely what Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was doing for a lot of the Aragon GP, earlier than each he and Bagnaia ended up tangled within the gravel. Opinion columns apart, every obtained to make their case and the results of the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards investigation was: no additional motion. We will probably count on extra motion of a distinct variety because the #73 takes on the house spherical for Gresini and Ducati in entrance of what may show a partisan crowd extra a fan of the Pecco Bagnaia facet of the argument, however there are many races in even latest reminiscence the place the motivation to show some extent has been a strong one.
Aprilia, in the meantime, have loads of house glory on the road for his or her machine and manufacturing facility, and after a more durable Aragon GP, they’ll need to bounce again rapidly. On Day 1 all 4 RS-GPs had been within the prime ten: Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) on Marquez’ tail, and Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez flying the flag for Trackhouse. However come Saturday it obtained more durable, they usually’ll need much more from Misano. Viñales has a standout report on the observe too…
Then comes KTM and GASGAS. Again nearer the entrance at Aragon with two podiums for Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Brad Binder (Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing) scorching on his heels after his personal good type in Austria, there have been loads of positives and Misano has hosted some for the marque earlier than. Jack Miller (Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing) is having an up and down journey with some spectacular pace after which dangerous luck or hassle at instances so might be on the lookout for a smoother weekend, and Augusto Fernandez (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) had some positives from MotorLand too. Misano awaits with one other likelihood to reset – and one other wildcard for Pol Espargaro with Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing.
Stefan Bradl will even be on observe for the HRC Take a look at Crew, and for Honda, there was a primary of 2024 at MotorLand as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) moved immediately via to Q2, displaying some spectacular pace all weekend regardless of sadly crashing out on Saturday. Nonetheless, that’s tick in a single field because the Japanese marque look to maneuver ahead, and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Crew) might be particularly eager to take action this weekend on house turf. Teammate Joan Mir had the higher hand at MotorLand on his. However of all, it was Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) who truly took Honda’s greatest Sunday consequence thus far this season, coming house in P11 when all penalties had been mentioned and accomplished. As his future as growth rider is confirmed, his worth appeared underlined as soon as extra.
Yamaha, in the meantime, have not too long ago accomplished their very own non-public check at Misano so it is going to be fascinating to see the place they choose up as we return to race. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Vitality Yamaha MotoGP™) put in a greater than strong Saturday at MotorLand to battle Bagnaia and take Dash factors, however a crash out on Sunday leaves a little bit what may have been behind. What was, for teammate Alex Rins, was a prime ten although – consequence even when now leaving the manufacturing facility to give attention to slicing down the time deficit. What might be at Misano? It’s historically a robust observe for the Yamaha.
The Championship stays shut however there’s ever extra strain pouring into the duel on the prime, with the momentum all of a sudden again in Martin’s nook. However a Bagnaia needing a result’s a Bagnaia to underestimate at your peril, and Marc Marquez has now been again on the highest step. And all of the whereas, Bastianini seems via his trophy cupboard, drives down the street to his native racetrack, and appears to steal the highlight and chip away at that hole to the highest…
Who’s taking the spoils? Be a part of us this weekend for the Gran Premio Crimson Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini to search out out:
What’s occurring on the #SanMarinoGP?
On Thursday afternoon, MotoGP™ podcast Final On The Brakes will welcome Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3 empresario Herve Poncharal.
Then we’re into the press conferences, with the primary set to host Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Crew), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Crew).
Then, rookie Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) might be joined by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Crew) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) for the second.
The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship returns to motion throughout the weekend and for the grand finale. Misano will resolve the 2024 Champion and 4 riders are in rivalry, however Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) has a 38-point lead heading in.
On the Highway to MotoGP™, the Crimson Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup will even be determined at Misano. Race 1 is on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday, with the highest two contenders break up by 13 factors on the way in which in.
Moto2™: Dixon dares to dream because the deficit comes down
4 races in the past, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Crew) sat 105 factors adrift of World Championship chief Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI). Now, heading to the San Marino GP, that deficit has shrunk to 43 factors after the Briton claimed a second win of the 12 months in Aragon. And what a weekend it was at MotorLand, with Dixon changing his first pole of the season right into a win that has propelled the #96 into the Championship chase equation.
That’s partly as a result of it was one other weekend the place title favourites failed to select up sizable factors tallies. Garcia retired from Sunday’s race in what was, reality be informed, a weekend to neglect for the present Championship pacesetter. Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) – on his harm return – dug deep to pocket eight essential factors in P8, whereas Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and Fermin Aldeguer (BetaTools SpeedUp) each suffered more durable ends to their Aragon GPs with crashes.
That meant race winner Dixon and Alonso Lopez (BetaTools SpeedUp) – the Spaniard ending P4 – had been the large movers within the title race. Lopez, a bronze medallist at Misano in 2023, is now P3 behind the MT Helmets – MSI duo, 31 factors off Garcia, with Dixon P5. 50 factors break up the highest six – Garcia to Aldeguer – as we land on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Now that’s what we name a Championship battle.
Clearly, we will’t go racing once more with out mentioning the opposite two riders who stood on the Aragon rostrum – Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew) and Deniz Öncü (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo). The previous made his means onto the field for the primary time this season and ran Dixon shut, as Öncü strung collectively a improbable weekend to assert his debut intermediate class rostrum. Extra of the identical might be craved from each between now and Valencia.
Moto3™: Alonso marches on as Veijer takes up the chase
Historical past was made on Sunday morning in Aragon as Jose Antonio Rueda (Crimson Bull KTM Ajo) etched his identify alongside the greats by changing into the four-hundredth completely different Grand Prix winner. Rueda’s first Moto3™ triumph was the #99’s first podium because the Catalan GP and the third of his sophomore 12 months, and one which moved the Spaniard as much as P6 within the general standings.
Additionally transferring up within the Championship was second place finisher Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). The Dutch star is now P2 within the title chase after incomes a sixth podium of the season, as Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) put in a effective journey to safe his first Grand Prix podium in P3 forward of his and the group’s house race at Misano.
And talking of Misano, who gained there final 12 months in Moto3™? Ah sure, a sure David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Crew). Regardless of ending off the rostrum for simply the fourth time this 12 months – albeit in P4 – the Colombian stretched his wholesome factors benefit out to 75. Veijer now acts because the chief chaser, and with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Daniel Holgado (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) choosing up a lowkey P12 and P9 respectively, a giant response is required this weekend because the pack makes an attempt to reel within the #80 earlier than time runs out.
