2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | September 22, 2024

Sunday MotoGP Race

High drama, another title fight twist and a last lap clash: the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna was a stunner right to the wire. On the top step after a brutal last lap lunge, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) took Ducati’s 100th premier class win – and ensured the factory wrapped up the 2024 Constructors’ crown. He also ensures he cut his deficit to the top of the Championship, as his last lap attack was to defeat points leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

Martin may not have taken that win but he does leave with a bolstered 24-point advantage in the title fight after reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) slid out of third when on a charge to catch the duel at the front… promoting Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) to third.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP News and Results — **Enea Bastianini barged his way past Martin for his second win of the year.**

Martin took the holeshot with another stellar start from the middle of the front row, but Bagnaia wrestled the lead back at Turn 2, shooting round the outside and putting the hammer down in the lead in classic style. But Martin managed to hold off Bastianini to keep second in the aftermath, and those three started to build a small gap as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) charged up, and Marc Marquez too.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the first drama in the front group as the South African crashed out, rider ok and rejoining, but ceding in the battle against Acosta and Marquez. Acosta would do the same a few laps later, rider ok but not able to rejoin.

In the meantime, there were fireworks at the front. Still with 25 laps to go, the top two in the title fight were taking the gloves off. Martin homed in and launched it, but Bagnaia cut back immediately. In the aftermath the Spaniard was nearly sandwiched between the two Ducati Lenovo machines as Bastianini also looked to try his luck, but it stayed as you were. For now…

Next lap around, Martin went for a dive up the inside at La Quercia, and this time made it stick. Bagnaia looked to respond up the inside but was forced to slot back into second and defend from Bastianini instead – and from there the reigning Champion had a few scrappy corners, sectors and laps. Bastianini got past and set off after Martin, and it seemed Bagnaia was going to have to look over his shoulder for Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) starting to reel him in.

Or maybe not? As Bastianini shadowed Martin at the front, Bagnaia started putting in the fast laps. Leaving the #93 and #72 behind, he was cutting three or four tenths off the leading duo’s advantage. Then it was Martin only as Bastianini got his own hammer down to glue back onto the Pramac… but then the #1’s dream was over in some seismic Championship drama.

After getting the gap to the front down below two seconds and then struggling to cut any more into it, there was suddenly a cloud of dust streaking into the air – and a reigning Champion in the gravel. Rider ok, but Emilia-Romagna GP over, Bagnaia was forced to watch the duel for Ducati’s 100th win from the sidelines, wondering if his deficit was going to be 24 points or 29 by the end of play.

At the front, the chess match raged on. Martin in the lead, Bastianini his shadow. With five to go, the #89 then lost every last inch of advantage as he headed slightly wide and Bastianini was almost alongside. A grandstand finish was in the making.

They stayed like that through another lap, and another, and another, and at times it looked like Martin had just been able to stretch out enough tenths to ensure he’d reach the flag without coming under attack. But Bastianini managed to find an answer every time, and onto the last lap it was almost nothing in it. But where would the move come?

The answer was Turn 4, and it was brutal. The Beast sent it, Martin had to sit up, and the #89 was sent well wide, hand in the air as Bastianini sailed away into a nice cushion of time in the lead. Controversial or decisive as it may be for some, it wasn’t so for the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards, who declined to investigate. The #23 takes a brutally-fought home win – extending his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at Misano, cutting his deficit in the title fight, and ensuring his teammate lost five less to Martin. As well as, of course, securing Ducati’s 100th MotoGP™ win and sealing that incredible sixth Constructors’ crown.

Martin was left to seethe at the move but celebrate the new 24-point advantage at the top, and Marc Marquez was bumped up to the podium after Bagnaia’s crash, another shift that has a say in those top echelons of the Championship. Just behind that, Bezzecchi took fourth, not quite able to stay with the #93 but putting in another solid weekend.

Fifth place, until the very last sector of the race, looked set to go to another stunning ride from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). But a late issue, reportedly running out of fuel, saw the Frenchman trying to hold on round the final corner and then forced to watch Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pip him to the line. Quartararo nevertheless equals his and Yamaha’s best of the season so far: P7.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) completed the top ten. Next up, an impressive P11 for Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) equal’s the factory’s best so far this season, and teammate Luca Marini was in touch behind him too. They both beat Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) and a sore Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who also had a Long Lap due to track limits, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) completing the points scorers.

