2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | May 26, 2024

Sunday MotoGP

After missing an open goal win on Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) came out swinging on Sunday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. The reigning Champion needed to make a statement and take some serious points, and that he did on both counts. Quick out the blocks from the start before ceding the lead early doors to Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia put in a relentless push to catch the #89, pounce once on the scene, and then edge away to pocket those 25 points on Sunday.

Behind Martin, the fight to complete the podium boiled down to the duel between Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), and it was almost a photo finish but the #93 took the spoils – making it three Grand Prix podiums in a row for Marquez for the first time since 2019. It was also another stunning comeback ride, this time from P14 on the grid.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Sunday — **Bagnaia (center) absolutely needed to win after yesterday’s blunder and did so in emphatic fashion.**

As the lights went out, it was a showdown on the brakes into T1 but Bagnaia just held on for the holeshot ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) also moving up but the #33 into third. Martin got a good start this time round, taking over in fourth, with polesitter Espargaro the main party losing out.

Into Turn 10 on Lap 1, we had the first big move as Martin made an absolute lunge on Binder, but he got the job done and cleanly enough. It also left a small gap up the road to the leading duo of Bagnaia and Acosta, but it didn’t take long for that gap to close because it didn’t take long for the leading duo to start making moves amongst themselves.

Acosta’s first attack came at Turn 10 after a couple of laps staring at the rear of the Ducati, but Bagnaia kept it tight to immediately take it back. Acosta’s foot was even off the peg. That closed everything up again, with Martin then right on their heels and Binder not too far behind either. Turn 10 staged another one next time round, this time for Championship leader Martin on the rookie – and Acosta was forced to cede it. And again next time around, this time as Martin left it oh-so-late to attack for the lead, taking over before they crossed the line for 19 to go.

The party at Turn 10 didn’t stop there. Next time round there was another decisive move as Acosta attacked Bagnaia and took back over in second, and in a matter of apexes the rookie was back on the exhaust of race leader Martin, looking impatient.

Meanwhile, the squabble behind was heating up. Bagnaia had some breathing space in third but Binder, Espargaro and Raul Fernandez were locked together. After stalking his prey for a while, Espargaro then was able to just nudge ahead into Turn 1, before Raul Fernandez attacked the KTM into Turn 3. Brutal but clean, Binder was pushed back to sixth.

However, that soon become fifth as big drama hit for Acosta. After lighting it up there earlier, it all then came apart for the rookie at Turn 10 as he slid off, leaving Martin just over a second clear in the lead and Bagnaia now the rider on the chase. From there, the chess match began.

Lap after lap, the gap was coming down as the #1 chipped away. A few hundredths here and there, each sector just enough to gain a few extra metres, a mere tenth per lap. But an absolutely relentless tenth per lap. And once he was there, Bagnaia wasted absolutely no time in making his attack.

With six laps to go, the reigning Champion made his move – and at exactly the place he let big spoils go begging in the Tissot Sprint: Turn 5. No drama, no contact, and nothing Martin could do, the roles were now reversed.

The relentless pace from the #1 continued, however, and the battle of the laptimes was slipping from Martin’s grasp. The gap eked out, came back down slightly and then suddenly went up again. The jig was up as Martin started to fade, leaving Bagnaia with the same task as Saturday: keep it on the same rails to the flag. This time, it was a faultless performance as the Ducati Lenovo rider cuts the gap back to 39 points and Martin, this time round, has to settle for second.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was now on the tailpipes of Espargaro. The #93 pulled a carbon copy of the move the Aprilia rider put on Binder a few laps before and was into third – now he just had to hold onto it. After announcing his retirement at the end of 2024 just ahead of the event and taking pole and the Sprint win, the incentive was even bigger than normal for the #41 to make an attack, and he clawed his way onto the back of the Gresini by the final lap. But there was no way through that would have allowed both to finish, so it came down to the final drag to the line – with Marquez just staying ahead for that podium from P14 on the grid.

