2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results (Updated)

Cycle News Staff | September 10, 2023

Sunday Grand Prix

The Sunday Grand Prix was much the same for Jorge Martin, who swept into the lead at turn one and was never headed. But he didn’t quite have it his own way as the three chasing riders of Bezzecchi, Bagnaia and Pedrosa were all with him for the first half of the race, until ‘The Martinator’ pulled the pin with 10 laps remaining by dropping nearly half a second off his lap time and immediately breaking the Bezzecchi challenge.

Fans across the world dared to dream that Pedrosa might actually pull a fairly tail win by one-third’s race distance as the man known as ‘The Little Samurai’ was consistently the fastest rider on the track, closing right up to the back of Bezzecchi as he in turn closed on Bagnaia, the world champion hanging on by a thread as the pain from his injured right leg, on a track with 10 right hand corners, began to take hold.

2023 Misano MotoGP Martin — **Martin smashed ’em in the Italian’s backyard at Misano.**

Bezzecchi swept past Bagnaia at turn eight with 10 laps to go to take second place, and Pedrosa was now coming as well, holding up KTM honors after Binder crashed out of fourth place at turn 14 on lap eight.

With four laps to go, Bagnaia was holding Pedrosa at bay by 0.6s. Bezzecchi was now under two seconds away from Martin but it was too little too late, with the latter controlling his advantage nicely as he powered towards completing the perfect weekend.

With two laps left, Pedrosa made one final charge for the podium, but as he’s proven so many times in the past, Bagnaia was impervious to attack, his defensive skills thwarting any of Pedrosa’s advances.

2023 Misano MotoGP Bezzecchi — **Bezzecchi holds off the yellow livery of Bagnaia.**

Martin thus took the win by 1.3 seconds over Bezzecchi with Bagnaia holding grimly onto third and having to be helped off his machine by his mechanics in parc ferme with pain etched all over his face.

“My target is to win races,” began Martin. “I’m not even a factory rider so it’s not on me to win the championship. I don’t have responsibility. For sure, if I have the chance, as I am having now, then I will try and go for it. My day will come when I’m a factory rider. But today I am not. But it is not on me.”

Pedrosa was given a rousing reception by his team by taking another fourth, miles ahead of the next KTM/GasGas rider, Augusto Fernandez, in 16^th after Jack Miller’s weekend went from bad to worse with a despondent 15^th in the Sprint at getting crashed out by his former Ducati Lenovo colleague, Michele Pirro, early in the Sunday GP.

2023 Misano MotoGP Pedrosa — **Pedrosa was heroic in his ride to fourth.**

Vinales pushed through for fifth ahead of CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveiram Marc Marquez was seventh, like Pedrosa, miles up on his nearest Honda rider of Stefan Bradl in 18^th. Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) had the best MotoGP finish of his career in eighth, just pipping Marini and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Ducati) rounding out the top 10.

In the championship, Martin is refusing to give up without a serious fight, closing the gap to 36 points behind Bagnaia, 283-247. Bezzecchi is third on 65.

2023 San Marino MotoGP Results—Sunday GP

1	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)
2	Marco Bezzecchi	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	+ 1.350
3	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+ 3.812
4	Dani Pedrosa	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+ 4.481
5	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+ 10.510
6	Miguel Oliveira	(CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team)	+ 12.274
7	Marc Marquez	(Repsol Honda Team)	+ 13.576
8	Raul Fernandez	(CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team)	+ 14.091
9	Luca Marini	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	+ 14.982
10	Johann Zarco	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+ 15.484

Moto2

Pedro Acosta stamped his authority on the Moto2 field with a dominant performance at Misano. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider controlled the race perfectly as he edged away from home hero Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) pilling on the pressure mid-race.

But, like Martin in the premier class, Acosta was bulletproof to any attack from Vietti, coming home a massive 6.305 seconds to the good.

Vietti had a number of front-end scares and consigned himself to an important second place to continue his season revival with Alonso Lopez (+Ego SpeedUp) keeping Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) at bay to round out the podium.

