Fabio Quartararo suggests Yamaha's performance in Thailand was surprisingly good

Following a mishap at the start, Fabio Quartararo felt optimistic about his speed in the Thai MotoGP

A premature accident prevented Fabio Quartararo from possibly achieving his first MotoGP podium of the season at the Thai Grand Prix.

Quartararo believed that, had it not been for the collision with Franco Morbidelli on the fourth lap, his speed after the crash was good enough for a finish well within the top 10, or potentially even a podium position.

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Quartararo expressed after the race, "It was challenging since my eyes were constantly glued to the TV to track where Bagnaia was during the entire race."

"He was indeed pulling away from us, but the distance he was creating wasn't excessively large. I believe finishing between third and seventh place was a realistic outcome. However, my assessment is based on what I saw on the television, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly."

Yamaha faced difficulties in Thailand with heating up the rear tire in dry conditions, and these problems continued under the wet weather of Sunday's Grand Prix.

"Quartararo mentioned that starting from the morning, they faced difficulties in heating up the back tire, particularly on the left side, and found the electronics to be quite challenging to grasp."

"The bike was frequently losing traction, and when moving in a straight direction, it lacked momentum. Certain turns felt smooth while others did not, which is something I find puzzling about the motorcycle."

Despite his crash, Quartararo was encouraged by his speed, which was on par with the victor of the race, Francesco Bagnaia. They both managed to consistently complete laps in the mid-to-high 1:40s range, with Quartararo achieving this feat even with considerable damage from the crash.

"I believe that despite the accident — despite losing a wing, having a damaged steering, no rear brake, and the [right] footpeg being partially severed — my speed was still decent. I see that as a positive aspect."

Quartararo observed that he and his Yamaha crew managed to enhance the functioning of his YZR-M1 between the morning and afternoon sessions, especially in terms of his interaction with the front tire, although he believed there was still room for further improvements.

"Therefore, the area where I'm facing difficulties is primarily at the front, especially since we tend to perform well in wet conditions during straight-line braking," he explained.

"In the morning, I faced difficulties, but the situation improved by the afternoon. There was still significant front-end locking, but there was definitely progress from morning to afternoon. That's why, despite the bike being heavily damaged from the crash, I was keen on continuing to ride more laps to determine if there was any improvement in the electronics."

Quartararo experienced an escalating problem with the front lock as the race continued.

"Particularly towards the end, since the front was crucial for us, I experienced significant loss, and during straight braking, there was considerable locking," Quartararo expressed.

"However, as I've previously mentioned regarding dry conditions, our performance heavily relies on the track's grip. Essentially, when the track offers good traction, we perform significantly better compared to when it lacks grip."

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Up-and-coming MotoGP talent faces setback due to injury, putting inaugural postseason trial at risk

Fermin Aldeguer announces he underwent

Fermin Aldeguer has sustained an injury that puts his involvement in the MotoGP offseason trials at risk.

Moto2 competitor Aldeguer has secured a deal with Ducati and is set to join the top tier in 2025, racing for Gresini.

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He is set to make his first appearance on a MotoGP motorcycle next year, piloting a Ducati from the previous year's specifications. This initial outing was scheduled for the Valencia testing sessions, occurring just after the season's last race.

Aldeguer experienced a crash during the initial lap of the Moto2 competition in Thailand.

He needs an operation on his left hand, and it's currently uncertain when he will be able to come back.

"He expressed his dissatisfaction with the conclusion of his race on social media."

I had high hopes, but things turned out differently than anticipated.

The collision with Tony Arbolino was severe, and I'm sorry about the way things turned out.

Currently, my attention is on healing, and I aim to return to my normal routine at the earliest opportunity.

"I'll be returning home sooner than anticipated, but I aim to catch up once I'm in Valencia. I'll make sure to keep you updated!"

Failing to attend the Valencia test, or participating while impaired, would not be an optimal way for Aldeguer to kick off his MotoGP journey.

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Jack Miller expressed, "I felt like I was being chased, so I threw everything I had in response."

