Phillip Island saw an awesome attendance as the MotoGP returned to Australia after the world shut down due to COVID-19. Check out all the best shots of the fans and the atmosphere from the Aussie round below… Photos: Sean Thoms.
Read all the race reports here…
The Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix made headlines and a bit of history. The history was the top seven riders finishing within a single second – 0.884, to be exact. It’s also the second closest top 10 ever. The headlines? Where do we begin? Oh, and the sunshine arrived! MotoGP Press.
It’s Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) who took an emotional win, the number 42 fighting at the front throughout and then fending off Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) on the final lap. Marquez, who was forced to settle for second but got back on the box, secured his 100th premier class podium.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, took third, and with it a fair margin of Championship lead as some serious dramas unfolded behind.
The first saw former points leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) run on and face a fight back from outside the top twenty, and his drama wouldn’t end there but the next was for home hero Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team). Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) overcooked it and made contact with the Australian, sending both down and after both had made stellar starts. With that Miller is out of the Championship hunt, and the title fight got another shake up not long after.
Trying to come back through and at least into the points at the time, Quartararo then suddenly slid out of contention at the Southern Loop, lowsiding off into the gravel in another huge twist. That left an open goal for the contenders still battling it out, with Bagnaia on course to claim the lead… but by how much?
The first leaders were polesitter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marquez, before Rins and Bagnaia reeled them in. As the laps ticked down the overtakes kept coming, and the troops were forming for the podium fight: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Luca Marini were arriving on the scene as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) started to fade, watching the chance to capitalise on Quartararo’s error get a little smaller.
The opposite was true of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the ‘Beast’ homed in on the fight at the front. As the final showdown started to commence, there were seven riders locked together: Bagnaia, Rins, Marquez, Bezzecchi, Marini, Martin and Bastianini. Who was going to take it?
Bagnaia led them onto the final lap but with ’20 out’ loud and clear on the pit board, the risk vs reward balance was something to consider. But not for Rins and Marquez. Marquez had passed Rins for second at the Southern Loop on the penultimate lap, but the Suzuki rider hit back straight away at Stoner Corner, and that was how they commenced Lap 27 of 27. Rins went a corner earlier this time with a move on Bagnaia for the lead, and Marquez followed to push Pecco down to third. Could the number 93 cook up one final attack?
In the end, Rins was unstoppable. The Suzuki rider kept the door closed to the line as Marquez hung in there looking for a way through, and right behind the focus shifted to Bezzecchi. Would the Italian, Ducati rider and VR46 Academy member launch a late attack on Bagnaia? He wouldn’t. Bagnaia held them off to secure another podium and homed in on Marquez in a big way on the drag to the line, just 0.224 off Rins’ by the flag.
Bezzechi’s fourth place secures him top Independent Team rider in the race and Rookie of the Year for 2022, as he was left to hold off Bastianini and did so – just. The ‘Beast’ was incredibly close by the flag, taking fifth ahead of Marini. Martin took seventh after leading early on from pole, and he creates the stat of the top seven within a second.
Next up came Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), who had a comeback on his hands after a tough start but made his way through to an impressive eighth. Aleix Espargaro, on a day that could have paid a few more dividends, faded to ninth place, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounding out the top ten after earlier having charged as far forward as seventh.
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) took P11 ahead of a solid comeback for Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Cal Crutchlow (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™), after losing a few positions off the start, finished 13th and contributes a few more Constructors’ points, with rookie teammate Darryn Binder impressing just behind to take a couple of his own points. Speaking of rookies, home hero Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) scored on home turf too, taking P15.
After drama Down Under, it’s just a few days until the paddock heads to Sepang and the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. Bagnaia now leads by a sizeable 14 points ahead of Quartararo, having pulled off that amazing, record-breaking comeback in the standings. Aleix Espargaro is now 27 back and Bastianini is the last contender after Miller’s 0, with the Italian facing a 42-point deficit with two to go. The first of those is contested next weekend, so tune in for more at Sepang for Bagnaia’s first match point!
MotoGP™ Top Three (Full results here)
1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 40’50.654
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.186
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.224
Alex Rins: “First of all, thanks to everyone who’s come to to support us! Last time here with the Suzuki is special, I have the feeling and it’s amazing to go out with the victory. Thank you so much and see you next year, Phillip Island!”
