Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP
The #1 set a blistering time early on in Practice before improving later in the session to bank a brilliant 1:31.340. In a remarkable stat, Bagnaia going fastest in the first session on Friday was also the first time he’s ever done that in the premier class, despite two premier class World Championships and a full CV by nearly every metric.

On Thursday, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) predicted a 1:30.899 as the pole position time at the Motul TT Assen, and on Saturday he proved himself very wrong. His actual time around the iconic TT Circuit Assen was a stunning lap record breaking 1:30.540 to take his first pole of 2024. And even then it was only enough to deny title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by 0.081s as the duo headed the grid.

The two then had a little breathing space ahead of Maverick Viñales as the Aprilia Racing ace completed the front row, 0.330s further back.

Full Practice results here and Qualifying results here…

Moto2
Friday’s Motul TT Assen Moto2 honours went the way of Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp Racing) as the Spaniard set a new intermediate class lap record – a 1:35.912 – to lead Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing). However, the latter endured a Turn 7 highside, which resulted in the American suffering a right collarbone fracture, thus ruling him unfit for Saturday and Sunday’s action.

For the first time since the Spanish GP, Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp) will launch from pole position as the #54 beat Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) to pole position by 0.230s at the Motul TT Assen. The Japanese star earned his first front row of the season and started alongside Championship leader and teammate Sergio Garcia at the Dutch TT, as Boscoscuro riders locked out the front row.

Moto3
Home hero Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) bagged top spot on Day 1 at Assen as the Dutchman set a 1:40.259 to top the lightweight class field by 0.294s. Ryusei Yamanaka and his MT Helmets – MSI teammate Ivan Ortola enjoyed fruitful Fridays as the Japanese and Spaniard headed into Saturday’s action in P2 and P3 respectively.

A late Q2 charge from Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) saw the rookie claim a debut Moto3 pole position, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) clinching a P2 grid slot after lapping just 0.074s slower than Piqueras’ 1:39.746. Home hero Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) also earned a spot on the front row in P3.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint
Francesco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) statement weekend at the Motul TT Assen continued on Saturday afternoon as the reigning Champion took the Tissot Sprint win – making it back-to-back victories on Saturday afternoon for the first time in his career.

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) followed him home in second to limit the damage in the standings. The pressure amped up further at the end of Saturday’s action too, with Martin handed a 3-place grid penalty for Sunday after being deemed to have been slow on line and disturbed Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) in qualifying.

As the lights went out, Bagnaia held on to the holeshot from pole, with Martin keeping second, ahead of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP), who edged beyond Vinales. That put Viñales on the attack to take it back, and by the end of Lap 2, the Aprilia had homed back in and shot past at the chicane.

Meanwhile, drama hit for Marc Marquez. On the tail of that duel, the #93 overcooked it and suddenly slid out, forcing him to watch the Sprint from the sidelines.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had been on the tail of Alex Marquez since Viñales got back past the #73, but by half distance the two had some company: a queue of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had arrived on the scene.

Once there, Bastianini struck quickly, passing Binder and then immediately glued himself to the rear of Alex Marquez. The ‘Beast’ stalked him round the rest of the lap and then attacked at the chicane, taking over in fourth and pulling away. The #73 was then given a Long Lap for track limits, and soon after there was another key move in the group, also at the chicane, with Diggia attacking Binder. The VR46 rider headed a little wide, but kept it pinned, just as Alex Marquez had suffered his own little wobble. Into Turn 1 for the final lap, the net result was Diggia leading Espargaro and Binder, with the #73 dropping to the back of the gaggle and still with that Long Lap to serve.

Up ahead, there were no dramas for the top three. No one had an answer for Bagnaia as the reigning Champion won his second Sprint in a row for the first time ever, as Martin took second and Vinales third. Bastianini took that P4 after his charge up from outside the top ten on the grid, and in the grand battle behind, Diggia completed the top five ahead of Binder.

“At this track, it is important to stay extremely focused while riding in a smooth and precise way and without overdoing, as this circuit is quite an unforgiving one,” Bagnaia insisted.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
2. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati (+2.355s)
3. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (+4.103s)
4. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+6.377s)
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio VR46 Ducati (+8.869s)

Sunday
MotoGP
Bagnaia became the first rider to win three successive MotoGP Grand Prix races in a single season since he did it in 2022 with four in a row from Assen to Misano. This victory also marked his third win in a row at the TT Circuit Assen as he equalled Casey Stoner’s 23 wins with Ducati to tie the MotoGP Legend as the two most successful riders with the Borgo Panigale factory.

As the lights went out, Bagnaia nailed the start to take the holeshot, with Viñales just holding second to deny Martin. Still, the #89 launched it to near perfection from his P5 after that three-place penalty, and soon enough he did get it done to take over in second. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, was on the march and soon put his own moves on Viñales to slot into third.

That duo stayed together as the battle behind heated up. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) had shot up past front-row starter Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP), but soon it was Di Giannantonio on the move, and he made it past Acosta at Turn 1, caught the Marquez-Viñales duo and then pounced on the Aprilia at the final chicane. Next up: #MM93.

By 19 to go, the yellow flash of the VR46 machine went past, but with Marquez also seeming to gesture at the Italian and make it a little easier for him too. The two Ducatis stayed nearby, with Viñales on their tail and Acosta on his. Lap by lap, however, Bastianini was cutting the deficit to the podium battle.

He made it past the rookie by nine to go, and a lap later the group shuffled again. Diggia was wide, but Marc Marquez didn’t seem to want to take advantage, so Viñales shot past both. Bastianini was then right on that trio once again, and, by seven to go, was past Diggia. A lap later he did a near carbon copy on Marquez to take over in fourth.

The hungry ‘Beast’ kept pushing and admirably got past Viñales with four full laps remaining, and from there the group couldn’t quite stay with him. By the penultimate lap it then looked like a Viñales-Marquez duel for the podium, but there was still drama to come.

On the final lap, Acosta slid out at Turn 7, and then Viñales headed just wide enough to allow Marquez through, leaving it an Aprilia-VR46 drag to the line for fifth instead. But when all was judged and confirmed, Viñales was forced to drop one position due to exceeding track limits at the chicane, promoting Diggia to fifth, and then the tyre pressure penalty for Marquez saw the #93 drop to P10.

When the dust settled, Bagnaia’s masterclass put the cherry on top of a weekend that saw him top every session bar Warm Up. Martin took a valuable second while Bastianini secured back-to-back podiums to recover from a P10 qualifying. It was then Diggia classified fourth ahead of Viñales.

Unfortunately, one piece of tougher news on the grid was for Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who suffered a big crash at Turn 1 and was declared unfit due to a right wrist fracture.

“In terms of result, this is the best one I think in MotoGP. I was leading all the sessions, which is something that doesn’t happen all the time. To win in this way was incredible,” a delighted Bagnaia explained.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
2. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati (+3.676s)
3. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+7.073s)
4. Fabio Di Giannantonio VR46 Ducati (+8.299s)
5. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (+8.258s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati – 200
2. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 190
3. Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati – 142
4. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo – 136
5. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing – 118

Moto2
In Triumph’s 100th race powering Moto2, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed a second victory of 2024 as a tense fight for victory played out between the Japanese star, second place Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp) and Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) at the Motul TT Assen.