Regarding his confrontation with Acosta, Miller said, "We bumped into each other when exiting Turn 3, and as I was on the outer side heading into Turn 4, I figured it could end in one of two ways…"

Jack Miller was just two laps away from securing his initial KTM MotoGP podium finish of the season at the Thai MotoGP.

The Australian took advantage of the rainy conditions on Sunday, moving up from 15th position on the starting grid to seventh place in the initial laps.

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This sequence included overtaking GASGAS newcomer Pedro Acosta, then moving ahead of Franco Morbidelli and his Red Bull colleague Brad Binder.

Following Marc Marquez's fall, Miller ascended into a possible initial MotoGP podium position since his last one in Jerez 2023.

In the final moments, Acosta fought back, seizing the podium spot from Miller following a captivating exchange throughout the race.

Battling with poor front grip, VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio overtook Miller, pushing him down to fifth place on the last lap.

"Miller kicked things off by describing the initial stages of the race as quite intense. He mentioned, "I began the race in 15th position and didn't manage to get off to the best starts. I chose not to use the front [holeshot] device because I was worried about causing the wheels to spin at the starting line.

"At that point, the mist was quite chaotic. I aimed to steer clear of the turmoil, noticing several guys were having trouble controlling the back end, among other things. Consequently, the group ended up dispersing somewhat."

"I managed to navigate my way, secured the fourth position, and then moved into third when Marc made his move."

"However, I was truly struggling in the beginning; it felt as though I had overheated the front tire."

"Thus, my momentum around the curves had essentially disappeared. I found myself needing to slow down significantly, reposition, and then accelerate again once I was straight on the way out."

"Then, likely with three laps remaining, she found herself with no grip left in the middle of the tire."

I found myself being pursued. I attempted to use every possible strategy against it. My goal was to secure a spot on the podium today, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to happen.

"Attempting to navigate through the group in the initial laps put us at a disadvantage and likely exerted the greatest strain on the tire."

Reflecting on the tight competition with Acosta, who is set to inherit his position in the factory team next year, Miller couldn't help but smile:

"I truly gave it my all, with complete sincerity!"

He opted for the inner track, and as we came out of Turn 3, we slightly bumped into each other, continuing towards Turn 4. I found myself on the outer edge, thinking to myself, 'It's going to end in one of two ways, either I'll succeed or I won't!'

"I was consistently struggling with the front at the same spot on each lap. Every time I began to accelerate, the front would give way. So, I figured, 'What better place to really put the front to the test than where it's been failing me lap after lap?'"

I managed to finish the task, yet he returned to confront me at 5. I attempted to face him once more, but couldn't quite succeed. And so, it ended.

"I was essentially hurling whatever I had at it, almost as if I hit a bit of a barrier there."

"I made a switch to a different engine map towards the conclusion as well. This one had reduced traction control, but frankly, it might have been a downgrade since I ended up spinning excessively when driving in a straight path."

"Yet we remained, demonstrating strong perseverance!"

Looking back, and given just a ten-minute warm-up to adjust for rainy conditions, Miller disclosed that he should have opted for a more aggressive race configuration.

"We made progress since the morning, reducing the length by 8mm. I might have even reduced it by an additional three in the bike's back part to enhance the grip during acceleration," he mentioned, indicating that a more compact wheelbase puts more pressure on the rear tire when speeding up.

"We didn't quite shift enough weight towards the back. In hindsight, it's easy to recognize, but after the warm-up, we did make a significant improvement and likely could have pushed a bit further in that approach."

However, this information might be crucial if rain impacts this weekend's race in Sepang or the final race in Valencia.

"Accepting the reality, you just have to deal with it," Miller commented on the challenge of speeding on a MotoGP bike during rainy conditions. "Attempt to sense the changes happening below you.

"The charm of modern MotoGP motorcycles lies in their carbon brakes, which eliminate the need for excessive force on the lever. Instead, it's about gently managing and manipulating the grip."

"Now, you truly grasp the dynamics of riding in the rain, whether it was during my time on the Ducati or currently on the KTM."

"I find it enjoyable. It's all about adapting to the grip that's there… Lifting the bike and everything, it's simply enjoyable."

