Davide Brivio supports MotoGP's upcoming talent, even in the face of criticism for a "missed opportunity." "We appreciate his mindset – he's persistent and always strives to do his best."

Davide Brivio was overjoyed when Ai Ogura secured the Moto2 title.

The head of Trackhouse is set to bring Ogura into MotoGP for his first season as a rookie in 2025, following their agreement on a contract earlier this year.

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Ogura is now assured of joining the top-tier category as a world champion following his title victory in Thailand.

Brivio expressed their enthusiasm and anticipation about integrating him into the team.

"We have observed his performance throughout the season, and it has been impressive."

"We appreciate his mindset – he is persistent and always puts in the effort to advance."

Last weekend's race in Thailand was a clear showcase of his character. Despite falling behind a few spots, he refused to quit and made a strong effort to regain his standing. Even though a fifth-place finish would have sufficed, he pushed himself to try and seize victory. I found his determination truly impressive.

"During the final laps as the rain began to fall, his driving became extremely aggressive."

"He persevered, yet he was wise enough to pause when the rain made it too dangerous."

"This race encapsulated his strengths effectively."

"We are pleased with his performance this season. Despite suffering an injury, he persevered through the challenging times."

"Our aim is to ensure that his career continues to progress positively."

Ogura secured the Moto2 championship title by placing second in the race held in Thailand.

Brivio mentioned that after finalizing the contract and reaching an agreement, there hasn't been much communication between the parties.

"We encouraged him to concentrate on the Moto2 title, as it held significant importance for Ai."

During the season, he declared, "Victory is a must for me, regardless of the circumstances."

"Our aim was for him to concentrate on his primary responsibilities. Now, we'll have the opportunity to discuss matters in more detail."

This is yet another trait. He was attentive and dedicated to his task.

"He remained focused and was not sidetracked by attending MotoGP."

Aron Canet, Sergio Garcia, and Fermin Aldeguer—set to join Gresini in MotoGP next year—found themselves lagging behind Ogura in the Moto2 championship standings.

Ogura's pace effectively halted discussions about Joe Roberts potentially joining the US-supported Trackhouse team as an American rider.

Earlier in the season, as Roberts was performing well, Neil Hodgson from TNT Sports pondered: "If we're talking about pure speed, I'd rank Ogura ahead of him. However, when considering the business side of things overall?"

Trackhouse, a U.S.-based team aiming to adopt a unique approach, plans to utilize social media as a tool to expand the sport's reach.

"It seems to me they failed to take advantage of an obvious opportunity!"

Ogura has now addressed those queries and has the experienced MotoGP figure, Brivio, supporting him.

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Former MotoGP racer ends up sleeping in his car on the highway because of severe flooding in Valencia

Video shared by the ex-MotoGP competitor depicts chaos in Spain

On Tuesday night, Tito Rabat found himself stranded in his vehicle on a highway as a result of severe flooding in Spain.

The ex-MotoGP competitor was present in Cheste, located in Valencia, where the last race of the season is set to take place in a fortnight.

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Image via twitter.com/npIKnniWkf— Tito Rabat (@TitoRabat) October 30, 2024

Image via twitter.com/npIKnniWkf

This week, flash floods in the southeastern region of Spain have resulted in the deaths of 51 individuals.

Valencia has been affected, and officials at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit are currently evaluating the extent of the damage.

Through his social media, Rabat managed to capture and share a glimpse of the turmoil occurring in Spain.

"I found myself waking up on the A3 after being caught in the rain," he shared in a post.

On Tuesday, he was one of numerous individuals who couldn't return home because of the weather. This group included about 100 people who spent the night in secure zones at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

The A3 highway, which links Madrid with Valencia, has experienced complete closures in some areas, prompting some drivers to abandon their vehicles.

This situation has led to people, among them Rabat, spending the night trapped in their vehicles.

This weekend, MotoGP will hold its second-to-last race of the season in Malaysia, ahead of the final event scheduled to take place in Valencia from November 15 to 17.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS: The Ricardo Tormo Circuit, MotoGP, and the IRTA have released updates regarding the weather-related damage in Valencia and the current situation of the race planned for two weeks from now.