Marc Marquez: “We chose the correct tyre with the soft rear tyre, I felt good and I was managing the race a lot in the beginning, then later on I was struggling a bit with grip but I enjoyed it a lot, that race. It doesn’t matter what position, I finished second and I tried to win. I gave everything, but Alex did a really good last lap. I gave everything I had, I enjoyed it a lot, so many overtakes. In some areas we still need to improve but Honda is working, and step by step we’re getting better and better.
“For me, the second place was so important, when I came back after the injury, the test in Misano, then the race in Japan, the race in Thailand. Why? Because it was important to understand that, inside me, the speed is there, and when I feel okay, the speed is there. But it’s true that now we need to work hard and the body needs to follow that speed, so step-by-step, it’s getting better and better. Here is a left circuit, so it helps a lot, and it’s true that it’s only two right corners where you push really hard – that is 4 and 10 – and in Malaysia, we will struggle more, I know. But, we will have time in winter so, step-by-step, we are getting better and it was the best way to keep the motivation for me, for the team, for Honda, because Honda is also in a difficult situation. They are working hard, as we see this weekend, and it’s getting better and better.”
On 100 premier class podiums:
“I’m really happy with this podium. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the people who have helped me in this tough season, and to all the doctors, to all the physios that I work with. We are getting better and better, and Honda is working hard. Nothing has been gained now, but they are working really hard for 2023. This podium means a lot, to keep the motivation, to show to them that this rider that can win six titles with Honda is there.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I had some difficulties to engage the front device, but in any case, the start wasn’t so good. Then I tried in the first laps to overtake many riders, and then when i saw on the pit board that Fabio was out, a win is ok but if they overtake me on the final lap, it’s ok. I’m happy and we’re leading the Championship… so keep going like this!
How do you feel about 91-point deficit to now, how are you different?
“It’s a Pecco that has learnt more lessons possible, and I said, there are 250 points remaining after Sachsenring. I think we took a lot of that. Our bike is the same from Jerez and from that moment, we demonstrated that we were so competitive. So, keep going, keep going. I don’t want to think about the Championship now. Just focus on the main goal, which is doing good races, and then we’ll see. But, I don’t want to think about it.”
Fabio Quartararo: “I was struggling a lot at Turn 4 and I already made a mistake at the beginning of the race. Then I tried to push, I was quite far and I could overtake three riders but then I pushed too much in Turn 2. Let’s see how we can handle the next ones. I think Malaysia is a good track, I like it, so let’s see how we can do it.”
Is today the day where the championship really changed?
“Yeah, it has changed for him since the Sachsenring, so it can change also for us in the last two. I feel that we can have a great last two races. We need to be focused, to work well, and see, but it can be worse for both of us.”
What went wrong at Turn 4? Is it a move that you felt you should have made?
“No, it was not even a move, and I think there was a tailwind, so it pushed me quite fast, and I’ve made a mistake. But, in the end, I think it will be important to analyse it well – I think we already know what happened – and then go to Malaysia with full motivation.”
Will we see a change in strategy?
“A change of strategy is difficult but I think that, in the end, we need to do our best and, more than that, enjoy it. Because, in the recent races, I couldn’t really enjoy it, and I feel like we need to enjoy the last two races. That, for me, will be the most important thing, because I know that when I enjoy it, I feel like we can go fast!”
Aleix Espargaro: “I made a good start, I felt good, I felt I had the speed to fight for the podium but, suddenly in the middle of the race, the traction control started to cut so much power. I couldn’t accelerate, I couldn’t go forward, and it was very frustrating, because I lost a lot of ground in acceleration and tried to recover under brakes but it was impossible to stay with the leading group.”
Was it an issue with bike or electronics?
“I mean, we have the same tyre as most of the riders in the front group, so I guess it’s our problem. We have to understand what happened. Maverick had exactly the same problem, so it was very frustrating because it’s difficult to have the speed to fight for the victory but we had it today and we couldn’t really profit from it.”
Is the disappointment worse because of opportunity from Quartararo crash?
“I mean, he made a mistake and crashed, so we didn’t really profit from it and Pecco jumped onto the podium also, so now we are a bit far. It’s still possible but more difficult.”
