2024 Japanese MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | October 6, 2024

Sunday MotoGP Race

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) held firm at the front at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, taking the lead and keeping his nerve as key title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) applied the pressure throughout. With the #1 taking the win ahead of the impressive charge up the order from P11 for Martin, it’s now just 10 points in it at the top of the table.

Behind, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) turned the tables on Saturday duelling partner Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), taking another podium finish and keeping those two locked together in the standings too.

2024 Japanese MotoGP News and Results — **Bagnaia dug back into Martin’s lead with the Sunday GP win.**

Bagnaia nailed the start but polesitter Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) stayed aggressive to try and take the holeshot, coming up just short and wide enough to let Bagnaia through. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) got a good launch up into third, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) just behind, and Marc Marquez and Martin once again got great launches from further back to immediately put themselves in contention.

Fireworks started there nearly immediately as a huge shuffle kicked off, with Binder slightly wide, Bastianini going for that gap and Marquez trying to create another, the end result of which a couple of apexes later was actually Binder back ahead and Martin having picked his way through to fourth. Then Marquez went for Bastianini but Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) went for both.

Once that had been settled – for the moment – Marquez was back past Miller into fourth and Bastianini made it through not long after. Next, Marquez made a divebomb on Binder to take over in what had become third – with Martin up into second as drama had hit up ahead for Acosta.

Out the final corner, the Rookie of the Year just overcooked it and slid out from behind Bagnaia, losing the chance at his first MotoGP™ win from his first MotoGP™ pole. That put Martin into second from P11 on the grid, but new race leader Bagnaia now held a 1.5 second advantage. Lap by lap, however, that began to come down.

Meanwhile, Bastianini was on the back of Binder looking for a way through, and that proved hard to find. After a couple of attempts parried by the South African, the Italian finally managed to slice through at Turn 3 and take over in fourth – just as the white flag went out.

Yet, the rain largely stayed at bay. Enough for Bagnaia and Martin to keep the hammer absolutely down at the front, with the #1 seeming in control until the charge really started to seem ominous. It went down to one second, then eight tenths, as Martin homed in, but the #89 said a moment on the front end made him take stock. 20 points for a 10-point lead and no Sunday errors? Not priceless, but definitely a good buy.

Bastianini continued to bother Marquez in the fight for third, but the #23 just couldn’t quite get within striking distance. After the eight-time World Champion had headed wide earlier in the race, Bastianini had closed up but the gap was a concertina round the lap – from seven tenths back down to just under half a second, with no option to try a move.

Up ahead, Bagnaia kept it cool to hit back in the title fight and take his eighth win of the season, making 2024 his best year in terms of wins and bringing that gap back down to 10 points ahead of the final four race weekends of the year. But Martin’s charge from P11 on the grid was also a noteworthy one in the pendulum of ever-changing momentum, with Phillip Island now set up to see the fireworks start again.

Marquez kept it tidy in the latter laps to give Bastianini no chance at a move, completing the podium and moving back to within two points of the ‘Beast’ in the standings.

Behind, Binder just lost out on fifth as Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) charged up the order to deny the South African. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took P7 just ahead of teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, before a gap back to top Aprilia Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) after Maverick Viñales crashed out from up ahead. Miller completed the top ten, holding off Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) after an impressive performance from the Frenchman – and a less controversial one than his Tissot Sprint.

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was next up ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) as he scored points in his final Japanese GP as a full-time rider. The scorers were rounded out by Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing). An early race incident saw Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) make contact with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and both DNF, with the #73 given a Long Lap Penalty for it to be served next time out.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Sunday MotoGP Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+1.189
3	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+3.822
4	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+4.358
5	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+17.940
6	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+18.502
7	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+19.371
8	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+20.199
9	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+30.442
10	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+31.184

Moto2 Race

Wet or dry? That was the question asked of the Moto2™ field after a red-flagged stoppage in Japan – and the answer, eventually, was dry. Emerging as a Grand Prix winner for the first time was Manuel Gonzalez as the Spaniard’s slick tyre gamble worked a treat, with the QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ star beating World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) by 2.5s as the Japanese home hero’s risky gamble also pays off in a big way. Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was another rider to choose the right tyres as the Czech star powered his Triumph-Kalex to a first podium of the season.