Ogura grabbed the holeshot from his first front row start of the season, but by Turn 5, Aldeguer pounced into the race lead. The #54 clicked into his groove immediately and was a second clear of the chasers by Lap 5, as Garcia – having dropped to P5 – then carved his way up to P2.

For the next few laps, the gap stabilised at just over a second, with Garcia and Ogura edging clear of Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp), who in turn had a train of Kalex riders in tow, including Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team).

With 11 to go, Ogura passed teammate Garcia for P2 following a small mistake from the latter, with Aldeguer’s lead now up to 1.6s. Then, with nine laps left, Aldeguer was handed a Long Lap penalty for exceeding track limits. Once completed, Aldeguer dropped behind Ogura and Garcia, with the top three now split by 0.8s with six laps to go.

With four to go, a blanket could cover the top trio. It was Ogura vs Garcia and Aldeguer for victory, but Garcia then made a mistake at the start of Lap 20 of 22 to see him drop 1.5s off the 25-point haul fight. Heading onto the last lap, it was Ogura vs Aldeguer. The Japanese rider unearthed a stellar last lap to pull clear of the Spaniard to win for the second time in three races, with Aldeguer settling for P2 and Garcia crossing the line in a lonely P3.

Dixon led the Kalex charge with a solid P4, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) completing the top five.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI
2. Fermin Aldeguer Folladore Speed Up (+0.571s)
3. Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI (+4.252s)
4. Jake Dixon CFMoto Inde Aspar Team (+8.985s)
5. Somkiat Chantra IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia (+9.949s)

Check out the full Moto2 race results here…

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI – 138
2. Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI – 124
3. Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team – 115
4. Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up – 87
5. Fermin Aldeguer Beta Tools Speed Up – 83

Moto3
Until the final time into the final chicane, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Intact Husqvarna GP) looked set to take home glory at the Motul TT Assen, but Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) had other ideas. The Spaniard led the early stages and the Dutchman the latter, but by the final lap it was a duel for Dutch TT honours – and Ortola went round the outside into the chicane to grab the glory by just 0.012.

After Ortola and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) led the way in the initial stages, Veijer brought the group back onto the duo. By nine to go it was a true Moto3 battle, with Veijer moving through to the lead, as the Dutchman got the hammer down to make a gap. But as the pack shuffled, Ortola picked his way back into second and was able to claw back the deficit to Veijer, setting the stage for a thrilling duel.

As the final lap began, Ortola was right on the rear wheel of the home hero, and the two were in a battle with a second in hand on the rest. The move came at the final chicane as the Spaniard went round the outside to steal it. Veijer valiantly tried to get him back on the sprint to the line. He almost did as they crossed the line side-by-side, but Ortola took it by just 0.012.

The masterclass is the #48’s first win of the year, while Veijer posted his fourth podium of 2024. For both, it’s points gained in the title fight too. After Alonso came home fifth and fellow frontrunner Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) took P12, Alonso’s lead is now down to 39 points ahead of Veijer.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI
2. Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (+0.012s)
3. David Munoz BOE Motorsports (+2.197s)
4. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+2.430s)
5. David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+2.460s)

Check out the full Moto3 race results here…

Moto3 Championship Points

1. David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 154
2. Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP – 115
3. Daniel Holgado Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 111
4. Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI – 105
5. David Munoz BOE Motorsports – 76

MotoE
Race 1
Race 1 for the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship at the Motul TT Assen was unbelievable with drama around every corner in yet another twist in the Championship, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) stealing the victory on the last lap. The #4 pulled off a fantastic move on the final lap to overtake Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing), who led the majority of Race 1. Zaccone crossed the line to finish in second before later being disqualified due to a tyre pressure infringement. This handed Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) second place after a brave last lap from the #99. Meanwhile, Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) took the final spot on the podium in the amended result.

Race 2
The Assen final race of the weekend for the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship at the Motul TT Assen delivered a spectacular show with Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) hitting the front with seven laps remaining before charging to victory by 1.909s.

The #61’s closest challenge came from Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI), who put in an outstanding ride and battled hard at the front of a huge group of riders. The #99 was able to extend his advantage on the last lap as Hector Garzo made a move on his teammate to steal the final spot on the podium on the last lap of the race.

MotoE Race 1 Results

1. Hector Garzo Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE
2. Oscar Gutierrez Axxis-MSI (+0.425)
3. Jordi Torres Openbank Aspar Team (+1.101)
4. Miquel Pons Axxis-MSI (+2.295)
5. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+3.219)

MotoE Race 2 Results

1. Alessandro Zaccone Tech3 E-Racing
2. Oscar Gutierrez Axxis-MSI (+1.909)
3. Hector Garzo Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE (+2.113)
4. Lukas Tulovic Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE (+2.252)
5. Jordi Torres Openbank Aspar Team (+2.642)

Full MotoE results can be found here…

MotoE Championship Points

1. Mattia Casadei – 140
2. Kevin Zannoni – 137
3. Oscar Gutierrez – 133
4. Hector Garzo – 129
5. Alessandro Zaccone – 119

The post MotoGP Round Eight | Bagnaia completes another perfect weekend appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP
At the end of Friday, it was tight at the top, with just 0.187s separating the top three. Thanks to a new lap record, however, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) reigned supreme ahead of 2023 duelling partner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), with rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) making a statement in third and on team home turf.

Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) would start from pole at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, although the journey to the top, via a stunning new lap record in the 1:29s, was far from drama-free. But neither was it for his now closest-challenger in the standings either, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), as the #1 followed a tumble for Martin with one of his own. They’ll start 1-2 on the grid though, and they’ll have company from another fast challenger in Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as the 2017 winner geared up for another shot at victory.

Behind that front row, it was Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate and 2023 Le Mans winner Marco Bezzecchi in fourth and fifth.

Moto2
It continues to be one of the most unpredictable Moto2 seasons yet, as Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) hit back to end Friday on top, claiming a new lap record at Le Mans with a 1:35.473 in the last five minutes of the session. Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) was second despite losing the front at the end of the session while on a fast lap (rider ok) and third went the way of his teammate Fermin Aldeguer, who found time on a last fast lap to rocket up the order.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) came out of the blocks swinging in France on Saturday to secure a heroic pole position, fighting through from Q1 to pull off a spectacular 1:35.037. A late crash couldn’t dampen spirits as he looked to get back in the fight at the front despite his ankle injury. Joining Canet on a competitive front row was World Championship leader, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), who was a mere 0.136s behind, with the rider Roberts’ stole the lead from last time out, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI), lining up third.

Moto3
CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s David Alonso continued to stamp his mark in Le Mans, as the Colombian smashed the lap record for the second time on Friday, setting a remarkable 1:40.470. The #80 was ahead of teammate Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who was the only other rider inside the 1:40 bracket – but 0.480s adrift from Alonso. In third place after briefly snatching the top spot with 10 minutes remaining was Daniel Holgado.