27-point deficit; how do you look at last two races?
“The first thing is that I’m very proud to arrive at the last two races still with a chance of winning the title and this is fantastic, unbelievable. But, now it’s a little bit more difficult than before because with Pecco and Ducati’s form, and a one-race advantage, it’s not going to be easy, but anyway, everything can happen, so let’s keep fighting.”
Moto2 Sunday
Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) played a figurative and literal ace at the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, escaping from the front row to pull out enough gap to serve his Long Lap penalty given in practice and still emerge in the lead – putting the hammer down from there on out to enjoy a track day experience at Phillip Island, winning with over 3.5 seconds in hand. Second went to Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), another two-time rookie race winner this year, with Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the podium after a comeback from P14.
The huge headline beyond the podium saw former Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash out from behind teammate Acosta. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is the therefore the new points leader, although the Japanese rider could only manage 11th and his advantage is therefore only 3.5 points with two races to go. There are also now only those two contenders remaining, as Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) is now 50 points back and without a win.
Lopez was in charge as he bolted immediately, maintaining the plan to push at the limit from the off. That gave him enough advantage to dive in to take his Long Lap penalty and still emerge in the lead, and then he was gone.
After a crash out of podium contention for Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) fading back from the podium fight, the battle between Acosta and Fernandez was heating up. The rookie was ahead when his teammate suddenly slid out, losing the front and with it chance to create quite a gap. But rider ok and ultimately only losing four points.
Dixon gained the podium with that, but after having put in quite a comeback to slice through the pack from well outside the top ten. Behind him, Aldeguer held off an impressive charge from Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), with Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) for close company. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Canet and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) completed the top ten ahead of Ogura.
Alonso Lopez: “To be honest I don’t know what I did, but yesterday I was working really hard on the data, I had bad luck because I missed out on pole because of a Red Flag and I knew I had the pace but today the track was completely different. I did my best with the Long Lap, I felt really comfortable. I want to thank my team and also Casey! It’s his birthday and I learned a lot from watching him. Thank you to all the sponsors, and thanks everyone!”
Moto2™ Top Three (Full results here)
1 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) – Boscoscuro – 39’14.947
2 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +3.556
3 Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) – Kalex – +9.583
Moto3 Sunday
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) attacked and pulled away in style on the last lap of the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, taking another impressive victory and with it, this time, the 2022 Moto3™ World Championship. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) got back on the podium in second, ahead of Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) as the number 11 ceded the crown but got back on the rostrum.
Garcia took the early lead as polesitter Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) lost a couple of positions from pole, but all eyes were on Guevara as the Championship leader had some distance to make up from Row 3. He got that done quickly though, slotting into a top six joined by Garcia, Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), Sasaki, Öncü and home hero Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power). Bit by bit two riders on the chase were able to close in, too: John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team).
By 10 to go, four remained in the front group as Guevara, Sasaki, Öncü and Garcia pulled away, and there they stayed. On the start of the last lap, it was Öncü ahead over the line, but that didn’t last long as Guevara hit back to take the lead. From there, the number 28 got the hammer down and kept a few precious metres in hand to take what’s fast becoming a signature win, sealing the Championship in the process.
Sasaki was forced to settle for fourth, ahead of a tight group of Nepa, McPhee, Moreira and Kelso. Moreira and Kelso were separated by just 0.001, with video verification deployed.
Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) headed up the next group after a tougher race for the Italian, who has fallen back to third overall, with Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten. Close behind them in the group came David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) and front row starter Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team).
Izan Guevara: “In the start of the race today it was really complicated with the slightly wet conditions, but the track dried quickly and I felt really comfortable. It was possible to push in the lead group with my pace, I’m so happy with this moment, this Championship… I’d like to thank my team, my family for the support, and all my friends.”
Moto3™ Top Three (Full results here)
1 Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – GASGAS – 37’52.331
2 Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) – KTM – +0.345|
3 Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – GASGAS – +0.460
In a ceremony on Saturday, Turn 4 of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit was officially named ‘Miller Corner’. The Thriller and home hero himself, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), was of course in attendance, along with his parents and wife, Ruby and a crowd of excited fans.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta and IRTA CEO Mike Trimby joined the ceremony to congratulate the Australian, and another home hero was on hand in MotoGP™ Legend Mick Doohan. Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit owner Andrew Fox presented Miller with the plaque, alongside Australian Grand Prix Commission CEO Andrew Westacott.
