Rennie Scaysbrook | May 15, 2022
Sunday
MotoGP
For the third time this season, Enea Bastianini has engaged Beast Mode. Another 25-point haul at the SHARK Grand Prix de France sees the Gresini Racing rider move to within eight points of the top of the Championship, take another Independent Team win and make quite a statement. After he and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had escaped to make it a duel for supremacy at Le Mans, the Beast struck for the lead and it wasn’t long after that that Pecco slid out of contention. The rider was ok, but his points haul took a dent.
Moments after Bastianini (23) hit the front, Bagnaia (63) buckled and crashed out.
Meanwhile, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) maintained it as a Borgo Panigale 1-2, with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro making it three premier class rostrums on the spin for the Noale factory for the first time ever – just denying home hero and reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).
2022 French MotoGP Results
| 1 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Duc) |
|
| 2 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 2.718 |
| 3 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 4.182 |
| 4 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 4.288 |
| 5 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 11.139 |
| 6 |
Marc Marquez |
(Hon) |
+ 15.155 |
| 7 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 16.680 |
| 8 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 18.459 |
| 9 |
Luca Marini |
(Duc) |
+ 20.541 |
| 10 |
Maverick Vinales |
(Apr) |
+ 21.486 |
Moto2
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez has broken a drought of almost three years with victory at the SHARK Grand Prix de France, with he and teammate Pedro Acosta pulling clear in the early laps before the rookie crashed out the lead on Lap 11. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) finished second for another impressive podium, fending off Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing). World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) limited the damage to his title hopes, finishing eighth despite starting 18th on the grid.
Augusto Fernandez broke through for his first Red Bull KTM win.
2022 French Moto2 Results
| 1 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(Kal) |
|
| 2 |
Aron Canet |
(Kal) |
+ 3.746 |
| 3 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(Kal) |
+ 4.628 |
| 4 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+ 4.745 |
| 5 |
Ai Ogura |
(Kal) |
+ 15.376 |
| 7 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 19.035 |
| 28 |
Sean Dylan Kelly |
(Kal) |
|
Moto3
In typical barnstorming Moto3™ fashion, fans were out of their seats for a grandstand finish as a restarted race went down to the wire at the SHARK Grand Prix de France. Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jaume Masia earned victory after a thrilling final corner move past Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) while Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) stole the final podium place with another dramatic final corner past poleman Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing). It’s the first time Masia has taken four podiums in a row and it moves him up to second in the standings, 17 off leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team).
Masia (5) headed home this freight train for the Moto3 win.
2022 French Moto3 Results
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
|
| 2 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Hua) |
+ 0.150 |
| 3 |
Izan Guevara |
(GasGas) |
+ 0.220 |
| 4 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.322 |
| 5 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.529 |
2022 French MotoGP News—Saturday
Espargaro-Aprilia contract talks stall
As the weeks go by, the impasse between Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia remains. After qualifying third on Saturday, the Catalan revealed he has heard no further word from the Italian factory on its intentions with regards to rider line up in 2023.
This issue first emerged in Austin when Espargaro said, “The first talks were really disappointing. I feel very sad because we are completely super far (apart).” And still there is no breakthrough.
Espargaro and Aprilia seem at odds over their new contract.
“It doesn’t depend on me,” said the 32-year old after securing his fourth front row start of the year. “I said many times I want to stay in Aprilia but I don’t really understand what’s going on. It makes me a bit sad. Every race a little bit more, but I cannot control. It is how it is, but for sure I will not wait forever.”
Aprilia satellite team on cards for 2023?
Meanwhile Aprilia confirmed it is keen to expand its presence in the MotoGP class next year. Reports have linked the RNF squad currently running Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder to a switch from Yamaha to Aprilia machinery next year.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola says a new team is probable in MotoGP next year.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admitted they are keen to run four bikes in 2023. “We are thinking about eventually providing two more bikes,” said the Italian. “If we find the right partner, we have to do it in a really short time. We have to prepare to do it properly in a professional way, as we are growing as a team and also a factory. So we need to not lose performance in the research and development in the current factory team. We need to become bigger and we need time to settle that.”
Should Yamaha lose the RNF team to Aprilia, Managing Director Lin Jarvis admitted the factory would only run two bikes in 2023, rather than seeking out a different private team to become its satellite squad.