Espargaro takes fourth to complete an incredible weekend on home turf, with a late charge from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) seeing the Italian just pip Raul Fernandez to fifth. Still, after a maiden front row and having led the Sprint, P6 concludes a great weekend for the #25 and Trackhouse Racing – it’s the team’s best result yet.

Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) charged through to seventh as Binder lost out later in the race to finish P8. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) kept ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) as they completed the top ten. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Acosta after remounting, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) completed the points.

There’s one name missing from that last who did cross the line ahead of a few of them, but the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards v Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) intervened. The ‘Beast’ had a dramatic race after he went wide following an attack from Alex Marquez, was deemed to have not lost enough time cutting Turn 2, and then given a Long Lap. He didn’t agree with that, countering he’d lost time from the #AM73 move, so he rode on. He then got a double Long Lap and served one, unsure if it might have been for another incident, and didn’t serve the second – so it became a ride through. The protest vote rolled on from the #23 and he didn’t take that in time either, so it ended up as a 32s time penalty, the equivalent of a trip through pitlane. Acrimony low but commitment to opinion high, he’ll be looking to prove a point at Mugello.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Sunday MotoGP Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+1.740
3	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+10.491
4	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+10.543
5	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+15.441
6	Raul Fernandez	(Trackhouse Racing)	+15.916
7	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+16.882
8	Brad Binder	(Red Bull Factory Racing)	+18.578
9	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+20.477
10	Miguel Oliveira	(Trackhouse Racing)	+20.889

Sunday Moto2

There was a twist in the tale for Moto2™ at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, and after showing some searing pace once at the front, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) leaves Barcelona victorious for the first time since the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Ogura charged through the field from 10th managing to get the better of teammate Sergio Garcia in the closing laps, making it another MT Helmets – MSI one-two. Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) was overcome with joy after picking up his first podium of the year in what has so far been a difficult season. And the twist? Initial leader Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) got a Long Lap for track limits and then crashed out as he entered the LLP loop.

Once the lights went out it was a flying start from Garcia as he converted his pole position into the race lead at Turn 1. Teammate Ogura rocketed from 10th on the grid and somehow snuck up into the top three as they reached the end of the straight.

Back at the front, it didn’t take Aldeguer long to steal away the race lead. He dived to the inside of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Garcia at Turn 10 on Lap 3, and then set about putting the hammer down as he asked questions of the Moto2™ sophomore. Pushing hard, Aldeguer did manage to make a gap before Garcia started to close him back in, and then the LLP for track limits added the first twist for the #54.

As they crossed the line to start lap 15, Garcia was nearly in a position to pounce. But he didn’t need to. Entering the long lap penalty loop at Turn 1, Aldeguer tucked the front on the brakes as he desperately tried to lose as little time as possible but in the end he lost all chance of victory.

Garcia was promoted to the lead but then just as he could breathe a sigh of relief, a second threat quickly became very visible. Ogura had sneakily taken two seconds out of his teammate in three laps.

The pivotal moment came at Turn 1 on Lap 18 as Ogura slipstreamed past Garcia and then from there rode home to a clear victory in the end by almost four seconds. Amazingly, that’s Ogura’s first win since he won in his homeland of Japan back in 2022. The final laps of held breath turned to elation at the chequered flag as the MT Helmets – MSI squad secured a brilliant Barcelona one-two. Dixon in third was delighted to be back on the podium after a torrid start to 2024.

Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) took a fine fourth as he just edged out a brilliant performance from Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) who took fifth – serving a long lap penalty on the way too, for track limits.

Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) dropped to eighth after struggling to hold onto the pace in the closing laps. Championship hopeful Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) took 9th in a disappointing day for his championship challenge, but it was better than it was at the line as he was promoted to ninth from after both Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Zonta Van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) had to drop positions post-race.