That’s a wrap on a dramatic weekend at Misano, and the paddock is already on the way to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit for the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. There, the battle continues for another 37 points – and there are still plenty on the table as the momentum continues to shift and the drama sets us up for a fascinating final stint.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP Results

1	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+5.002
3	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+7.848
4	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+9.200
5	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+13.601
6	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+15.484
7	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+20.922
8	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+22.795
9	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+27.704
10	Miguel Oliveira	(Trackhouse Racing)	+31.891

Moto2 Race

A stunner of a Moto2™ race played out at the Emilia-Romagna GP as a dramatic last lap sees home hero Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claim a second win of the season after the Italian beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.029s. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) led on the last lap but a costly error at Turn 14 meant the Italian took the flag in P3, as Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) extends his title lead with a P4.

After getting a fantastic launch, Arbolino pounced into an early lead as Vietti and Canet quickly slotted into P2 and P3, with World Championship leader Ogura making solid progress from P7 on the grid to earn P4 in the early exchanges.

As the race settled, drama unfolded for two title hopefuls. While running P7, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) crashed at Turn 2 and not far in arrears, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) crashed at Turn 1. Both were unable to get their bikes going, as the Briton and Spaniard’s Emilia-Romagna GPs ended in disappointment.

Back at the front, Arbolino’s early lead was being chopped away by Vietti and Canet. The trio were two seconds up the road from Ogura, with the Japanese rider having Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) for company, as Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) found himself in a lonely P6.

With six laps to go, Vietti made a mistake at Turn 2 to allow Canet into P2 – and Arbolino some valuable breathing room. The wobble cost Vietti 0.8s, meaning Canet was now in charge of trying to attack Arbolino. With four laps left, a slender 0.4s split the three, with Vietti climbing all over the back on Canet.

Then, battle mode was engaged. A mistake out of Turn 13 saw Canet and Vietti pass Arbolino into Turn 14, before Vietti had another big moment at the final corner that cost the Italian more crucial ground. Vietti was now 0.7s down on the top two as Arbolino and Canet exchanged P1 twice in the first half of the penultimate lap.

Last lap time! Arbolino led from Canet, as Vietti was now right with the top two. Arbolino kept the chasers behind for the first half of the lap, but unbelievably, Arbolino was wide at Turn 14. And not just wide, very wide. It was a gift for Canet who now had to hold off Vietti through the final two corners to win. But on the run to the line, after getting a much better run out of the final corner, Vietti picked the pocket of Canet to win on home turf. A devastated Arbolino crossed the line in P3 as we witnessed an outstanding intermediate class race at Misano.

In the end, Ogura was only a second away from the podium in a P4 that sees the Japanese rider extend his Championship lead to 22 heading to Indonesia. Aldeguer completed the top five, 1.5s shy of Ogura, with Roberts sixth to earn his best result since the Italian GP.

An impressive P7 for Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) signals the Australian’s second best result of the season, as the rookie finished ahead of Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing), Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) and Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – the Czech star completing the Emilia-Romagna GP top 10.

2024 Emilia-Romagna Moto2 Results

1	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.029
3	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+1.892
4	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+2.990
5	Fermin Aldeguer	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+4.491
6	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+9.807
7	Senna Agius	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+12.509
8	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+12.934
9	Alonso Lopez	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+14.086
10	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+16.055

Moto3 Race

The revenge David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) was looking for was served at the Emilia-Romagna GP as the Colombian claimed a wonderful eighth win of 2024 to strengthen his grip on the Championship. It was another lightweight class fight that went to the wire as Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) finished a close second, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) earning P3 after Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was demoted one place for exceeding track limits on the final lap.

From pole, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) grabbed the holeshot after getting a perfect launch, as drama unfolded at Turn 2 for the second week running for David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) – the Spaniard tagged the back of Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) and was out of contention, but Muñoz was able to complete his double Long Lap penalty after remounting. Meanwhile, Alonso picked his way to the front by the end of Lap 1, with Holgado carving his way up to P5 from P11 on the grid.