The intermediate class race began with a threat of rain looming in Motegi, but it was dry when the lights went out and pinching the holeshot was polesitter Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), as the Briton’s teammate Izan Guevara and Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) made contact at Turn 1 and 2, causing both riders to lose several positions. However, the rain had arrived at the top end of the circuit and before the opening lap could be completed, the red flags were waved. This meant the race would restart with original grid positions.

Following a short delay, a restarted race of 12 laps was declared as the riders and teams tried to work out whether to head out on wet or slick tyres. And dramatically, World Championship leader Ogura opted for slicks! At the end of the sighting lap, the Japanese star didn’t pit, so his choice was locked. The majority of the other riders chose wet tyres.

Was it a masterstroke from Ogura? We were about to find out. Dixon got the holeshot again as Guevara made it an Aspar 1-2, with Ogura dropping to P14 at Turn 2. van den Goorbergh, from P2, dropped to P22 on the opening lap as Ogura lost more places. At the end of Lap 1 of 12, Ogura was P14, 3.2s away from race leader Dixon.

Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) passed Guevara for P2 on Lap 2 as Ogura began to make progress. P7 was now the #79’s position, and that was soon P4. Then it was P3 at Turn 10, then it was P2 at Turn 11, then it was P1 at Turn 1 on the next lap. Stunning from Ogura. With nine laps to go, the slick tyre risk was paying off handsomely.

Gonzalez was another rider on slick tyres, and the Spaniard was P2 on Lap 5. Dixon’s lap was over four seconds slower than Ogura’s as the slick tyre runners powered on through. The next of those was Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Racing Team), and the other two were Salač and van den Goorbergh as the Czech and Dutch riders sailed into the top five.

With six to go, Gonzalez was taking huge chunks out of Ogura’s lead. The Spaniard was 0.9s quicker on the previous lap, and while that battle was starting to fizz up, Salač, Alcoba and van den Goorbergh were jostling for the final podium spot.

With four laps to go, Gonzalez was swarming all over the rear tyre of Ogura. A move came at Turn 9 and it was a clean one too. The #18 passed the #79 as Gonzalez stared down the barrel of a maiden Moto2™ win, with Ogura clinging onto a massive 20-point haul.

On Lap 11 of 12, the gap between the leading duo was a second. Gonzalez wasn’t streaking clear as the pre-pass pace suggested, but heading onto the last lap, the gap was 1.1s despite Ogura setting the fastest lap of the race. Would Gonzalez hold on for a dream debut Grand Prix victory? Yes he would. The slick tyre gamble paid off as Gonzalez led home title chase leader and home hero Ogura, as Salač fended off Alcoba to bag his first podium since the 2023 French GP.

Alcoba was just 0.137s away from his first intermediate class podium in P4, as van den Goorbergh earns a career-best P5. Xavier Artigas’ (Klint Forward Factory Team) dry tyre gamble handed the Spaniard his first points of the season in P6, with Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) the first of the wet tyre riders to cross the line in P7.

Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), Lopez and Guevara closed out the top 10, with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Dixon, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) the final point scorers, as that P14 for Garcia sees Ogura take a commanding 60-point lead into Phillip Island. That means it’s match-point territory for the Japanese star next time out.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Moto2 Race

1	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)
2	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+2.535
3	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+9.103
4	Jeremy Alcoba	(Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team)	+9.240
5	Zonta Van den Goorbergh	(RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP)	+14.758
6	Xavier Artigas	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+35.812
7	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+53.847
8	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+54.359
9	Alonso Lopez	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+56.883
10	Izan Guevara	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+58.933

Moto3 Race

Was it ever in doubt? David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) is your 2024 Moto3™ World Champion after #BabyGOAT raced to a phenomenal 10th victory of the season at the Japanese GP. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) completed the rostrum in P2 and P3 respectively, as the crown is secured by the Colombian with four races to spare.

