2024 Misano MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | September 6, 2024

Sunday MotoGP Race

Just one week after returning to the top step of the podium, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) reigned supreme once again at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. The #93’s prowess in tough-to-judge conditions was back with a bang as a flag-to-flag offered chance to gamble – with a switch, or with a push towards the front. Marquez chose the latter and picked his way through to glory for his first back-to-back wins since 2021.

**Marc Marquez scored his first back-to-back win since 2021.**

Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) also chose to stay out, and remained locked with Marquez for much of the race before settling into second place as a huge twist offered up a chance at key Championship gains: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) DID take the gamble to pit, and it didn’t pay off. He came back out a lap down after having been forced to switch a second time, taking one point for P15 as his lead is cut to seven points.

Finally, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) took the final spot on the rostrum, keeping his 100% MotoGP™ rostrum record at Misano in tact and making his own gains on Martin in the standings.

There was drama before the start, with spots of rain and tension in the air. The white flags waved, allowing riders to swap bikes, and the stage was set for an enthralling San Marino GP. As the lights went out, Bagnaia secured the holeshot, this time holding off Martin as the #89 got a good start but this time had to also dispatch teammate and front row starter Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) in third.

The two were locked together in the lead and Martin half went for a divebomb move at Turn 2, forced to cede and just avoiding contact with Bagnaia, but there was some contact further back in the aftermath as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) then tried a move on Morbidelli but clashed with the Italian. The #31 lost a wing but did eventually find his way through at Turn 8 before ceding it again as he went wide at Turn 10. Sadly the rookie’s race then took a twist as he crashed out not long after, with the rain starting to pick up, and Morbidelli was next to slide out. Riders ok.

As the rain started to have a visible effect on the pace, there were decisions to be made. And at the front, Martin was now right back on the exhaust of Bagnaia in the lead, with Marc Marquez making serious progress into the group and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) too. Heading towards pit entry next time round, there was one rider who decided to pit from the group: Martin.

As he peeled in, Bagnaia led Marquez at the front, but not for long. By the end of Lap 8, the #93 was into the lead and Miller was hot on Bagnaia’s heels too, with Martin down in P15 afer rejoining. But the rain didn’t get any worse, allowing Marquez and Bagnaia to stretch away just as Martin realised he was going to have to pit, again.

Re-emerging a lap down but right behind the leaders, the goal for Bagnaia to make Championship gains was now wide open. Those who gambled – Martin, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), Acosta after rejoining, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) and Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales all pitted again, all but out of the fight for points.

Meanwhile, the rain had stopped but the gap at the front was only getting bigger. After holding it steady with Bagnaia on his tail, the #93 began to pull away in the lead. Bastianini was also fast coming into podium contention, pipping past Miller to take over in third, and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was next on the scene as he charged through into fourth as conditions improved, but as Bagnaia couldn’t make inroads on Marquez, neither could Bastianini nor Binder bridge their respective gaps.

Marquez kept it upright in some style to take first first back-to-back wins in 2021, throwing his name more firmly back into the Championship hat and on Gresini home turf. Bagnaia’s second place, however, was a stunning 19-point swing in the Championship as Martin’s gamble backfired – and the reigning Champion was happy enough with that for a tough day’s work under pressure.

Behind Bastianini and Binder in third and fourth, a duel to the finish decided fifth. After a tougher start from the front row, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was storming back through and homing in on Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the laps ticked down, glueing the VR46 machine to the rear wheel ahead. The move came in the form of a dive up the inside at Turn 14, and Bezzecchi made it stick and held off the counter attack to complete the top five.

Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) concluded an impressive weekend, with the #20 matching his and Yamaha’s best results of 2024 so far as they work on moving back towards the front. The Frenchman duelled Miller to the flag in the latter stages, slicing through at Turn 8 to take that P7. Fabio di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s wildcard Pol Espargaro rounded out the top 10, with Martin taking that single point in P15.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results

1	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
2	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+3.102
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+5.428
4	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+14.185
5	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+16.725
6	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+17.582
7	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+17.642
8	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+19.327
9	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+27.946
10	Pol Espargaro	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+38.781

Moto2 Race

A third win of 2024 for Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has seen the Moto2™ World Championship lead change hands as the Japanese star beats Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.6s to climb to the summit of the overall standings. Third place went the way of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) as the Italian pocketed his second top three on the spin.