After taking his first pole three GPs ago, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) hasn’t started from anywhere else since. His third consecutive pole position saw him destroy the lap record yet again with a 1:40.114 on his final flying lap in France as he looked to bounce back from a crash out of the lead in Spain. It was extremely close at the front, however, with Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) securing second, missing out on pole position by 0.011s, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) returning to the action and the front row at once.

Check out the full Practice and Qualifying results here…

Saturday
Tissot Sprint
It was a stunning start from Martin to take the holeshot, and the exact opposite for Bagnaia as he plummeted from second to mid-pack, seemingly with some sort of issue. Meanwhile some friendly-fire – within the limit – between the Aprilias added another shuffle, and with that it was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slotting into second on the chase behind Martin.

Meanwhile, as Bagnaia went backwards, Marc Marquez was storming forwards. The number 93 threaded the needle to perfection off the start and rapidly powered into fifth. Within a few laps, he was the rider on the chase behind the Martin-Bezzecchi duel at the front.

Aleix Espargaro was next to drop out of that front battle as his start proved too good to be true, given a double Long Lap for the jump start. The drama then amped up again for Bagnaia just behind that, as he ran wide from the back of the field. Something was definitely wrong for the #1 as he then headed into pitlane. The reigning Champion was forced to withdraw from the Sprint.

That left Martin leading Bezzecchi and Marquez, with Viñales next up. A gaggle of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the gloves off too, before Espargaro then rejoined in their midst.

Suddenly, there was more drama at the front. Yellow flashed across the run off at Turn 9 as Bezzecchi slid out from second place, leaving Marquez on the hunt behind Martin. The gap between the two was now over two seconds, thus meaning The Sprint King got the job done again in style to capitalise on a tough Sprint for Bagnaia.

Behind Martin’s impressive charge at the front, Marquez took second after an awesome comeback ride from P13 on the grid, with Viñales holding onto third in the last laps as Bastianini put in a late charge for glory. The Beast had to settle for fourth, as Espargaro recovered from his double Long Lap to finish fifth.

“First of all, great fans because this is a fantastic crowd. I’m so happy because the pace was outstanding. It was difficult because Marco was putting out some great laps, then when I saw he crashed I just tried to keep my constant pace right to the end, quite relaxed,” Martin said.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati
2. Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati (+2.280s)
3. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (+4.174s)
4. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+4.798s)
5. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Racing (+7.698s)

Check out the full Tissot Sprint results here…

Sunday
MotoGP
Off the line, Martin made a good start from pole but Bagnaia bettered it, with the #1 taking the holeshot from second on the grid. Behind, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was threatening but ran in hot at the chicane, leaving teammate Aleix Espargaro to challenge Martin for second on the exit as the #12 Aprilia slotted in just behind Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in fourth. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, was up to eighth almost immediately, slicing up from his P13 grid slot.

At the front, Bagnaia had the hammer down but Martin refused to let him speed off at the front. The two pulled a small gap on the chasing pack led by Espargaro, with Diggia in fourth and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) eager to attack Viñales.

The rookie then proved the protagonist of the first drama. Looking for a way through on that duel ahead, he overcooked it into Turn 8 going for a move on the VR46 machine ahead, and then only just avoided tagging both as he slid out. More drama then hit nearly immediately after as Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fell as he pushed to try and duel with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).

At the front, Bagnaia pounded on. Martin shadowed, equally pitch perfect until one small mistake from both with 19 to go, heading ever so slightly wide. But they gathered it back up as the podium fight behind started to light up, the race split between a duel and a melee.

Diggia was homing in on Espargaro, but Viñales, Marquez and Bastianini lurked. The next move came there as Marquez attacked Viñales but was repelled, and Diggia then had a shot at the #41 Aprilia, also forced to hold station. But a lap later, the #49 was through into third, and Viñales then began to line up his teammate. He needed no second invite after the door was just left open, with Marquez then striking straight away too.

Next was Bastianini. The Beast came from a long way back and also went in hot, gathering it back up but Espargaro then taking to the run off before rejoining. Bastianini didn’t make the apex either, but his was a shortcut and he was then given a Long Lap for the time not lost.

Meanwhile, Marquez had picked Viñales’ pocket after the #12 went slightly wide, and the eight-time World Champion was homing in on Diggia. By Lap 16, the #93 made his first attack through Turn 3. The Italian responded, and in the shuffle, Viñales almost nearly made his way through too. But it was as you were until a lap later as Marquez went for it again, and this time Diggia ran wide trying to take it back. The #93 and Viñales were both past, and the #49 then got a Long Lap.

With just under ten laps to go, Bagnaia led Martin, the two still absolutely glued together, but now it was Marquez on the move. Soon, the chess match had its first big move. At Turn 3, Martin attacked. And he got through, but on the cutback Bagnaia judged it to the absolutely millimetre to nudge back ahead. As you were, until a lap later. Same move, different result as this time the #89 was able to hold it. There was a new race leader, but there was also a new fastest lap… from Marquez.

The Gresini flyer was on the factory machine of Bagnaia in what seemed like a flash as it became a leading trio. It seemed Martin was starting to pull out the centimetres as he dug in, but then the #89 was deep into the chicane with three to go, and it was absolutely locked together once again. Bagnaia was close as anything and showed a wheel but couldn’t barge the door open, leaving a six-wheeled fight for the win to roll on.

Over the line for the last lap, Martin and Bagnaia were almost one machine round Turn 1 and 2, but a Hail Mary on the brakes from Marquez saw that #93 re-appear in the shot by the time the trio dropped anchor at the chicane. Bagnaia was harrying, impatient and looking for any inch of space to make a move on Martin, but there was none – so Marquez made some instead.

The Gresini star divebombed it to perfection, getting it stopped to take over in second as the remaining apexes ticked down. Would Bagnaia be able to respond at the final corner? Up ahead, Martin crossed the line to take one of his most impressive wins to date, soaking up the pressure and making it a serious statement Sunday. His lead goes out to an incredible 38 points – enough to guarantee he leaves the next GP as Championship leader too – and it was Bagnaia and Marquez on his tail in that order. Marquez’s back-to-back podiums are his first since 2021 and he’s 40 points off the top, but Bagnaia remains second despite that 0 from the Sprint in France.

Behind the podium battle, Bastianini charged back from his Long Lap to get past Viñales late on, with the #12 forced to settle for fifth.

“Making it a Sprint and Sunday race [double] was one of the best,” Martin reflected. “I am really happy with my performance. I think we have got to a moment with the bike where I feel the limit where I can arrive and I am really confident. I think my progression is clear. I think you can see from the results. I am becoming a better rider, a better person, and this is the most important thing.”

MotoGP Race Results

1. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati
2. Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati (+0.446s)
3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+0.585s)
4. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+2.206s)
5. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (+4.053s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points after MotoGP Round Five

1. Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati – 129
2. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 91
3. Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati – 89
4. Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo – 89
5. Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing – 81

Moto2
Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed the perfect start, pulling out a steady gap on the opening lap as the rest of the field battled hard behind. Polesitter Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) was swallowed by the pack in the opening stage of the race after a big mistake on the first lap, dropping to eighth in a fight with Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp). A number of crashers, including Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTO Gresini Moto2), saw the order chop and change, but the rider on the move was Canet. After setting a fastest lap, the #44 attacked Roberts for second in a brilliant three-way fight joined by Lopez, with the American bumped to the back of the trio.