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Takaaki Nakagami expressed immense joy for his fellow countryman Ai Ogura, who he praised as "very clever," following Ogura's victory in the Moto2 championship. Ai Ogura clinched his inaugural world championship during a Moto2 race in Thailand that was halted due to a red flag.

Ai Ogura's triumph in the 2024 Moto2 World Championship signified Japan's first global title since Hiroshi Aoyama clinched the last 250cc World Championship back in 2009.

Since the inception of Moto2 in 2010, merely four riders from Japan have claimed victories in this category. Shoya Tomizawa, Takaaki Nakagami, and Tetsuta Nagashima had each secured Grand Prix wins in this second-tier class prior to Ai Ogura's promotion to Moto2 in 2021.

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Takaaki Nakagami believed Ogura truly earned his championship victory.

"Naturally, I'm absolutely thrilled for him," Nakagami expressed after the MotoGP event in Thailand, "since I believe he truly earned the championship victory.

Throughout the season, his performance was remarkably steady. Even today, though he initially lost a few spots at the start, he smartly regained them, ultimately reaching second place by the race's conclusion.

"I felt incredibly joyful, a huge shoutout to him, and it was wonderful to witness his championship victory right before the MotoGP race started."

"He seems extremely joyful, and certainly, all the fans from Japan, along with myself, share in his happiness."

Raul Fernandez, who is set to be Ogura's team partner in 2025, shared similar feelings to those of Nakagami. The rider from Spain has previously raced in the classes leading up to the Grand Prix, often competing close to Ogura.

"Fernandez expressed his joy, stating, "I believe he truly earned the championship after having an outstanding year."

"I'm truly delighted because, ultimately, starting from our days in the [Red Bull] Rookies Cup, through our times in Moto3 and Moto2, next year he's going to be my teammate."

"Truly elated, he now believes he possesses the self-assurance essential for competing in MotoGP."

"I believe he'll bring a new perspective to Aprilia; I also feel his contribution will benefit the project, so I'm pleased for him and for his performance in today's race—he truly raced like a champion, so I'm genuinely excited to have [Ai] Ogura as my teammate."

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Valencia MotoGP Faces Uncertainty Amid Rising Death Toll from Severe Flooding

Valencia's MotoGP season-ending event, scheduled for November 15-17, is now in jeopardy.

The city of Valencia has suffered severe damage due to lethal flooding, occurring merely two weeks before it is scheduled to host the final race of the MotoGP season, an event now facing potential postponement.

According to Sky News, flash floods in southeastern Spain have resulted in the deaths of 72 individuals.

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Our hearts go out to all those affected in Spain and the Valencia area following the severe floods. Pictured here is the entrance to the Ricardo Tormo circuit. pic.twitter.com/eV1Ub1LWqd

The last race of the 2024 MotoGP season is set to take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia from November 15th to 17th.

On Wednesday, officials from the Ricardo Tormo Circuit announced that they have started evaluating the various damages incurred.

A preliminary examination reveals that the track is in excellent condition, but the access and parking zones have been severely damaged and need immediate repairs.

In under 12 hours, over 200 liters of rain per square meter led to destruction, as it mixed with flowing water, mud, debris from nearby gorges, and fragments of the circuit.

Approximately 100 individuals, consisting of grandstand setup workers, the Formula E logistics crew, as well as maintenance, security, and administrative staff, had to stay overnight at the location. They found shelter in different secure areas, such as the gym and office.

"The key point is that everyone present at the Circuit is safe, and they've all managed to stay overnight securely within the Circuit's facilities," stated Nicolás Collado, the general director of Ricardo Tormo.

The evaluation of the damage has started to determine how much this weather event, DANA, will impact the Grand Prix festivities. Currently, all preliminary events are put on hold, with the primary goal being to ensure the Grand Prix can proceed safely and without issues.

According to a report from Motorsport, IRTA released a statement acknowledging the severe conditions in Valencia due to intense rainfall and flooding. Tragically, the region has witnessed over 50 deaths, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for. Our sympathies are with the affected families and victims.