From pole, Arbolino launched well to grab the holeshot as Ogura stuck his Boscoscuro up the inside of Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to move up one place to P2. The opening lap saw title-hunting Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) crash out at the final corner before we saw a move come in from Canet to grab P3 from Vietti.

The top three were getting into a competitive groove, with Arbolino leading Canet – who had now passed Ogura – by 0.4s, with the latter a couple of tenths further back in P3. At this stage – Lap 5 of 22 – Vietti was 0.9s away from the podium places in P4, with Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) keeping tabs on the Italian in P5.

With 13 laps left, the lead changed hands for the first time. Canet pounced on Arbolino, and on the same lap, the Italian ran wide at Turn 14 to allow Ogura to swing by. For the next few laps it was as you were at the front, with the gaps stabilising between Canet, Ogura and Arbolino. Meanwhile, Vietti was sitting 1.2s away from Arbolino’s rear wheel.

On Lap 18 of 22, Ogura was now climbing all over the tail of Canet’s Kalex-Triumph. Arbolino was still in touch but was operating 0.6s behind, as the leading duo engaged battle at Turn 14. Ogura was up the inside but ran in deep, which allowed Canet to swoop back through and keep the P1 baton.

That was snatched from him at Turn 10 with four laps left though. Ogura slid up the inside and made the move stick, as Arbolino and Vietti etched their names into the victory fight. However, Ogura was stretching the pack and trying to keep hold of the podium trio, Vietti crashed unhurt at the penultimate corner.

Four became three with two to go. Ogura was leading Canet by 0.2s, with Arbolino now just under a second from the win. Heading onto the last lap, it was just two riders in the victory hunt – Ogura and Canet. Could the latter get close enough to make a move? The answer was no. Ogura strung an inch-perfect final lap together to claim a massive win that sends him to the Championship summit. Canet finished a close P2 as Arbolino completed the podium, eventually finishing four seconds away from P1.

Gonzalez picked up a solid P4 finish, while Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) came from P14 on the grid to pick up an important P5. Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) was P6, as Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) showed some great late race pace to take home a P7 – his best result of the season. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) completed the top 10.

2024 Misano Moto2 Results

1	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.609
3	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+4.639
4	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+6.948
5	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+10.863
6	Fermin Aldeguer	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+12.642
7	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+13.524
8	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+15.002
9	Albert Arenas	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+15.970
10	Darryn Binder	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+16.032

Moto3 Race

Double Long Lap penalties normally rule you out of winning races – but it didn’t for Angel Piqueras at the San Marino GP! The Leopard Racing rookie is a Grand Prix winner after producing an unbelievable comeback ride to beat Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) by 0.035s, as Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) completed the podium after passing David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) on the final lap.

**Angel Piqueras put in an unbelievable comeback ride to take the Moto3 win.**

There was drama from the off as Turn 2 saw Aragon winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) crash, as Piqueras took an early lead. Ortola and Holgado were up to P2 and P3, with polesitter Alonso dropping to P4.

Having claimed a career-best grid spot, Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was handed a double Long Lap penalty for jumping the start – and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was in the same boat. Another rider facing a double Long Lap was Piqueras, and he took the first of those on Lap 3 to go from the top three to P12, which became P17 after the second was completed a lap later.

Meanwhile, Ortola and Holgado were making a break for it at the front. On Lap 5, the Spaniards were 1.5s up the road from Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who had Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) and Alonso for very close company. By Lap 11 of 20, that deficit had been bridged as the top five locked horns in Misano.