The lap at Phillip Island now starts down the Gardner Straight, heads through Doohan, tackles the Southern Loop and then slides through Stoner before arriving into Miller. Awesome to see so many Aussie legends being recognised at one of the most stunning tracks on the MotoGP calendar.
Make sure you tune in to see how the Aussies hold up this weekend!
Since 2013, MotoGP Legend Jorge Lorenzo has been the fastest rider ever to lap Phillip Island, but no more. Jorge Martin is the new all-time lap record holder at the track, and by a mere smidge as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) missed out by just 0.013: Jack 8th Remy 19th. MotoGP Press
The number 93 also had a helping tow from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the two lapped in tandem, with Pecco just pipped to it but still completing the front row. It was a big day at the Aus MotoGP…
Martin had been on the pace as soon as Q2 started, punching out a 1:28.112 out the gate – the fastest lap of the weekend to that point. He would hold onto that honour for just a lap as Bagnaia clocked a 1:28.054 next time through, and they were the top two at the end of the opening runs, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) third on a 1:28.174. Marc Marquez sat fifth on a 1:28.313, having been forced into one of his trademark front-end saves exiting ‘MG’ on his second flying lap which saw him veer onto the grass.
With the second runs on in earnest, Johann Zarco jumped to the top with a 1:28.007 before Martin made it a Prima Pramac Racing one-two with the first lap of Phillip Island that was quicker than Lorenzo’s 1:27.899 in 2013.
Marquez then tagged on behind Bagnaia for the final few minutes of the session, and with the chequered flag about to come out, the number 63 moved up to second on a 1:27.953 but was beaten almost immediately by the Honda rider in his slipstream, who set a 1:27.780. That made for a top four of Martin, Marc Marquez, Bagnaia, and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), with Quartararo edging back up to fifth thanks to a 1:27.973 on his final lap.
When all’s said and done, Bagnaia is the first of the title contenders as a few stack up from third back, with Aleix Espargaro heading Row 2 in fourth and Championship leader Quartararo right alongside. Quartararo was the final rider in the 1:27s, with Zarco just into the 1:28 bracket. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) slots into seventh.
It was a tougher session for Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he’ll start eighth – although he did win from seventh at Motegi. For fellow challenger Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) it was an even tougher one, however, as the number 23 was in Q1 and then failed to make the cut – after also getting held up by Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The Portuguese rider did a practice start too early and then was slow on the line, gaining a three-place grid penalty and a Long Lap.
Zarco was the quickest in Q1 and moved through alongside Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) as the two pipped Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) late in the session. The latter duo therefore line up P13 and P14.
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) starts ninth as he joins Marini and Miller on an all-Ducati Row 3, with Rins forced to settle for tenth ahead of automatic Q2 graduate Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol).
Qualifying didn’t go to plan for Maverick Viñales and he’ll start P12. After topping the timesheets in FP4, ‘Top Gun’ will certainly be ready to move forward on race day.
Jorge Martin: “For sure, Lorenzo won’t be super-happy today now, but for sure, it’s time to beat those records because the bikes are much faster now. Yesterday, I was a bit lost because this track is so fast – it’s my first time here so I had to take the measurements – but finally today, I had good pace. I feel strong for the race also, and for time attack, I thought I could also be competitive – not that much, for sure. Making a 27, it’s amazing, but I’m feeling good and I think we can fight to the end tomorrow.”
With five riders in 40 points, there’s more and more at stake as the time to make a comeback gets shorter and shorter. Just three races now remain, and the first of those is sure to be a stunner as Phillip Island hosts for the first time since 2019. Make sure to tune in at 14:00 (GMT +11) to see who can tame the Island!
MotoGP Phillip Island Saturday Top Three (Full results here)
1 Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) – Ducati – 1’27.767
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.013
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.186
Moto2 Saturday
Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) set a stunning new lap record at Phillip Island on Saturday as a 1:32.233 puts him on pole for the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) missed out by just 0.073, with Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) in third making it both Boscoscuros on the front row.
