[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

This one dude, wonder whether they made any special announcement

Ah, that! My bad.

That was the opening press conference with Carmelo Ezpeleta and couple of others about the Liberty Media MotoGP takeover. I skipped it.

[Porschefire]

American GP - Practice





- Jorge Martin obliviates Pecco's COTA lap record with a stunning 2.1.397 to lead the Practice session and go directly into Q2 tomorrow.

- Maverick Vinales and Marc Marquez follow in 2nd and 3rd positions, going faster than Pecco in 2023.

- Pecco was at the risk of ending up in Q1 but a late dash of speed gets him into the 4th position, ahead of the rookie sensation Pedro Acosta!

- Pedro becomes the only rider from the Pierer Mobility group to head into Q2.

- Aleix finding good pace at 6th, the surprise additions were Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio in 7th and 9th respectievely.

- Missing names - Brad Binder (shocking), Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo.

- On the opposite end of the Ducatis, the Hondas find themselves raking up the last 4 spots. Barring the pay check, one wonders if Luca Marini has anything to smile about in that garage!

[Porschefire]

American GP - Full Qualifying Results





- Maverick Vinales sets the fastest ever COTA laptime! He's been the most consistent rider of the Practice runs and Qualifying.

- Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta goes to the front row in only his third MotoGP race! The pole position should just be around the corner now.

- COTA king Marc Marquez completes the first row with the duo of Factory Ducatis of Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini.

- Jorge Martin, who was the fastest in Practice yesterday had two crashes during Q2 that rattled his qualifying momentum. He was trailing in 11th before he could salvage a 6th in the final moments of Q2.

- It was mainly a Ducati all-star Q2 session with a couple of KTMs and Aprilias thrown in.

- Brad Binder fails to improve in Q1 and starts all the way back in 15th.

[Porschefire]

American GP - Sprint





- Maverick Vinales clinches his second Saint win in a row. He was untouchable right from the start with amazing sprint pace throughout.

- Marc Marquez takes the second spot, fending off the fast charging Pedro Acosta during the initial stages and Jorge Martin at the end. He hasn't looked entirely comfortable in COTA on the Ducati. Seems like the Honda suited his style of riding in the fast paced corners.

- Jorge Martin goes on damage control, raking in the bronze after a not so great Q2.

- Not a good day for the Japanese manufacturers as the Monster Yamahas and the lone surviving Honda of Luca Marini make up the back of the sprint standings.

[Porschefire]

American GP - Race







- A Maverick Vinales classic, is what COTA 2024 was! Pole man, Sprint winner and Race winner - could there be a more perfect weekend!?
He becomes the first rider of the MotoGP era and fourth overall, to win a GP for three different manufacturers - Suzuki, Yamaha and now Aprilia.
Sure, it would've been predicted by the pundits after he was fast all weekend and taking the pole + sprint win.
But no, there was a twist in the race!
He had a poor start and got caught in the Turn 1 chaos that relegated him to 11th! What happened in the next 19 laps is nothing short of brilliance as he passed the likes of Bagnaia, Martin, Bastianini and Acosta to win his first race for Aprilia. Kudos MVK, he truly deserved it.

- Pedro Acosta! I feel like we have to stop calling him a rookie now because he seems to be riding like a seasoned rider, riding in the highest class for years now! He becomes the youngest ever rider to lead a MotoGP race when he led the first few laps. He had fierce battles with Marquez, Bagnaia and Martin, and ultimately reigned supreme to grab the second spot on the podium.

- Enea Bastianini finds late race pace (as often he does) to overtake Jorge Martin to take the last step of the podium.

- Current WC leader Jorge Martin and WC Pecco Bagnaia rake in 4th and 5th respectively.

- Trackhouse duo of Raul Fernandez and miguel Olivera take a respectable 10th and 11th in their home race.

- The biggest losers - COTA specialists Marc Marquez and Alex Rins. Marc was quite fast and battling with the top 4, took the lead in the race for a short while before crashing at turn 11.

The World Championship standings after round three -

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

American GP - Race

- A Maverick Vinales classic, is what COTA 2024 was! Pole man, Sprint winner and Race winner - could there be a more perfect weekend!?

- Pedro Acosta! I feel like we have to stop calling him a rookie now because he seems to be riding like a seasoned rider, riding in the highest class for years now! He becomes the youngest ever rider to lead a MotoGP race when he led the first few laps.

Pedro Acosta is living up to the hype and shows his talent. He was on track to be the youngest race winner till Vinales had other ideas. Brad Binder and Miller on the factory KTM bikes are being regularly outpaced.

