Cycle News Staff | March 10, 2024
Statements, standouts, and surprises: the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar had it all. On Sunday, it was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) whose performance laid down the gauntlet, with the #1 bouncing back from a Tissot Sprint off the podium to a perfectly poised first Grand Prix win of the season. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) kept the pressure on to take another rostrum and equal KTM’s best result at the track in second; however, the South African had to hold off Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) to the flag. The Sprint winner was forced to settle for third on Sunday.
Francesco Bagnaia celebrates winning the Qatar MotoGP victory. Photos: Gold & Goose
The fight for the podium was quite a show, too. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) was in the thick of it for much of the race, and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) most definitely made his mark on his debut, running as high as fourth as he got stuck in.
There was drama even before the lights went out, as Raul Fernandez’s (Trackhouse Racing) hand went up to signal a problem on the grid. The start was then delayed as he was wheeled off into the pitlane. Unable to start his first bike, the Spaniard took off running up pitlane back to the garage for his second, able to get out on the Warm-up lap in time to line up at the back of the grid.
And so, the quiet came down for a second time, with a 21-lap distance now on the table. The lights came on and went out, and Martin shot off the line to grab the holeshot. But he had close company as Binder stormed forward from fourth and Bagnaia the same from fifth. The reigning Champion was quick to attack, too, first Binder and then Martin, as he homed in, sliced through, and then got the hammer down.
Marc Marquez was also quick off the line to move into fourth, with the rider losing out most off the line Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). Acosta had held his ground off the line, but by lap two the headline-maker was on the way.
Despite passing Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) on lap two to take over in seventh, Acosta set the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record as he got in the groove. Next up, it was Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) in the crosshairs, and he got past the number 23 at the final corner, keeping it into turn one next time around. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) was the target for sixth, and Acosta made a dive at turn one, but he couldn’t get it stopped, and the two went side-by-side towards turn two. The number 73 held his ground then, but Acosta attacked not long after and made it stick.
The reigning Champion, Bagnaia (1), becomes the first since Jorge Lorenzo in 2015-2016 to follow up a season finale win with a season opener victory the next season.
By 15 to go, Bagnaia was in his rhythm. The chasers were close but closer to each other than the reigning Champion, with Martin, Binder, Marc Marquez and Acosta all line astern. The next time around, the first move came as Binder attacked Martin at turn one.
The South African was very slightly deep, and Martin took the inside line, but on the switch back into turn one, Binder kept it pinned for that inside line. And he made it stick, moving into second, as Marc Marquez started to threaten the number 89. But not long after that, the concertina changed again, and it was Martin taking Binder back, and a little chaos added in for good measure. The Pramac got it done; the KTM headed slightly wide, the Gresini even wider, and then Acosta even wider than that. All gathered it back together, but Bagnaia was now a second clear of the quartet.
Binder struck again with 11 to go, and again went a little wide as Martin then followed suit just behind. That allowed Marc Marquez to gain a few tenths on them again, and Acosta likewise just behind. But Binder had the hammer down and started to stretch away from the group as Acosta decided to get his elbows out once more.
The rookie attacked Marc Marquez into turn one to take over in fourth, the RC16 more than holding its own in the main straight horsepower shootout. And he kept it for a few laps, homing in on Martin before the charge started to fade, grip getting used up. By lap eight, Marc Marquez was back on the tail unit of the rookie, and with one small misjudgment Acosta was wide, letting the number 93 back through.
At the front, Binder was keeping Bagnaia in check, but he couldn’t reel him in, whereas Marc Marquez was now edging closer to Martin. But it wouldn’t prove enough, with Bagnaia staying just ahead of Binder to take a statement stunning first GP win of the season, the South African making his own statement in second. Martin was able to edge away from the number 93 towards Binder, but not enough to attack at the final corner. The Tissot Sprint winner was forced to settle for third.
Jorge Martin (left) and Brad Binder filled out the podium.