2024 Catalunya Moto2 Results—Sunday Moto2 Race

1	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)
2	Sergio Garcia	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+3.816
3	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+9.186
4	Jeremy Alcoba	(Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team)	+12.241
5	Senna Agius	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+12.593
6	Albert Arenas	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+13.666
7	Alonso Lopez	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+17.676
8	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+20.790
9	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+18.885
10	Jorge Navarro	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+21.249

Sunday Moto3

David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) played his cards to perfection in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, pouncing when it counted and then upping the pace to hold off the chasing pack to the flag. The victory, his fourth of the season, also makes him the new Moto3™ World Championship leader. Just behind, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) converted his maiden pole into a podium in P2, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) back on the box in third.
After a scrappy start with many almost on the grass, Ortola emerged with a few bike lengths lead in the first half of the first lap – but Dani Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), up from P9 on the grid, was soon reeling him in. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) did the Rossi-Razgatlioglu move on Holgado at end of the lap to take over in second, but by the time they got into Turn 1 it was all change on the chase. Ortola led Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) led Taiyo Furusato(Honda Team Asia), but the Japanese rider then got the notification to serve his double Long Lap given on Saturday, and Muñoz his single LLP. The race was on to move back through.

The freight train rolled on at the front with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado leading the way, but by six or seven to go Alonso was starting to get busy. Over the line as the final five laps began, the Colombian was trying to stretch the group out from the front – with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado just about hanging in there as a gap started to grow behind the top four.
As the laps ticked on though, the picture changed again. Holgado was fading slightly into the clutches of Rueda and Muñoz, and once Rueda was past the Championship leader he was able to claw back onto the leading trio. As the last lap began, it was once again a quartet, this time with Rueda in the ranks. The first move came from the number 99, getting past Veijer at Turn 4. But that would prove the last, with the pace so hot and the limit so close for each that no door was left open and no sensible chance possible.
Alonso crossed the line a quarter of a second clear to take the Championship lead, with Ortola denied a home win but taking another podium as he builds some momentum after some bad luck and trouble earlier in the season. Rueda, after an even tougher start to 2024 with appendicitis and a couple of on track dramas, takes a second podium of the season and his third in Grand Prix racing after an impressive late attack.
Veijer was just too far back to slipstream it and takes fourth, with Muñoz completing the top five despite that LLP. Holgado, meanwhile, faded to sixth and loses that points lead, now 14 points off Alonso.
It was a standout ride from Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in seventh, with the Italian rookie hanging on to the front group for much of the race and then taking an impressive P7. A huge group fight behind went all the way back to 14th, and it was another rookie heading that as Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) took P8. Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was next up and just beat Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) to ninth and they completed the top ten.

2024 Catalunya Moto3 Results—Sunday Moto3 Race

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)
2	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.242
3	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.513
4	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.560
5	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+1.648
6	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+3.390
7	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+4.791
8	Jacob Roulstone	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+7.248
9	Filippo Farioli	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+7.449
10	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+7.485

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News—Saturday

‘Something big’ coming for Yamaha

It was another tough Saturday for Yamaha at a track which used to be suited to its M1. Fabio Quartararo bemoaned a lack of speed through the fast final sector. He was losing on average 0.3s a lap there to his competitors.

**Is something “big” coming? Yamaha better hope so…**

Yet the Frenchman, who tested at Mugello prior to the Barcelona weekend, stated a big change is coming at the post-race test after the Italian GP. “I’m looking forward to the test we have in Mugello and Valencia because it could be a big change for us.”

It ended in tears. But Raul Fernandez could at least reflect on his most competitive day as a MotoGP rider after he qualified third before crashing out of the lead in the Sprint.

The former Moto2 runner up stated a change to the electronics set-up of his Trackhouse Aprilia was key to his turnaround. “the main thing is the electronics part. We changed that and I tried to change also a little bit my style,” he said. “It’s something that I can ride like I want. And I don’t have to think what I have to do.