With six laps to go, Furusato hit the front for the first time after picking Ortola’s pocket at Turn 1. That lead didn’t last long though as the #48 and Holgado shuffled the Japanese star back down to P3, as Alonso then pounced too. The Colombian then sent it up the inside of Holgado at Tramonto, before the #80 led with four laps left.

With three to go, the gloves were off. Holgado was back in P1 with Alonso, Furusato and Ortola right on his tailpipes, with Kelso 0.8s back. Suddenly, the recovering Piqueras was P4, then P3, as a four-way fight quickly became a seven rider scrap for the podium.

Last lap time! A belter had played out until now and we were treated to a stunning final 4.23kms. Holgado led into Turn 1 as Piqueras shoved his way past Alonso into P2, before the #36 then carved his way into the lead at Turn 8. At Turn 10, contact was made as Ortola dived up the inside of Alonso to move into P3, with the bumping and barging costing Alonso valuable ground. It was now a question of whether Piqueras hold off Holgado for the win. The latter was swarming, but Piqueras didn’t put a foot wrong to clinch his first Grand Prix win by 0.035s. Holgado was back on the box for the second time in three races, as Ortola bagged the final rostrum spot in P3 – 0.2s shy from the win.

Furusato had to settle for P4 after a great effort from the #72, as Veijer managed to grab P5 on the final lap. Having exceeded track limits on the last lap, Alonso was demoted to P7, which means Kelso leaves Misano with a solid P6. That seventh place for the Championship leader sees his healthy Championship points advantage shrink slightly to 70 ahead of Round 14, with Holgado moving up to P2.

Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Lunetta and Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the top 10, the latter duo handing SIC58 a double top 10 on home turf.

2024 Misano Moto3 Results

1	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)
2	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.035
3	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.226
4	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+0.259
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.491
6	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.977
7	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.596 (+1)
8	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+3.756
9	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+6.789
10	Filippo Farioli	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+8.088

Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race

2024 Misano MotoGP News and Results — **Jorge Martin**

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) extended his Championship lead in ‘enemy territory’ at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, initially chased by home hero and reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) before pulling away to take another stunning Tissot Sprint win. He’s now 26 points clear as Bagnaia was forced to settle for second, the reigning Champion in turn holding off late pressure from both Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Bagnaia got a good start but Martin got a better one, with the #89 in a position to go for it and attack straight into Turn 1. He got the job done and got the hammer down immediately, with Bagnaia on the chase ahead of Morbidelli in third.

Behind, Bastianini made big gains from P8 to slot into fifth, shadowing Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and just ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The big loser off the start was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) as he dropped to the back end of the top ten in the shuffle, ending up just behind Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the #93 also looked to move forward.

At the front, Martin pounded on but the gap was hovering around a handful of tenths, with Morbidelli still very much in touch too. Instead, the next move came from the second group as Bastianini went for an attack on Binder and took over in fourth, looking down the barrel of 1.7 seconds to the podium fight with nine laps to go.

Drama then hit for Bezzecchi after the tougher start, with the #72 sliding out of contention, rider perfectly ok but looking for a lot more on Sunday as he takes his second front row start of the weekend. His teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, also slid out of the Tissot Sprint early on, riders both ok.

Meanwhile, a Pierer Mobility duel was heating up in the fight for fifth, with Acosta homing in on and then slicing past Binder. Just ahead of them, Bastianini was absolutely caning it through the gap to the Morbidelli, who was dropping off the duel for the win too. The ‘Beast’ took half a second off the deficit to his compatriot in one lap. Simultaneously, Marquez was looking impatient behind Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and he struck with seven to go, next targets: Binder and Acosta. The #93 made a lunge at Binder and made it stick not long after, setting up a final push to get past Acosta.

The other final push was coming in from Bastianini – and Morbidelli. As Martin was able to just eke out an advantage at the top, Bagnaia was fading towards Morbidelli just as Bastianini was catching them both. The ‘Beast’ struck against the Pramac early on the last lap, getting past but sailing wide as Morbidelli cut back inside. They pounded on, gap between all three diminishing, with the #21 Pramac gaining on Bagnaia to set up a three-rider train in the final sector.