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), who trails Fernandez by just 1.5 points in the Championship, has qualified 13th after a tougher weekend so far, although the Japanese rider won from the same position at Motegi.
Buriram winner Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing) heads the second row ahead of Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40), with Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) in sixth. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) is an impressive seventh on an all-rookie Row 3, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) alongside.
The remaining riders between Fernandez and Ogura are Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™), in 10th fresh from his first intermediate class podium, Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) in a solid P11 and Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) in P12. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) is just behind Ogura, in P14 after a tougher Saturday.
Fermin Aldeguer: “I’m so happy with my whole qualifying, because I pushed so much. It was a very good lap all the way round and I made the pole position, so it’s incredible to be here. Thank you to my team for their support in all the past races and my family and all the sponsors.”
After 17 races in the intermediate class, just 1.5 points separate Fernandez and Ogura with three rounds remaining. Another 25 are up for grabs on Sunday, so tune in from 12:20 (GMT +11) to see another chapter of incredible Moto2™ competition.
Moto2 Phillip Island Top Three (Full results here)
1 Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools Speed Up) – Boscoscuro – 1’32.233
2 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.073
3 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) – Boscoscuro – +0.310
Moto3 Saturday
Another week, another new lap record! This time it’s Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) as the number 71 backed up his fastest lap on Friday with the fastest lap of Phillip Island ever, taking pole by nearly two tenths and putting in the only 1:35. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) is the only other rider in Sasaki’s postcode, and he has a half-second gap behind him back to Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) as the rookie completes the front row.
Championship leader Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) heads up Row 3 in seventh place, giving him a reasonable launch position ahead of his first match point in the fight for the crown. He has an advantage of 49 points and needs more than 50 by the flag on Sunday to secure the Championship. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), now his closest challenger, lines up in P12 on Row 4 – his equal worst result of the season as he failed to improve late on.
Row 2 is Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team). Between Guevara in seventh and Foggia in 12th are Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) – for whom it’s a best ever qualifying – and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports). In the session, one dash of spice saw Muñoz get a behaviour warning for getting a little close to Masia, too.
Ayumu Sasaki: “Well, before qualifying, I knew that it’s going to be a group, as always, in Moto3™. So, my target was to put a new tyre on at the beginning and try to make a lap time. I went out quite far from the group, but I guess that group was slowing down in our out laps, so I could catch them perfectly in two laps, so that helped me a lot as well. But, a good two laps, I felt good on the bike, and after that, I thought there was no point using another tyre. I wanted to keep it for tomorrow. So, that was the plan, and I had good enough laps, so it went as a plan and it was good lap.
“As you can see, the last three races have been very good for me; we have consistency. I came here, the bike was working very well admittedly, so I didn’t change the set-up so much as well. I just felt good on the bike. Here, it’s always a big group in the race, but this year, top riders in Moto3™ seem to be at a higher level than the rest, so that’s why you can see may times this year that if someone gets to the front, we can separate the group. Here, I feel like I have the pace to pull the group, so that’s my plan. Last race, it was Foggia and we can see four or five riders every time that are competitive, can pull from the group, and I guess that I have the chance to do that, so hopefully we can make it a small group and fight for the win.”
The first Championship of the season is on the line on Sunday, and the grid sets us up for a stunner. Tune in for Guevara’s first match point at 11:00 (GMT +11)!
Moto3 Phillip Island Top Three (Full results here)
1 Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) – Husqvarna – 1’35.854
2 Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – GASGAS – +0.187
3 Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) – Husqvarna – +0.725
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) doubled up on Friday Down Under, fastest in both FP1 and FP2 – but it was incredibly close by the end of play. The Frenchman leads on the combined timesheets by just 0.038 from rookie Marco Bezzecchi. From: MotoGP Press
So where are the title challengers at the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix? Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was fourth and within a tenth of the 44, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) seventh, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) eighth and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) ninth. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was P13 on Day 1 and will be the first looking for a lot more from a flier on Saturday.
Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was P13 on Day 1 and will be the first looking for a lot more from a flier on Saturday…
There were four different manufacturers in the top five as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was just behind Quartararo, the number 12 starting off strong at a venue he’s ruled before. The gap between Quartararo and Viñales, 0.131, is the only gap in the top 18 that’s bigger than a single tenth.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in P6 makes a pair of Hondas in the top ten for MotoGP, and the number 93 was also seen out on track trying out some new aero – a new add-on to the tail unit in FP1 and then a new aero body in the afternoon.