Thankfully, no injuries have been reported among the circuit personnel. However, there is significant damage to the outer areas of the facilities, particularly at the entrance to the circuit. We have received information indicating that the runway seems to be in satisfactory condition, but a comprehensive evaluation is still being conducted.

In a message, MotoGP expressed: "We stand in solidarity with everyone impacted by the floods in Valencia. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families."

"Our thoughts are with all of you and everyone involved in the recovery efforts."

MotoGP is collaborating with the track and local officials to provide support and help in order to facilitate a speedy recovery.

The Ricardo Tormo circuit was scheduled to host Formula E testing on Monday.

A message from the series expressed: "We extend our sympathies to everyone impacted by the severe weather in Spain. We are collaborating closely with local officials and the representatives of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia as we prepare for the planned FIA Formula E official test next week."

As a result of the main access road being damaged by a nearby riverbank breach, vehicles are unable to reach the circuit at present. Four staff members from Formula E spent the night at the circuit as a safety measure, but they are unharmed and can walk to and from the location. The track itself remains undamaged, and we are in the process of evaluating the condition of the garages and freight. We are also exploring other possible routes for entering and exiting the circuit.

"We are keeping a watchful eye on the developments and will share more information as soon as it becomes available."

72 fatalities reported in south-east Spain

Focus in the city has shifted to the severe flash floods that occurred on Tuesday.

According to Sky News, some of the deceased in Valencia include children.

Ricardo Gabaldón, who serves as the mayor of a town in Valencia, described yesterday to the national broadcaster RTVE as the most terrible day he has ever experienced.

"We felt completely stuck, similar to how rats are trapped. Vehicles and garbage bins were being swept along the roads. The water level was climbing up to three meters."

Vitalij Farafonov, a tourist from Britain, described the scene to Sky News, saying, "It was chaotic, with nine or ten trucks flipped over along a half-mile segment of the highway."

"This is something completely unprecedented for us."

Sky News forecasts additional storms continuing through Thursday.

This weekend, MotoGP is heading to Malaysia for the second-to-last race of the season, before moving on to the final event in Valencia.

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Alex Marquez describes his crash during the Thai MotoGP sighting lap as "incredibly foolish."

He clarifies, "It wasn't about a lapse in focus."

Alex Marquez described his crash during the sighting lap at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix as "really stupid," attributing it to his attempt at trying a different racing line under wet conditions.

The Gresini competitor took a spill at Turn 11 during the lap leading to the grid before Sunday's 26-lap Grand Prix in Buriram.

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Alarm during the warm-up lap! 😮 Alex Marquez has had a fall! 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/3Fc7sKx0l3

Marquez managed to begin the race on his backup motorcycle, which was switched from a dry configuration to a wet one. However, this adjustment meant he had to start from the very back of the grid, rather than his original ninth position.

He successfully battled through the field on his GP23 to finish within the top 10.

Marquez admitted to the press, Crash.net among them, on Sunday, calling it "a truly foolish error."

"First and foremost, I've already apologized to the team, acknowledging that the error was mine."

"I must admit, it wasn't an error due to a lapse in focus or anything of that sort.

"I had a strategy planned out based on my warm-up session, where I consistently took the shortcut at Turn 11 on every lap. As I was heading to the starting grid, I noticed an increase in water on the track."

"Therefore, I mentioned, 'I'll give it a shot with some gas, yet not entirely, to head over there and check the traction on that curb'."

"However, as I entered, the chill was palpable, and before I knew it, I found myself lying on the floor."

"Afterward, things became quite complex, so I opted for the alternate bicycle that was dry, and we prepared ourselves once more with the complete rain gear."

"Beginning at the back, I participated in a standard race. The sensation wasn't exceptional. Therefore, I simply aimed to complete the race and achieve my best."

"I was fortunate to have my accident on that lap, as I had been contemplating taking that route."

"Hence, I might have encountered an accident during the warm-up lap or at the race's outset when everyone is starting off."