On the fall at Turn 10, which ended his race when over 0.5s clear of the rest, he added, “I was trying to compensate for the mistake that I did in the corner before the one I crashed.”

Barcelona track surface coming in for criticism

As always, grip – or a lack thereof – was a major talking point at the Circuit of Barcelona Catalunya after a series of front end crashes through the weekend. Reigning World Champ Pecco Bagnaia feels the track is now “critical”, likening it to riding “on dirt.”

It’s very critical, the safety here is very low. You can crash without doing anything. For me it is like going on flat track. Turns 3 and 4 you make the entry and control the slide like being on dirt.”

Yet this view wasn’t universal. Luca Marini countered, “We cannot complain about the grip here every year, because the grip is just like this. Every time they resurface everything, the grip is gone. You know that here there is no grip and just try to manage it in the best way.

Saturday MotoGP

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took victory in a dramatic Tissot Sprint at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, keeping it faultless to the flag as not one, not two, but three different leaders slid out.

First was a heartbreaker for Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) as the maiden front row starter was building a gap and then overcooked Turn 10 in the early stages. Second was a tumble at Turn 5 for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) just after he’d fought off the affections of rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), and then finally and arguably crucially, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) saw his hopes of a first Sprint win of the season turn to dust on the final lap as he slid out at Turn 5.

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) vs Acosta then became the battle to complete the podium behind Espargaro, with the #93 turning the tables on the rookie at Turn 1 as they went toe-to-toe on the brakes.

As the lights went out, Bagnaia took the holeshot from second on the grid, with Acosta slicing up to lead the chase. Binder also got a fast start to move up but then lost out again to Raul Fernandez as the Aprilia slotted into third.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News—Saturday — **Aleix Espargaro made it half a dream weekend in Barcelona.**

It didn’t take long for Acosta to attack for the lead, but it likewise didn’t take long for Bagnaia to hit back. Raul Fernandez was harrying them though, and as Acosta attacked into Turn 1 on Lap 3 and took it back, the Trackhouse machine lined up the reigning Champion at Turn 3.

Then it was all change in glorious but relatively clean havoc at the front, with Raul Fernandez emerging as the race leader after barging past Acosta. The Trackhouse machine was absolutely flying as Binder and the rookie duelled just behind him, both the position and some extra RC16 glory on the line. Once Acosta made it stick at Turn 1, Fernandez was already eight tenths clear. But suddenly, it then all came apart for the Trackhouse rider as he slid out at Turn 10, rider ok but head in hands.

From there, Binder vs Acosta looked like it would light up the battle for the lead, but the 33 got the upper hand and started to build a gap – leaving Bagnaia to wrestle with Acosta instead. Soon enough though the second race leader to slide out became Binder, the front end of the KTM saying goodbye at Turn 5

That left the lead as a duel between Bagnaia and Acosta, or vice versa. Turn 1 was the battle ground and the rookie pulled what was fast-becoming his Barcelona signature move, but the #1 was quick to find an answer up the kerb on the inside of Turn 3. Brutal? Yes. Job done? Yes. From there Bagnaia started to build a gap, and Espargaro was on the march next to test out Acosta’s defenses, finding a way through to take up the chase on the reigning Champion.

That left the master and the apprentice locked in battle over third: Acosta led Marc Marquez. And this time, in a beautiful reverse of that statement Turn 1 move the #31 has been revelling in, it was Acosta under attack as the #93 sailed into the corner side by side with the rookie, taking over in third.

The final drama was dealt on the very final lap. Seeming like he had it in his pocket, Bagnaia was then suddenly sliding out at Turn 5, seeing what could have been a key haul of points disappear in the gravel trap as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) suffered a tougher Sprint outside podium contention. Espargaro swept through for the spoils, in just enough clear air to ensure he held on for that fairytale win.

