Cycle News Staff | November 19, 2023
Sunday MotoGP
It was tense. It was awesome. And it was won in style – defeating the reigning Champion over 22 laps of the Lusail International Circuit. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) trailed Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) for much of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, picked his moment, made a decisive move for the lead, and then kept it together to become a MotoGP™ race winner. And all that in the unbelievable context and tension of #PECCOvsMARTIN.
That context and tension was Bagnaia leading the way for much of the race and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) facing a comeback after a bad start, before then losing more positions too as he faded down to tenth. Bagnaia didn’t seem to know that either, as the #1 nearly opened the goal for himself as he tried to attack Diggia in return and sailed into the run-off at Turn 1. With the gap behind enough for him to get back on track in second, it was a heart-in-mouth moment but only a moment.
It was a day of days for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who took his first MotoGP race win.
Third place went to Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) as the number 10 got his elbows out in the fight at the front and then found enough in the locker to hold off a charge from Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) over the final few laps.
As the lights went out, everything changed in an instant. Split by just 0.022 and one position on the grid, by the exit of Turn 1 Bagnaia had shot through to steal the holeshot from Marini as Martin suffered a difficult start and dropped back to eight, behind teammate Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). Not long after that the team showed the Frenchman who was behind him too, and he either had a moment and dropped back or heeded a message and let Martin through. With the added complication of Viñales glued to the rear wheel of the number 89 and getting past as well.
Right at the front though, Bagnaia held firm with a few tenths in hand – ahead of quite a squabble too. Diggia got through on Marini And Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) tried to follow suit, but had to wait a few corners before he got through. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) needed no invitation to slice past the number 10 either, before also attacking Alex Marquez. Unhindered by the battle, Bagnaia marched on. And so did Diggia – able to unleash his pace and start to reel in the Ducati Lenovo machine ahead.
Martin had his hands full too. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was right on his tail and Viñales right behind the number 93 too, with Zarco watching on and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) catching the group as well.
Bagnaia (1) led for much of the race but Di Giannantonio wouldn’t be denied his moment.
At the front, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio still had Binder for company, but the gap would start to increase from there on out as the KTM was left to battle Alex Marquez and Marini instead. The gaps behind Martin, however, were even smaller as a queue was forming behind the number 89.
Viñales was the first mover in the group to get past Marc Marquez and then stalk Martin before making a move. Once past, the Aprilia was gone. The Repsol Honda then attacked and took over before heading wide, letting Martin and Quartararo back through. El Diablo wasted no time in then dispatching Martin, leaving Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) next up as the number 89 was down to eighth again. Miller was through with 10 to go, and next up was Zarco. What would the Frenchman do?
The battle for victory, however, was now a duel: Bagnaia vs Diggia. The laps ticked down and the gap went out to a few tenths then back down, but no move was made in a tense game of chess. Lap by lap, the two marched on round Lusail. Plenty of moves were made in the podium fight though as Viñales arrived at Binder, Alex Marquez and Marini, with too many headlines to choose as the elbows came out.
By five to go, “Mapping 8” appeared on Diggia’s dashboard, before “0000000” appeared on his pit board. Everyone was left wondering what that exactly meant. Regardless, as Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) also made his way through on Martin, more points in the title fight were on the line at the front as Diggia decided to make his move.
For Jorge Martin, the Qatar MotoGP race might just be the one that sees him miss out on the 2023 MotoGP World Championship crown.
It was a pretty perfect one at that, squeezing through at Turn 12. And Bagnaia tried to reply on the cutback but Diggia shut the door. From there they headed round the final sector and then corner before blasting onto the main straight, and then hearts went into mouths in the Ducati Lenovo box.
Bagnaia tucked in and gained down the straight before pulling out to try and take the lead back – and couldn’t get it stopped. He managed to pull up enough to avoid clattering into the Gresini and headed into the run off, then able to scrub off the speed and rejoin in second. Own goal avoided for the Championship leader, but that was that if Di Giannantonio could do three more clean laps of Lusail. And he could!
Crossing the line with 2.7 seconds in hand, the Italian becomes the eighth different winner of the season and takes an emotional maiden MotoGP™victory. Bagnaia takes those 20 points to extend the gap to 21 over Martin, with the Spaniard crossing the line in tenth after a dramatic weekend of contact in the Tissot Sprint, a little glory and disappointment for both riders, everything on the line… and the title fight definitively to be decided in the final round.