Marc Marquez, Viñales, Quartararo was how the top three sat ahead of the time attacks, with Aleix Espargaro in the danger zone in 10th and Bagnaia one position outside the provisional Q2 cut-off. With cool conditions expected on Saturday morning, the stakes were high and lap times started to tumble again, with Bezzecchi, Viñales and Quartararo all taking turns at the top. Bezzecchi had been shuffled back to sixth when he fired in a 1:29.513 to go fastest again in the final minute, but that was bettered by Zarco by 0.038 seconds just before the chequered flag.
As it stands, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) is the first to miss the Q2 cut in P11, just ahead of the returning Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – just meaning 0.021. Will FP3 allow the field to improve?
MotoGP Friday Top Three (Full results here)
1 Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) – Ducati – 1’29.475
2 Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – Ducati – +0.038
3 Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.052
Moto2 Friday
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) dominated Friday in Australia, pulling out nearly four tenths ahead of Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp), with the Boscoscuro duo completing the top three. Lopez, however, was also given a Long Lap for the race after causing a crash in FP1 with Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped FP1, and he ends the day in P7 overall – with key rival Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) struggling to P17 on Friday.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) was fourth quickest, ahead of a fast Friday for Sam Lowe (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) as the Brit continues his comeback from injury. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) slots into sixth ahead of Fernandez. Buriram podium finisher Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) was eighth, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the top ten, the former despite a crash in FP2, rider ok.
Moto2 Friday Top Three (Full results here)
1 Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) – Kalex – 1’33.767
2 Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpedUp) – Boscoscuro – +0.382
3 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpedUp) – Boscoscuro – +0.461
Moto3 Friday
It was a Japanese 1-2 on Friday last time out and it’s the same as the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix gets in gear. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was quickest by 0.189 ahead of Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), with rookie Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) impressing in third on his debut at The Island – after also topping FP1.
As conditions improved, in FP2 every single rider also improved their time significantly by the end of the session. Behind Sasaki and Suzuki there were a few tenths back to Moreira, but then it tightened up again and it’s Championship leader Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) who ends the day in fourth – despite a crash in FP1.
Still, he’s only 0.025 ahead of teammate Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), and Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) is close behind in sixth as they, and Sasaki, look to stop Guevara taking the crown. The number 28 is 49 points clear and needs more than 50 in hand by the flag to secure the title.
Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Tech3) complete the top ten… and Fernandez has a double Long Lap to take this weekend for his part in a crash in Buriram.
Moto3 Friday Top Three (Full Results here)
1 Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) – Husqvarna – 1’37.797
2 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.189
3 Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) – KTM – +0.408
The Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is now really in gear! Nearly 250 fans and riders joined Jack Miller, Brad Binder and Remy Gardner to ride a lap of the unique Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit on Wednesday, finishing a parade that began at the bridge to the island at San Remo.
Festivities began earlier in Melbourne, with Miller and Gardner riding down the famous AC/DC lane and checking out the graffiti, as well as enjoying some special artwork ahead of the GP. Local artists Justine Millsom, aka Juzpop, and Marco Pennacchia created a stunning piece of the riders and track, with Miller and Gardner adding their own finishing touches.
After an arty start, it was next stop: San Remo. There, Miller was joined by Brad Binder to hit the road from the bridge to the island to the Grand Prix track, with the fans saddling up for the ride. Nearly 250 bikes joined the parade, and on arrival at the circuit Gardner headed back out to join them.
Riding Phillip Island is one of life’s great experiences, and doing it with three MotoGP™ riders leading the way added something even more special for the hundreds of fans. Coming to a stop on the main straight for a final photo opp and some interviews – and autographs – the parade concluded in style as the fans now get ready to watch the action from the stands!
Jack Miller: “It’s awesome to be able to do this here in Australia, it’s something I’ve seen done throughout the world and to be able to do it with the Aussie fans is awesome. We’ve always got a massive bunch of people who come down here and travel far and wide, massive distances on motorcycles, braving the cold and rain. It was awesome to finish most of their journeys off today on the track! There’s nothing like coming back to Phillip Island and doing a lap, especially when you can go a little slower and take it all in!”