2023 Misano Moto2 Acosta — **Bang, bang. Acosta did his best Jorge Martin impression with a dominant display in Moto2.**

Arbolino held off Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra. They pipped Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) as the Spaniard dropped to seventh, with Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2) and wildcard home hero Mattia Pasini (Fieten Olie Racing GP) completing the top 10.

Acosta has now padded out his title lead to 34 points over Arbolino, 211-177. Jake Dixon never really got going at Misano, finishing 12^th and dropping to 65 points behind Acosta in third place.

2023 San Marino Moto2 Result

1	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2	Celestino Vietti	(Fantic Racing)	+ 6.305
3	Alonso Lopez	(+Ego Speed Up)	+ 9.898
4	Tony Arbolino	(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team)	+ 11.344
5	Ai Ogura	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+ 12.442
6	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+ 13.160
7	Manuel Gonzalez	(Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team)	+ 13.907
8	Joe Roberts	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+ 20.350
9	Filip Salac	(Gresini Racing Moto2™)	+ 20.523
10	Mattia Pasini	(Fieten Olie Racing GP)	+ 21.759

Moto3

Moto3 has a serious new star in David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). The Columbian pulled a near perfect last lap in a tense last lap battle with Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) that was only decided three corners from the finish.

2023 Misano Moto2 Alonso — **As close as you like, but Alonso (80) swept through for a third win in four races in Moto3.**

Öncü, the long-time leader, led onto the final lap but Masia was charging, pushing past at the end of the triple right hander off the back straight. Very nearly losing the front of his Honda, he ran slightly wide, just enough for third-placed Alonso to sneak up the inside of the pair of them and drag Masia to the line to win by 0.036 seconds with Öncü in third.

The result, coupled with another disastrous round for title leader Daniel Holgado, who finished outside the points in 16^th, means the title race is now well and truly on. Holgado has seen a 21 point lead in the title by the British GP reduced to just four, with the momentum now firmly in Alonso’s favor.

The next round of the title is the inaugural Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on September 22-24.

2023 San Marino Moto3 Result

1	David Alonso	(Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team)
2	Jaume Masia	(Leopard Racing)	+ 0.036
3	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+ 0.237
4	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+ 0.764
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+ 4.800
6	Kaito Toba	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+ 7.782
7	Ayumu Sasaki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+ 7.862
8	Ivan Ortola	(Angeluss MTA Team)	+ 8.072
9	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+ 8.167
10	Romano Fenati	(Rivacold Snipers Team)	+ 8.353

MotoE

Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) is the MotoE World Champion for 2023 after taking the win in race one of MotoE at Misano, dragging Nicholas Spinelli (Pons Racing 40) to the finish line by 0.241 seconds with Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) finishing third, 0.8 seconds off the win.

Race two saw a debut win for Spinelli, who edged a 0.19s win over Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) with Casadei finishing third after 2022 champion, Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) fourth.

The title is decided with Casadei the champion on 260 points from Torres on 217 and Matteo Ferrari third on 216.

Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race

Pole position was converted into a Tissot Sprint victory for Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, with Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) the only rider able to run the Spaniard close on Saturday. Reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up his 10th Saturday podium of the season – and his most hard-fought yet – as the #1 fended off the two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines of MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and a charging Brad Binder for P3.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Martin win Sprint — **Martin took pole, the lead in turn one, and never looked back for the Sprint Race win.**

Martin got the exact launch he’d have wanted from pole as he grabbed the holeshot into Turn 1, as Bagnaia powered his way around the outside of Bezzecchi to grab an early P2. Pedrosa went P5 to P4 to get the better of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as Binder didn’t get away well – the South African was outside the top 10.

Martin immediately began to pull the pin. On Lap 2 his lead was up to 0.9s as Bagnaia made a small mistake to relinquish P2 to Bezzecchi. Meanwhile, Binder was responding in the only way he knows how: full attack mode. Midway around Lap 3 Binder was up to P6 and hounding Viñales, who by then was already nearly two seconds back from Pedrosa.

At the front, it quickly became Martin vs Bezzecchi. Lap 3 belonged to the latter, the Italian cut the gap by a sizeable 0.5s, with Bagnaia dropping to two seconds off the P1 fight. Binder vs Viñales was raging on and on Lap 6 of 13, a move finally stuck for the #33. Next on his radar: KTM stablemate Pedrosa.