Meanwhile, Marquez vs Acosta lit up. The #93 shadowed the #31 and inched closer, finally screeching up the inside out of Curvone and holding onto it through T12, from there on out able to hold on to the line.

Behind Martin, who put in another stunning Tissot Sprint to extend his advantage to 26 points and ensure he leaves Misano as Championship leader, holding on to the line was also what it came down to for Bagnaia and Morbidelli. Each did to complete the Sprint podium, with Bastianini taking fourth.

Marc Marquez pickpocketed fifth with that last-lap move on Acosta, with Binder and Miller up next. The final Sprint point went to another impressive Saturday from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), who managed to hold off Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™).

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race

1	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)
2	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+1.495
3	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+1.832
4	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+2.041
5	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+6.469
6	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+6.796
7	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+9.979
8	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+10.726
9	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+11.015
10	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+11.352

Saturday Moto2

Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) finally has a Moto2 pole position to his name after the Italian pipped compatriot Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to Saturday’s honours in a tightly contested Q2. Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) joins the Italians on the front row in P3, that’s the Japanese rider’s third Q2 top three of the season – and a timely one at that.

And why is it timely? Well, it’s been another disappointing weekend so far for Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) as the Spaniard is forced to settle for a P24 starting place for the San Marino GP.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) fronts the second row in P4, the #44 was a couple of tenths shy from pole and is joined on Row 2 by rookie Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™).

Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) bagged P7 as Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) came through Q1 to start from P8, as title hopefuls Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) hope to climb the order on Sunday and collect valuable points from P10 and P14 respectively.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	1:35.229
2	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.011
3	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.190
4	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.237
5	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.292
6	Albert Arenas	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.309
7	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.421
8	Alonso Lopez	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+0.421
9	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.576
10	Fermin Aldeguer	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+0.581

Moto3 Qualifying

A late 1:40.505 stunner from David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) handed the World Championship leader a commanding sixth pole position of the season, as Italy’s Luca Lunetta claimed his best Saturday result of the season in P2 at SIC58 Squadra Corse’s home race. Fourth tenths was the gap between the top two on the grid, as title hopeful Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) picked up a P3 starting slot for Sunday’s race.

Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) secured P4, but the rookie is set to take a double Long Lap penalty on Sunday after he was adjudged to have been at fault for a Practice 2 incident between himself and Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing).

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), the rider acting as chief Championship chaser to Alonso, will launch from P5 on the grid, and the Dutchman will have Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) for company after the Australian qualified in P6. Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) will aim to fight for what would be a crucial victory from P7 on the grid.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—Moto3 Qualifying

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	1:40.505
2	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.417
3	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.435
4	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.445
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.454
6	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.507
7	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.523
8	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+0.601
9	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+0.699
10	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.706

MotoGP Qualifying

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) charged to an incredible pole position at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, with the #1 demolishing the lap record to bounce back from a tough Aragon GP in style. Bagnaia has a 0.285s advantage over the field, heading an all-Italian front row ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who claimed his first front-row start since 2021, and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who continued an impressive Saturday after topping FP2.

It was a thrilling Q1, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) topping the standings after an impressive late lap cemented the #73’s place in Q2. Joining him, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ended the session in second but by just 0.005, leaving almost nothing for any late attacks to split in two. A late lunge from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) wasn’t quite enough to depose the top duo, and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also similarly lost out late on.

As the second session began, fast laps were instantly clocked by Bagnaia, who set a 1:30.928 benchmark time. The #1 had an incredible first run, further improving by three-tenths on his second lap.

The field briefly returned to pitlane before heading to track for their final push for pole. Bagnaia instantly improved on his second run, breaking the lap record in the process amd throwing down the gauntlet.

Meanwhile, there was a crash for Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), with the #93 losing the front at Turn 15 with less than five minutes remaining. That left him down the order looking to see where he would end up. In the closing stages, Morbidelli and Bezzecchi put together a strong final run each, jumping onto an all-Italian front row and the duo just 0.020 apart on the timesheets. Bagnaia maintained that impressive 0.285 at the top.