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

The biggest losers - COTA specialists Marc Marquez and Alex Rins. Marc was quite fast and battling with the top 4, took the lead in the race for a short while before crashing at turn 11.

Marc outperformed and punched above the GP23's weight without a doubt Him and Frankie Carchedi are nearly getting to the sweet spot, though he had major braking issues.

Keith Huewen mentioned that Marc's braking is so extreme that he locks the fronts very often, no other rides like he does so its difficult to get a reference point from other bikes as far as braking is concerned.

Absolutely gutted with that fall (esp after passing the brilliant Acosta who is making the RC16 look like a formidable package), but I am sure he will bounce back and now that he has tasted the front, he won't settle for less

Vinales though, breath taking! His consistency and tyre management while coming through the field was an absolute class act. He is becoming THE man to beat this season, now that he is happy with the bike and on form

[Porschefire]

GP4: 26 Apr - 28 Apr

Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España

Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto

Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto (formerly known as Circuito de Jerez and Circuito de Velocidad Jerez), is a 4.428 km racing circuit located close to the city of Jerez de la Frontera, 90-kilometre south of Seville and deep within the sherry-producing region in the south of Spain. Built in 1986 and hosting its first Grand Prix one year later, the circuit of Jerez is now one of the most popular MotoGP venues.
With two alternative road circuits (4,423m and 4,428m), which were resurfaced during 2005, Jerez is a popular venue, also used by many race teams for testing throughout the year, whilst its recently updated corporate and media facilities have proven to be a popular addition to the complex. Other facilities such as the control tower and pit boxes have also been vastly improved.







Previous Winners


2023


2022

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

[b][u]GP4: 26 Apr - 28 Apr

Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España

This race is going to be an epic battle between the Old Greats (Marquez/Vinales/Espargaro) Vs Current Gen (Pecco/Martin/Binder/Miller) Vs Future Gen (Acosta). Each will be fighting for survival and glory (depending on the rider).

The KTMs will be quick, like last year, Acosta would want to cement his place among the greats by securing a race win. Marc is getting better and better and also looks like a threat.

Also will be the hardest to predict, anything can happen at Jerez!

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

This race is going to be an epic battle between the Old Greats (Marquez/Vinales/Espargaro) Vs Current Gen (Pecco/Martin/Binder/Miller) Vs Future Gen (Acosta). Each will be fighting for survival and glory (depending on the rider).

The KTMs will be quick, like last year, Acosta would want to cement his place among the greats by securing a race win. Marc is getting better and better and also looks like a threat.

Also will be the hardest to predict, anything can happen at Jerez!

MotoGP returns to Europe, and that means you are absolutely right. A lot of contenders will stick their hand up to achieve the sort of weekend Vinales had last week.

Ducati: It's gonna be a three way fight - Pecco vs Martin vs Bastianini. Throw in Marc, who will surely try and upset a few for the podium at the least. I expect at least one of the VR46's to be fast as well.

KTM: Going by 2022 results, one would expect both KTMs to fight for the win, but it depends on how well Binder has recovered and if Miller's got that 'feeling' for the '24 RC16. I'd however bet all my money on Acosta to be the fastest KTM yet again.

Aprilia: Vinales's in terrific form and my heart's in full support for him to win the Sprint and a race podium (if not a win). I will also not discount El Capitano - Aleix, expect him to have a good weekend and fight in the top 5.

Yamaha & Honda: No changes for the 'Japanese GP'. Expect Fabio to be in the top 10 and I wish&pray the Hondas don't make the tail of the grid yet again.

PS: Both Vinales and Miller had their MotoGP debut in 2015 for Suzuki Ecster and LCR Honda respectively. So, that makes them both 'Old Greats' I suppose.

[Porschefire]

News Update

Few interesting rumours going around regarding the 2025 silly season.

1) Honda set sights on Maverick Vinales

Maverick Vinales is reportedly the new top target for Honda in the rider market after their No.1 target - Pedro Acosta declined their interest.
The interest in Acosta from Honda dates back at least a year as he became a key target for the Japanese manufacturer as a replacement for the outgoing Marc Marquez last season. But, Acosta entered the premier class with KTM’s satellite project Tech3 GASGAS and he is tied long-term to KTM.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...target-said-no