With five laps to go, Martin’s gap to Bezzecchi was up to 0.8s as Pedrosa reeled in Bagnaia in by 0.4s. Binder was making ground but he wasn’t taking chunks out of the pair just up the road, the gap to try and bridge was hovering at around one second.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Pedrosa — **Bagnaia had Dani Pedrosa attached to his rear wheel but he held on for third.**

With two laps left in the Tissot Sprint, a two-horse race for P3 became a three-horse race. Binder was right with Bagnaia and Pedrosa, knowing gaining points on Pecco is absolutely crucial. Considering what happened less than a week ago, however, the reigning Champion was riding unbelievably to keep the KTMs behind as the last lap began.

Martin led by a second over Bezzecchi as we strapped in for a KTM vs Bagnaia scrap for the final podium place. Halfway around the lap, Pecco was holding on. Binder was out of shape; Pedrosa was waiting to pounce. A headshake down the back straight cost Pedrosa time and despite the efforts of the orange bikes, Pecco just held on to claim P3 behind Martin and Bezzecchi taking the chequered flag in P1 and P2 respectively.

Behind the rostrum lock out for the top three in the title fight, a dream podium wasn’t to be on Saturday but Pedrosa rolled back the years again to claim a wonderful P4, with Binder crossing the line 0.159s off the ‘Little Samurai’ in P5 after a belting comeback. Viñales grabbed P6 ahead of Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), the latter in P9 picking up the final Sprint point in Misano. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) initially got his elbows out in that fight but came home in P10, just missing out on a point.

2023 San Marino MotoGP Results—Sprint Race

1	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)
2	Marco Bezzecchi	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	+ 1.445
3	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+ 4.582
4	Dani Pedrosa	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+ 4.772
5	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+ 4.931
6	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+ 6.062
7	Luca Marini	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	+ 6.519
8	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+ 7.893
9	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+ 9.264
10	Marc Marquez	(Repsol Honda Team)	+ 11.318

Saturday Moto2 Qualifying

It was all go in the fight for the Moto2™ pole position at Misano, and it’s a home hero on top: Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing). Hot laps, traffic, and yellow flags all played a crucial role in deciding the grid at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, and Vietti’s 1:36.201 was enough to deny Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by 0.080s. The Spaniard also had his fastest laps scrubbed off. Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) added to the Moto2™ Misano spectacle as he fought his way through Q1 to take a first front row.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Vietti — **It was a home pole for Celestino Vietti.**

It all got very hectic in Q2 with fast laps flying in and yellow flags seeing laps cancelled for some of the front runners. Acosta put down a 1:36.1 but had that lap taken away from him. The Spaniard then responded by setting a 1:36.281 as the new benchmark, but it didn’t take long before home hero Vietti – who also had a lap cancelled earlier on – moved the goalposts again though. Acosta was then on another flyer setting red sectors through the first two splits. The Spaniard then found himself held up in the final sector but was forced to settle for second.

Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) just missed out on the front row by only 0.003s as he’s set to head the second row ahead of wildcard Mattia Pasini (Fieten Olie Racing GP) and Alonso Lopez (+Ego Tools Speed Up). Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) will head Row 3 in P7 and will be joined by Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) and Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team). Arbolino still remains Acosta’s closest title threat, and despite struggling for form in San Marino has made some positive steps after battling through Q1.

Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) rounded out the top 10, with a late crash from Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) limiting his progress to P14.

2023 San Marino Moto2 Results—Qualifying

1	Celestino Vietti	(Fantic Racing)	1:36.201
2	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+ 0.080
3	Manuel Gonzalez	(Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team)	+ 0.220
4	Aron Canet	(Pons Wegow Los40)	+ 0.223
5	Mattia Pasini	(Fieten Olie Racing GP)	+ 0.283
6	Alonso Lopez	(Speed Up Racing)	+ 0.286
7	Joe Roberts	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+ 0.333
8	Sam Lowes	(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team	+ 0.340
9	Tony Arbolino	(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team)	+ 0.358
10	Filip Salac	(Gresini Racing Moto2™)	+ 0.438

Saturday Moto3 Qualifying

Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) will launch from his third pole position of the season after setting a 1:41.638 in Moto3™ Q2 at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Despite a crash, Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) rescued a second place starting slot as Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) claimed his first front row since 2020 in third.