"I was fortunate in that situation. It's crucial that we learn from this experience; I must refrain from being too hard on myself. Such an error is not one that a MotoGP rider should commit."

Marquez asserts that even if the accident hadn't caused him to lose his initial qualifying spot, he feels he wouldn't have managed better than eighth place. He explains that his comfort level riding the GP23 in wet conditions is "not really good."

"Marquez, the victor of the 2023 Silverstone sprint under rainy circumstances, mentioned, 'Beginning today from P9 instead of P23, our standing was eighth, which is typical.'"

"With the 2023 motorcycle, my confidence isn't quite there. On the 2022 model, I felt incredibly confident in wet conditions, just as I did on the Honda."

"However, with the 2023 version, there's still an element lacking in the configuration."

"Therefore, should there be a chance to navigate through wet conditions, we'll make the necessary modifications. Otherwise, we must come up with a plan, as I'm currently not comfortable under such circumstances."

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Ducati Chief: "Pecco Bagnaia is Surpassing Casey Stoner"

Davide Tardozzi Draws Parallels Between 2007 and 2024

Davide Tardozzi asserts that Francesco Bagnaia is surpassing Casey Stoner in this season's MotoGP championship battle.

Current titleholder Bagnaia is aiming for his third consecutive championship; however, he is 17 points behind Jorge Martin with only two rounds remaining.

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Achieving success this season would surpass the achievements of the legendary Stoner, who secured two championships.

Ducati team manager Tardozzi expressed his concern to Motorsport, noting that it troubles him somewhat that Pecco, despite winning half of the races, is currently in second place in the championship standings.

"This is an issue that should make us reflect on what lies ahead."

"In recent races, we've committed more errors than we'd like, and it's crucial that we improve going forward. However, having a rider who has secured victories in half of the races is a significant achievement."

"Pecco is creating history at the moment by surpassing the impressive skills of someone like Casey Stoner. We appreciate you, Pecco!"

Casey Stoner's 2007 title win with Ducati did not mark the beginning of a successful era for the Italian brand.

Remarkably, they did not secure another victory for 15 years, even with stars like Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, until Bagnaia's arrival in 2021 underscored the magnitude of Stoner's achievement.

In 2007, Stoner secured victory in 10 out of 18 grand prix races riding a Ducati, while Bagnaia has so far achieved nine wins out of 18 races this year, with two events still left in the season.

Pramac's Martin might bring the #1 plate with him to Aprilia, where he is set to compete next year. This move comes after he decided to leave Ducati, who chose Marc Marquez over him for the official team position.

Ducati has consistently maintained that they will handle Martin equitably in the championship competition.

"We are committed to supporting Martin wholeheartedly in this battle," stated Tardozzi.

According to his crew chief, he is equally skilled as Pecco and enjoys complete backing from Gigi Dall'Igna and his team of engineers.

"Following his defeat in the championship last year, Jorge quickly realized the importance of seeking emotional support."

"Last winter, he seemed to make significant strides in his mental development, and now he's applying what he learned."

"It’s not surprising that he’s at the forefront of the world championship standings. This year, he’s content with maintaining his position, a mindset he wouldn’t have embraced in previous years."

"You just have to tip your hat to Jorge Martin."

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Fabio Di Giannantonio: "Endured long hours of discomfort" yet "halting is challenging"

Fabio di Giannantonio's racing year concludes prematurely

Despite his season concluding in Thailand due to a return to Europe for shoulder surgery, resulting from a practice injury at the Austrian Grand Prix in August, Fabio di Giannantonio expressed contentment with the closure of his third MotoGP season, highlighting his fourth-place achievements in both Australia and Thailand.

"I'm incredibly pleased as I believe we've performed exceptionally well," Di Giannantonio expressed following the Thai Grand Prix.

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"The past two months, featuring seven races, have put a significant strain on the shoulder, yet we've accomplished incredible work back home."

"I can assure you, it has been extremely challenging to maintain competitiveness at such a high level. I've endured countless hours of physical therapy, experienced persistent pain, and continued to practice despite the discomfort."