Everyone lined up to congratulate Di Giannantonio, who is currently without a ride for next year.
Marini completed the podium as he pulled enough out late on to stay out of range of Viñales, with the Aprilia rider still charging up to fourth. Fifth went to Binder, ahead of Alex Marquez and Quartararo, who got extremely close to that fight in the final laps. Bastianini also charged up the order, setting a scorcher late on and finishing eighth ahead of Miller.
Behind Martin, a final frisson of stress hovered in the form of Marc Marquez over the final lap, but the number 93 couldn’t find a way through. Zarco, right behind both the number 93 and his own teammate Martin, tried a move though – and made some contact with Marquez, the Honda staying up but Zaroc barely, dropping back a few seconds to take P12 only tenths ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and Rookie of the Year Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) completed the points
And so the curtain falls in Qatar for 2023, after a weekend of two halves for the title contenders and a little chapter of awesome history made for Di Giannantonio. Now, it’s truly all or nothing in Valencia. Bagnaia leads by 21 points. 37 more are on the table… and the gloves will be off.
2023 Qatar MotoGP Results—MotoGP Race
| 1 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
|
| 2 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+2.734 |
| 3 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+4.408 |
| 4 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+4.488 |
| 5 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+7.246 |
| 6 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+7.620 |
| 7 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) |
+7.828 |
| 8 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+8.239 |
| 9 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+11.509 |
| 10 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+14.819 |
Moto2 Race
Thailand, Malaysia, and now Qatar. It’s three wins in the last three races for Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) as the Spaniard lights up the Lusail International Circuit to bag another 25-point haul in 2023, as Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) finish just 0.009s apart in the battle for the podium – the former clinching a debut rostrum with P2.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) got a good launch from pole position to grab the holeshot ahead of Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) and Aldeguer, with Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) grabbing P4 from P6 on the grid. Canet went backwards at the start but a great recovery ride on Lap 1 saw the Spaniard climb back up to P2 by the time the field crossed the line for the first time.
At the start of Lap 2, Aldeguer was well wide going into Turn 1 – a mistake that saw the #54 drop to P9. Canet then pounced on Roberts for the lead on Lap 2, with Dixon passing Vietti for P3 on the same lap. The Italian then dropped behind Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) with 15 laps to go, as Aldeguer began to pick his way back through the pack.
With 12 laps left, the top nine were split by 1.9s. Vietti had slipped to P10, just ahead of World Champion Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who were only two seconds adrift of P1 themselves. On Lap 7 of 18, Dixon made a move stick for P2 on Roberts and soon after, Aldeguer followed the #96 through – and then got the better of him.
Fermin Aldeguer made it look easy yet again in Moto2.
Aldeguer then led with 10 to go and on Lap 8, the Spaniard slammed home a 1:57.725 – over half a second quicker than anyone else could muster up. A couple of laps later, Aldeguer was 1.1s up the road from Canet and Gonzalez, with Dixon dropping to just over a second away from the podium fight in P4.
A run of three 1:57.6s saw Aldeguer’s lead climb to two seconds despite the best efforts of Gonzalez, who had got the better of Canet for P2. A comfortable final couple of laps came for Aldeguer as Gonzalez and Canet went head-to-head for P2. It was Dixon vs Ogura for P4 as we enjoyed two great battles unfold, but for a third straight race it was all about Aldeguer – another stunning ride from the SpeedUp star as he hunts down P3 in the Championship heading to Valencia.
Canet was pipped to P2 by Gonzalez who celebrates a first podium in Moto2™, while Ogura’s last corner move on Dixon saw the Japanese rider claim P4 from P12 on the grid. Vietti claimed P6, 1.2s off Dixon, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Acosta completing the top eight. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Arbolino rounded out the top 10.
Gonzalez (left) might have been the happiest of the lot with his maiden Moto2 podium.
Roberts slipped to P11 by the chequered flag as Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – who set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap – was left to rue a poor start to finish P12. Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing), Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), and Jeremy Alcoba (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) were the final points scorers in Qatar.