At the front, Garcia charged on to keep the gap consistent, with all attention turning to the battle for second between Canet and Lopez. It was gloves off with three laps remaining, with Lopez slipping into second before making a mistake at turn four, allowing Canet to show his front wheel. The battle for second then bunched up even more with Ogura fancying a podium – charging into third on the last lap.

Garcia crossed the line to win the French GP, with Ogura finding a gap to pass Lopez for second, holding on to it to make it a historic 1-2. Lopez was then left to fend off a final corner move from Roberts, with contact but no drama and the Spaniard holding on to the line. Behind Roberts to cross the line in fifth was Somkiat Chantra, who was (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) a further 0.171s behind.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI
2. Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI (+3.174s)
3. Alonso Lopez Folladore Speed Up (+3.704s)
4. Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team (+3.764s)
5. Somkiat Chantra IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia (+3.935s)

Check out the full Moto2 race results here…

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI – 89 points
2. Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team – 82 points
3. Fermin Aldeguer Beta Tools Speed Up – 63 points
4. Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI – 63 points
5. Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up – 54 points

Moto3
David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) got the launch and initial lead, but through the chicane Holgado struck to propel himself into first. The Championship leader headed his closest rival as fellow front row starter Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) harried the duo, but in no time at all it became the classic Moto3 freight train.

Alonso, Holgado, Veijer and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) duked it out at the front, with close company from rookie Joel Esteban (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) and Ortola’s teammate Ryusei Yamanaka. On the final lap, it bubbled up to a three-way fight between the top three in the title fight as Holgado led Alonso and Veijer. But not for long, as the Colombian hit quickly to edge out the 96, leading into and through the 3-4 chicane. And he kept leading, with Holgado just not able to find a way through 9 and 10, nor into 12 as he looked tempted to try.

That left Alonso to complete his bounce back mission from Jerez in style to get back on the top step, and with it, closing the gap to Holgado at the top of the Championship to a single point. Veijer was likewise not able to nudge open the door to attack on the final lap, but third to follow up his victory at Jerez makes it the second time he’s taken back-to-back GP podiums.

Esteban nabbed fourth from Ortola on the final lap, taking his best Grand Prix result yet as he continues to impress in his rookie year. Ortola completed the top five though, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) coming back to P6 from two Long Laps given for slow riding in practice.

Moto3 Race Results

1. David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
2. Daniel Holgado Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (+0.105s)
3. Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (+0.242s)
4. Joel Esteban CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.476s)
5. Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI (+0.612s)

Check out the full Moto3 race results here…

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Daniel Holgado Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 94 points
2. David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 93 points
3. Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP – 62 points
4. Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI – 50 points
5. Joel Kelso BOE Motorsports – 42 points
   

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   Check out the MotoE results here…

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The racing in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup is truly some of the best. That’s never been more true than of Race 1 at the TT Circuit Assen, with just 0.081 covering the podium as Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE), Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) took the show to the wire.

Aegerter had qualified on pole but the battle for the lead was initially between Granado and Casadei, who went side-by-side into the first corner. However, both ran wide exiting Haarbocht and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini ) emerged in the lead, ahead of Aegerter and Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team). Granado and Casadei slotted into fourth and fifth, but both were back ahead of Pons within a lap.

Granado soon proved the master of the fast Ramshoek left-hander, overtaking Aegerter there on Lap 3 just when it looked like Ferrari might be starting to creep away, then passing the 2019 World Cup winner himself another lap later again. Ferrari reclaimed the lead from the Brazilian as they ran through the Ossebroeken section on Lap 5, but Granado got back in front later that lap at Stekkenwal.

Meanwhile, a big battle had broken out for third between Aegerter, Casadei, and Pons, but the current World Cup leader had shaken those off when he launched an attack on Ferrari. He squeezed past the Gresini rider into the Geert Timmer Chicane on Lap 6, and Ferrari dropped towards the back of the leading pack when he had two big wobbles as he tried to take second position back at the start of Lap 7, with Casadei inheriting third position.

Aegerter then got underneath Granado at Strubben, but that gave them a slow entry down the back straight and Casadei stormed by both  on the run into the Ruskenhoek, before Granado then re-passed Aegerter. The Swiss rider snatched the spot back just a few corners later at the Geert Timmer Chicane though, and making a little contact as he did so and that losing Granado a handful of tenths.

Despite being back in the runner-up position with a lap to go and a World Cup lead to protect, Aegerter didn’t seem in the mood to simply collect points. He dived past Casadei at Strubben but could not make the move stick and very nearly got chucked off his Energica Ego Corsa when he opened up the throttle again. Still, the Swiss rider tried again at Ramshoek near the end of the lap, but it all came down to the final chicane.

Granado was back on their tail as Aegerter went for the lead just ahead, and the Swiss rider just about shut the door on Casadei to secure the win. Granado needed no second invitation to try his own attack, blasting just past the Italian to grab second by mere thousandths to take second.

After some early heroics and then excellent damage limitation, Ferrari took fourth ahead of Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) in fifth, just 0.960 seconds behind the winner. Marco Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) had been in the leading group on the last lap but crashed at high speed at the Ramshoek, with an x-ray clearing him of a fractured left elbow but another medical review coming on Sunday.

Pons eventually came through to finish sixth, ahead of Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40), and Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta Sic58 Squadracorse).

MotoE Assen Race One Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – 13’55.704
2 Eric Granado – LCR E-Team – Energica – +0.072
3 Mattia Casadei – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.081

Sunday
Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) was rewarded for his bravery in tricky conditions as the Brazilian took victory in Race 2 of FIM Enel MotoE World Cup at the Motul TT Assen. The number 51 scythed his way from fourth to the lead in just three laps in a contest which would be cut short due a Red Flag, with points leader Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) claiming second and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) completing the podium.

The Red Flag saw Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) crash out and suffer contact from Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team), with the LCR rider conscious and getting a check up at the circuit before heading to local hospital in Groningen for a CT scan to his pelvis.

Before the flag was thrown, however, it was a five-wide run to the first corner when the action finally got underway, with patchy showers having twice delayed the start. Casadei came from fourth on the grid to lead the field into the first corner, while Aegerter fended off an early challenge from Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) at Strubben, and then again at De Bult, to end the opening lap in second, with Granado just behind them.

The riders had no time to waste, with the delays seing the originally distance of eight laps cut to six, and Granado was a man on a mission. He passed Ferrari as they turned into Haarbocht at the start of Lap 2 although, in doing so, he made room for Pons to follow him. A brief battle between the LCR duo ensued before Granado shook off his teammate and attacked Aegerter.

Incredibly, as the rain flags flew again, Granado passed Aegerter around the outside of the high-speed Ramshoek left-hander, then went down the inside of Casadei when they arrived at Haarbocht again on Lap 3. Ferrari got back underneath Pons three corners further around at the Ossebroeken complex and, unfortunately, that was just the start of the LCR rider’s troubles.