After cruising through Q1 following a disappointing weekend so far, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) joined his title rivals in the pole position scrap. And talking of title rivals, Sasaki suffered some early drama as the Japanese rider crashed – unhurt – on his out-lap at Turn 13.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Masia — **Fastest on Friday, fastest on Saturday. Can Masia convert on Sunday?**

Meanwhile, Masia set the early benchmark in Q2. The Spaniard’s 1:42.183 saw him sit 0.3s clear of the pack in the early exchanges, but it soon changed as Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) climbed to P1 by just over a tenth.

Having pitted and got some quick repairs sorted on his Husqvarna, Sasaki’s first hot lap placed him P8, 0.5s off provisional pole. His second lap was cancelled due to exceeding track limits at the final corner as the rest of the field rumbled out of pitlane for a final three-minute dash for pole.

Moments after Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) went P2, Toba launched himself to P1 as the last laps began. Toba’s time at the summit didn’t last long though as Sasaki snatched provisional pole before Masia moved the goalposts even further. The #5’s time wouldn’t be topped as the Leopard star will start on pole ahead of Japan’s Sasaki and Toba.

Moreira slipped to P4 by the end of the session, he has Öncü and Barcelona winner David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) for company on the second row. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) salvaged P7 despite a crash. Holgado claimed P8 and the Spaniard will want to make early ground on Sunday, as Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) complete the top 10.

2023 San Marino Moto3 Results—Qualifying

1	Jaume Masia	(Leopard Racing)	1:41.638
2	Ayumu Sasaki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+ 0.243
3	Kaito Toba	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+ 0.262
4	Diogo Moreira	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+ 0.364
5	Denis Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+ 0.418
6	David Alonso	(Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team)	+ 0.420
7	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+ 0.462
8	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull KTM Tech3)	+ 0.487
9	Stefano Nepa	(Angeluss MTA Team)	+ 0.530
10	Collin Viejer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+ 0.596

Saturday MotoE

Nicholas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) maid victory taste even sweeter for his team with an incredible victory in Race 2 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino. The Italian fended off a menacing Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) who fought hard but fell just short of victory to walk away from Misano with two 2nd place finishes. Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) put the cherry on top of what was a dream weekend for him. After clinching the title with a Race 1 victory, the Italian bagged 3rd place in the final race of 2023.

With the Championship decided it was time for all-out war as a showstopping MotoE™ finale was on it’s the way. The lights went out for the final time in 2023 and it was the Champion Casadei who held firm through the first sector to hold onto the lead with Spinelli and Garzo glued to his rear wheel.

MotoE Saturday — **Nicholas Spinelli took the Saturday MotoE win, but Mattia Casadei is the new MotoE champion.**

Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) was in the mix as well as the Spaniard now had nothing to lose, but everything to gain with his sights set on a solid result to cap off his 2023 season.

Casadei dropped from 1st to 3rd in one fell swoop as Spinelli ducked under the Champion through the fast sector. Garzo quickly capitalised as well and barged his way through on the Italian.

It was Spinelli leading Garzo as the duo broke away from the pack ever so slightly with the laps ticking away

Garzo had a few cheeky looks up the inside but the Pons man made sure there was no way through for the Spaniard as he went on to take victory.

Casadei had his hands full with Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) and Jordi Torres at times but managed to keep both riders at bay to bring home P3.