Securing the fifth spot at Buriram, Miller equaled his top performance in dry conditions for the year, previously achieved at Portimao.

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Insight: Persistent Challenges Confront Leading MotoGP Competitors

The Thailand MotoGP spotlighted obstacles that Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin need to navigate

The championship race has narrowed down to a duo. Throughout the year, it was anticipated that Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia would be the main contenders for the title. This was solidified at the 2024 Thai Grand Prix, where the standings made it clear that only these two remain in contention, setting the stage for a repeat of their 2023 rivalry.

Arriving in Buriram holding a 20-point advantage over Bagnaia, the Thai GP was viewed as potentially the pivotal weekend of the season. A repeat of the Australian weekend, which heavily leaned in Martin's favor, would likely leave Bagnaia with little hope of a comeback.

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Certainly, following the sprint race, it seemed Bagnaia faced difficulties. Despite securing the pole position with a groundbreaking lap record on his GP24, he couldn't outpace his teammate Enea Bastianini during the 13-lap race, nor could he fend off Martin for the runner-up spot. Although Martin only edged out by two points, the demeanor of Bagnaia's team suggested they believed the championship had slipped away.

The start of Sunday wasn't exactly smooth for the current champion either. During the wet warm-up session, Bagnaia continued to struggle with braking. However, a subsequent meeting with his team resulted in a breakthrough, giving him the necessary improvement.

"I'd like to attribute this win to my team. This morning, we had a detailed discussion on strategies to better our performance, especially since I was facing significant challenges with braking," he expressed on Sunday. "And we succeeded, once more. I'm truly elated. It was a challenging race, not only due to its duration but also the stress involved, yet, from the moment it began, I felt incredibly positive."

Martin took an early lead in the race, pulling nearly a full second ahead during the initial laps. Bagnaia chose to wait patiently, allowing his medium wet rear tire to warm up before making his move. By the beginning of the fifth lap, the Ducati team racer had reduced Martin's lead to just 0.434 seconds. However, Martin made a mistake at Turn 3, veering off the track, which allowed Bagnaia to take over the lead.

This moment marked a pivotal change in the competition. Martin confessed early on that he wasn't fully comfortable on his GP24, and the error visibly shook him. He later mentioned that during the entire grand prix, he felt he was "on the verge of crashing."

Despite being in front, Bagnaia didn't hold the title of the quickest on the track. That distinction went to Marc Marquez, who was hot on his heels, applying consistent pressure. Marquez attempted to overtake and claim the top spot twice at the final turn, during the ninth and thirteenth laps, but his pursuit came to an abrupt end when he fell at Turn 8 during the following lap.

Could this be the maneuver that preserved the Championship's fate? 🤯 Jorge Martin has confessed that witnessing Marc Márquez’s tumble provided valuable insights into the track's state, enabling him to prevent a similar crash.#MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/OgO7vq2twY

Marquez's accident pivotal in championship battle

In recent weeks, Marquez has faced numerous claims of meddling. However, he remains focused on securing additional victories, well aware that such chances can swiftly vanish.

If Marquez had remained on his Gresini-operated GP23 and overtaken Bagnaia, it would have advantaged Martin. Instead of gaining five points, Bagnaia would have only secured four. However, if Marquez had not managed to overtake, the difference would have been nine points. Considering the risk versus reward, Bagnaia might have only attempted a minimal effort to defend his position against a competitor who was not contending for the championship title.

Bagnaia benefited from the crash, gaining a five-point advantage over Martin, which reduced his deficit to 17 points. Additionally, Marquez's win in Australia against Martin has also inadvertently supported the championship hopes of his soon-to-be team-mate.

Martin credited Marquez's fall with preventing his own crash. When Marquez went down at Turn 8, Martin experienced a significant scare with his bike's front end. He confessed that if it weren't for the Gresini rider's accident, he likely would have crashed as well, because Marquez's mishap gave him a moment's notice to brace for a similar situation. If Martin had crashed and failed to earn any points, Bagnaia would have moved ahead by five points in the championship standings.

In the last couple of races, Marquez is expected to significantly influence the championship's result. Similarly, Enea Bastianini, following his crash at Sunday's Thai GP, declared that he does not plan to follow any team strategies at his favored Sepang circuit this coming weekend.