Exiting the following corner, De Strubben, Pons highsided and was thrown from his motorcycle. Running two bikes back, Marc Alcoba was unable to avoid it and also crashed. Alcoba eventually remounted but, as Pons was initially attended to at the side of the track, the race was red flagged on Lap 4. Soon after news came through it would not restart, and instead half points would be awarded.

Granado is therefore classified the winner, ahead of Aegerter, Casadei, Ferrari, Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing), Kevin Manfredi (Octo Pramac MotoE), Maria Herrera (OpenBank Aspar Team), Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta Sic58 Squadracorse), and Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing).

In the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup standings, Aegerter has now moved to 158 points, but Granado closes in slightly in second on 126.5 points, with Ferrari third on 112.5. Action in the electric class resumes with the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, at the Red Bull Ring on August 19-21!

MotoE Assen Race Two Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Eric Granado – LCR E-Team – Energica – 05’21.0940
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – +0.270
3 Mattia Casadei – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.556

The post MotoE Weekend: All The Action From Assen appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

The FIM Enel MotoE World Cup produced a thriller in its first race at Mugello, with Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) taking victory despite starting the final lap in fifth. Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini) was back on top in Race two, taking victory with a small margin over another huge group battle.

Race One
Home fans watching on at Mugello also had reason to cheer with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) finishing second and fellow Italian Andrea Mantovani (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) pinching third at the chequered flag. However, more late drama hit as Mantovani was then disqualified for low tyre pressures, promoting Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) to the podium. There is a single tyre pressure monitoring system in MotoE.

The intrigue began before the race had even started, with riders arriving on the grid on wet tyres before changing to slicks as the rain at Mugello abated. When the lights went out, Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta Sic58 Squadracorse) got the jump from the middle of the front row and led the field up the hill to San Donato, with Ferrari emerging second from the opening corners and pole-sitter Aegerter third.

Ferrari then went underneath Zannoni as they ran through the Arrabbiata corners, as Aegerter and Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) duelled over third. When they arrived at Scarperia, Aegerter headed down the inside of both Ferrari and Zannoni to take the lead, while a bit of bodywork was sent flying due to some contact behind between Granado and Canepa.

For his trouble, Aegerter was swamped as his rivals slipstreamed him as they ran back up the main straight to start Lap 2, but he reclaimed first on the brakes at San Donato. Granado was slicing his way through the pack too, and he would hit the front when he went underneath the Swiss rider as they turned into Materassi, just down the hill.

It looked like they might form something of a breakaway, but their battle for position mean that Ferrari was back in touch as Aegerter hit back for the lead on Lap 3 at Scarperia. Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) emerged as a contender for victory and, astonishingly, he made it a four-wide run up the hill towards San Donato at the start of Lap 4 too. Ferrari emerged in front after all that, from Granado and Alcoba, with Aegerter dropping from first to fourth in a matter of corners.

Despite looking to have made an on-the-run adjustment to his brake lever, and then ceding fourth position to Mantovani, Aegerter refused to give in. He made a big lunge under brakes at San Donato on the fifth and final lap of the race and that put him all the way back into the race lead, with Ferrari in second place.

On the drag to the finish line, Aegerter beat Ferrari to another MotoE victory by only 0.033 seconds, with Mantovani, who is only riding this weekend as an injury replacement for Bradley Smith, slipstreaming Granado for third as they reached the finish line, the gap between them just 0.007 seconds. But with his DSQ after the fact, it’s the Brazilian who takes 16 points. A final-lap pass helped Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) to fifth, now fourth, and consigned Alcoba to P5 but the latter was still only 0.983 seconds from the win.

Canepa was next up ahead of Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team), and Zannoni is classified ninth after losing touch with the leading group on Lap 2. Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) rounded out the top 10 on track, now P9. Another race win means the Swiss rider has increased his lead atop the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup standings, to 17 points over Granado after the Brazilian takes third. What awaits on Sunday? Race 2 kicks off at 15:30 (GMT +2) so tune in to find out!

MotoE Mugello Race One Podium (Full Results Here) 

1 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – 10’10.913
2 Matteo Ferrari – Felo Gresini MotoE – Energica – +0.033
3 Eric Granado – LCR E-Team – Energica – +0.245

Race Two
The win was a classic: Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) was back on top in Race 2 of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup at Mugello, taking victory with a small margin over another huge group battle as the Italian played his cards to perfection on home turf. Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) took second, crossing the line at exactly the same time as Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) but taking P2 thanks to setting the fastest lap. And the eagle-eyed Swiss rider spotted something else: passes under Yellow Flags earlier in the race.

After a thorough review from the FIM Stewards, changes of position were applied. For Alcoba it was three positions, demoting him from the podium and meaning Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) takes third place. For Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) it was one position each, so Canepa is classified sixth and Granado eighth. But let’s rewind…

Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) made the best start and it was he who led the field out of San Donato for the first time, from Aegerter and Ferrari. Just behind that trio, Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) fell as he exited the corner, while Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was also on the deck later on the opening lap. He would be taken to the medical centre with pain in his right leg, but was passed Unfit for showing he’d sustained an impact to his head, so he’ll need a check up to be passed fit for the next round.

Meanwhile at the front, Zannoni continued to lead into the second lap, but Aegerter was swamped as they all slipstreamed towards San Donato and the Swiss rider dropped back to sixth. Ferrari had taken over second spot while Pons was up to third and Alcoba fourth, a rise of six positions relative to where each had qualified. Ferrari gained one more position – the most important one – when he outbraked Zannoni at San Donato on Lap 3, as Alcoba rode around the outside of Pons just behind them. Canepa was fifth at that point while Aegerter would soon have a battle for sixth position on his hands with closest rival in the standings, Granado.

The end of the main straight was clearly the prime overtaking zone but Zannoni found resistance when he tried to go around Ferrari in a bid to reclaim first position at the start of Lap 4. Pons and Canepa, on the other hand, were able to slip underneath Alcoba and push him back to fifth spot. Of course, San Donato was not the only place where overtaking was coming thick and fast in MotoE, and Pons proved that when he moved ahead of Zannoni through Scarperia/Palagio on Lap 5. That promoted the Spaniard to second, and it also allowed Ferrari to stretch his advantage slightly.

Then Alcoba, who was already back in front of Canepa, passed Zannoni at Bucine. That much was straightforward, but they nearly touched on exit and the Italian had to pick up his bike, which caused him to drop yet more positions. Zannoni was fifth when the crossed the stripe to start the final lap, and eighth by the time they were on their way out of San Donato and back down the hill.

In all of that, Aegerter had risen from seventh to fourth, but the previous day’s race winner was not done. He nabbed third from Alcoba as they went through Bucine for the final time, but it would still come down to a drag to the finish line. Ferrari won by 0.529 seconds, but it was astonishingly close in terms of who would be declared second. Aegerter and Alcoba were separated by 0.001 seconds according to timing, then that was revised to a dead heat for second and the former was officially given second using fastest lap times as tie-break. For Alcoba, it still seemed like his first MotoE podium, but later came the heartbreak and the position penalties, giving Pons third although the Spaniard didn’t make it to parc ferme.

WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team rider Andrea Mantovani is now classified fourth after again pipping Granado on track, but with the shuffle on Saturday the Italian gains instead of losing out after the DSQ in Race 1 for low tyre pressure. Zannoni takes P5 ahead of Canepa, with Alcoba classified seventh. Granado is classified eighth, ahead of Kevin Manfredi (Octo Pramac MotoE), and Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing).

With a win and a second placing at Mugello, Aegerter’s lead at the top of the World Cup standings is now 29 points over Granado and 30 over Ferrari. After six hectic races to start the season, it is time for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup field to take a break before their fourth round of the season at the Motul TT Assen on June 24-26, so join us then for more!

MotoE Mugello Race Two Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Matteo Ferrari – Felo Gresini MotoE – Energica – 12’04.368
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – 10.529
3 Miquel Pons – LCR E-Team – Energica – +0.566

The post Race Reports: All The Action From MotoE Rd3 At Mugello appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Q: How are you feeling arriving at Mugello as the World Cup leader?

Dominique Aegerter: “For sure, I’m very happy to be leading the championship. We have already had some great races this season. My goal is always to fight for the victory, but in MotoE, it’s seven or eight laps, and only six here, so it’s not so easy. But, we are always fighting in the front group, so when you make a small mistake or the tactics are not really going your way, it’s not so easy to win the race, but this is our goal. It’s very nice to be here in Mugello, in Italy. For sure, it’s a really fantastic track, there will be a lot of spectators cheering for us, and for the first time with the MotoE bikes. I hope we can get some dry track time tomorrow for a good qualifying session in the afternoon, and let’s see how it goes with MotoE around this track.”

Q: Will a new track be easier with a ‘different’ bike compared to last year?

DA77: “For every rider, it’s the same. We have the 20 minutes of track time, everybody has the same tyres, everybody has a fully charged battery, and then it’s just how fast you can adapt to the race track with the bike. Maybe your team can make some small changes to the suspension or with the gearing, and it’s just important to focus on your riding every lap, to find the limit of the bike on the track, and tomorrow we will see which rider can achieve this the best. For sure, in Le Mans and Jerez, we had a lot of track time and data from last year, but here everything is new, so we just need to go out and see how the bike reacts, and how the bike feels on this race track.”

Q: You took that long-awaited victory in France; what has made the difference this year so far?

Mattia Casadei: “Honestly, I don’t know! I was fast last year but in one race, I had COVID and couldn’t fight for the championship, but I finish only 20 points from the winner and it’s good. This year, it’s a new team and I am working very well with them. It’s fantastic, I am fast, and this is my goal. I’m very happy.”

Q: Have some of the performances on the grid surprised you this year?

MC27: “No, all these guys are fast, and whoever works better with the bike goes faster than the others. I have to work on the final lap of the race because, in Le Mans, after the first drop of the tyre, I’m not very fast. But now, we’re working on it, we’ll go better. I’ll try to get the best result here in this fantastic Mugello track. The Italian fans are fantastic and I’m happy to be here.”

Q: You are the MotoE king of Misano, but what do you expect from this very different fast, flowing Italian venue?

Matteo Ferrari: “It’s fantastic to be here for the first time. I was here in the World Championship in Moto3 in 2015, and it’s incredible, because the fans in the stands are incredible every day. I think it will be another feeling with MotoE, because the feeling when you go in a new track with MotoE is incredible, so I think that will also be the case here…”

Q: What is your goal to improve this weekend, after a good weekend in Jerez but a tricky one at Le Mans?

MF11: “I was fast on Saturday in Le Mans because I improved my lap time from last year, and also I had really good pace. I lost the grip on the rear on the first lap so I didn’t achieve the podium for this reason but I had a good race. In the second race, I lost a little bit of feeling with the bike, so I didn’t overtake too much during the race and I finished only seventh, but it was good points for the championship. Of course, here we have to improve a little bit in qualifying, because we started the first round on the second row, and the second round on the third row. So, I think we have to improve this for tomorrow, and then we’ll see in the race, because it’s only six laps this weekend and it will be important to start very fast like Mattia did in Le Mans.”

Q: It was a first podium in France, what made the difference for you?

Niccolo Canepa: “I feel like the team did an amazing job on the bike, on the set-up, and I felt like, from the beginning of the weekend, I was really strong and could be faster. Then unfortunately we had the accident with Torres crashing in front of me in the first race, and I lost so many positions, so the first race didn’t go as planned. But the second race went really well and I’m really happy because I also enjoyed passing, I made many overtakes and it was a really nice race for me. I have to say that I really enjoyed being on the podium and I will try my best to be on the podium again this weekend.”

Q: What do you expect from a MotoE bike here, given your Mugello experience?

NC07: “For sure, it will be really exciting to ride here on the MotoE bike. I think I’ve ridden here on any kind of bike since I was 12 years old, so I can say I have a lot of experience on this track as well, but it will be really exciting to try the MotoE, to see what sort of lap time we can do, to see how fast we can be in the corners. I want to see how we will do the Arrabbiatta, Casanova, Savelli, these kind of corners that are unique in the world, and it will be really exciting for sure to see how we can ride the MotoE on this track.”

Q: You must be happy to have been at the front in France and show that speed, even if you just missed out on the podium?

Kevin Zannoni: “Yes, I’m very happy about Le Mans, because I was fast. Unfortunately, I did not finish on the podium, but I was fast all weekend, from free practice to the races. In Race 1, I tried to win but I crashed. In Race 2, Niccolo passed me very close to the finish line. But okay, we need to do another weekend like Le Mans here.”

Q: Did the weekend help you learn a lot?

KZ21: “Yes, I understand the bike better, race by race. Because I come from Moto3, last year was a little bit difficult for me, but the last race was not so bad. Every race, I can improve something and understand from the other riders. Here in Mugello, I know the track very well, because we race a lot here in the Italian championship. But with MotoE, for sure it will be different, because MotoE is heavy. So, the change of direction on this track, I don’t know, but for sure, it will be amazing.”

The post MotoE Riders Answer Questions Ahead Of Mugello Weekend appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) is now an FIM Enel MotoE World Cup race winner! The Italian veteran saw off a serious challenge from compatriot Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) in Race 1 at the SHARK Grand Prix de France to take his maiden win in the Cup. Zannoni threw everything into his bid for victory, but hit the deck on the final lap when he asked too much of his front tyre at Turn 13. Nevertheless, the speed was a warning shot for Sunday…

After that drama ahead, Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) took second place and a valuable 20 points, with Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) completing the podium in a first rostrum finish for the Japanese rider.

There was drama as soon as the race started when Casadei’s team-mate and reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres fell in the pack as the they exited the Turn 3/Turn 4 chicane. Neither Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) nor Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE) were able to fully avoid the stricken Spaniard, but after a check up at the medical centre Torres was confirmed with a broken fibula; unfit but otherwise ok.

The net result of that opening lap was that Casadei led Zannoni, Okubo and Aegerter, with Casadei looking like he might break away. However, he was reeled in by Zannoni as the eight-lap contest reached its halfway mark.