From pole position, Ortola got a lovely start and beat Alonso to the holeshot, as Veijer slipped from P2 to P7. Meanwhile, from P9, Holgado made quick – and necessary – progress on Lap 1 to get past Alonso into P2 behind Ortola.

P3 became P5 for Alonso at the start of Lap 2 as both Leopard Racing Hondas, Angel Piqueras and Fernandez, carved past at Turn 1. At the start of Lap 3, Ortola led from Holgado and Fernandez, with Alonso back ahead of Piqueras in P4. Fernandez, after a phenomenal double overtake at Turn 5, pounced to P1 as Alonso was shuffled back to P7 having been passed by Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports).

With 11 laps to go, Fernandez was still leading but after briefly sitting behind Holgado, Ortola was now back in second place and setting record-breaking race laps at the Mobility Resort Motegi. Piqueras then passed Holgado to relegate the #96 to P4, with Yamanaka swarming all over the rear tyre of the Spaniard before a move from the Japanese rider came at Turn 5 with 10 laps to go. Now, Holgado was P5 and Alonso was P6. As things stood, the title race would continue in Australia.

On Lap 9 of 17, Holgado and then Alonso were back past Yamanaka at Turn 9. That was the #80’s first big move of the race, as the Colombian set the fastest lap of the race. P5 was soon P3 for Alonso as a mistake from Holgado at Turn 10 saw Alonso move into P3, but Holgado bit back at Turn 11. The wick had been turned up.

With seven laps left, Alonso was in a Championship-winning position. P2 for Ortola, P3 for Alonso and P4 for Holgado was enough, but there was a long way to go. P3 then became P2 for Alonso at Turn 9 as Ortola was demoted to P3, now it was all about how could Ortola and Holgado respond.

Ortola and Alonso exchanged P2 on Lap 13, as Veijer elbowed his way through on Holgado at Turn 5. Piqueras then crashed out of the lead group at Turn 10 to make it a lead group of five, with Yamanaka 0.6s away in P6.

Four to go. Alonso, for the first time, led. But not for long. Fernandez fought back immediately as Ortola and Veijer went toe-to-toe. Turn 11 saw Alonso lead again as Holgado slammed it up the inside of Veijer to grab P4.

Three to go. As things stood, Alonso was the World Champion and there was a gap forming at the front. Fernandez made a small mistake at Turn 11 that cost him and Ortola time. Could that half a second be enough?

Two to go. Ortola forced his way through on Fernandez and set his sights on Alonso, as Veijer pinched P4 off of Holgado. That half a second advantage disappeared with a lap and a half to go, but at Turn 10, Ortola crashed. The polesitter was down and out of the podium fight, and this left Alonso with a 0.4s lead over Fernandez and Veijer heading onto the final lap.

Last lap time. With Alonso P1 and Holgado P4, it was all but done. Veijer and Fernandez battled hard for P2 to allow Alonso to keep his 0.4s buffer, and the pack weren’t close enough to even think about making a move on Alonso. The Colombian rounded Victory Corner, fired his way to the chequered flag and became a Moto3™ World Champion in the only way he knows how in 2024 – by winning. A 10th victory of the year, a record-breaking 14th Moto3™ win and the first Colombian World Champion. What a rider, what a win, what a World Champion. Congratulations David and to the whole Aspar outfit.

Veijer beat Fernandez on the final lap to claim P2, as the latter made it two podiums from two. Holgado’s title hopes are ended in Japan with a P4 finish, as Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top five. Yamanaka was only 1.3s away from the win and was the lead Japanese rider in P6, with compatriot Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Muñoz, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), and Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) rounded out the top 10.