“It’s unreal, heading back into a home GP after not being able to have one for three years. It’s a fantastic feeling to be racing back at home, especially in factory colours after I thought it wasn’t going to be possible to be able to ride in front of my fans wearing these colours. Some big expectations this weekend but I’m super excited for it!”
Brad Binder: “There were a lot more people than I expected and we were lucky it didn’t rain too much on the way here. So far, so good! It was a good way to start off the weekend and looking forward to really getting started.”
“I did wonder how I got roped into this haha! But it was cool to have the opportunity to join the Aussies on the ride today and let’s see, maybe it’ll bring a bit of luck for the weekend! I really enjoy coming here, it’s my favourite track, and past results have always been good. I hope the future’s the same.”
Remy Gardner: “It was pretty special, you can definitely feel the energy. I really enjoyed it! It’s been three years since we’ve been back here so the first laps we did, I think it’s extra special for us that we were able to do it with the fans here on the track with us.”
Following a serious incident in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s Race 1 during the Pirelli Portuguese Round at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, it is with great sadness that we report the passing of rider Victor Steeman (MTM Kawasaki). BikeReview pass on our condolences…
Steeman was involved in a multi-rider incident at Turn 14, with the race immediately red flagged. Medical personnel and vehicles arrived at the site immediately and the rider was attended to trackside and at the circuit medical centre before being transferred by helicopter to Faro Hospital. Despite the best efforts of the circuit’s medical staff, marshals and hospital staff, Steeman has sadly succumbed to his injuries.
See Victor Steeman’s Career Highlights Here…
A statement from the family read: “Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened. Our Victor could not win this last race. Despite the unbearable loss and grief, we are extremely proud to share with you that our hero, through his passing, was able to save 5 other people by donating his organs. We would like to thank everyone for the way you have lived with us over the past few days. We will miss our Victor enormously.”
Steeman was enjoying a superb 2022 FIM Supersport 300 Championship campaign and came into the Pirelli Portuguese Round with a mathematical chance of clinching the World Championship. With four wins, five podiums and three pole positions to his name this season, he took 12 points-scoring finishes out of 14 races. He also signed his name in the history books with pole position at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, becoming the rider with the most pole positions in the WorldSSP 300 class.
Steeman brought an infectious personality to the paddock but was also a strong competitor on the track, consistently fighting at the front of the field in WorldSSP300 as well in other championships that he competed in prior and during his World Championship successes.
Steeman, 22, made his WorldSSP300 debut in 2018, after two seasons in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, when competing for the KTM Fortron Junior Team, completing two races at Portimao and Magny-Cours; scoring a point on his debut in Portugal to show the leading talent he would become over his time in WorldSSP300.
A first full season followed in 2019, for the Freudenberg KTM Junior Team, with Steeman taking points in all but one race throughout the season including four top-six finishes. It was a sign of things to come as his incredible talent continued to develop. 2019 was also the year he claimed his first pole position, at Jerez, showing his one-lap pace, which he’d continue to demonstrate in the Championship, with him being the all-time pole positions record holder with six at the time of his passing.
Steeman’s 2020 season was spent in the German IDM championship, a return to where he had experienced so much success previously. In 2018, he claimed two wins, eight podiums and two pole positions on his way to third in the standings, whilst he finished fifth in 2020 as he focused solely on competing in Germany and the Netherlands, where he was Supersport Champion. Another win and two pole positions came in 2020, whilst he also made a one-off appearance in IDM in 2021 and took victory.
2021 also heralded a return to WorldSSP300 on a full-time basis, again running KTM machinery but for the Freudenberg KTM WorldSSP Team, and both his one-lap speed and race management skills were shining by this point. Two pole positions, on home soil at the TT Circuit Assen and on the Championship’s first visit to the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic. He was able to convert the pole position at Most into victory to take his first of five in the Championship and KTM’s last win to date.
For the 2022 season, Steeman made the switch to MTM Kawasaki, and his talent and personality shone brighter than ever before. Four more wins followed as he mounted a title challenge against Alvaro Diaz (Arco Motor University Team) and Marc Garcia (Yamaha MS Racing), with his switch to Kawasaki rewarding him straight away. He took victory on home soil at Assen in Race 1 as well as at Most, Magny-Cours and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Often at the front of the field during 2022, Steeman was a shining star on both the world stage and in domestic championships.