2023 Qatar Moto2 Results—Moto2 Race
| 1 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Speed Up Racing) |
|
| 2 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) |
+2.643 |
| 3 |
Aron Canet |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+2.652 |
| 4 |
Ai Ogura |
(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) |
+4.585 |
| 5 |
Jake Dixon |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+4.645 |
| 6 |
Celestino Vietti |
(FANTIC MOTOR) |
+5.936 |
| 7 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) |
+6.212 |
| 8 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+6.598 |
| 9 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Speed Up Racing) |
+7.269 |
| 10 |
Tony Arbolino |
(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+11.302 |
Moto3 Race
The 2023 FIM Moto3™ World Championship has been decided in dramatic fashion after an action-packed Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar saw Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) fight his way to victory in one of the most eventful races of the season. The Spaniard did not have it easy by any means as rookie sensation David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) was snapping at his heels on the final lap, but the Colombian couldn’t quite find a way through and neither could Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who came third the hard way: fighting his way through the pack after a jump start for the Turk saw him serve a double Long Lap penalty. The race made some headlines for a number of moves in the title battle, however…
Tensions were high as the Moto3™ riders lined up on the grid ahead of the first match point of 2022. The pressure was weighing down on the shoulders of Masia as he prepared for his first chance to become a World Champion, and with Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) six places ahead on the grid.
The lights went out and it was Öncü took the holeshot but an obvious jump start for the Turk would come back to haunt him later on. The elbows were firmly out on the first lap as Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) led across the line the first time around. The Spaniard had Öncü, Sasaki, Alonso, and Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets -MSI) for company.
Masia goes for the jugular on chief title rival Sasaki in Qatar.
Öncü was then awarded a double long lap penalty for that Jump Start, serving his first straight away as he dropped down the order. But he would be back.
Meanwhile, Masia was on a charge from 10th place on the grid and put himself well within the mix. The chaos continued to unfold as positions were swapping and changing from corner to corner. A harsh move came from Masia early on as he forced himself and Sasaki wide, with both losing out but the latter a little more.
Both rejoined the group and found their way back towards the front of the freight train. It was a 15-rider battle for victory as the laps ticked away and the riders continued to battle it out. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) put his name firmly in the mix with 12 laps to go as he took the lead ahead of the title rivals.
It was deja vu with 10 laps remaining as Masia made the same move again on Sasaki as he tried to stuff it up the inside but sent the pair of them wide once again as they dropped down the order to fifth and seventh. For that, the #5 got a conduct warning too. Still, it didn’t take long for the pair to climb their way back to the front before Sasaki reaped his revenge and pushed Masia wide to line up behind the now-leading Holgado.
As the laps ticked the bar-bashing continued as Holgado, Masia, Sasaki, and Alonso swapped and changed positions. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) joined the party ahead of the final six laps with 15 bikes still in contention for victory.
Masia hit the front with four laps to go as Sasaki made sure to put himself just behind the Spaniard. They came across the line one lap later and Sasaki made his move with Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) now up into the top three. It didn’t last long for Sasaki as the Japanese rider got swallowed up by the chasing pack and dropped like a stone down to eighth, however.
Masia did it in style by taking the title with a victory over Alonso and Oncu (left).
It went from bad for worse for Sasaki then, with as the front five broke away with the number 71 stuck battling with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Masia’s teammate, with Masia still leading the way.
The final lap came around and Öncü was the rider on the march, joining the top three with Alonso and Rossi still in podium contention.
No one could touch Masia on the final lap though, with the Leopard rider sealing it with a win as Sasaki tried everything he could to recover positions. Then, a big moment halted his progress to P6 and that was that: Masia was crowned the 2023 FIM Moto3™ World Champion.
Alonso tried everything he could to get the better of the Leopard machine ahead of him, but it wasn’t meant to be for the Colombian as he was forced to settle for second ahead of Öncü. Despite his efforts in the latter stages, Rossi just missed out on a podium position as he came across the line just behind Öncu in P4. Over a second further back was Vicente Perez (BOE Motorsports) who got the better of Sasaki following the Japanese rider’s last-lap moment.
Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) was also in that battle and took seventh, with the Italian leading Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Holgado, and Veijer across the line with the Dutchman rounding out the top 10.
Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) finished 1.5s further back in 11th with Muñoz, Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ivan Ortola rounding out the top 15, the latter after a double long lap too.