2023 San Marino MotoE Results Race One

1	Nicholas Spinelli	(Pons Racing 40)
2	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE)	+ 0.196
3	Mattia Casadei	(Pons Racing 40)	+ 0.429
4	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+ 1.000
5	Andrea Mantovani	(RNF MotoE Team)	+ 0.726
6	Kevin Zannoni	(Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse)	+ 1.080
7	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE)	+ 1.493
8	Tito Rabat	(Prettl Pramac MotoE)	+ 4.060
9	Miquel Pons	(LCR E-Team)	+ 5.891
10	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+ 6.196

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results

Bagnaia back

Less than five days on from his Barcelona horror smash, Pecco Bagnaia made a heroic return to action at Misano. The reigning World Champion’s right leg was bruised from top to bottom, but still finished a remarkable seventh at the close of Friday.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Bagnaia — **Pain or not, the world champion was back at Misano.**

“Honestly, I can’t move the leg,” was Bagnaia’s complaint later that evening. “I can’t move the foot for the hematoma but riding was more tough because I wasn’t understanding where to put the foot! he pain is quite intense. I feel a bit better than this morning because we were quite competitive and this is something that helps a lot.”

Marini extends VR46 stay

Another piece of the 2024 jigsaw fell into place on Thursday as it was confirmed Luca Marini will stay at VR46 Ducati for another year. The Italian, who has been with the team since his Moto2 days in 2018, will stay in place, along with current team-mate Marco Bezzecchi. And he has lofty ambitions for next year, too.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Marini — **Marini is staying in the VR46 family.**

“This is a question of trust in a very close-knit working group, which has believed in me for many years,” said Marini. “As a Team, we will do everything to achieve our goals the next season. Being among the protagonists of the 2024 season, fighting for the Championship as a rider and as a Team is certainly a real ambition.”

Team Director Alessio Salucci commented, “Fast, constant and very solid, I think he has collected less than he deserved so far and I hope he can do his best in these remaining races and in the future.”

Pedrosa debuts carbon-fiber chassis

It was difficult to know what was more remarkable on Friday: the fact Dani Pedrosa set the third fastest time at 37 years of age in just his third racing appearance since 2018; or the equipment he used to that time.

Pedrosa had both his bikes fitted with a carbon-fiber chassis after trying it out in recent tests as KTM – a factory famed for its work with steel frames – work on its machine for next year. The three-time World Champ was tight-lipped on the change, but offered, “They are trying their best as you can see. I think they are open to new technologies and new ways. The team is working very well.”

Tech3’s Pol Espargaro added, “Dani is working for the future, with a different bike, let’s say. So considering our weekend, to use his data, at the moment is not useful. He is using a different package than us. But looking to the future, what Dani is using is pretty interesting, for sure. Analysing the data and everything, it is good knowledge.”

Friday MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) put in a superhuman Day 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, putting in a new Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli all-time lap record to place himself 0.126s clear of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) in Practice. The ever-impressive Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completes the Friday top three as the MotoGP™ Legend rolls back the years in his second wildcard appearance of the season.

Until there were just over 20 minutes to go, Pedrosa was leading the way before Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) took over at the summit. The benchmark was a 1:31.416 as the riders began to turn up the wick in their pursuit of automatic Q2 promotion.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results Bezzecchi — **A new lap record was just what the doctor ordered for Bezzecchi.**

Bezzecchi, still riding through the pain barrier after the Turn 1 incident in Barcelona, then pounced to P1 with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, his advantage over Martin was a slender 0.028s, as rapid times were now starting to come in. Example A: Viñales’ new all-time lap record – a scintillating 1:30.972, the very first 1:30 lap around Misano in MotoGP™.

Pedrosa climbed back up to second on his penultimate lap and in the Little Samurai’s shadow was an old foe – Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The eight-time World Champion went P3 as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) crashed at Turn 15, bringing out the yellow flags. That proved crucial for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) whose lap – that was good enough for P6 – was canceled, but the World Champion responded brilliantly to propel himself back into the top 10.

Bezzecchi landed a late barnstormer to eventually claim P1 as Catalan GP winner Aleix Espargaro slipped outside the top 10 to P12 as riders improved their previous best efforts. A Turn 15 crash for Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) cost the younger Espargaro sibling a top 10 too, as the automatic Q2 qualifiers were set in Misano.

Martin and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) will head into Saturday inside the top five, with Marc Marquez and Bagnaia P6 and P7 respectively. P8 went the way of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) seal P9 and P10 – the latter gaining Q2 entry for the first time in his MotoGP™ career despite a small crash in Practice.