Marquez held off Acosta round the final sector too, and what could have been a key title swing proved much less as Martin’s drama-free Sprint saw him take P4 despite not having initially had the pace for it. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) made a solid comeback from outside the top ten on the grid to complete the top five, and with that moves back into the top three in the standings too as Bagnaia drops to fourth.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was sixth – finishing in the same position he started and taking some solid Saturday points. Jack Miller brought the remaining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine to seventh after battling with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who rounded out the top eight after charging from 12th. The final point in the Sprint went the way of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi, having sliced up from P16 on the grid, with everything still up for grabs on Sunday.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race

1	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)
2	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP)	+0.892
3	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+1.169
4	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+2.147
5	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+2.980
6	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+4.623
7	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+8.084
8	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+8.245
9	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+8.643
10	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+9.241

Saturday Moto2

Moto2™ World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) will start the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya GP from pole position after setting a brilliant 1:41.894 in the opening stages of qualifying. The #3 was 0.240s clear of Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp), who pushed hard on his final run but was unable to match the pace of Garcia. Rounding off the front row after battling through Q1 will be Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – just a further 0.048s slower than Aldeguer.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) heads the second row of the grid in fourth position. Like Vietti, the #44 used came through Q1. QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ duo Albert Arenas and Manuel Gonzalez qualified fifth and sixth, but Gonzalez then got a three-place grid penalty for impeding Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp), so he’ll start in P9 behind Alonso, replacement rider Daniel Muñoz (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing).

2024 Catalunya Moto2 Results—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Sergio Garcia	(Mt Helmets – MSI)	1:41.894
2	Fermin Aldeguer	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.240
3	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.288
4	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.299
5	Albert Arenas	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.415
6	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.431
7	Daniel Muñoz	(Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team)	+0.434
8	Alonso Lopez	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.434
9	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.470
10	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.545

Saturday Moto3

Pole position at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya goes the way of Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) after a brilliant final flying lap and a stunning final sector. Ortola took his first pole by a mere 0.019s from Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who looked confident throughout the whole session, setting a good time early on and then leaving it late to exit pitlane on his final run. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will start from third, setting a strong time late in the session.

Ivan Ortola, Moto3, Catalunya MotoGP, 25 May 2024

It was a dramatic end to the session with CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s David Alonso initially in second, pitting for new tyres and exiting the pitlane with seconds to spare. It was all change down to the final lap though, with red sectors everywhere and Rueda setting a strong time before Ortola took it after improving on his last flying lap.

Yellow flags were also out after a crash from Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) – cancelling Alonso’s time and leaving him on the second row, behind Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI squad).

2024 Catalunya Moto3 Results—Moto3 Qualifying

1	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	1:46.749
2	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.019
3	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.262
4	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+0.388
5	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.429
6	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.550
7	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.646
8	Adrian Fernande	(Leopard Racing)	+0.719
9	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.800
10	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.814

Saturday MotoE Race One

The first race of the day for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya delivered a new winner in the MotoE™ class as rookie sensation Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) took his first victory and in fine style. Just pipping Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), who returns to the podium for the first time since Austria last season, the top two rode home ahead of Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) who picked up his second podium in the last three races.

Once the lights went out, championship leader Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) stole the race lead at Turn 1 with Zannoni and Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) keen to keep Casadei close. Meanwhile, polesitter Granado had a tough opening lap, dropping to fifth. But the opening lap was none-more-dramatic than for Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) as the three-time winner and championship contender in 2024 crashed out at the final corner.

As the race raged on, Zannoni managed to surge from his eighth place grid slot to the lead thanks to a hefty slipstream on the front straight. Garzo followed suit, dropping Casadei to third and that was only the start of the world champion’s difficulties as he eventually slipped back to sixth, bringing to an end his incredible streak of 11 podiums in a row.