2023 Qatar Moto3 Results—Moto3 Race
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
|
| 2 |
David Alonso |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.068 |
| 3 |
Deniz Öncü |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.163 |
| 4 |
Ricardo Rossi |
(SIC58 Squadra Corse) |
+0.285 |
| 5 |
Vicente Perez |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+1.553 |
| 6 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+1.566 |
| 7 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+1.725 |
| 8 |
Kaito Toba |
(SIC58 Squadra Corse) |
+1.846 |
| 9 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
+1.943 |
| 10 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+2.019 |
2023 Qatar MotoGP News—Saturday
Aleix fined
Aleix Espargaro was fined €10,000 and given a six-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after losing his rag and hitting Franco Morbidelli in an innocuous incident in FP2. The Catalan was apparently riled to find the Italian on track, before inexplicably hitting out.
Aleix Espargaro was hit with a massive fine after lashing out at Franco Morbidelli.
Morbidelli didn’t hold back in his comments on Satruday evening. “He overtook me like crazy into Turn 6 almost crashing and almost making me crash,” he said. “And then when I was trying to tell him to take it easy because as always, after he banged on me, he got angry! He did what you all saw. It’s a huge disrespect action towards me.
“We’ve seen him over-reacting many, many times in his career. He has much more episodes to be ashamed of, than episodes to be proud of. I guess he’s what he is. I wonder what he will say to his kids.”
Bezzecchi explains Espargaro shunt
Marco Bezzecchi and Pol Espargaro kissed and made up on Saturday evening after coming together in a heated exchange on Friday. The pair rode dangerously close to one another before the Italian parked behind the Spaniard, doing a practice start, before repeatedly riding into him from behind.
More handbags at dawn in MotoGP.
“After the chequered flag I was looking at the big screen, and I passed a bit too close to him, and after he cut my line, After, I started smiling because we were like kids, so in the start I touched him. I wanted him to turn around and say hello, but at the end, he was maybe very angry. Fortunately, nothing crazy. Was more dangerous what happened today with his brother.”
Espargaro explained, “Just kids like to have fun on track! People need to understand more than us, because we really understand this. And we are at literally 190 heart rate, with adrenaline up in the sky and we all do stupid things.”
Marquez defends tactics
For the second weekend in succession Marc Marquez was left to defend his qualifying tactics, when he clung to the rear tyre of Pecco Bagnaia, much to the chagrin of Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi.
Only one more round and hopefully once Marquez is on a Ducati we’ll see the end of his towing antics.
“I will answer easy and honest: Alone was one second slower,” he said. “This bike with the slipstream is another bike. And it’s like this. I understand that people say ‘oh, why he’s following all the time?’ I mean, in the past many riders follow me. If you are just focusing yourself, they didn’t disturb me.
“I mean if you check where is the second Honda, you will understand if it’s over the limit or not.”
MotoGP Sprint Race
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) made super Saturday into statement Saturday at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. With a potential match point on the line on Sunday for title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) depending on the Tissot Sprint, the pressure was absolutely on, and the number 89 soaked it up and then some. After battling Bagnaia early in the race as the two started in P4 and P5, Martin made his way into the lead and then held off a charging Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) over a tense final lap, halving Pecco’s points lead in the process as the Championship leader came home only fifth.
Diggia took a stunning second and from second on the grid, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) taking third after leading much of the Sprint from pole. Then came Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), and then Bagnaia after a fascinating showdown in the desert.
It was an immediate shot of adrenaline in the title fight in Turn 1 too, with Marini getting the holeshot as Alex Marquez slotted into second – but there was contact right behind the two between Martin and Bagnaia. Martin, the rider on the inside, just kept third, with Bagnaia left with a few metres to make up. Later round the lap both Alex Marquez and Martin were slightly wide though, and Pecco shot back past Martin as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also attacked and got through.
Martin hit back not long after, putting him right back on the rear wheel of Bagnaia. On Lap 2, it got seriously close again as the number 89 opened the door for himself and made it through, with Diggia trying to do the same. A few corners later, he did.
Meanwhile in the lead, Marini was under attack. Alex Marquez got through but the Italian answered straight back, holding on to it as Martin got the hammer down just behind and set the fastest lap.
Over the line for seven laps to go, Alex Marquez was reloaded and ready to try again. He once again made it through too, but Martini was even quicker to respond with an immediate cutback. That gave Martin a few more metres too as they squabbled, and the number 89 struck as soon as he had the chance to take over in second, homing in on Marini as Alex Marquez was left to defend against Diggia.