Elsewhere, Matteo Bertelle and Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team teammate David Almansa picked up P11 and P12, as Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) and Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) completed the points in Japan.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Moto3 Race

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)
2	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.524
3	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+0.766
4	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+1.168
5	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+1.209
6	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+1.389
7	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+2.336
8	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+3.890
9	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+3.953
10	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+7.993

2024 Japanese MotoGP News—Saturday

Marquez’s qualifying rage

Marc Marquez was furious after Q2 was finished – not because his pole position lap had been cancelled for exceeding track limits on the exit of Turn 4; but because the news wasn’t relayed to him until it was too late to push for another lap.
“When I saw they didn’t cancel the lap, I decided to not make any more laps pushing because there was some drops and I decide not to take any risks,” he said. “I went to the Stewards to understand why the notification arrived 5 minutes later. And they said, sorry.”

It led Race Director Mike Webb to explain, “The track limits sensor was triggered immediately, which leads to the automatic cancellation of any lap. The FIM MotoGP Stewards entered it into the system right away, but unfortunately, a software glitch interrupted this process and meant the lap then needed to be cancelled manually, causing a delay to the notification. This is the first time this has happened in thousands of track limits infractions investigated each season.”

Acosta’s heartbreak

He was so close. But Pedro Acosta must wait at least another day before claiming a first victory in MotoGP. Not long after becoming the third youngest pole sitter in premier class history, he led the Sprint and was easing clear of Pecco Bagnaia when he crashed out at Turn 7.

The Spaniard fronted up to the mistake immediately. “A little wide, with too much lean angle,” he said. And Acosta reckoned it was the biggest disappointment of his career to date.

“Fuck, today was good,” he said.

“I have to say that today with my crash in Moto2 in Le Mans (in 2023), it’s even more painful. But I remember that crash helped me to really grow up inside this championship. I hope this also (does the same). I said many times I was able to win after what happened in Le Mans. Inside all the negatives that I have, inside I have all the pain, it will only be a positive thing in this class.”

Nakagami’s disappointment

It wasn’t the Saturday Takaaki Nakagami had envisaged at his home GP. The Japanese rider was struggling considerably with spin in 17^th place when he was taken out of the Sprint race by teammate Johann Zarco.

Needless to say, Nakagami wasn’t impressed by the Frenchman’s conduct. “After the race he came to my side and apologised, but I said that this was unnecessary, that it was not a nice move,” he said. “He was explaining me why he moved like this, but it was difficult, because after the race I was so disappointed in my teammate. We are not fighting against a point and it’s still the beginning of the race. And also not place to overtake, that corner, between 1 and 2.”

MotoGP Sprint Race

The gap in the Championship is back down to 15 points after a rollercoaster Tissot Sprint at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) lands the spoils as he stayed flawless under pressure at the front, taking over after a heartbreaker crash out the lead for rookie and polesitter Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

The podium behind was then decided by a spectacular Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) vs Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) showdown, before the two then also homed in on Bagnaia for an incredibly close finish over the line. Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) came home fourth, moving forward from a tough qualifying but unable to quite get into the rostrum fight.

Bagnaia got a scrappier start but was able to make it back, just getting it under control in the braking area to nab the holeshot from Acosta. Bastianini then briefly got ahead of Acosta in the early stages before the rookie hit back, and behind them Martin and Marquez had made big gains. After the first shuffle concluded, Bagnaia, Acosta, Bastianini and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the leading quartet ahead of a small gap back to the #89-#93 duo in fifth and sixth.

The fireworks started there on Lap 2. Marquez went for it at T10 and got it done, but the two stayed close together in the race to catch the front four and Martin wasn’t ultimately able to reply. There were then more fireworks at the front as Acosta went for a late dive for the lead at Turn 5, likewise making that stick and forcing Bagnaia to tuck in behind. Bastianini remained close company too, before the three gained a little more time in their wake as Binder pulled off to the side of the track with a technical issue, leaving some space.