Into the closing laps and a lead group of six riders all had eyes on glory. The pivotal moment of the race was the triple bubble slipstream that saw Gutierrez slingshot to the lead as the leading four went four-wide into Turn 1. Putting the hammer down, Gutierrez slammed in a new lap record that very lap to spread the pack. Granado held Gutierrez honest and going into the final lap we were poised for a showdown.

Ultimately though, Gutierrez hung on for his first victory by just 0.131s despite Granado’s best efforts. Zannoni’s third place is confirmation of his elevated 2024 form as he managed to hold off Garzo. Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing), who squeezed past Casadei heading into the final lap, took his second top five on the bounce.

Behind, there’ll be more questions for Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini Team) with seventh and eighth finishes respectively as they continue the search for the final few tenths they need. Rounding out the top 10 was Miquel Pons (Axxis-MSI) and Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse).

2024 Catalunya MotoE Results—MotoE Race One

1	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-Msi)
2	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+0.131
3	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.414
4	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.792
5	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+1.602
6	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+2.316
7	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+2.349
8	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+4.115
9	Miquel Pons	(Axxis-MSI)	+6.105
10	Massimo Roccoli	(Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+8.649

Saturday MotoE Race Two

The second race of the day for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship was a chaos classic at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. This time around, it was Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) who charged to his first-ever victory in MotoE™ after having to fend off not one, but two riders in the closing laps. Race 1 winner Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) led that charge to contend Zannoni for victory with Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) following up closely behind for his first podium in nearly three years.

As the lights went out it was the reigning champion and then championship leader – a hint at the drama that lies ahead – Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) that took the early lead. But his early advantage wouldn’t last for long as Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) quickly took over the mantle from his teammate, slipstreaming from third to first to do it.

As the smiles brandished themselves across the faces of the LCR E-Team personnel at the possible chance of a 1-2 finish, they would soon be wiped away. First, Casadei would dramatically crash out at Turn 10, his first mistake of the season. And then just a few laps later it was double disaster for the LCR camp as Granado slipped off his MotoE™ machine at Turn 5. They wouldn’t be the only team to see a championship contender go down though, as Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing), who took a brilliant double victory last time out in France, went from hero to zero with his second crash of the day rounding out an overall dismal Saturday in Barcelona for the sophomore.

After all the incidents, MotoE™’s newest winner Gutierrez inherited the lead with a possible dream double handed to him on a plate. But with Zannoni and Zaccone hot on his heels we were in for two laps of incredible tension. Flying onto the final lap Zannoni, and as he had done so many times through the day, slipstreamed his way to the lead. Gutierrez had dreams of a last lap last sector move, but those were thwarted by and exhibition in attacking to defend from Zannoni.

Putting in what was essentially a qualifying lap, Zannoni showed no sign of nerves as he rounded the final corner and crossed the line for a stunning first victory in MotoE™ – a race where he started eighth on the grid too. Gutierrez would have to settle for second as Zaccone’s third place secured his first podium in almost three years.

Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) took fourth thanks to the chaos in front, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt IntactGP MotoE™) completing the top five.

2024 Catalunya MotoE Results—MotoE Race Two

1	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)
2	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)	+0.474
3	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+1.176
4	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+4.157
5	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+4.334
6	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+5.084
7	Andrea Mantovani	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+4.536
8	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+4.669
9	Miquel Pons	(Axxis-MSI)	+4.811
10	Kevin Manfredi	(Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+7.697

Friday News

Quartararo pushing for better test team

In the event Yamaha cannot attract a satellite team for 2025, Fabio Quartararo has called on the factory to boost its test team to compensate. Yamaha is currently trying to tempt Pramac to switch from Ducati equipment to M1s for next after two seasons without a satellite outfit.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results news — **Fabio Quartararo knows he needs a super-fast test rider to push the M1 along.**

But the chances of a surprise change appear weakened at Round 6, where it appears Pramac is edging toward staying with Ducatis. Such an event would be a “Disaster, no,” according to Quartararo. “But I think it will be the moment to invest even more in the test team. I think to have another rider, to have more bikes, more people working in there.