It’s game on in the title now as Martin (89) inflicted a body blow on Bagnaia in Qatar.
The move from Martin came at the final corner, taking over in the lead and able to hold Marini off into Turn 1. Alex Marquez couldn’t say the same, with Diggia able to get through at Turn 1 and set off after the battle ahead.
Bagnaia, meanwhile, was in fifth and just off the back of the gaggle at the front, but with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) around half a second back.
The next move saw Diggia attack Marini for second, and from there the number 49 set off after Martin. Or more, the mission began to keep up with the title contender as the hammer went absolutely down. Lap by lap, they both pulled away, with Marini holding a safe third and Alex Marquez able to gather up a bit of breathing space ahead of Bagnaia.
Francesco Bagnaia knows he’s got to fight for everything he’s got if he’s to retain his title now.
The leading duo were locked together at the start of the final lap, with Diggia shadowing Martin’s every move. But the number 89 just kept turning the screw and the Gresini machine lost a few metres here and a few there, unable to quite get back on terms with the race leader. Martin crossed the line 0.391s clear to take a valuable 12-point haul from the Tissot Sprint, with Diggia impressing once again after an incredible weekend so far. Marini completes the podium on Saturday.
Alex Marquez held on to fourth as Bagnaia was only able to take fifth, and under some late pressure from Viñales, who got past Binder and was on the march. But the number #1 was just about able to respond and keep a two to three-tenth buffer, defending P5 but seeing his lead cut to just seven points.
Binder came home in P7, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) putting in an even bigger charge up from P14 on the grid. The Frenchman was able to get past Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), who was forced to settle for 10th as Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) – now officially Rookie of the Year – grabbed P9 and the last point on Saturday too.
And so it’s just seven points between Bagnaia and Martin, with 62 still on the table. 25 more go up for grabs on Sunday in the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, and if the Sprint is anything to go by, there will be fireworks.
2023 Qatar MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
|
| 2 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+0.391 |
| 3 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+2.875 |
| 4 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+3.370 |
| 5 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+3.957 |
| 6 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+4.239 |
| 7 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+5.761 |
| 8 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) |
+6.454 |
| 9 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) |
+8.285 |
| 10 |
Johann Zarco |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+8.314 |
Saturday Moto2
Italtrans Racing’s Joe Roberts will start on pole position for Sunday’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar after setting a new all-time lap record at Lusail – a 1:57.305 – to beat Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) by just 0.007s. The Italian fought his way up from Q1 to bag himself a spot in the middle of the front row, as Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) gets set to line up alongside them on the front row after the Spaniard finished just 0.021s behind Vietti to take 3rd place in Q2.
America Joe blitzed them at a track he loves for the Moto2 pole.
Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) has been the rider of the moment since the green flag dropped on Friday but the Spaniard had to settle for P4, with the #54 joined on the second row by British stars Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) – the duo powering their Triumph machines to 5th and 6th respectively.
The third row of the grid went to the 2023 World Champion Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The #37 has compatriot Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) for company as the trio claimed 7th, 8th, and 9th, with Alonso Lopez (BetaTools SpeedUp) settling for P10 after his flying lap came to an abrupt end with the red flag coming out in the final 30 seconds.
2023 Qatar Moto2 Results—Qualifying
| 1 |
Joe Roberts |
(Italtrans Racing Team) |
1:57.305 |
| 2 |
Celestino Vietti |
(Fantic Racing) |
+0.007 |
| 3 |
Aron Canet |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+0.028 |
| 4 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(SpeedUp Racing) |
+0.127 |
| 5 |
Sam Lowes |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+0.436 |
| 6 |
Jake Dixon |
(Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.499 |
| 7 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.541 |
| 8 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(OnlyFans American Racing) |
+0.644 |
| 9 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) |
+0.728 |
| 10 |
Alonso Lopez |
(SpeedUp Racing) |
+0.787 |
Saturday Moto3
Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) got the job done in qualifying at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar as the Spaniard took his KTM machine to the top of timesheets to secure himself a clear run into Turn 1 on Sunday. Holgado’s 2:04.732 saw him steal the show from Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) by just 0.003s as the young Brazilian was forced to settle for 2nd place. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will join them on the front row after his flyer took him to P3, the Turk has looked in fine form all weekend as he aims to keep his title hopes alive on Sunday.
Daniel Holgado scored a maiden GP pole in Qatar in Moto3.