What could pose challenges for those vying for the championship?

Bagnaia and Martin both earned significant praise for their performance in Thailand. Throughout the weekend, Martin emphasized that winning races wasn't his priority if it seemed out of reach – his focus was on securing as many points as he could.

Securing second place in the sprint, despite facing the possibility of a penalty for exceeding track limits, he avoided a repeat of his experience in the Emilia Romagna sprint. In that event, a caution distracted him, causing an error that handed the victory to Bagnaia. This time, he maintained focus and achieved an outcome with significant implications for the championship standings.

To secure the championship title by the season's end, Martin only needs to place just behind Bagnaia in the remaining races.

This, combined with his advantage, positions him as the top contender as they move to Malaysia. However, this situation is uncharted for him. Previously, despite being a formidable contender last year, Bagnaia was the anticipated champion. Now, Martin carries the burden of those expectations, and it's evident that it's taking a toll on him.

"He mentioned feeling pressure starting about six or seven races earlier. He emphasized his focus on learning from every experience. This past weekend, he gained new insights, boosting his happiness and confidence in his performance. He believes his racing approach this weekend reflects his true style, which he plans to carry into Malaysia since it has been instrumental in his journey. Thus, he intends to adopt an aggressive stance and aims to outpace Pecco."

In every competition, Martin gains new insights into his capabilities, yet he seems to be at a greater disadvantage compared to the two. Bagnaia, a double MotoGP world champion, is accustomed to the demands of such high stakes, aware of both the pressure and the euphoria of reaching the pinnacle. Martin, on the other hand, lacks this experience and is set to switch to an Aprilia motorcycle in 2025, a model currently perceived as too distant from achieving regular victories or mounting a serious bid for the championship.

Bagnaia's knack for making a strong recovery at crucial moments was on full display during his remarkable win at the Buriram MotoGP, which could be considered his most significant victory. He acknowledged his team's effort in resolving the brake problems that had hindered him before the race, highlighting that it's his mindset in such scenarios that truly makes the difference.

"Bagnaia explained his resilience, stating, 'The reason is simple, I just don't believe in giving up. My faith in my abilities, my team, the effort I put in at home, and in myself is unwavering. As long as there's an opportunity, I'll keep pushing. It's always been my way. Every season, I'm committed to giving it my all, and that's not going to change."

Despite securing victories in nine races this season, Bagnaia continues to lag behind in the overall championship standings. In his past two seasons competing for the championship, the Italian rider has not faced this level of pressure. However, he now finds himself in a challenging position, competing against a rider of equal talent and with similar equipment.

Bagnaia excels in securing crucial outcomes, but burdened with seven DNFs (Did Not Finish), he finds himself in the undesirable situation where any additional error could spell the end of his championship defense.

Emerging from Thailand, the two competitors have put forth strong assertions for the title of 2024 MotoGP world champion. Each has the potential to clinch the championship, yet they also confront significant challenges as the season heads towards its peak in Malaysia and Valencia…

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Marc Marquez delves into the critical reason behind his "error" in Thailand

Marc Marquez reviews his performance in the Thailand MotoGP

Marc Marquez's performance at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix hinted at potential success, demonstrating impressive pace early on, only to end in disappointment as he fell from second place due to a crash.

Throughout the initial stages of the race, Marquez was in a tight contest with Francesco Bagnaia, attempting to overtake him on two occasions at turn 12. However, he ended up crashing on the 14th lap at turn eight, leading to his exit from the race.

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Marquez believed in his capability to clinch victory. However, he thought he should have exercised more patience instead of hastily attempting to surpass Bagnaia, who ultimately won the race.

"Marquez noted, "Today, we were ahead of everyone else, but reflecting a few hours post-race, perhaps we lacked patience at that critical point in the competition."

"Indeed, it was incredibly challenging as I found it impossible to pass [Francesco] Bagnaia in a straightforward manner."

"I always had a precise plan for overtaking, as I possessed the necessary speed, and I mentioned, 'There will be additional opportunities.'"