Always optimistic about his chances, in races and in Championships, Steeman kept the 2022 title fight going until the last round despite the odds being stacked against him with the points difference to Diaz. Steeman’s presence and character within the paddock will be greatly missed. Charismatic, polite and always with a sense of humour, Steeman brought success to his teams, a fierce competitive nature to the track but, above all else, pride, warmth and charm to all those within the WorldSBK paddock.
Rieju Australia congratulated Sam Rogers for his hard fought third position on the MR300 Pro at the recent ‘Toodyay Terror 2.0’, part of the WA Hard Enduro Series! Check out how the Spanish brand held up again the seasoned veterans!
Entered in the Gold Class and up against some of Australia’s top Hard Enduro riders, Sam travelled all the way from the Gold Coast to compete. Supported by his sponsors including Rieju Australia and WA Rieju Dealer, MotoMax Motorcycles, he fought hard and showed just what the Rieju MR300 Pro can do in some of the harshest conditions around.
Sam was only just pipped at the post by Neil Price and Darren Rudling. Neil and Darren placed first and second respectively with Neil applying a severe amount of pressure, who only stopped to rest twice during the event.
Marketing Manager for Rieju Australia, Mal Jarrett, commented “We are thrilled with Sam’s result in W.A and the overall development of the Rieju MR300 Pro. Sam is starting to feel comfortable on the Rieju and is really coming to grips with the bike. We are looking forward to the rest of the season unfolding and more podium finishes for Sam.”
“The bike rode perfect all weekend and super stoked to be on the podium! Excited to bring more to the table next season!” – Sam Rogers.
The FIM MotoGP World Championship is heading to Kazakhstan! 2023 marks the start of a new five-year deal that sees MotoGP touch down in a new region of the world as the stunning Sokol International Racetrack joins the calendar.
Located just outside Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, Sokol is a brand-new motorsport complex constructed in the heart of Central Asia. The region will be a new pitstop for MotoGP as the sport continues to expand around the world, engaging with new markets and fanbases.
Kazakhstan will also become the 30th country to host a motorcycle Grand Prix since 1949, a perfect landmark number to celebrate the ever-expanding history of the world’s first motorsport World Championship, and Sokol International Racetrack will be the 74th venue to host a premier class Grand Prix.
Dates for the Kazakhstan round are still TBA so keep an ear out! It’ll be the first time an MotoGP round has been held in the country and the track looks absolutely stunning!
The FIM MotoGP World Championship is heading to India! The country will make its debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2023 as MotoGP gets ready to take on Buddh International Circuit. Check out the first look at the track layout and lead up to the Indian GP below! Dates are still TBA.
India is a true economic and cultural powerhouse, with a population of over 1.4 billion people and more than 200 million motorcycles on its roads. Two-wheeled transportation counts for nearly 75% of the total number of vehicles used daily, making India one of the biggest motorcycle markets in the world and a key focus for the manufacturers in the MotoGP paddock.
Racing at Buddh International Circuit, located in Uttar Pradesh to the south of New Delhi, will bring the sport into the heart of this key market and make the sport more accessible than ever to the MotoGP fanbase across the region. As MotoGP continues to expand, the Indian Grand Prix marks an important milestone in the sport’s mission to open the doors of motorcycle racing to all – writing a new chapter in the story of the world’s first motorsport Championship and welcoming new audiences and fans from every corner of the world.
Mr. Anurag Thakur, Union Sports Minister, Government of India: “It’s a historical day for sporting industry and tribute to 75th year of India’s celebration.”
Mr. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh: “It’s a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh to host such a global event. Our government will provide full support to MotoGP Bharat.”
Mr. Nand Gopal “Nandi”, Cabinet Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh: “This event will provide a major impetus to the economy by generating an influx of foreign investment in the state.”
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: “We’re very proud to announce that Buddh International Circuit will be on the 2023 calendar. We have a lot of fans in India and we’re excited to be able to bring the sport to them. India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world. We very much look forward to racing at Buddh International Circuit and can’t wait to welcome the fans through the gates to see this incredible sport in person.”
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