The title battle is still wide open in Moto3™ as Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) prepare for battle under the floodlights. It was Sasaki who won the qualifying fight as he took fourth place with Masia down in 10th. Whilst the Spaniard does have the opportunity to take the title on Sunday, he’ll have to fight his way through from the fourth row of the grid if he is to seal the deal.
Sasaki will be on row two alongside his teammate Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) who rounded out the top five ahead of Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team). Joel Kelso (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) will line up just behind as he’s set to head Row 3 after finishing 0.003s ahead of Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) to take 7th. The pair will be joined by Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) on the third row as the Spaniard finished Q2 in P9. The fourth row will feature a frustrated Masia who has Fillipo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Vicente Perez (BOE Motorsports) for company in 11th and 12th respectively.
2023 Qatar Moto3 Results—Qualifying
| 1 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
2:04.742 |
| 2 |
Diogo Moreira |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.003 |
| 3 |
Deniz Öncü |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.152 |
| 4 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.324 |
| 5 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.462 |
| 6 |
Romano Fenati |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.465 |
| 7 |
Joel Kelso |
(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) |
+0.508 |
| 8 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.511 |
| 9 |
Ivan Ortola |
(Angeluss MTA Team) |
+0.681 |
| 10 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.734 |
2023 Qatar MotoGP News—Friday
Martin’s evening to forget
Jorge Martin appeared on the verge of erupting during the crucial Practice session on Friday evening, when he spent the first half of the hour glued to the bottom of the time sheets.
“I was trying to be calm but was not easy,” he said of the gesticulations in the garage and animated conversations with crew chief Daniele Romagnoli. “Finally I understood that something was wrong and with the normal tire I was going to be fast.
Indeed, Martin indicated he had issues with both “Front and rear” tires. “I don’t know if it was because I put them in the morning. I said to Romagnoli, ‘I won’t go anymore on the track until you put a new tire because it’s useless. I’m going to crash.” He salvaged the situation with a new tire, finishing seventh, a place ahead of rival Pecco Bagnaia.
New KTM aero
Jack Miller’s KTM RC16 sported a new advanced wing attached to the seat unit. The aerodynamic piece, designed to aid rear contact when braking, as well as turning when leant over, was a success, even if the Australian was tight lipped on its impact.
“Couldn’t feel all that much out there today to be honest,” he said. “We tested in FP1 and I was just wobbling around, trying to touch my knee on the ground. To test it wasn’t ideal but we’re keeping it on the bike so pretty happy with it.
“We’re clearly trying to work on a bit of rear contact with the wing that far at the back. I think it’s helping. More shape in it with the big bend in it for my fat arse.”
New track surface
As well as a redesigned paddock and pit complex, riders sampled the Lusail International Circuit’s new track surface on Friday. Grip, however, was something of an issue.
“They’ve done a fantastic job in my opinion,” said Luca Marini. “The paddock is amazing. To have this kind of situation for us is beautiful. Because you can relax, also on the sofa over there, and the office is nice. Maybe too much air conditioning, but OK.
“Every time the first year that you go to a track with a new tarmac, the oil is not ready, you feel that the surface needs a little bit more time. But I think that they made a huge job, and very good conditions. I remember in the past much worse jobs. Here they made the correct things.”
Friday MotoGP
Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) enjoyed a dream Friday Practice session at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, not only bagging himself a spot in Q2 but ending Friday fastest of the bunch. It was as close as ever though, with just 0.049s back to first on the chase Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the Italian looked strong from the off. The gap back to third fastest Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) is even smaller too, just 0.044.
Title contenders Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), meanwhile, ended the day in P7 and P8. Split by just 14 points in the duel for the Championship, it’s even closer out on the circuit so far this weekend as the duo were just 0.007s apart.
There were Q2 spots up for grabs in Practice as the riders hit the circuit for a full hour of track time around the Lusail International Circuit. Bagnaia and Martin weren’t having it all their own way either, and as we headed into the closing stages, both riders needed to find time despite having ended FP1 higher up the order, with Martin fastest and Bagnaia third, two tenths back.
Raul Fernandez had his best day ever on a MotoGP bike, topping the Friday session.