Marc Marquez takes fourth on his Ducati debut, just off the podium, with a charge back up the order from Bastianini, seeing him take fifth after fending off Alex Marquez in their own private showdown. Acosta had been in the thick of that before fading slightly to fall into the clutches of Diggia and Espargaro, with the rookie forced to settle for ninth behind the pair… but with a best new race lap record to show for it, too.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) takes P10 ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) just getting the better of Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) in the battle for P12. Marco Bezzecchi’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46) tough first weekend of the season ended in P14, with Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) taking the final point after also doing a Long Lap given for an incident at the 2023 Qatar GP, the most recent race weekend he’d taken part in. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed out early on; he was okay.
And so that’s a wrap on the season opener. The reigning Champion becomes the first since Jorge Lorenzo in 2015-2016 to follow up a season finale win with season opener victory the next season, and after a first Sprint off the podium the Sunday showing said plenty to his rivals. Martin’s Sprint win and podium the same. And then there’s KTM.
Aprilia was closest to Ducati at the close of testing, but it’s the Austrian factory who left round one with Binder second in the Championship.
CN
Qatar MotoGP
| 1 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
39:34.869 |
| 2 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+1.329 |
| 3 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+1.933 |
| 4 |
Marc Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+3.429 |
| 5 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+5.153 |
| 6 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+6.791 |
| 7 |
Fabio DiGiannantonio |
(Pertamina Endura VR46) |
+9.161 |
| 8 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+11.242 |
| 9 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+11.595 |
| 10 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+13.197 |
SPRINT RACE
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) started 2024 with a statement ride—arguably a signature one—as the number 89 shot out the blocks to take the first Tissot Sprint win of the year. Harried all the way home by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Martin held firm under pressure for Sprint win number 10 of his career.
Jorge Martin got the 2024 MotoGP Season started with the Sprint race win in Qatar. Photos: Gold & Goose
2024 Qatar MotoGP Results—Sprint
Binder had his own pressure right to the flag, too, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) battling past both Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) on his way to taking third, right on the KTM’s tail and making it three factories on the first rostrum of the season.
Binder had a storming start-up from fourth to tag onto the back of Martin immediately, with the number 89 taking the holeshot and getting the hammer down but still not able to shake the South African. Espargaro lost out initially from his P2 on the grid but then started to pull it back, taking fourth from Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and then third place back from Bagnaia.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez and Gresini teammate Alex Marquez were in the thick of the battle with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Eventually, Marc Marquez was able to make it stick and headed off in pursuit of Bastianini on the rear of the front group. Not too long after that, Diggia was sadly out of the battle after a strange and initially dramatic crash, but he was okay.
At the front, Martin rolled on. But he wasn’t getting away. Binder was still very much in touch, and Bagnaia was on the move too as he dispatched Espargaro to move into third. The next move then came in from Marc Marquez, with Bastianini slightly wide and the number 93 needing no second invitation.
By five laps to go, the eight-time World Champion was attacking Espargaro and past him at the end of the straight, as Martin seemed to have the hammer down at the front. But there was still no breakaway from the number 89. The chasers responded, with Binder holding firm ahead of Bagnaia, Marc Marquez and Espargaro. Bastianini, however, started to fade slightly from that group.
Brad Binder fought for second place.
A moment for Marc Marquez, capitalized on by Espargaro as the Aprilia struck again, narrowed that gap to Bastianini, however. And that was key for the final lap battle, with Espargaro able to keep it, keep the hammer down, and then home in on the leading trio. It was a four-rider battle for the podium with two to go.
The penultimate lap saw the Aprilia take on Bagnaia, but the reigning Champion cut back as Espargaro sailed wide. But onto the main straight, the #41 made it stick and got the hammer down enough to hold onto third into Turn 1, now with the next target locked on: Binder.
The KTM was chasing Martin, but a new problem was carving up the gap to tuck right onto his tail. Espargaro ate through the meters enough almost to give himself striking distance by the final corner, but it was just that bit too far for a move. Martin crossed the line for a statement 10th Sprint win to start the season ahead, with Binder taking that second and Espargaro forced for settle for that third.
Marc Marquez was fifth in his Ducati race debut.
Reigning Champion Bagnaia likewise had to settle, in his case for fourth, with Marc Marquez next up. Bastianini crossed the line sixth, ahead of Alex Marquez in a lonelier seventh. The number 73 had had some close company from rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GasGasTech3) in the latter stages but was able to pull the gap back out.