“Of course it’s always better to have a satellite team, but if it’s not happening Yamaha understands that the test team must be improved by the way we are working. Already the step we made from last year to this year is amazing. Even in our team but we have to make the step also for test team.”

Oliveira ‘winking at the discotheque’

Miguel Oliveira has thrown his hat in the ring for Aprilia’s factory seat in the wake of Aleix Espargaro’s retirement announcement, even if Enea Bastianini is the favorite to take the seat.

But the Portuguese rider is interested, even when describing the rider market as akin to a disco. “I see a good future for me in Aprilia,” he said. “It’s true they have prioritized their factory riders first which is logical from a managing point of view. Let’s see what happens after this but I’m very relaxed about my future. It’s always nicer to continue with a bike you know than change.

“But at this point everyone is winking at everyone else until someone gets the girl first out of the discotheque. Until the first one makes the first move and takes the girl home, everyone else is still dancing and buying drinks to everyone else.”

Marini ‘really trusts in Honda project’

Luca Marini quashed rumors that he is seeking an early exit from his current Honda nightmare and insisted he is fully committed to turning the factory’s ailing fortunes around.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Marini — **Luca Marini–not amused by the rumors.**

“This is something that makes me really angry,” he said of a story that appeared in Italian media in the build up to the Catalan GP. “One person in particular put this news to try and do ‘something’. But I really trust in this project. We have only have five races! We are really at the beginning of the season and many things can change during the season because Honda is pushing and working a lot and they are bringing a lot of parts, big parts, every test, so I am really focussed here and satisfied about the job with them. I

“It’s true that it’s hard because last year I was fighting for the podium in every race and now fighting for one point is tough. But I am really satisfied with all the people I am working with and we are coming better.”

Friday MotoGP

Practice at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya definitely didn’t disappoint, setting us up for an interesting super Saturday. First, 2023 Barcelona winner Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was back on top and with a new MotoGP lap record. Second, it’s two RC16s on the chase as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ended the session second and third, respectively. Third, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) will once again have to head through Q1… although it didn’t stop him in France.

It was a Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1-2 for the majority of the session, but it wouldn’t stay like that by the end of play. Espargaro’s new lap record but paid to that, although Binder got close with one last bid for it. On his last flying lap, the South African got within 0.072 of the top to complete a recovery in style, having crashed once early on at Turn 2 and then again at the very same Turn 2 later in the session.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Espargaro Friday — **The man of the hour, Aleix Espargaro broke the track record on the way to the fastest Friday MotoGP time.**

Down in fourth it’s reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he looks for his first GP podium in Barcelona, and on Friday he was the fastest of the Championship top three. The Italian set 23 laps across the session but had some drama after the flag came out, forced to push his bike back to the pitlane. Still, the #1 was able to end the day ahead of the second Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine of Jack Miller, who nevertheless completes the top five.

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and managed to get the better of teammate Franco Morbidelli, who had a solid day and made it both Prima Pramac Racing machines inside the top 10, split by just 0.038. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) ends Friday in eighth after spending most of the session outside the top 15 positions but finding time in the closing minutes.

Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) heads through to Q2 from P9 on Friday, his second visit this season so far and on the way to his 200th Grand Prix start. Teammate Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), meanwhile, crashed at Turn 5 early on – rider ok but ending the session in 14th. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) rounded out the top 10.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Binder Friday — **Brad Binder led a good day for KTM in second with teammate Jack Miller in fifth.**

There was plenty of drama, with a number of crashes at the end of the session playing some havoc with yellow flags too. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashed earlier at Turn 5, but things soon got worse for the Italian then crashed for a second time at Turn 9 in the last 10 minutes of the session. Di Giannantonio ended the hour-long session in 17th ahead of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez who also had a crash late in the session at turn four.

Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) also couldn’t improve after suffering a crash in the final five minutes, and with all that drama there was no space for many others to move forward either amongst the yellow flags. That included for his teammate Marc Marquez. The number #93 faces Q1 for the second time in two weeks.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP

1	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	1:38.562
2	Brad Binder	(Red Bull Factory Racing)	+0.072
3	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.103
4	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.133
5	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+0.140
6	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.231
7	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.269
8	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.455
9	Alex Rins	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+0.481
10	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.496

Friday Moto2

Friday in Moto2™ ended in some wildcard glory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, with Jorge Navarro (KLINT Forward Factory Team) taking to the top and with a new lap record. Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) was second quickest, with replacement rider Daniel Muñoz (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team) taking third fresh from doing the double at the venue in the Moto2™ European Championship last weekend, where Navarro also stood on the podium.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Navarro Friday — **Wildcard Jorge Navarro smashed it out of the park in Moto2 on Friday.**

After finishing fastest in Free Practice, Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) was fourth at the end of the day, setting a 1:43.076. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) rounded out the top five in Moto2™ but was unable to improve on his time late in the session, instead forced into a save. Aiming to take his second Moto2™ victory will be Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who was sixth – ending the day ahead of Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Filip Salač. The #12 was ahead of Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) who showed consistent pace throughout the session despite a crash in the morning.

2024 Catalunya Moto2 Results—Friday Moto2

1	Jorge Navarro	(Klint Forward Factory Team)	1:42.807
2	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.208
3	Daniel Muñoz	(Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team)	+0.237
4	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.269
5	Fermin Aldeguer	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.276
6	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.295
7	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.418
8	Sergio Garcia	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.425
9	Alonso Lopez	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.495
10	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.548

Friday Moto3

CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s David Alonso ends Friday at the top of the standings at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, fastest in the morning and afternoon. The #80 put in an impressive 12 lap run at the start of P1 and then stamped some authority back on the session on his final exit. He ends the day 0.158s clear of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) fnding a heap of time on Friday afternoon to end P1 in third.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Alonso Friday — **Another fastest Friday for David Alonso in Moto3.**

It was a thrilling end to Friday with riders treating it like qualifying, as Holgado, Rueda, and then Alonso all switched the top spot between them with the pace beginning to heat up. However, Nicola Carraro (LEVELUP – MTA) crashed on his final lap, bringing out the yellow flag and taking away any chance for the #10 to improve. Another rider who had a bad end to Friday was Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), who ended Friday at the bottom of the standings after suffering from a technical issue – unable to set a time.

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) continued to impress, showing consistent pace to end the day a mere 0.255s adrift from the top spot. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded out the top five, with the #48 putting in fast laps in the early stages of the session.

2024 Catalunya Moto3 Results—Friday Moto3

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	1:46.897
2	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.158
3	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.239
4	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.255
5	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.341
6	Filippo Farioli	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.570
7	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.575
8	Jacob Roulstone	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.639
9	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.738
10	Nicola Carraro	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.778

Friday MotoE

The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship is back on track at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya with a further two races to add to this unpredictable season. Before racing, however, the grid had to be decided with Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) taking the spoils after setting a sensational 1:48.215. Granado was straight on the pace, setting his quickest lap on his third attempt, to qualify ahead of teammate and Championship leader Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team). The #40 will be hoping to add to his success so far this season after missing out on pole by a mere 0.032. Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) will round off a talent-packed front row of the grid in third position – setting an identical time to Casadei.

2024 Catalunya MotoGP News and Results Granado Friday — **Granado topped a very tight MotoE timesheet.**

2024 Catalunya MotoE Results—Friday MotoE

1	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	1:48.215
2	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+0.032
3	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.032
4	Nicholas Spinelli	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.198
5	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)	+0.310
6	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.429
7	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.532
8	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.582
9	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+5.503
10	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)

For more MotoGP news and results, click here