"In my opinion, the season's finale was outstanding as we concluded it on two distinct circuits, under varying conditions, achieving fourth place in both, which is a remarkable accomplishment."

"We should feel extremely pleased because, currently in the championship, we're ranked eighth, having accumulated a significant number of points and surpassing several leading competitors. Therefore, I believe we've performed exceptionally well."

After finishing eighth in Saturday's Sprint, Di Giannantonio was worried about his ability to endure the full-length Grand Prix on Sunday. However, he mentioned that the rainy conditions made the race a bit easier to handle.

"The damp conditions really gave me an advantage," he admitted. "Truthfully, I was pretty concerned about the duration of the race since throughout the weekend, I had a tough time, especially with the right-hand turns."

"Thus, navigating through the rain has significantly aided me, despite the increased danger. A fall on my shoulder would have had more severe consequences for me."

"In the end, things worked out well, so we should feel fortunate about that — it's a stroke of luck."

Di Giannantonio confessed that despite believing halting his season is the correct decision, he struggles to come to terms with ending his campaign prematurely, especially when he is currently performing so well.

"It's incredibly challenging here," he mentioned. "At this point, it's hard to bring it to a halt. Throughout the laps, I kept telling myself, 'I don't feel like stopping', but to be smart and because it's the appropriate action, we chose [to stop].

"It's important to pause, undergo the operation, heal, and aim to be fully fit for the coming year."

Conversely, by concluding his season at this juncture, Di Giannantonio can enter the off-season and his recuperation period from shoulder surgery with the assurance that he finished the 2024 season as a competitive contender.

"Reaching this point is crucial, as it signifies you've achieved it, and from here on, the actions you take are solely aimed at enhancing this level," he explained.

"Undoubtedly, the path ahead is lengthy. We shouldn't anticipate the same speed as we've seen in the initial trial of [2025]. Patience is essential."

"However, I believe it's the correct decision and path to take to reach a significantly improved state next year, superior to our current one."

Improved in the latter stages

During the latter half of the competition, Di Giannantonio managed to cut down the gap to the front-runner Francesco Bagnaia by approximately six seconds.

The Italian rider mentioned he initially had difficulties due to not feeling in tune with the bike, but his performance enhanced as the race progressed.

"He admitted that the sensation at the start of the race was genuinely unpleasant."

"The front and the rear were both slipping, preventing me from finding my rhythm. As a result, I was three seconds slower than my performance earlier today, which really showed how much I was battling."

Therefore, my sole focus was to maintain composure for a few laps, gradually finding my pace, and once I had, it felt as though I was soaring like a rocket.

"I was aware that my speed could be significantly high in the wet conditions, and ultimately, we proved it. That's the nature of racing; it's just how it goes."

"Definitely, we need to examine and grasp what went wrong to avoid making this minor error again next year. But ultimately, it's an extremely positive race."

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Valentino Rossi chuckles over a Stoner-Marquez gag while presenting a comedy television program

Valentino Rossi takes on an entirely new kind of character

Valentino Rossi took center stage on TV, leading a satirical comedy program in Italy.

Rossi graced the GialappaShow as a special guest co-host, a program renowned for its comedic tunes and mimicry acts.

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Tonight, I'll be co-hosting the second episode of GialappaShow alongside Mago Forest and @GialappasB 😎 Make sure not to miss it at 9:30 PM on Tv8 and Sky channel 108!! #GialappaShow pic.twitter.com/7MGRsgRSUx— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 28, 2024

As expected, humorous remarks involving Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez circulated.

Following Rossi's confession of his pre-race routine, which involves donning his left boot prior to his right and conversing with his motorcycle, he was confronted with an uncomfortable question.

His colleague inquired, "Is it accurate that you've nicknamed your private parts, referring to one as Stoner and the other as Marquez?"

Rossi erupted in laughter before responding: "If you don't phrase it that way, it just doesn't have the same effect!"

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner found himself the subject of amusement alongside other celebrities due to an impersonation.

However, the major highlight was the MotoGP icon Rossi, who continues to be one of Italy's most beloved sports celebrities.