Acosta, however, took an impressive P8 in his first MotoGP appearance—and he was the second RC16 on track. What can the number 31 do with a few more laps to get in the groove?
Ninth place went to Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completing the top ten in a close group ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and a near photo-finish with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Qatar MotoGP Sprint
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
20:41.287 |
| 2 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.548 |
| 3 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.729 |
| 4 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+1.625 |
| 5 |
Marc Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+1.872 |
| 6 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+2.322 |
| 7 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+3.154 |
| 8 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+4.431 |
| 9 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+6.738 |
| 10 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Facory Racing) |
+12.670 |
2024 Qatar MotoGP Results—Q2
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) will head the first grids of the year after! The 2023 runner up set a magical 1:50.789 in qualifying for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to take pole, becoming the fastest rider ever to lap Lusail International Circuit. That said, it’s close at the top. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was just 0.083 behind, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounding out the front row only another 0.003 back.
After a Practice session that left Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) just outside the cut, the Spaniard was taking aim at the top in Q1. He got it too, moving through just ahead of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the two left Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) missing out on a place by just 0.010. Nevertheless, the Frenchman continues to impress on his switch to Honda.
There was a lot to learn in the very first Q2 of the year. Everyone fully unleashed, full throttle, and not a single sandbag worth holding on to. After the first runs, a familiar name had taken hold though: Martin. That stunning 1:50.789 came in on his second lap as Ducatis locked out the top five positions early on, and no one would prove able to topple it.
Jorge Martin threw down hard to take the first pole of the year.
Once the second runs began, Miller and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) were especially hoping to find some time, but then it was all eyes on Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the eight-time World Champion came up with red sectors – but it wasn’t quite enough in the last part of the lap.
Espargaro was another who looked to be challenging Martin’s dominion at the top but he ultimately jumped into second, losing out by less than a tenth, as Bastianini held onto a first front row of the year in third, and at a venue he’s reigned before.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) heads the second row, just 0.124 off the top, and lost the chance to make a final improvement as he slid off on his last attempt. Alongside Binder will be reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who starts from fifth. And then it’s Marc Marquez rounding out the second row, making it 12 World Championships lining up on Row 2.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) will head the third row in P7, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi having a tougher weekend of it and left down in Q1. Acosta will start eighth for his first Tissot Sprint and premier class Grand Prix race, having been P3 on Friday and gone straight through to Q2 to boot.
Alex Marquez rounds out Row 3 after he couldn’t replicate his time from Practice that saw him top that session, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Miller and Raul Fernandez, who crashed in Q2, rider ok, locking out the positions down to P12. Then it’s Zarco and that very solid debut with Honda, the first of those who didn’t make it through to Q2.
2024 Qatar MotoGP Results—Q2
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
1:50.789 |
| 2 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.083 |
| 3 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.086 |
| 4 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.124 |
| 5 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.139 |
| 6 |
Marc Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+0.172 |
| 7 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.230 |
| 8 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.341 |
| 9 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+0.477 |
| 10 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.517 |
Friday FP2
The session was originally meant to be the Practice session for MotoGP with the top 10 progressing to Q2. However, with rainfall earlier on in the day, Practice was moved to Saturday morning, with Free Practice 2 taking place on Friday instead. It was a slow start to the session, but all riders eventually ventured out onto the Lusail International Circuit.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) ended the session fastest, setting a 2:06.544 in tricky conditions. Behind Marquez were both Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machines of Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta rounding out the top three. Acosta ended the day adding to his MotoGP experience In mixed conditions. In fourth place was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller who was a further 0.325 behind. Following Miller was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who rounded out the top five.
New bike, who dis? Marc Marquez made a typically Marc Marquez performance on his Ducati debut, taking the Friday P1.
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) was the top Aprilia, ending his day in sixth place, just 0.039 behind Binder. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) set a 2:07.436, earning his way into seventh. Fabio Di Giannantonio was in eighth in his first weekend with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) ended Friday in ninth place ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) who rounded out the top 10 for FP2.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was outside the top 10, ending FP2 in 12th position. His Championship rival, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) was behind in 18th position, ahead of Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro.