Saturday
MotoGP
A magnificent performance from Francesco Bagnaia saw him secure consecutive MotoGP™ pole positions for the first time this season at the SHARK Grand Prix de France. The Italian set a new All Time Lap Record in the process, with his 1:30.450 the fastest two-wheeled lap seen around Le Mans. It’s double delight for the Ducati Lenovo Team, as Jack Miller will join his teammate on the front row, with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro’s remarkable run of form continuing. The number 41 takes a third consecutive front row.
Bagnaia was beautiful at Le Mans, smashing the lap record for pole position.
French favorites Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) have been consigned to second row starts at their home GP.
2022 French MotoGP Results—Saturday
| 1 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
1:30.450 |
| 2 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 0.069 |
| 3 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 0.159 |
| 4 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 0.238 |
| 5 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Duc) |
+ 0.261 |
| 6 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 0.413 |
| 7 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 0.493 |
| 8 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 0.527 |
| 9 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 0.618 |
| 10 |
Marc Marquez |
(Hon) |
+ 0.698 |
Moto2
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Pedro Acosta has first pole position in the Moto2™ class after breaking his own, hours-old All Time Lap Record at the SHARK Grand Prix de France. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) qualified second-fastest for Round 7 of the season at Le Mans, and will be in a KTM Ajo sandwich on the front row given Augusto Fernandez was third-quickest in Q2. World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), on the other hand, could not escape Q1.
Here comes the kid! After a slow start to his Moto2 career, Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta got it together for pole position at Le Mans.
2022 French Moto2 Results—Saturday
| 1 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Kal) |
1:35.803 |
| 2 |
Jake Dixon |
(Kal) |
+ 0.118 |
| 3 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(Kal) |
+ 0.160 |
| 4 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
+ 0.268 |
| 5 |
Albert Arenas |
(Kal) |
+ 0.285 |
| 17 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+ 1.234 |
| 25 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 0.507 (Q1) |
| 30 |
Sean Dylan Kelly |
(Kal) |
+2.195 (Q1) |
Moto3
It has been utter domination from Dennis Foggia all weekend at the SHARK Grand Prix de France, with the Leopard Racing rider and title contender earning a career-first pole position. The Italian rattled off a 1:41.621 to make sure he takes home the Tissot watch from Le Mans and gave himself 0.151s to spare over teammate Tatsuki Suzuki.
Foggia took a career-first pole at Le Mans.
Joining the Leopard duo on the front row is Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with the Spaniard seeking a second win and fourth podium of the season come lights out.
2022 French Moto3 Results—Saturday
| 1 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
1:41.621 |
| 2 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.151 |
| 3 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
+ 0.157 |
| 4 |
Diego Moreira |
(KTM) |
+ 0.258 |
| 5 |
Carlos Tatay |
(CFMoto) |
+ 0.340 |
2022 French MotoGP News—Friday
Suzuki Quitting
Confirmation finally arrived on Thursday that Suzuki are in negotiations with Dorna to exit the MotoGP world championship in 2023. A short 98-word statement stated “the current economical situation” as well as “the need to concentrate” the factory’s “effort on the big changes that the Automotive world is facing” were reasons behind the bombshell decision.
Mir is a free agent now for 2022.
Rider Alex Rins said he “was fully crying,” when he learned of the news at the test that fell on the day after the Spanish GP. “I gave everything to this team since 2017 trying to have a competitive, winning bike.”
As well as providing a blow to the series, the manner in which the factory communicated the news has been baffling. None of the higher factory bosses spoke to the riders (or the majority of team members) to explain their reasoning. “It’s a little bit strange,” said Rins. “The Suzuki President – Toshihiro-San – he is super-friendly with me. He sent me a video saying ‘congratulations’ when my baby was born. But I didn’t receive anything.”
A PR disaster for a factory expecting its riders and team to continue the championship fight this weekend.
Tire pressure controversy
The latest MotoGP controversy surrounded the revelation that Pecco Bagnaia’s front tire pressure was below the legal amount for the entirety of the Spanish GP. As revealed by veteran journalist Mat Oxley, it begged the question why the Italian wasn’t disqualified.
Bagnaia’s tire pressure was below the minimum at Jerez but he wasn’t the only one.
But it has emerged that many riders have been below the minimum pressure for more than half-race distance in at least one encounter this year, including Fabio Quartararo in Portugal. All factories are aware of the infringements, yet none are punished. The main reason cited: there is no sole sensor which all teams use, and some are feared to be slightly inaccurate.
“I was in an illegal situation but this means also that 18 riders from the start of the season were illegal,” said Bagnaia, who referred to the other riders But no-one was penalized. So we are speaking about nothing.”