Even in his retirement, taking on a more relaxed role that was a bit unfamiliar to him, he couldn't resist sharing a few laughs at the expense of Stoner and Marquez…

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Marco Bezzecchi expresses disappointment with Ducati GP23's "trait": "I've never matched last year's speed"

"Frankly, the sensation riding the bike feels much like it does in dry conditions…"

Marco Bezzecchi's fall during the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram highlighted that the issues he's been facing with the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 in dry conditions persist under wet circumstances as well.

Bezzecchi has faced challenges in maneuvering the GP23 throughout the season under dry weather conditions, and despite securing three Grand Prix wins in 2023, he has achieved just a single podium placement in 2024 so far.

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In Thailand, where Bezzecchi clinched his initial pole position in MotoGP in 2022, the rainy conditions on Sunday might have offered Bezzecchi a chance, especially considering his maiden MotoGP victory occurred at the 2023 Argentinian Grand Prix.

"Generally, I perform better in wet conditions," Bezzecchi remarked. "However, I'm aware that in the rain, the conditions can vary greatly: at times you excel, at other times, not so much."

"However, […] I didn't experience the same level of performance in wet conditions as I did last year, making it hard to pinpoint whether the issue lies with the motorcycle, the tires, or other factors. Essentially, I haven't matched last year's speed in wet or dry conditions.

"Truthfully, riding the bike feels quite alike whether it's wet or dry; the bike's performance remains consistent. Ultimately, it's a trait inherent to the bike, so regardless of the weather, it doesn't make a difference."

Bezzecchi's race at the Thai Grand Prix concluded prematurely in the gravel just off the first turn, where he was the initial rider to suffer a crash on the fourth lap.

Bezzecchi described the crash that concluded his race in Buriram in straightforward terms, stating, "I just made a mistake in the first corner."

He mentioned that the start of the race was challenging due to poor rear traction, but this didn't lead to his accident.

"During the initial lap, I faced significant challenges and came close to crashing about four or five times," Bezzecchi recounted. "I'm not certain if it was because the rear tire wasn't sufficiently warmed up, but I experienced several instances where the rear slipped away from me.

"I took greater risks than I did with the initial error at the first turn. Thankfully, I managed to avoid a major accident, but as I began to regain some ground, I pushed harder in the first corner and ended up losing control at the front."

"I wasn't overly uncomfortable with how the bike was set up, just experienced an odd feeling. However, this feeling ultimately wasn't what led to my crash. My crash occurred because I pushed myself too hard going into the first corner."

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Honda MotoGP competitors discuss a beneficial aspect of RC213V's dry problems also appearing in wet conditions

"However, [the wet] intensifies the issue, making the bike more understandable, and I now believe we can concentrate on a specific section."

During the recent rainy MotoGP race in Thailand, Honda's competitors voiced concerns that mirrored the difficulties they've encountered in dry events throughout the 2024 season. However, for racers Johann Zarco and Luca Marini, these persistent issues weren't seen as entirely negative.

Johann Zarco began the race on a positive note, but as the laps progressed, he lost ground to the leading pack because his bike was struggling for grip.

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"Zarco mentioned, 'Initially, I had a strong start, but it became apparent that as the other riders increased their speed, I was unable to match it due to excessive sliding of the bike, which made me feel uncomfortable riding it.'"

"I attempted to take on additional tasks, but this led to errors, resulting in a loss of standing."

Zarco noted that the silver lining was the rainy weather helped pinpoint exactly where Honda needs to make enhancements.

"The good news is that it appears in wet conditions, and this isn't the first time I've made this observation, we encounter a problem that's quite similar to the one in dry conditions," he mentioned.

"However, the damp conditions exacerbate the issue, making it simpler to interpret the motorcycle's behavior. I now believe we can concentrate on a specific aspect, unlike earlier in the year when we were experimenting across the board. Currently, there's a distinct area I aim to improve on, and achieving progress there could lead to significant advancement."

The LCR Honda competitor elaborated, noting that the issue wasn't just with rear traction, but particularly with rear traction in a certain spot.