As always once the final few minutes were underway in the afternoon, red sectors came flying in. And it was Raul Fernandez who went top, beating Viñales’ benchmark. Martin pulled a lap time out of the bag to propel himself into the top 10, as did Bagnaia, but yellow flags then caught out several riders as Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) crashed unhurt at the final corner while on a time that looked certain to take the #44 into the top 10. In the end, despite some late improvers, Martin and Bagnaia secured crucial top 10s.
It’s tight at the top as Diggia, number 49, ended up a somewhat fitting 0.049 off Raul Fernandez, with that 0.044 back to Viñales becoming an even smaller 0.019 to Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in fourth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) rounds out the top five as Aprilia came out swinging, only another 0.078 in arrears, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) putting in a very late run to grab P6.
Diggia, fighting for his MotoGP life right now, went P2 in Qatar.
From there it’s the only gap in the top ten bigger than a tenth down to Martin, that 0.007 back to Bagnaia and then a smashing Day 1 job from Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3). He was on a hot one in FP1 too, lighting up the timing screens before crash at Turn 14.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) had a solid day on the timesheets and stole a tow from Bagnaia to round out the top 10, too, denying Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) a place in Q2 by just 0.014.
There are some heavy hitters set for battle in Q1 on Saturday. Miller will be joined by the Sprint victor and podium finisher from last weekend Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as well as Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) – among others.
2023 Qatar MotoGP Results—Friday
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(Cryptodata RNF MotoGP Team) |
1:52.843 |
| 2 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+0.049 |
| 3 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.093 |
| 4 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.112 |
| 5 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.190 |
| 6 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.251 |
| 7 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+0.352 |
| 8 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.359 |
| 9 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) |
+0.446 |
| 10 |
Marc Marquez |
(Repsol Honda Team) |
+0.480 |
Friday Moto2
Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) is the rider to beat after the opening day of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. The Boscosuro rider’s 1:58.059, a new all-time lap record, came in the late stages of Practice 2 to deny Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) Day 1 honours by 0.104s. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) enjoyed a positive Friday too, rounding out the top three.
The Moto2 man of the moment, Fermin Aldeguer, topped Friday in Qatar.
Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) made a big improvement in P2 to move up to fourth place ahead of Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) who lit up the timing screens to eventually finish in 5th. Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) was looking very strong in P1 as he took well to the Lusail International Circuit, and the Spaniard finished the day in P6 ahead of Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia).
It was a quiet day for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who, despite looking there or thereabouts in Practice 1, could only manage 8th place overall on the combined timings. The World Champion finished just ahead of Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), the latter rounding out the top 10.
2023 Qatar Moto2 Results—Friday
| 1 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Speedup Racing) |
1:58.059 |
| 2 |
Aron Canet |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+0.104 |
| 3 |
Sam Lowes |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+0.254 |
| 4 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) |
+0.308 |
| 5 |
Jake Dixon |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.375 |
| 6 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) |
+0.614 |
| 7 |
Ai Ogura |
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) |
+0.773 |
| 8 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.795 |
| 9 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Speed Up Racing) |
+0.868 |
| 10 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+1.053 |
Friday Moto3
Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) has shown superb speed on the opening day of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. The Spaniard topped the timesheets with his 2:06.794 seeing him sit half a second clear of the rest of the field, and over a second quicker than his closest title rival Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP).
Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) found form in Practice 2 and was the closest to Masia in second, and despite a late-session trip to the gravel trap, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) rounded out the top three on his first-ever visit to the Lusail International Circuit.
Masia was back to his best and toped Friday in Moto3.
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) missed out on the top three by 0.009s as he took P4. Next up behind the Spaniard was Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) who rounded out the top five ahead of Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PrüstelGP) and David Alonso (Gaviota ASGAS Aspar Team), the latter taking an early-session tumble.
Sasaki had a tougher Friday in Qatar and has work to do to on Saturday. The Japanese rider managed to salvage P8, as Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) completed Friday’s lightweight class top 10.
2023 Qatar Moto3 Results—Friday
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
2:06.794 |
| 2 |
Romano Fenati |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.546 |
| 3 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.622 |
| 4 |
Ivan Ortola |
(Angeluss MTA Team) |
+0.631 |
| 5 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.808 |
| 6 |
Xavier Artigas |
(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) |
+0.870 |
| 7 |
David Alonso |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+1.001 |
| 8 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+1.074 |
| 9 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
+1.269 |
| 10 |
Stefano Nepa |
(Angeluss MTA Team) |
+1.353 |
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