A statement from Technical Director Danny Aldridge revealed there are plans to introduce a standard sensor from next year, and introduce penalties for any offender.
MotoGP merry go round
The news of Suzuki’s departure has put two high class riders back on the market. Joan Mir looks an odds on bet to join Repsol Honda next year and admitted he is in talks with the factory. Alex Rins said all options are open, with Aprilia possibly his best bet at the moment.
Could the American Racing Team with Cameron Beaubier (left) be in the running for the spare MotoGP team entry for 2023?
In light of the Suzuki speculation, a communication from series organizers Dorna stated it has received “high interest” from “official factories” and “Independent Teams” keen to join the series in their place. While it remains to be seen which new factories are interested, Leopard, who run Moto3 title challenger Dennis Foggia, has made no secret of its desire to enter the premier class.
Likewise, the American Racing Team, which runs Cameron Beaubier in Moto2, could be keen to push for those grid slots.
Friday
MotoGP
Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini broke the Le Mans All Time Lap Record just moments before crashing his Ducati in MotoGP™ FP2 at the SHARK Grand Prix de France. The Italian finished a full two-tenths of a second up on Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins, in a session which saw several falls.
Bastianini crushed ’em on Friday at Le Mans.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had been fastest for much of the 45-minute session before Aleix Espargaro took over top spot with a 1:31.574 during the time attacks. Bastianini then clocked a 1:31.523 which would not be counted due to a shortcut at Chemin Aux Boeufs (Turn 9/Turn 10), but regrouped with a 1:31.148s just before the checkered flag.
No sooner had he reset Johann Zarco’s All Time Lap Record, which dates back to 2018, did the Italian have a spill when he lost the front at the Turn 3/Turn 4 chicane. Aleix Espargaro subsequently went faster than he had gone minutes earlier, but remained second having notched up a 1:31.350. Rins had been second-quickest in FP1 and proved that was no fluke when he clocked a 1:31.445 to be third in the latter session of the day at a sunny Le Mans.
2022 French MotoGP Results—Friday
| 1 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Duc) |
1:31.148 |
| 2 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 0.202 |
| 3 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 0.297 |
| 4 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 0.360 |
| 5 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
+ 0.487 |
| 6 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 0.492 |
| 7 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 0.509 |
| 8 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 0.518 |
| 9 |
Pol Espargaro |
(Hon) |
+ 0.623 |
| 10 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 0.764 |
Moto2
Somkiat Chantra went top in Moto2.
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is officially the pace-setter following the first two Moto2™ practice sessions at the SHARK Grand Prix de France. The Thai rider broke the All Time Lap Record in FP1 and while Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) went even faster in FP2, that lap does not count due to the presence of a yellow flag.
Chantra had knocked off Francesco Bagnaia’s four-year-old Moto2™ benchmark at Le Mans when he clocked a 1:36.108 in FP1, but it looked like his bragging rights would last only a handful of hours. With around five minutes to go in the second session of the day, Fernandez came through with a 1:36.030, but had done so by transiting a yellow flag zone triggered by a crash for Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP).
Instead, top Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is Pedro Acosta, second on combined times after setting a 1:36.166 which was fastest in FP2, with Fernandez third. The latter was officially third-fastest in FP2 on a 1:36.394, although he had gone even faster than that in clocking a 1:36.263 in FP1.
2022 French Moto2 Results—Friday
| 1 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(Kal) |
1:36.108 |
| 2 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Kal) |
+ 0.058 |
| 3 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(Kal) |
+ 0.155 |
| 4 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
+ 0.295 |
| 5 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Kal) |
+ 0.409 |
| 12 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 0.640 |
| 23 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+ 1.262 |
| 30 |
Sean Dylan Kelly |
(Kal) |
+ 3.037 |
Moto3
Leopard Racing’s Dennis Foggia picked up from where he left in the morning session with a dominant performance ensuring he takes Friday Free Practice honours at the SHARK Grand Prix de France in Le Mans. The Italian recorded the three fastest laps of the session for an impressive 1:41.680 to leave him 0.428s clear of title rival Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), with teammate Tatsuki Suzuki in P3.
Foggia flew on Friday at Le Mans.
2022 French Moto3 Results—Friday
| 1 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
1:41.680 |
| 2 |
Izan Guevara |
(GasGas) |
+ 0.428 |
| 3 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.523 |
| 4 |
Carlos Tatay |
(CFMOTO) |
+ 0.646 |
| 5 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
+ 0.668 |
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