"Rear grip is the obvious answer, but the real question is, where," Zarco pondered, despite already knowing the answer.

"For me, the focus should be on enhancing our control over the bike in the initial segment of the turn. Once we achieve that, it will simplify the process of improving traction when exiting the turn."

Repsol Honda's Luca Marini largely agreed with Zarco, noting that the problems they face in dry conditions are identical to those in wet conditions, particularly highlighting corner entry as the primary concern.

"Marini quipped about the comfort of encountering familiar challenges, whether under dry or wet conditions, when probed about the consistency of the issues."

"We must enhance our performance, and we're aware of the specific areas needing attention. The challenge lies in tackling a particularly tough aspect – improving rear traction. From my perspective, the limitation arises upon entering [a turn]."

Marini clarified that the critical importance of entry grip lies in the fact that insufficient rear entry grip hampers the Honda riders' ability to smoothly navigate through corners, slowing down the entire turning process.

"Marini explained that discovering such grip upon entry allows for an earlier turn of the bike, which in turn enables you to accelerate sooner and potentially enhance traction."

"However, upon entering, there's always a hesitation due to the sense that the back end is overly light, lacking stability and prone to excessive sliding. We must pause until the rear aligns properly, allowing us to lean into the curve and steer the motorcycle effectively."

Thus, taking turn four as an instance, we significantly lag behind, especially when compared to Yamaha — which, despite its traction issues, is able to enter such high-speed sections with confidence in the rear.

"For us, having stability at the back when entering [a corner] is consistently an issue, regardless of whether it's raining or dry."

"In my view, the bike performs well when we're riding it completely upright. However, just before that point, there's excessive sliding, which is something we're aware of.

"Should we manage to rectify the entry phase, then we'll navigate through this section more swiftly, positioning us on a straight trajectory more quickly. In this scenario, Honda demonstrates a notable advantage, even outperforming Yamaha, from my perspective."

"However, the issue lies in our constant anticipation of the back, which prevents us from sufficiently maneuvering the bike into a turn."

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Aleix Espargaro Credits Helmet Innovation for Rescuing His Performance in Thailand MotoGP

A problem with seeing clearly at Buriram was rectified for the Aprilia racer

Aleix Espargaro's performance in the Thai Grand Prix was salvaged thanks to an innovation from his helmet provider, which allowed him to manage issues he was experiencing with visibility.

Contrasting with last year's Japanese Grand Prix, the weather at this year's race in Thailand was significantly drier.

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Espargaro, however, mentioned that the visibility in Buriram was "extremely poor," and expressed his gratitude towards his helmet provider for creating special tear-offs designed for rainy conditions, which he credited with "saving my race."

Espargaro expressed his satisfaction with Kabuto incorporating rain tear-offs into their work this year.

"Last year, I was without them. This time, they were crucial in preserving my race. I managed with just a couple, but going forward, I'll require five or six."

"Removing two layers and then manually cleaning it was sufficient, but the issue arises from the fact that we don't use tear-offs on the motorcycle. As a result, the motorcycle was entirely covered in mud, turned brown, and visibility was so poor on straight paths that you had to peer over the screen. This made it somewhat challenging. However, I'm really pleased with how the helmet performed."

Espargaro's performance didn't particularly shine in what's nearing the end of his career, yet he managed to secure a spot in the top 10 by the race's conclusion.

Espargaro admitted to a less than stellar performance, placing ninth in Thailand. "My beginning was strong, and I managed well initially, even trailing Pedro [Acosta] for the first couple of laps. However, I struggled to find a comfortable rhythm or pace throughout," he explained.

"I erred during the third turn, veering off course, which cost me significant time and several spots."

"Following that, I focused on aligning with my own rhythm, aiming for a steady pace."

"I'm not one to make excuses for my performance based on my finishing position, especially when there's a significant distance to the race leaders. However, this weekend was particularly challenging for me. After experiencing a severe crash on Friday and managing only five laps that day, navigating through such a tough weekend to finish in ninth place in the race leaves me feeling satisfied."