Behind the Italian armada, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) will start from fourth on the grid, ending Q2 0.341s adrift from his title rival on pole. Martin has Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta alongside, with Binder rounding out the second row of the grid after the South African stormed to P6 via Q1.

Q1’s fastest, Alex Marquez, takes the seventh spot on the grid just ahead of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Beast starts from eighth after showing strong pace throughout the weekend in Misano. Meanwhile, after that crash, Marc Marquez is down in ninth, unable to return to track after his spill at Turn 15 and looking for a lot more when the lights go out. Behind him come Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the final Q2 runners.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—MotoGP Qualifying

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:30.304
2	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.285
3	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.305
4	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.341
5	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.352
6	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+0.444
7	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.574
8	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.596
9	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.625
10	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+0.750

MotoE Race One

Thanks to a P4 finish in Race 1, Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) secured the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship crown following a dramatic end to the race that saw Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) crash out from the lead on the penultimate lap. That handed Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) the P1 baton and the Italian made it count to win on home turf to finish ahead of Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) and teammate Eric Granado.

Zannoni got a great launch from the middle of the second row and when he found his way past Casadei and to the front of the pack, the Italian was able to build a small gap. It wasn’t big enough to be comfortable though and at the final corner on the penultimate lap, Zannoni – who still had hopes of becoming a Champion – crashed out. Crucially, this promoted Garzo – who had kept his powder dry – from P5 to P4. In other words, a title-winning position.

Casadei kept his cool to win in Misano, but it was a victory that brought mixed emotions as the reigning Champion relinquished his crown to Garzo. The latter tried his best to make a move for P3 on Granado on the last lap, but the Brazilian held on as Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) finished a close P5.

Garzo took to the podium post-race to celebrate that much-craved title win, as attention then turned to the final race of the year.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—MotoE Race One

1	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)
2	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.168
3	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+1.125
4	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+1.401
5	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+1.551
6	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+2.868
7	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+3.546
8	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)	+4.217
9	Nicholas Spinelli	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+6.704
10	Andrea Mantovani	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+9.087

MotoE Race Two

With the Championship settled, Race 2 in Misano was all about trying to end the year on as high a note as possible – and Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) did just that. The #99 came from P6 on the grid to win for the third time as he fended off the close challenge of Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team), and it was a happy Saturday for LCR as Eric Granado ended his tough 2024 with a double podium finish at the San Marino GP.

Gutierrez got a great launch from the outside of the second row to pounce straight into the top three, as Casadei again earned himself the holeshot. As we’ve seen so often in 2024, the fight for the podium was relentless and heading into the closing stages, a 16-wheel electric freight train had formed at the front.

Gutierrez’s race-winning move came with two and a half laps to go at the ferociously fast Curvone, and despite the threat from the LCR duo on the final lap once the top three broke clear, Gutierrez held firm to end the year in style – and claim P3 in the overall standings.

Casadei’s P2 to back up his win from earlier in the day made sure the #40 walked away from the season with a silver medal, with Kevin Zannoni’s (Openbank Aspar Team) P5 finish in Race 2 – behind Granado and teammate Jordi Torres – seeing him claim P4 in the World Championship. Meanwhile, World Champion Hector Garzo crossed the line in P7 to see him end the campaign on 246 points, 15 clear of Casadei.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—MotoE Race Two

1	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)
2	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+0.109
3	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+0.302
4	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+1.381
5	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+1.842
6	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+1.984
7	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+2.085
8	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+2.552
9	Andrea Mantovani	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+5.222
10	Miquel Pons	(Axxis-MSI)	+6.773

Friday MotoGP

MotoGP brought fireworks at the end of Friday at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, but it’s some familiar names throwing down the gauntlet ahead of super Saturday. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was able to bounce back from a tougher Aragon GP in style with a 1:30.685, the #1 leaving it late to set his time but ending the opening day 0.185s ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). The eight-time World Champion also left his best till last, improving on his 27th and final lap. The #93 ends the day in front of Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin, with the Spaniard rounding out the top three spots but by a single thousandth ahead of teammate Franco Morbidelli.