From there, Acosta was on a charge. The rookie held the reigning Champion at bay looking comfortable enough, but then it all came apart. Already with his head in his hands as he slid across the gravel, the mistake was made and the win gone. Bagnaia took over in the lead, with Bastianini and Marquez on the chase.

Initially, it looked comfortable enough, but there were spots of rain threatening and the #93’s reputation preceded him. All over the back of Bastianini, he went for the move but the ‘Beast’ wasn’t for turning. Marquez was briefly ahead, the two were side-by-side, and then the #23 Ducati was sailing back up the inside. Somehow, Bastianini got it stopped and was back into second – and then the two started eating into Bagnaia’s lead.

Metre by metre, the gap to the front disappeared as the grey skies threatened again. But half a second proved the limit for the duo on the chase, and the #1 crossed the line ahead by just over a tenth, with all three covered by 0.349 at the flag. Bagnaia’s win cuts the gap back down to 15 points as Martin came home fourth, unable to get in the podium fight on Saturday.

Bastianini’s second place, meanwhile, keeps him just ahead of Marquez in the Championship and the two completing the podium ensures they make a gain – however small – on Martin overall…

Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) finished P5, just able to stay ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) as his compatriot hounded him to the flag. In a big group battle behind, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) just came out on top ahead of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) taking the final Sprint point as Marco Bezzeccchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) just missed out.

There was some home heartbreak for Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) as some unfortunate contact from his CASTROL Honda LCR teammate ended his final home Sprint as a full time rider early. Zarco was given a Long Lap penalty for the incident after also having come together Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) earlier in the race and will be looking for some amends on Sunday.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Sprint Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.181
3	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.349
4	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+2.498
5	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+4.326
6	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+4.446
7	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+11.444
8	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+11.875
9	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+11.947
10	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+12.299

Moto2 Qualifying

Tricky conditions were the name of the game in Moto2™ qualifying and timing the table-topping lap to perfection was Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team). The Briton’s early 1:52.693 was enough to seal pole position by just 0.006s as Q1 graduate Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) secured his best Saturday result of the season in P2, while Indonesian GP winner Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) claimed P3.

Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) spearheads a second row that is made up of an on-song Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and rookie Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team).

Row 3 is fronted by another Q1 graduate in the form of Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), with the Belgian joined by two of the top three in the title chase – Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI).

There’s work to be done on Sunday for Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and MT Helmets – MSI’s Sergio Garcia as two 2024 race winners launch from P15 and P17 respectively.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	1:52.693
2	Zonta Van den Goorbergh	(RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP)	+0.006
3	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.307
4	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.309
5	Izan Guevara	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.423
6	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.433
7	Barry Baltus	(RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP)	+0.481
8	Alonso Lopez	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+0.692
9	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+1.201
10	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+1.363

Moto3 Qualifying

For the second weekend in a row, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) set a new lap record to take pole position – and what an effort it was. The #48’s 1:54.781 was the only sub-1:55 lap of a session that was completed (amazingly) with rain in the air, as Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) finished 0.356s down in P2. Meanwhile, on match point Sunday in Motegi, Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) will launch from P3 as the #80 aims to wrap up the title tomorrow.

It was another strong qualifying for rookie Angel Piqueras. The Leopard Racing star will start from P4 on Sunday morning and is joined on Row 2 by home hero Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Australia’s Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports).

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) is Alonso’s chief chaser in the 2024 title race, but the #96 has a little more work to do off the grid than he would have liked. It’s a P9 slot for the Spaniard, just behind compatriots Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports).

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Moto3 Qualifying

1	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	1:54.761
2	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.356
3	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.409
4	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.724
5	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.733
6	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.918
7	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+1.167
8	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+1.170
9	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+1.404
10	David Almansa	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+1.473

2024 Japanese MotoGP News—Friday

Honda hires Albesiano

Honda delivered a bombshell on the Friday of its home GP by announcing it has poached Aprilia’s Romano Albesiano to be its Technical Director from next year.