By Lap 5, Holgado held the P1 baton for the first time as Friday pacesetter, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), was now P2 ahead of teammate Piqueras. Alonso was fourth, Furusato was fifth, with Veijer sixth in a lead group that was formed of 14 riders.

With 14 laps to go, Piqueras led for the first time, but a huge warning came a couple of laps later that cost the rookie a couple of places. Another big moment came a lap later, as Furusato – going for a lunge at Turn 14 – made contact with Fernandez which saw both riders lose valuable time. Fernandez was now P7, the polesitter was shuffled back to P11.

When Alonso hit the front again with nine laps left, the pace was upped and gaps began to appear in the group. Holgado, Piqueras and Veijer clung onto the coattails of the #80, with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) 0.9s back.

Two to go in Emilia-Romagna! Four riders, three spots in the podium. It was Alonso from Holgado, Piqueras and Veijer, who was going to make the first big move? The answer was Holgado. Turn 14 on the penultimate lap, the #96 shoved his way past Alonso and Piqueras followed his compatriot through.

On the final lap, Holgado led until Turn 8 saw a change. It was three abreast into the left-hander and taking a two for one deal was Alonso. The title chase leader was back in the lead and after producing an inch perfect latter half of the lap, Alonso picked up another 25 points as Piqueras settled for a close second. Holgado crossed the line in P3 but after a track limits violation at the final corner, Veijer was promoted to P3.

Ortola couldn’t bridge the gap once he got to P5, as Lunetta edged out Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) by under two tenths as the Italian and Australian take away a P6 and P7 respectively. Fernandez’s early charge faded slightly as the #31 claimed P8, the Spaniard finished narrowly ahead of Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) pocketed P11 and P12, as a disappointed Furusato – having been handed a Long Lap penalty – came home in P13. Nepa and Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded out the points in P14 and P15.

2024 Emilia-Romagna Moto3 Results

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)
2	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.175
3	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.367
4	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.295 (+1)
5	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+2.963
6	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+4.550
7	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+4.722
8	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+5.574
9	Matteo Bertelle	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+5.968
10	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+6.012

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP News—Saturday

Hungary on the calendar

MotoGP will return to Hungary for the first time since 1992 next year after it was confirmed the new Balaton Park circuit will host an even next August.

The current needs major modifications before the event can take place, increasing the run off at nearly every corner. Yet Dorna’s Carlos Ezpeleta confirmed work is set to take place in October to bring the track up to spec.

“It’s a project we’ve been working on for a long time,” said Dorna’s Chief Sporting Officer. “We’ll be racing at Balaton Park for after 30 years it’s great to be going back to Hungary.
“The FIM has finalized their drawings for the homologation of the circuit. Increasing run off areas in the majority all areas of the track and then modifying the layout in a number of places to lower the speed, change the trajectory to make sure it’s safe for MotoGP. The work is planned to start in October. MotoGP will be there in early August.”

Yamaha confirm V4 development

Yamaha has confirmed it is developing a V4 engine for its MotoGP M1. The move represents a major departure for the Iwata factory, which has run an inline-4 engine configuration since MotoGP switched to four-stroke machinery in 2002.

The engine is expected to be on track next year. And Managing Director Lin Jarvis stated the decision was made to partly inform Yamaha’s development direction for 2027, when MotoGP undergoes its biggest technical rule shake up since 2012.

“The Inline 4 still has plenty of capacity to be developed and to be improved. But when you have all of your competitors using V4s and now as we look towards the 2027 regulations, it’s important for us to fully understand the potential of a V4 versus the Inline4,” said Jarvis.

“So based on that, some time ago we took the decision to start the project. The project is on schedule… The engine is designed. The engine is already being bench tested. We’ve not run it in a bike yet but we’re busy developing, busy designing and when it is ready with its durability testing, then we’ll finally start to track test it.”

Guidotti to leave KTM

KTM appears to be internally reorganizing after a desperately disappointing campaign. At Misano it was reported Factory Team Manager Francesco Guidotti is set to depart at the end of the season, which Cycle News later confirmed.