There were plenty of storylines which developed throughout the day including some early drama for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team), with the #20 losing the wings on his swingarm in the opening stages. As Quartararo returned to the pits, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was at the top of the standings, setting a strong 1:31.672 as the session began to heat up.

Time attacks began with less than 20 minutes remaining, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) soon storming to the top. Acosta quickly responded before he crashed at Turn 8, and the top spot changed hands again in short order as Marc Marquez went fastest. By the end of play, however, it was Bagnaia reigning supreme on Friday to deny the Aragon GP winner the top spot.

Morbidelli impressed to trail Martin by that single thousandth, with Bastianini slotting into fifth.He heads through to Q2 this time round after a tougher start to the Grand Prix last weekend.

Sixth place went the way of Acosta, who remained inside the top 10 despite his crash and importantly kept direct entry to Q2. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) charged to seventh place as the #72 begins to set sights on moving forward at a venue where he enjoyed podium success in 2023.

Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was the sole Aprilia inside the top 10, after taking eighth place in Practice. Just behind him and despite some early drama, it was an impressive end to the end for Quartararo, who pushed to P9. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took the final spot inside the top 10 after a strong lap, with teammate Brad Binder just losing out.

That means a blockbuster Q1 awaits, with Binder joined by the likes of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), who suffered an early end to Practice after crashing out in the final two minutes of the day – finishing down in P12. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, who continues his recovery after a crash in Austria, will also be looking to move through on home turf.

2024 Misano MotoGP Results—Friday

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:30.685
2	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.185
3	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.281
4	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.282
5	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.382
6	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.518
7	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.544
8	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.616
9	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team)	+0.628
10	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+0.635

Friday Moto2

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) leads the intermediate class standings as Saturday appears on the horizon after the #44’s 1:35.561 was good enough to beat Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by 0.131s. QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™’s Manuel Gonzalez led for most of Practice 1, but a late shuffle sees the Spaniard sit in P3 as Friday draws to a close at the San Marino GP.

Fourth place went the way of Aragon GP podium finisher Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), with the Italian just under three tenths down on Canet’s afternoon pace.

Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) rounded out the top six as the Japanese star continues to build his way back up to full fitness, as the Beta Tools SpeedUp duo of Alonso Lopez and Fermin Aldeguer bagged Friday top 10s in P7 and P9 respectively.

Following a small tip-off at Turn 8, in form Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) has work to do from P13 – and so does World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI). The #3 was declared fit after a big crash in Free Practice, but a P24 finish on Friday means Saturday morning is a crucial session for the Spaniard. Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) is another title hopeful that needs to find time after the American was 20th in Practice 1.

2024 Misano Moto2 Results—Friday

1	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	1:35.561
2	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.131
3	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.220
4	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.284
5	Albert Arenas	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.359
6	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.380
7	Alonso Lopez	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+0.395
8	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+0.493
9	Fermin Aldeguer	(Sync SpeedUp)	+0.510
10	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.567

Friday Moto3

A 1:40.909 new lap record in the closing stages of Practice 1 secured Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) top spot heading into Saturday’s action at Misano, but the Spaniard isn’t sitting too comfortably at the summit as Aragon GP race winner, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), claimed P2 – 0.076s adrift. World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) picked up P3, the Colombian just under two tenths away from Fernandez’s impressive pace on Friday afternoon.

Rookie Angel Piqueras made it two Leopard Racing Hondas placed inside the top four ahead of Practice 2 on Saturday morning.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) was the next highest title-chasing rider in the Friday standings, the Spaniard set the sixth quickest time of the day to sit three tenths shy of the summit.

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), the rider second in the title chase, squeezed just inside the top 10 in P9, one spot behind Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) in P8.