The move represents a significant departure for HRC, where a Japanese engineer had always held the position. Just how much power he will have in the company remains to be seen.

Albesiano has significant experience in the aerodynamics field and has overseen Aprilia’s rise from back markers to race winners since it officially reentered the MotoGP class in 2015.

“What Romano was able to do these last 6, 7 years in Aprilia has been amazing,” said Aleix Espargaro. “We’ve grown these last two or three seasons, but the first ones were very difficult. He never gave up, he had a lot of ideas, he made the bike year by year better.

“I think HRC doesn’t have to change everything, they won a lot in the past with their way of work, but obviously today the Italian engineers are on top of the world, so to mix this will make Honda really, really strong for next year.”

Marc Marquez may be removed from Honda, but he saw the move as positive for his former employer. “The philosophy, sometimes in the competition you need to change and you need to adapt to what the situation requests. And now the situation of Honda requests being in the top as fast as possible.

“To do that, take engineers makes it faster and cheaper, that movement. Because in the end, you go in the way that the other manufacturers go, and he will give you the information for sure from another manufacturer. And for me it’s a good move. And I’m happy, because it looks like Honda keeps pushing.”

Aprilia hires Sterlacchini

Albesiano’s move represents a significant blow for Aprilia, who confirmed Fabiano Sterlacchini – formerly of Ducati and KTM – as his replacement.

Current riders Maverick Viñales and Raul Fernandez were shocked and even downcast due to Albesiano’s departure. “It’s difficult for me, because I have a really good relationship with Romano,” said Fernandez. “I think he worked really well in Aprilia. He’s one of the people who most improved this project, so for me it’s really disappointing.”

Yet Jorge Martin attempted to maintain a positive outlook. “I feel everybody in Aprilia is really happy,” he said. “So I think will be a big change and a good change for us. Also, I think Fabiano has a lot of experience with Ducati and KTM so will give a lot of know how to Aprilia. So will be good.”

Martin not feeling the strain

For the second season in succession the same two names will contest the MotoGP crown in the final five rounds. But this time around one – Jorge Martin – is enjoying this year’s season.

The Spaniard admitted he lost enjoyment for the battle toward the tail end of last year as the pressure piled up, and insisted he’s a changed character this time around.

“I sleep much better now,” he said on Thursday. “Last season was really difficult to manage for me. Maybe not here in Japan but more in Thailand and Malaysia was really tough and also Valencia. I feel I improved a lot in terms of the mental side. I worked a lot during all the season. I think I’ve done an amazing step, so I’m enjoying now. I enjoy to go back on track and enjoy to ride.

“Last season was the opposite. It was like a bad dream… A nightmare. Even if I was winning, I didn’t enjoy at all. But now I’m enjoying, so I’m super happy. And I’m proud to be here. So it’s really, really, really good.”

Friday MotoGP

Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) brilliant 1:43.436 handed the South African Day 1 honours at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan as an incredibly competitive Friday afternoon Practice session played out at a dry Mobility Resort Motegi. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) claimed P2, 0.033s away from the blistering Binder, with World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) a further 0.099s shy in P3 as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) settles for P7.

We’re normally used to seeing the first 30 minutes – or more – of Practice get off to a steady start, but that wasn’t the case in Japan as the threat of wet weather meant soft rear Michelin rubber was slotted in at the beginning of the session. Bagnaia and Martin were straight up to P1 and P2, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio sitting in an early P3 and P4.

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was soon inside the top three on his first visit to Motegi on a premier class thoroughbred, before the session – lap time-wise – settled down following the opening 15-minute flourish.

A while later, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was then P3 after a couple of solid efforts were hammered home by Top Gun before we saw Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) crash at Turn 13 with just over 30 minutes to go. ‘The Beast’ was all OK and jogged back to the box, but it was a fast one – the front end washed away without warning, and the Italian’s GP24 took some heavy blows in the gravel.