Asked for his opinion, the outgoing Jack Miller quipped, “I was first on the chopping block! It doesn’t change the situation for me.” Pressed on whether he can sense a change in atmosphere for the worse, he again joked, “Yeah, of course! I’ve been feeling it since Mugello when I got the sack. It is what it is.”

Saturday Sprint Race

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had a statement Saturday at the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna, stalking Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), pouncing on a mistake and then withstanding his own pressure to the flag to cut the gap to just four points at the top of the table.

Martin did keep that pressure on, however, coming home second, as Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) chased the two home – and prepares to try and do more than that on Sunday.

Martin made a dream take off at the start of the Sprint, with the #89 launching his attack on the run to Turn 1. He then pulled the pin at the beginning, pushing hard on the opening laps and as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) leapfrogged the reigning World Champion too, pushing Bagnaia down to third.

Binder was then elbowed down to fourth at Turn 8 as Bagnaia and then Bastianini shot through, and next it was Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) making moves. On the comeback from his P7 starting position after a crash in qualifying, Marquez got past the South African early on, and soon so did Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

All eyes then returned to the front as Bagnaia reeled in the Championship leader, closing the gap to under half a second. They started to pull away from Bastianini too, creating a duel for glory and with plenty more on the line than 12 points.

By Lap 8, Bagnaia was glued to the Pramac ahead, having reeled him in, lost a few metres, saved a front end moment and then gathered it back up. And Martin then suffered his own small drama, heading wide and that leaving the door far enough ajar to allow Bagnaia through. The hammer then went down from the #1.

Initially, the gap shot up and it looked more likely Bastianini would catch Martin, but in the final few laps the #89 was locked in to try and take it to the line. From sixth tenths up the road to Bagnaia on the penultimate lap, Martin edged closer and closer until the lap count ran out, forced to cede defeat by less than three tenths. Bagnaia strikes back after a tougher run, cutting his deficit in the title fight to just four points – so if it’s a duel on Sunday, the winner decides the Championship lead.

Bastianini remained close too and will be one to watch on Sunday when he has Grand Prix distance to go at, so far enjoying a 100% podium record at Misano in the premier class. The last time he started a GP race from the front row, he won it.

Behind that trio, Marc Marquez couldn’t make too much progress from fourth and was also hampered by a mistake at Turn 13 – the #93 soon had Acosta glued to his tailpipes. Less than one second separated the pair throughout as the #93 attempted to stretch a gap, and the rookie denied him. By the flag however, the veteran pulled away to ensure those valuable few extra points for P4. Acosta, nevertheless, came home top KTM/GASGAS in fifth, with Binder looking to hit back on Sunday as he was forced to settle for P6.

Further back, there was an intense battle for the final point-scoring positions in the Sprint, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) putting in another sublime weekend at Misano so far, taking back to back Q2s and more Sprint points this time out. He held off Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli, who completed the Saturday scorers and will both be looking for some revenge on Sunday.

That’s true of plenty just behind them too, with Aprilia especially looking to move forward in the Grand Prix race. It will likely be a historic one too, with Ducati able to wrap up the Constructors’ crown if they have 222 points or more in hand… it’s Bagnaia’s 100th MotoGP™ start… and Ducati head in with 99 premier class wins.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP—Sprint Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.285
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+1.319
4	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+5.386
5	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+6.580
6	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+8.143
7	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+8.405
8	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+8.965
9	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+9.271
10	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+9.538

Moto2 Qualifying

A last-gasp 1:34.935 saw Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) collect a fourth pole position of the season in an epic scrap for Saturday’s intermediate class honours. The top three were split by just 0.010s as Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) complete the front row in Emilia-Romagna.

Despite being 0.037s away from the pole time, Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will spearhead the second row as he aims to make amends for his crash from P4 a fortnight ago.

Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) makes it an all-Kalex top five in qualifying as the British rider goes in search of a fifth rostrum in the last six races. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) rounds out Row 2 as the Spaniard bids to stand on the podium for the first time since the German GP.

Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), the Championship leader and San Marino GP winner, will launch from P7 as teammate Sergio Garcia hopes to regain momentum from P13.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	1:34.935
2	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.004
3	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.010
4	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.037
5	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.295
6	Fermin Aldeguer	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.344
7	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.372
8	Zonta Van Den Goorbergh	(RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP)	+0.445
9	Dennis Foggia	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.468
10	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.475

Moto3 Qualifying

(Honda Team Asia) is a Grand Prix polesitter for the first time thanks to a late 1:40. in Moto3™ Q2 at the Emilia-Romagna GP. The Japanese star ousted World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) from P1 as the Colombian suffered a small crash at the end of the session to halt his hopes of finding an improved time. Completing the front row will be San Marino GP hero Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who launches from the front row for the second time in 2024.

Title hopeful Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) secured P4 as the Spaniard goes in search of back-to-back podiums at Misano – and to continue reducing the points deficit to Alonso.

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), the rider acting who sits P3 in the Championship, will launch from P6 on the grid, one place behind Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) who earned his best qualifying result of the season.

Alonso’s chief Championship chaser, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), has a little more work to do off the line than he would have liked after the #96 qualified in P11 for Sunday’s 20-lap battle.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP—Moto3 Qualifying

1	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	1:40.394
2	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.059
3	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.066
4	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.067
5	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.116
6	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.220
7	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+0.283
8	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.319
9	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.350
10	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.378

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP News—Friday

Miller to Pramac Yamaha confirmed

The current MotoGP standings don’t make pleasant reading for Yamaha afficionados. Yet few would deny it’s a fairly exciting time for the Iwata factory after it confirmed Jack Miller will be joining Miguel Oliveira at Pramac in its new second team.

“I am ecstatic to be here and I still feel like I have some unfinished business (in MotoGP),” said Miller who has signed on a one-year deal with the team he rode with in 2018 and ‘19.

“I wasn’t ready to pack up my bat and ball. I am extremely grateful to Paolo (Campinoti – Team Owner) and Yamaha for this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing the things which will happen in the future.

“I think only having the two bikes on the grid has not been easy. As we can see with Ducati with the wealth of knowledge that they have, 8 bikes on the grid has helped them a lot, I feel like. I think they were the first to start this kind of factory satellite team.”

Marquez dismisses Rossi’s claims

A minor furor kicked off in the days after the San Marino GP when Valentino Rossi offered some frank and incendiary comments on great rival Marc Marquez and their various scrapes across the acrimonious 2015 season.

Speaking on ex-Moto3 rider Andrea Migno’s podcast Mig Babol, Rossi claimed the Catalan was the “dirtiest” rider in the history of the sport, which reignited fierce debate between the pair’s warring fan sets.

Marquez knew he would be quizzed on the comments on the eve of the Emilia Romagna GP, but refused to fire back, even if he threw a few subtle digs at the Italian. “Right now, I have much more important things in my head to think about than wasting time with comments from another rider,” he said.

On whether it has provided more motivation for the coming weekend, he added, “my motivation is always the same. Being an active rider, the last thing I am interested in is getting into these games. My mind is set on the competition – that’s what motivates me.”

Michelin push back new front to 2026

Michelin will not introduce its new MotoGP front tyre until 2026, a year behind its original intention, the French company confirmed on Friday. There is a widespread acknowledgement that the current front profile needs to be revised in order to deal with the greater forces being placed on it in MotoGP’s new aerodynamic age.

The French firm has been working on a new front to combat sensitivity to temperature changes, especially when riders find themselves running behind other machines. The entire MotoGP field tested it during the one-day test after the San Marino GP, with mixed responses.

“Some riders like a lot, some less,” said Piero Taramasso, Michelin’s two-wheel Manager. “After spending all week analysing the telemetry from the data, we decided to push back the introduction of the new front one season, because we need the time to make a few changes, test again and then fix the model. This tyre is almost 1kg lighter, it’s new material, when you brake you squash more the tyre, you get a bigger contact patch, the grip is better. So it’s quite different.”

Marc Marquez welcomed the decision. “You cannot take the decision from something super important that is the front tyre with only one test, in one race track, in one condition.”