2) Aprilia theory and Marc Marquez

Marc Marquez has said that “all the doors are open” regarding which team he might race for in the 2025 MotoGP season, hinting that he's open to leaving Gresini. While there is a mad rush to fill the seat next to Pecco, with Marc being one of the prime contenders, he will surely look at moving to a factory team to win championships, if his Ducati goal doesn't work out.
He'd certainly not be considering Honda and that leaves the options of KTM and Aprilia (Yamaha will not consider anyone from the Marquez family until Rossi is tied to the brand).
KTM move seems unlikely, with Acosta rumoured to take Miller's place. So, unless he's open to ride for GasGas Tech3 (which he probably isn't), that leaves the option of Aprilia and going by Vinales's recent form, they are becoming a brand outside of Ducati that riders will surely reach for.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...n-rival-offers

3) LCR to 'approach' 2025 Honda talks

While much speculation has been focussed on the future machinery of Pramac and VR46, LCR is the other satellite MotoGP team out of contract with its manufacturer at the end of this season. But having run Honda machinery since joining the premier class in 2006 - and given current LCR rider Johann Zarco is only in the first year of a two-year (HRC) contract - a change seems unlikely.
LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello has mentioned that he was approached by KTM for a 'friendly chat' about having more KTMs on the grid but his reply to that was that it would be difficult for them to move out of Honda after 18 years of partnership.
Should the situation arise wherein the talks with Honda fail and LCR opt for KTM machinery, Zarco would move to the factory Honda team to partner Luca Marini next year.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...upcoming-weeks

[Porschefire]

Spanish GP - Full Qualifying Results





- Historic pole position for Marc Marquez as a Ducati rider! He's been fast throughout FP and Practice. After having set the fastest lap in Q2, he was out for a faster one before he lost the front and eventually ran out of time. But, the time was quick enough for P1.

- Marco Bezzecchi finds himself in P2 after having a slow start to 2024. His team mate Diggia is in P5 and that's a good qualifying result for Pertamina Enduro VR46 team, especially when the Bossman Valentino Rossi is in the paddock.

- Jorge Martin completes the first row in P3 for what has been a difficult weekend for the Spaniard.

- KTM's Brad Binder and Pramac's Franco Morbidelli topped Q1 and got into Q2, setting times to find themselves in P4 and P8 respectively.

- WC Pecco Bangnaia languishes in P7 while rookie Pedro Acosta finds himself in P10 after he was on course to take provisional pole but crashing after losing the front.

- Rest of the KTMs, including test rider Daniel Pedrosa find themselves out of top 10 along with both Aprilias.

- Zarco puts on a spirited show for HRC as he claims P13 while it's the Monster Yamahas that find themselves in the tail of the grid this time around.

[Manoj2268]

Pole number 93 for #93.

In mixed conditions, there are very good chances of Marquez getting his first Ducati victory.

[Porschefire]

Spanish GP - Sprint





TL;DR: If you can stay upright, you'll probably be on the podium, or in top 5, or in top 10, or just finish the race! This is the weirdest Sprint I have witnessed with 9 DNFs that included names like Bagnaia, Binder, Vinales, Bezzecchi and a few more riders who crashed, but managed to remount their motorcycle again and finish the race!

- Jorge Martin wins the Sprint after having lost the lead to Marc Marquez in the first half of the race.

- Pedro Acosta survives the chaos that unfounded in front of him in the first few laps to take the second step of the podium. He's now second in the WC, chasing Jorge Martin!

- Fabio Quartararo, starting 21st on the grid takes the bronze medal after having restricted the fast charging Pedrosa in the last two laps. It's gonna be a Saturday night party in the Monster Yamaha garage!

- Daniel Pedrosa finishes fourth, yet again.

- The Fernandez duo of Raul and Augusto achieve their best race result of 2024 in sixth and eight respectively.

- A good Sprint for Trackhouse with Miguel Oliveira in ninth place.

- Marc Marquez manages to remount his Gresini after crashing at the very turn where he overtook Martin, to finish with points in 7th place.

- Besides Marquez, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Johann Zarco, Lorenzo Savadori are the riders who crashed and finished the race.

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

Spanish GP - Sprint

TL;DR: If you can stay upright, you'll probably be on the podium, or in top 5, or in top 10, or just finish the race!

- Fabio Quartararo, starting 21st on the grid takes the bronze medal after having restricted the fast charging Pedrosa in the last two laps. It's gonna be a Saturday night party in the Monster Yamaha garage!

- Daniel Pedrosa finishes fourth, yet again.

Fabio Quartararo was penalised for tyre pressure and Daniel Pedrosa promoted to third place as a result. His first podium after 2017 (great day for a retired rider on a wild card).

Marc Marquez seems to be on a clashing spree with his I'm going to pass whether there's a sufficient gap or not - with Pecco in Portimao, Miller and Martin in Texas, Mir and almost the others in Jerez.