After biding his time for a handful of laps, the SIC58 rider then had a big look at race leader as they sped through Turn 1/Turn 2 for the final time. Casadei fended off that attack but Zannoni did not give up, pusing to the limit and then sadly just over it as his challenge came to an end at the penultimate corner when he folded the front. Rider ok, and surely eager to recharge for a Race 2 charge.

Up ahead, Casadei won unflustered by 0.8 seconds, while Aegerter had hustled past Okubo at Turn 3 on the second-last lap. Okubo was a maiden podium finisher in third though, just ahead of Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE), Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing), Miquel Pons, and Eric Granado. The latter two, team-mates at the LCR E-Team, had managed to stay upright despite contact exiting Turn 14 in the closing stages of the race.

MotoE Race One Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Mattia Casadei – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – 13’54.984
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – +0.826
3 Hikari Okubo – Avant Ajo MotoE – Energica – +1.223

Race Two
Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) is back on top in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup! The Swiss rider put in a masterclass at the SHARK Grand Prix de France to take his first win in the Cup since 2020, and in doing so put himself back on top in the standings, too. The fight for victory went all the way down to the final lap, with Aegerter passing Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) for the lead and affording the Italian no right to reply. Joining them on the podium for the first time in MotoE came Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), with the Italian beating compatriot Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) to the line by just 0.008 seconds.

Casadei took the spoils in Race 1 on the afternoon prior at Le Mans and, from pole position, he took the early lead in Race 2 as well. Aegerter lost two positions off the start before getting both back, the Swiss rider passing of Hikaro Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) and then Zannoni at Turn 3 on Laps 2 and 3 respectively. That put him in clear air behind Casadei, beginning to chip away at the Italian’s one-second lead.

There was plenty of shuffling for position behind, but Aegerter was on a singular mission at the front and with a couple to go, the number 77 was right on Casadei to make it a duel for the win. By the time the two were approaching Turn 3 on the final lap, it was go time and Aegerter struck with a decisive move for the lead. Casadei stayed close but couldn’t quite bridge the gap back, with the Swiss rider keeping it pinned for his first MotoE win of the year and first since 2020, just over half a second in hand at the flag.

While the contest for victory was only settled late in the race, the final podium position was not even locked in until right at the finish line. In the early stages, it was pre-race points leader Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) on a charge, dropping as low as eighth on Lap 1 but getting into the top five when he passed Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) at the start of Lap 4. On Lap 5, he used a cutback to overtake Okubo for fourth spot as they accelerated off Garage Vert, but then the Brazilian found himself under threat.

Canepa took advantage of Okubo’s attempt to immediately hit back at Granado, and the Italian picked the Japanese rider’s pocket at Chemin aux Boeufs to set off a duel with Granado. The battle was settled by a decisive move from Canepa on the penultimate lap as the Italian just edged away, next locking onto the back of Zannoni up ahead and the final place on the podium.

The number 7 just got it done and stayed ahead, joining Aegerter and Casadei on the podium by just a few thousandths of a second. Zannoni was denied the rostrum once more but took a much bigger chunk of points from Race 2, with Granado completing the top five.

Okubo and Ferrari crossed the line just behind in sixth and seventh, with Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) moveing up from his grid position to eighth. Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE) and Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) were ninth and the tenth at the flag but both took three-second penalties for a shortcut and failure to comply with a Long Lap penalty, respectively, so the top 10 was rounded out by Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) and Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team).

Jordi Torres did not start the race after sustaining a broken left fibula when he crashed on the opening lap of Race 1, but was in good spirits as he stayed at Le Mans to cheer on Pons Racing 40 team-mate Casadei… saying he is hoping to be back at Mugello.

Granado won both races when the season began in Jerez, but Aegerter’s first MotoE win since 2020 has helped him go to top of the standings, with an eight-point margin over the Brazilian. Casadei, who matched Aegerter’s 45 points for the Le Mans weekend, is nine points further behind in third. That’s it from Le Mans, but the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup is back again in just a fortnight as the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley lights up the  spectacular Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello.

MotoE Race Two Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – +0.826
2 Mattia Casadei – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.567
3 Niccolo Canepa – WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team – Energica – +1.688

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Granado sliced his way through to beat second place Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) by 0.6s, with third and the final place on the podium going to Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) after a little drama in Race 1. That was a clash between polesitter Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), with the two making contact at Turn 13, the latter crashing out. Pons was given a Long Lap penalty for the incident, which subsequently became a time penalty as the number 71 ran out of time to take it – keeping him off the podium.

Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) and Casadei were the early battle for the lead, but by the halfway mark of the eight-lap race, a leading quintet formed at the front. Granado made his way through and took the lead for the first time at Turn 13 on Lap 6, making a pass stick on Casadei. Pons, meanwhile, had pounced on Garzo and then saw a gap appear underneath Casadei as Granado made his move ahead. The number 71 tagged Casadei and the Italian went down, rider ok but the incident shuffling the pack too.

Granado was clear of the drama in the lead, but behind Pons emerged second, Aegerter third, and Ferrari was up to fourth ahead of reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40). Garzo dropped to sixth after avoiding the stricken Casadei at the final corner.

Pons’ Long Lap Penalty for ‘irresponsible riding’ was then announced during the final lap, but neither he nor Aegerter had chance to act on that before the chequered flag. The Swiss rider instead pulled off a move at Turn 9, set up as he swarmed round the outside of Pons through Turn 8.

Keeping it pinned, Granado took the chequered flag 0.696 seconds ahead of Aegerter for his sixth race win in the World Cup, with Pons crossing the line in third. The penalty saw him demoted to eighth once a three seconds had been added for not taking the Long Lap, giving Ferrari that first podium of the season as the Italian was just behind over the line after a solid start to 2022.

Garzo took fourth and Torres completed the top five to kickstart his title defence, with Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) and rookie Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) next up. The aforementioned Pons was classified P8, and rounding out the top 10 for the first time in 2022 were Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) and Lukas Tulovic (WithU GRT RNF) – the German doing a good job standing in for the injured Bradley Smith despite no testing.

MotoE Race One Podium (Full Results here) 

1 Eric Granado – LCR E-Team – Energica – 14’36.998
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE – Energica – +0.696
3 Matteo Ferrari – Felo Gresini MotoE – Energica – +1.005

Race Two
Patience was key for Eric Granado as he made it two from two in the opening weekend of FIM Enel MotoE World Cup action, the Brazilian doing the double in style at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España. It was an LCR E-Team one-two after he passed team-mate Miquel Pons midway through the final lap around the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto too – the first time the Brazilian had led all race. 

For the second day in a row, Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) got the holeshot from the middle of the front row, but he held the lead only until Turn 5, where Casadei went down the inside. The running order got a shake-up when seemingly everyone went deep into Pedrosa Corner at the other end of the back straight though, and Aegerter emerged in first ahead of pole-sitter Pons and a rider who had started all the way back in eighth: Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE). Fourth at that point was Garzo, ahead of Casadei and Granado.