In the Overall results, it is Jorge Martin who ends the day fastest, leading from Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta who stole headlines on Friday. Marc Marquez ended his day in fourth position overall, finishing ahead of South African Brad Binder. Zarco ended a tricky day in Qatar in sixth position, 0.303 from the top spot – finishing the day in front of Enea Bastianini. Fabio Di Giannantonio placed his VR46 Ducati in eighth, ahead of Jack Miller and reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia.
2024 Qatar MotoGP—Friday Q2
| 1 |
Marc Márquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
2:06.544 |
| 2 |
Augusto Fernández |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.290 |
| 3 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.394 |
| 4 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.719 |
| 5 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.801 |
| 6 |
Raúl Fernández |
(Trackhouse Racing) |
+0.840 |
| 7 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.892 |
| 8 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) |
+1.453 |
| 9 |
Alex Márquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+1.559 |
| 10 |
Johann Zarco |
(LCR Honda Castrol) |
+1.777 |
Friday Q1
MotoGP™ is finally back on track in 2024 with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) finishing fastest in Free Practice 1. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took the Italian manufacturer to second, just 0.047 behind. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ended his first session in third and began to push his RC16 to the absolute limit. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) had a great foundation in Free Practice 1, finishing in fourth. Behind Marc Marquez was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder who rounded out the top five.
Jorge Martin pulled the first punch on Friday in FP1.
Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) placed his Honda in sixth place, finishing as the first rider on a Japanese bike. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) ended his first session in seventh with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) rounding out the top eight positions. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has a positive start to the weekend in ninth ahead of reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi was down in 18th position after the opening MotoGP session of the season. Behind Bezzecchi was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) who was also outside the top 15, ending his session down in 19th position.
2024 Qatar MotoGP—Friday Q1
| 1 |
Jorge Martín |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
1:52.624 |
| 2 |
Aleix Espargaró |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.047 |
| 3 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.071 |
| 4 |
Marc Márquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+0.177 |
| 5 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.265 |
| 6 |
Johann Zarco |
(LCR Honda Castrol) |
+0.303 |
| 7 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.326 |
| 8 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.363 |
| 9 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.407 |
| 10 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.597 |
Friday Moto2
It was a slow start to the Moto2 Practice 1 session as rain started falling just before the bikes went on track. Xavier Artigas (KLINT Forward Factory Team), Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team) were some of the riders who ventured the conditions on the Pirelli tires.
Jaume Masia made an impressive Moto2 debut with the fastest Friday time.
As a quiet session – which saw just four riders set a time – ended, it was Jaume Masia (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team) who ended the season quickest, with lap times consistently getting faster. Bendsneyder finished in second to make it a Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team one-two in the wet, as Artigas claimed P3. Rounding out the riders who set times in Practice 1 was Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team).
In the dry Free Practice session, Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) narrowly beat Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) by 0.034s to top the opening session of the year, as Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P3 heading into Saturday’s crucial Practice 2.
2024 Qatar Moto2—Friday
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Pertamina Mandalika Sag Team) |
2:14.891 |
| 2 |
Bo Bendsneyder |
(Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) |
+1.007 |
| 3 |
Xavier Artigas |
(KLINT Forward Factory Team) |
+1.991 |
Friday Moto3
Night fell at the Lusail International Circuit as Moto3 went out for their all-important Practice session, which will help decide the Q2 slots on Saturday. Ending Friday fastest was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) who set a remarkable 2:03.606 on the lightweight class’ new Pirelli tires. Finishing in second was Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) who was 0.063s adrift, with Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) a further 0.106s behind to round out the top three.
Daniel Holgado took P1 in Moto3.
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was in fourth as the chequered flag flew. He ended the session in front of MT Helmets – MSI’s Ivan Ortola who rounded out the top five. Riccardo Rossi managed to place his CIP Green Power machine in sixth, the Italian finished Day 1 ahead of David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) and Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA).
David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) ended the session in ninth ahead of his teammate Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports). Rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was P11 ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), as David Almansa (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounded out the top 14 positions.
2024 Qatar Moto3—Friday
| 1 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
2:03.606 |
| 2 |
Adrián Fernández |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.063 |
| 3 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.169 |
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