"Consistently, my strategy was to be aggressive and press forward; and when that wasn't feasible, to then ease off to manage the front tire's temperature, before launching another offensive.

Throughout the race, I consistently found myself stretching my limits, and during that second surge, I noticed my speed was significantly higher.

"I made an effort to persist and keep up with him, aiming to take that corner [turn eight] with just a slight increase of one-and-a-half degrees. Unfortunately, I lost control at the front and wasn't able to recover—it was a narrow miss.

"As human beings, we're prone to erring, and today, it happened to be my turn."

Marquez mentioned that his sole opportunity to overtake Bagnaia occurred at turn 12, the last bend. The Buriram track features several intense braking points, particularly in the lap's initial half at turns three and four. However, turn 12 was the unique spot where Marquez felt he could be near enough to make a move; this is because, unlike turns three and four that follow lengthy straightaways, turn 12 is preceded by a set of slower bends.

Bagnaia's ability to accelerate out of turns 12 and 1 prevented Marquez from overtaking him in turn 3, and Bagnaia's superior grip upon exiting turn 3 also made it challenging for Marquez to attempt a pass in turn 4.

"Marquez mentioned, 'At every other braking point, I ended up coming in too late and too far away.'"

"Approaching turn 12, we were exiting slower bends, which is where I felt more confident and started closing the gap significantly. It marked the initial intense braking zone following those slower curves."

"During lap 14, I was already focusing on how to approach the final corner aggressively, but we never got there."

"I always intended to learn how to surpass."

"Surely, similar to the day before, in both the first and second sectors, I found myself trailing significantly. However, in the third and fourth sectors, I managed to outpace him."

"Thus, akin to the previous day, yet today […] surpassing was more challenging."

Marquez detailed how the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, despite being an advancement over the current GP23 model he's using this year, wasn't the reason he didn't secure a victory in Thailand.

"Marquez noted that the GP24 has significantly improved in certain aspects, but he clarified that he doesn't use the GP24. He confidently stated that his current GP23 motorcycle was in prime condition for victory, expressing his satisfaction with its performance."

Indeed, it's accurate to state that the longer we utilize the rear ride height mechanism on a track, there's a noticeable discrepancy between the GP23 and GP24 models, owing to a minor improvement made there.

"This is positive, as I will possess it next year."

Ultimately, Marquez felt positive about his race performance due to the speed he maintained following his crash, even though he had lost his rear brake during the incident.

"Actually, I performed exceptionally well once more, despite not using the back brake," he mentioned.

"Therefore, it implies I had an advantage. To explain, once we resumed, on the very next lap, in the initial sector, I recorded my quickest time for that portion of the race. So, it goes like this."

"At times, victory wasn't about speed, yet in this instance, despite being the swiftest, an error was made. Such incidents occur."

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Marc Marquez Discusses Key Reason for Error in Thailand

Marc Marquez Reviews His MotoGP Performance in Thailand

Marc Marquez's performance in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix was a tale of potential unfulfilled, as he demonstrated significant pace in the initial stages of the race only to fall from second position due to a crash.

Throughout the initial stages of the race, Marquez engaged in a close contest with Francesco Bagnaia, attempting to overtake him on two occasions at turn 12, before eventually succumbing to a crash on the 14th lap at turn eight.

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Marquez was confident in his ability to clinch victory, yet he believed he ought to have been more patient, instead of hastily attempting to pass Bagnaia, who went on to win the race.

"Today, we were the quickest," Marquez observed. "However, reflecting on it a couple of hours post-race, perhaps we lacked patience during that particular phase of the competition.

"Indeed, it was extremely challenging since I couldn't clearly pass Francesco Bagnaia."

"I had always intended to execute a precise pass, given my pace, and I thought, 'There will be more opportunities'."

"Consistently, my strategy was to be aggressive, to push forward; and then, when that wasn't an option, to ease off on the front tire, before going on the offensive once more.

Throughout the race, I constantly found myself stretching my limits, and during that second surge, I realized my speed was significantly superior.

I made an effort to persevere and keep up with him. By taking the corner [turn eight] with just a slight increase of one-and-a-half degrees, I lost control at the front and was unable to recover — it was a very narrow miss.