Pons was back to where he started when he overtook Aegerter at the final corner at the end of Lap 1 though, the number 71 leading the way as Okubo went the other way; passed by both Garzo and Granado on Lap 2. The top four then quickly broke away from the rest, but after Granado sliced past Garzo at the end of Lap 2, it quickly became clear that the battle for victory was going to be a race in three. Even so, the previous day’s winner seemed content to watch Pons and Aegerter chop and change at the front of the field.

Aegerter’s preferred passing zone was Turn 9, while Pons was better under brakes at Turn 6, and the lead switched and switched. Granado, meanwhile, was lying in wait, and the patience paid off as the final lap began. Aegerter made a lunge at Pons at Turn 1 but the Swiss rider went deep – too deep – and Granado took his chance to grab second, then setting his sights on his teammate.

The Brazilian was then able to get the run down the back straight and out-brake Pons at Turn 6, thereafter keeping it pinned to beat his teammate to the chequered flag by 0.217 seconds. In all the shuffling at the front, Casadei had also tagged onto the podium fight and he pinched third late on as he dived up the inside of Aegerter at the final corner, rubbing proving racing on this occasion as the Italian found some better luck on Sunday.

Okubo came home in fifth, just ahead of the two FIM Enel MotoE World Cup title winners to date, as Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) finished sixth and Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) seventh after a tougher Sunday. Rounding out the top 10 were rookie Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing), Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF), and Kevin Manfredi (OCTO Pramac).

Garzo was a surprise non-finisher, the Spaniard crashing when he tried to hang in there on the outside line as Casadei overtook him for fourth at the Lorenzo Corner on Lap 5. Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) took a tumble at the end of Lap 1 after a tangle with Lukas Tulovic (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), and Yeray Ruiz (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) had a fast fall at Turn 4 on Lap 4, while the other 15 riders made it to the chequered flag.

In the World Cup standings, Granado now enjoys a 17-point lead on the way into France, with Aegerter his nearest rival and Pons another five points behind in third. Can the Brazilian remain unbeaten when MotoE continues in just two weeks from now? Tune into the SHARK Grand Prix de France on 13 – 15 May to find out!

MotoE Race 2 Podium (Full Results Here)

1 Eric Granado – LCR E-Team – Energica – 14’36.321
2 Miquel Pons – LCR E-Team – Energica – +0.217
3 Mattia Casadei – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.394

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Jerez is a venue all know as the track hosted not one but two pre-season tests for the Cup, but some have the edge on experience. The two current riders to have won at the venue are Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) – two expected challengers this season too – and two-time Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons HP 40), another expected frontrunner, has been on the podium at the track. The fight between the three has already thrilled before, and 2022 promises another titanic showdown.

2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE), meanwhile, looks to have got his mojo back a little more in 2022 if the test timesheets are anything to go by, and Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) is back with a bang. The former podium finisher returns to MotoE this season and put in the fastest lap overall at the test, looking to fight for the Cup in the 2022 season.

The likes of Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team), a race winner last year, and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), already a podium finisher, can’t be counted out, but we will have to wait a little longer to see the return of Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team). After a crash at the 24h of Le Mans, the Brit is sidelined for the MotoE season opener and will be replaced by Lukas Tulovic – the German likewise an experienced electric runner.

There are some intriguing rookies this season. Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE), multiple podium finisher in WorldSBK and Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) – fastest rookie in testing – switches WorldSSP machinery for MotoE. Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) is another as the Spaniard joins from dominating the European STK600 Championship, the same position Fermin Aldeguer was in at the start of his MotoE adventure.

The new Q1-Q2 format means qualifying takes place on Friday at 16:50, before Race 1 gets underway at 16:25 on Saturday. Race 2 then sees the field head out at 15:30 on Sunday, completing a packed weekend of track action for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup!

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First day honours at the second Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Test went to Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) as the electric class riders completed a Q1-Q2 format qualifying simulation at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. While Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) topped Day 2’s timesheets.

It was a dry but windy day in Andalucia as the MotoE field began their final test, which takes place ahead of the season kicking off at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España in the near future. Due to rain appearing on Wednesday’s forecast, the Q1-Q2 simulation was brought forward to Monday.

In the first of two test sessions, Granado was the rider to beat with a 1:49.765, before the quickest times were slashed in the second practice session. Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) was the pacesetter, clocking a 1:49.153, before the qualifying simulations got underway at the end of the day.

The Q2 simulation was topped by Granado with a 1:49.020, the fastest time of the day, with Ferrari and Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) rounding out the top three in Q2, two tenths shy of Granado’s effort. Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) was a couple of tenths shy of his teammate in P4, while the returning Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top five, as the three-time MotoE podium finisher ended three tenths away from top spot.

Q2 Simulation Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) – Energica – 1’49.020
2 Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) – Energica – +0.270
3 Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) – Energica – +0.276

Day Two
The returning Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) topped Day 2’s timesheets at the Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Jerez Test as rain heavily disrupted proceedings on Tuesday making for limited track time.

There was little track action to be had in the tricky conditions as Smith and MotoE rookie Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) were the only two riders to venture out in the first session. Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) then joined Smith on track in the second, before Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE), Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team), Alessio Finello (Felo Gresini MotoE), two-time Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) headed into the fray in the final session.

At the end of the penultimate day of testing, Smith’s wet weather 1:58.080 – set in the second session – was the fastest lap as the riders and teams hope for the rain to clear ahead of the final day of pre-season running on Wednesday. Smith topped the final session too, with a 1:58.714, which was two and a bit tenths quicker than Casadei’s effort.

It’s now full steam ahead into Round 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España from the 29th of April to the 1st of May. Stay up to date with all the MotoE news here.

Day Two Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) – Energica – 1:58.080
2 Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) – Energica – +0.872
3 Alex Escrig (Tech 3 E-Racing) – Energica – +1.139

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Day 2 of the Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup pre-season test at Jerez saw a trio of fresh names rise to the fore as rain affected play, with the returning Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) heading the timesheets by the end of the day.

As well as track time in itself being a key focus for the field, there are also some bike updates from Energica to put through their paces, specifically a new motor and a new inverter. The bike is now lighter as a result, and with that one of the key aims of the project since the inception of the Cup, it’s a positive evolution.

Behind Canepa at the top with his 1:58.895, second fastest was Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) as the Spaniard impressed to end the day 0.189 in arrears. Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was third quickest as the Japanese rider prepares for his second season in the Cup, but was also one of three crashers in the wet first session, along with Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and the returning Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), riders ok.

2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) slotted into fourth, with Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) completing the top five and from his best lap set in Session 2. The Brazilian then suffered a crash in the second session and sat out the final session of the day, as well as likely being sidelined from Day 3. 

Day 1’s fastest rider, Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE), was half a second off Granado and ended Day 2 in P6, with Cardelus for close company. MotoGP podium finisher Smith was eighth quickest despite his crash. Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) and Alessio Finello (Felo Gresini MotoE) completed the top ten.

Sophomore Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) remains absent after the Spaniard had to undergo surgery due to appendicitis before the test.

DAY 2: TOP THREE (Full Results Here)

1 Niccolo Canepa (WITHU GRT RNF MotoE TEAM) – Energica – 1:58.895
2 Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) – Energica – +0.189
3 Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) – Energica – +0.338

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