2024 Misano Moto3 Results—Friday

1	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	1:40.909
2	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.076
3	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.187
4	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.204
5	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.289
6	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.319
7	Matteo Bertelle	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+0.353
8	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.407
9	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.408
10	Filippo Farioli	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.567

Friday MotoE

The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship has returned one last throw of the dice Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini as the title fight goes down to the wire. It was a dramatic qualifying, with Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) storming to an incredible pole position, taking the maximum advantage from Friday. Casadei set a 1:39.856 to leap to P1 ahead of teammate Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) in second. The #51 was a mere 0.067s behind and placed ahead of Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), who after a strong final flying lap, stole third.

However, there was another twist in the Championship, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) forced to fight through Q1 before qualifying in P8. Garzo will start behind his title rivals, with Casadei starting on pole and Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) and Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) qualifying in fifth and sixth on the grid.

The championship remains for grabs with Garzo entering the weekend with a 38-point advantage – with just 50 points up for grabs. Garzo can wrap up the title if Casadei does not close Garzo’s advantage to less than 25 points. If Casadei was to take victory in Race 1, Garzo has to finish in fourth place or above to wrap up the title ahead of Race 2. Meanwhile, Zannoni and Gutierrez will need some luck on Saturday, sitting 44 and 49 points behind – starting from the second row.

2024 Misano MotoE Results—Friday

1	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)
2	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+0.067
3	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.098
4	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.111
5	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.163
6	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)	+0.174
7	Nicholas Spinelli	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.262
8	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.307
9	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.336
10	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+0.740

News

Oliveira signs for Pramac Yamaha

Pramac and Yamaha confirmed on Thursday Miguel Oliveira will be one of their riders next year in the new satellite squad as the Japanese manufacturer looks to bolster its ranks and close the gap to Ducati.

“I think it’s a little bit the shift on the focus that they are having at the moment, to develop the current bike despite the rules changing in two years time,” said Oliveira of the signing. “Yamaha does not want to wait much longer to come back to the top. After being involved with two different manufacturers, I feel my adaptation capability is quite high. I’m riding in totally different way than I rode two years ago and I think this can help for sure give feedback and get things going quicker.

And he’s not under any illusion that a tough task lies ahead. “I’m ready to work. I think it’s going to be tough for sure. Because at the moment maybe you don’t see the results of their efforts yet but I think in the near future we’ll be able to be back to challenge for important results.”

Bagnaia and Marquez make up

Marquez and Bagnia — **Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez**

Thursday was the first chance for both Pecco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez to face the media since the immediate aftermath of their controversial collision in the Aragon GP, which caused both riders to crash.

Speaking in the pre-event press conference, Bagnaia offered an apology to his fellow rider for insinuation he had ridden into him on purpose, which caused a wave of social media abuse. “I want to say sorry to Alex for the strong words I said during the interviews after the race,” said the current number one. “I was very angry about what happened and looking at the telemetry was even worse from my point of view. I was a bit too strong with my words, I didn’t want to say that he made us crash on purpose but his defence was a bit aggressive.”

While accepting the apology, Marquez said the damage was already done. “The fact that he apologized, I like it and it’s something that I’m really thank to him for his words. But also it’s true that the damage to me personally, to my team and my image as a rider has already been done.

Fernandez’s new crew chief

Agusto Fernandez — **Augusto Fernandez**

Augusto Fernandez spoke of the crew chief switch, made before the Aragon GP, which made an immediate positive impression on his performance. The Spaniard ended his partnership with Alex Merhand with Alberto Giribuola – formerly working alongside Andrea Dovizioso and Enea Bastianini at Ducati before being hired by KTM as Performance Engineer – stepping in.

“I had been asking for one year,” said Fernandez of the situation. “But the last push came. It’s (too) late for my contract (situation) and everything, but it’s good for me to get the confidence back. I am just thinking of the positives. I have a new crew chief and a big opportunity to prove to everyone, and also myself, that I can be ‘there’ and then jump on whatever bike it will be.”

It’s believed KTM acted to put Giribuola into Fernandez’s side of the box in preparation for next year when he’ll be teaming back up with Bastianini for a second time.

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