With 15 minutes to go, things started to ramp up again. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™) jumped up to P5, and soon after, Aprilia stablemate Viñales went P2 – 0.012s away from Bagnaia. Immediately the Spaniard was demoted to P3 though as Binder set a 1:43.879 to go top of the timesheets, with teammate Jack Miller now P4. The KTMs were prowling.

On his next lap, Viñales improved again to move back into P2, but it was soon P3 once more as Acosta climbed to P2 to make it a Pierer Mobility Group 1-2 with 10 minutes to go. The rookie sensation then pinched P1 off Binder after delivering a 1:43.754, as both Bagnaia and Martin failed to beat Acosta and Binder on their first time attack efforts.

Pecco then slammed home a 1:43.754 to set the exact same time as Acosta, but Martin went 0.186s faster than his title rival and the #31 to act as the new session leader with five minutes left to play. Attention then turned to Bastianini and after his crash earlier in the session, ‘The Beast’ clawed his way back into the top 10 to go P2, 0.037s down on Martin.

The lead changed again though! Binder went top, 0.132s clear of Martin, as home hero Takaaki Nakagmi (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) clinched a provisional P9 – top job from the Japanese star. There were still plenty of changes coming though. Marc Marquez went 0.033s slower than Binder to pocket P2 as improvements for Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Di Giannantonio pushed the impressive Nakagami out of the top 10 moments before the chequered flag waved.

What a session that was. Acosta improved late to finish P4 and under a tenth and a half away from Binder, with Bastianini rounding out the top five – a good recovery from the #23. Viñales was P6, Bagnaia slipped to P7, but less than four tenths covers the front seven in a very competitive Friday. Alex Marquez, Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi were the final top 10 finishers as a late crash at Turn 3 for Miller saw the Australian miss out in P11 by 0.030s. Nakagami also missed the cut by such a fine margin, the #30 0.049s off an automatic Q2 place.

2024 Japanese MotoGP Results—Friday

1	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	1:43.436
2	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.033
3	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.132
4	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.147
5	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.169
6	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.284
7	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.318
8	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.597
9	Fabio Di Giannantonio	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.646
10	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.773

Friday Moto2

On a mixed conditions Friday at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) topped both FP and Practice 1 to head into Saturday as the rider to beat in the Moto2™ class. The Czech rider’s new lap record, a 1:49.716, was 0.046s quicker than second place Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) as the Indonesian GP winner enjoys a fruitful Friday in Motegi. Third place went the way of Marcos Ramirez, the OnlyFans American Racing Team rider was also less than a tenth shy of top spot.

Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) was up the sharp end throughout the day on home turf as the World Championship leader goes into qualifying day fourth on the timesheets.

Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) completed the top five, 0.356s away from the summit, as rookie Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) also produced some good-looking pace in the afternoon stint to finish P6.

Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) were inside the top 10 as the quartet aim to try and keep themselves in with an outside shot at the title in Japan, while Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) finished outside the top 14 in P17.

2024 Japanese Moto2 Results—Friday

1	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	1:49.716
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.046
3	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.095
4	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.299
5	Izan Guevara	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.356
6	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.383
7	Fermin Aldeguer	(Beta Tools SpeedUp)	+0.398
8	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.428
9	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.441
10	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.495

Friday Moto3

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) ended a tricky opening day of action as the quickest rider in Moto3™, with a tenth and a half splitting the leading trio as Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and title-hunting David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) enjoy their opening day’s work in Japan having pocketed P2 and P3.

Two home stars were able to bag opening day top five results as Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) head into Saturday’s action in P4 and P5.

The only other two riders who can stop Alonso from winning the title this weekend, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), were P9 and P13 and have work to do to close the gap ahead of qualifying.

2024 Japanese Moto3 Results—Friday

1	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	1:55.550
2	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.157
3	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.167
4	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.253
5	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.315
6	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.386
7	David Almansa	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+0.465
8	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+0.542
9	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.592
10	Matteo Bertelle	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+0.631

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