Espargaro conveyed that the traction problems Aprilia experienced in dry conditions in Thailand persisted even when it was wet.

"He mentioned, 'The issues still persist. In the central part of the racecourse where it's impossible to shift weight from the front to the back, we face significant challenges with maintaining grip at the rear.'"

"Vinales and I faced the same challenges. We were riding close to each other, and when I slipped up, I fell behind Maverick, but our issues were pretty much alike."

"Clearly, the issues with overheating weren't a concern during the rainy race, which is a positive. However, the underlying problems persist. Therefore, Aprilia must put in significant effort moving forward."

Conversely, the Aprilia team, especially Vinales, who is Espargaro's fellow rider, found themselves nearer to securing a victory in Thailand compared to their performances in previous races under wet conditions.

In a comparison, during Thailand's 2022 motorcycle race, Vinales crossed the finish line in seventh place, lagging 14.566 seconds behind the winner. However, in the most recent race at Buriram, he also secured the seventh position but closed the gap, finishing 8.498 seconds after the winner.

"Esaprgaro mentioned, 'We were not too far behind the winner, from the podium positions, which is always a positive in such a lengthy race,' having finished ninth, 10 seconds behind his teammate."

"Having both motorcycles place within the top 10 is a positive outcome, and our speeds during the middle of the race were quite close to those achieving podium finishes."

Espargaro detailed how adjustments made to the setup contributed to Aprilia's enhanced performance in wet conditions during the Thailand race.

"Prior to the race, I attempted to revert to the 2024 aerodynamic setup to enhance the rear turning capability," he mentioned.

"We significantly reduced the bike's length to increase pressure on the back end, aiming to improve traction. This strategy proves effective in rainy conditions, yielding positive results, and I'm quite pleased with the outcome."

"Our plan involves conducting trials in Malaysia's dry conditions next week, aiming to revert to the 2024 aerodynamic configuration. This includes experimenting with the swingarm equipped with an aerodynamic wing, similar to what KTM is utilizing. We're continuously striving for enhancements."

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Marquez's involvement? "It's challenging – I've been part of it before!"

"When you're fast enough, there's no need for directives from the team…"

The battle for the 2024 MotoGP championship has now officially narrowed down to just two competitors, both riding for Ducati. However, Marc Marquez believes this situation presents a challenge for the Italian bike maker.

During a conversation with TNT Sports, the British MotoGP broadcaster, at the Thai Grand Prix held last weekend, Marquez discussed that this season's championship battle, similar to next year's with Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin both competing under the Ducati banner, presents a challenging scenario in terms of "team orders" for the Italian manufacturer, especially since both contenders are from the same team.

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He was interrogated regarding his participation in determining the championship outcome, an action he has unintentionally taken in the past.

"Obviously, it's challenging – I've had my share of involvement before," Marquez chuckled.

In 2015, Valentino Rossi missed out on clinching the championship, which then went to Jorge Lorenzo, and he continues to attribute his loss to Marquez's involvement.

This weekend, MotoGP makes its comeback to Sepang, the location of the notorious clash involving Rossi, Lorenzo, and Marquez that occurred nine years ago.

In a recent press conference, Marquez was asked about potentially "helping out" Bagnaia and Martin in their title race, but he dismissed any suggestions that he might influence the outcome.

"Ultimately, as a competitor, your goal is always to give it your all, and what we observed in Phillip Island demonstrates that, when necessary, you'll make a bold move," said Marquez, who came in 11th in Thailand following a crash as he vied for the top spot with Francesco Bagnaia.

"However, Ducati finds itself in a challenging situation given that two of its riders are contenders for the championship. This complication arises because if it were a contest between a Ducati rider and one from KTM, the strategy would be clear."

Marquez expressed his belief that team strategies are only essential for a rider to secure a championship when they're not the quickest among the contenders.

"However, in this situation [with two Ducati riders competing for the championship], I believe everyone will give their full effort."

Ultimately, my message remains consistent: possessing speed negates the necessity for team instructions; being the quickest on the track means you don't require team directives.

"In my opinion, the quickest participant is likely to emerge victorious."

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