Friday MotoGP

Following a slower start to proceedings at the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna due to damp conditions in morning, the sun shone on MotoGP™ Practice in the afternoon and it was some of 2024’s brightest stars that rose to the fore, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking control. The #1 set a new Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli all-time lap record – a 1:30.286 – to beat World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by 0.198s, with the #89 unable to search for an improvement in the closing stages after a small crash at Turn 8. Completing the top three was Round 13 winner Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the eight-time Champion sits 0.299s off Pecco heading into Saturday.

Having suffered from a fever during the morning, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) unfortunately sat out Emilia-Romagna Practice, which began with Martin and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) starting strong. The latter – pushing hard –then tucked the front at Turn 14 to hamper the rookie’s session slightly, before Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) slid down the road at Turn 1.

The thick of the action – as usual – started to surface in the final 20 minutes of the day. Martin was as rapid as ever on the soft Michelin rear but had his best time chalked off due to yellow flags being waved for an Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) crash – rider OK.

Then, Bagnaia started to build some scintillating momentum on familiar territory to climb to P1, before Martin’s session ended prematurely while shadowing teammate Franco Morbidelli. Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) ensured they’d finish the 60-minute stint towards the summit, as the Italian became another rider to have a small off at the end of the day.

That didn’t trouble ‘The Beast’ though, as he keeps tabs on the top three by ending the day in P4. Performance of the day goes to the rider in fifth place though – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team). The Frenchman earns successive automatic Q2 appearances for the first time this season after unravelling a properly impressive display to beat the likes of sixth place Morbidelli and seventh place Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

The Italians will sleep well knowing they don’t have to stress about Q1 on Saturday morning, and so too will Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Acosta and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) – late laps from all three Spaniards earned them a Friday pass into the pole position shootout.

Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) missed out by 0.050s in P11, as CASTROL Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco ended Friday in a commendable P12. Fighting fit Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) suffered a big crash in the latter moments of Practice to halt his top 10 charge, the Italian will be sore but determined on Saturday, as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed at Turn 5 to also see his Q2 promotion hopes end.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:30.286
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.198
3	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.299
4	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.321
5	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+0.600
6	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.646
7	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.678
8	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.704
9	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.705
10	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.881

Friday Moto2

Just shy of 0.4s is the healthy advantage Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) boasts on Friday at the Emilia-Romagna GP as the Italian fires in a 1:35.386 to lead second place Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) and impressive rookie Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) in Moto2™ Practice 1.

Fourth place went the way of Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) as the Spaniard and two of his fellow title contenders – Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) – complete the top six, with all three riders four tenths down on Arbolino’s pace.

Having produced a classy comeback to P5 from a poor qualifying at the San Marino GP, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) kicked off the Emilia-Romagna GP with a P10 finish, one place ahead of Italy’s Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Both riders will be searching for improvements to ensure they’re safely into the Q2 shootout on Saturday afternoon.

Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) squeezed into P14 on his final flying lap of the day to sit 0.7s away from top spot – but just three tenths down on the top five.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP Results—Friday Moto2

1	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	1:35.386
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.391
3	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.409
4	Fermin Aldeguer	(MB Conveyors SpeedUp)	+0.414
5	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.423
6	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.439
7	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.494
8	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.561
9	Dennis Foggia	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.584
10	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.610

Friday Moto3

For the second Friday in a row at Misano, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) topped the timesheets on Friday afternoon thanks to a 1:41.071 – a lap good enough to beat second place Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) by just over a tenth. Third place went the way of San Marino GP race winner Angel Piqueras as Leopard Racing see both their bikes sit inside the top three at the early stage of the Emilia-Romagna GP.

Collin Veijer and the Dutch rider’s Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP teammate Tatsuki Suzuki complete the top five heading into Practice 2 on Saturday morning.

Championship-hunting Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed P7, one place ahead of title race leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). The Colombian had a relatively quiet Friday at the office, but there are only 0.2s splitting the front eight riders at the end of play. As ever, it’s tight between the lightweight class frontrunners.

2024 Emilia-Romagna MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3

1	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	1:41.071
2	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.110
3	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.132
4	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.182
5	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.186
6	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.223
7	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.236
8	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.244
9	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.362
10	Filippo Farioli	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.461

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