2023 San Marino MotoGP Results—Friday

1	Marco Bezzecchi	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	1:30.846
2	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+ 0.126
3	Dani Pedrosa	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+ 0.255
4	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+ 0.331
5	Luca Marini	(Mooney VR46 Racing Team)	+ 0.341
6	Marc Marquez	(Repsol Honda Team)	+ 0.371
7	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+ 0.374
8	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+ 0.401
9	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+ 0.410
10	Raul Fernandez	(CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team)	+ 0.690

Friday Moto2

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped the timesheets on Day 1 of the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini as his 1:44.804 took him half a second clear of the field. Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) heads the chasing pack at his home round despite being 0.541s away from the top spot. Jake Dixon’s (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) fine form continues into Misano. Fresh from his Barcelona victory, the Brit started his weekend in third on combined times.

Alonso Lopez (+Ego SpeedUp) finished just 0.010s away from the top three in P4 ahead of Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) who made a big step in Practice 2 to jump up to the top 5. Ai Ogura (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) struggled to improve in Practice 2, but did consolidate P6 with his P1 time, ahead of Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing), Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team).

Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) crashed twice in Practice 2 and subsequently failed to improve. However, the Thai rider’s P1 time was enough for him to secure a top 10 ahead of Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40), who also hit the deck in P2, rider also ok. Fermin Aldeguer (+Ego SpeedUp), Jeremy Alcoba (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) provisionally sit in the final provisional Q2 spots with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) all the way down in 18th.

2023 San Marino Moto2 Results—Friday

1	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	1:35.921
2	Celestino Vietti	(Fantic Racing)	+ 0.541
3	Jake Dixon	(GASGAS Aspar Team)	+ 0.701
4	Alonso Lopez	(Speed Up Racing)	+ 0.711
5	Sam Lowes	(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team)	+ 0.737
6	Ai Ogura	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+ 0.758
7	Joe Roberts	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+ 0.786
8	Filip Salac	(Gresini Racing Moto2™)	+ 0.881
9	Bo Bendsneyder	(Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team)	+ 0.972
10	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+ 0.982

Friday Moto3

Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) made it two Fridays in a row on top as he pipped Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to the top at Misano, just 0.075s separating the two. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top 3, with the Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) struggling for form in P13.

David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) had another strong Moto3™ showing. The Colombian rookie finds himself in P4 on Day 1 with just 0.134s covering the top four. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) rounded out the top five, with Joel Kelso (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) in P6.

Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) bagged P7 to kick off his home Grand Prix ahead of Kaito Toba (SIC58 Sqaudra Corse) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounding out the top 10.

2023 San Marino Moto3 Results—Friday

1	Jaume Masia	(Leopard Racing)	1:42.154
2	Ayumu Sasaki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.075
3	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.129
4	David Alonso	(GASGAS Aspar Team)	+0.134
5	Ivan Ortola	(Angeluss MTA Team)	+0.277
6	Joel Kelso	(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP)	+0.279
7	Stefano Nepa	(Angeluss MTA Team)	+0.317
8	Kaito Toba	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.398
9	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.403
10	Romano Fenati	(Rivacold Snipers Team)	+0.461

Friday MotoE

The green flag dropped on qualifying for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) taking an early pole position with a 1:40.708, despite crashing out at Turn 14. Or did it? In some post-session drama, and that despite plenty during Q2, the Italian’s fastest lap was scrubbed off for incorrect tyre pressure, leaving him down in P10. That means it’s Championship leader Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) starting from pole ahead of teammate Nicholas Spinelli, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) bumped up to P3.

2023 San Marino MotoGP News and Results MotoE — **Pole for Casadei in MotoE.**

Ferrari was able to get back on after his crash and then found himself at the head of the freight train, pushing on but no one able to get past.. including Casadei and fellow challenger Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team). But that wasn’t the drama in the end, with that late tyre pressure penalty giving Ferrari, a six-time winner at Misano, a mountain to climb.

Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) now heads the second row, with Torres now P5 on the grid for the decider. The Spaniard sits 21 points away from Championship leader Casadei, and just one ahead of Ferrari. With Casadei on pole, Torres will have to get his elbows out during Saturday’s races. Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) rounds out that second row.

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