"As human beings, we are prone to errors, and today, I happened to be the one who erred."

Marquez mentioned that his sole opportunity to overtake Bagnaia occurred at turn 12, the last bend. The Buriram track features several sharp deceleration points, particularly in the lap's initial segment at turns three and four. However, Marquez found that turn 12 was the only spot where he could get sufficiently close for an offensive move. This is because, unlike turns three and four that are preceded by lengthy straightaways, turn 12 follows a sequence of slower bends.

Bagnaia's grip during the exit of turns 12 and one made it unfeasible for Marquez to overtake in turn three, and with Bagnaia having superior exit traction from turn three, an attempt to pass in turn four was equally unattainable.

"Marquez mentioned that at all the other braking points, he ended up arriving too late and too distant."

"At that point in turn 12, we were exiting slower corners, which is where I felt stronger and began to close the gap significantly. It marked the first significant braking point following the slower turns."

"During that lap, lap 14, my focus was on executing a strong attack at the final corner, but we never got to that point."

"I had always intended to learn how to surpass."

"Indeed, similar to the previous day, in both the first and second sectors, I found myself trailing significantly. However, in the third and fourth sectors, I managed to outpace him."

"Thus, similar to the previous day, however, today […] passing was notably more challenging."

Marquez described how the Ducati Desmosedici GP24 represents progress over this year's GP23 in certain aspects. However, he mentioned that the motorcycle he's currently using wasn't the reason for his lack of victory in Thailand.

"Marquez observed that the GP24 represents a significant advancement in certain aspects. However, he clarified that he does not use the GP24, and confidently stated that his GP23 motorcycle was in prime condition for victory, expressing his satisfaction with its performance.

Indeed, it's evident that the longer we utilize the rear ride height mechanism on a track, the more pronounced the differences become between the GP23 and GP24 models, due to a slight improvement made in that area.

"However, this is positive, as I will possess it next year."

Ultimately, Marquez felt positive about his race performance due to the speed he maintained following his crash, even though he had lost his rear brake during the incident.

"Actually, I managed to ride exceptionally well again, even without using the rear brake," he stated.

"Therefore, it implies I had additional advantages. Following the interval, immediately on the subsequent circuit in the initial section, I recorded my quickest time for that part of the race. It goes to show."

"At times, victory wasn't about speed, yet today, despite being the quickest, an error was made. Such incidents occur."

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VIEWPOINT: Should Andrea Iannone Be Given Another Opportunity?

The moral dilemmas surrounding Andrea Iannone demand attention, states Lewis Duncan

The final occasion I encountered Andrea Iannone within the MotoGP enclosure occurred during the after-season test in Jerez, 2019.

Following the completion of a second day marred by rain, where he ended up 1.063 seconds slower than the leader on his factory Aprilia, Iannone conducted a press briefing. During this session, he was terse with the journalists and not dressed in his team's attire.

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Glancing back, Romano Albesiano exited the rear of the garage, paused to observe Iannone, then expressed his disappointment with a shake of his head before departing.

Several weeks after, Iannone faced an 18-month suspension from FIM competitions due to a positive test result for Drostonalone, an illicit anabolic steroid initially developed for breast cancer treatment in women. Despite its original purpose, it is now utilized for improving physical performance and body aesthetics.

The International Motorcycling Federation accepted his explanation that the substance, known for its rapid elimination from the body, was unintentionally consumed via tainted meat in Malaysia. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed this argument due to insufficient proof provided by Iannone, and the World Anti-Doping Agency's request for the longest possible suspension of four years was granted.

The decision was announced in November 2020 and applied retrospectively from November of the previous year, effectively invalidating his results in the Malaysian and Valencia Grand Prix. Consequently, he was dropped from his position at Aprilia, effectively ending his career in MotoGP.

Iannone continues to assert his innocence up to the present.

Is redemption warranted for him?

After a hiatus, Andrea Iannone returns to MotoGP, mounting a bike after five years away, and marking eight years since his last Ducati race in the series 🇮🇹#MotoGP #MalaysianGP

The case's doping allegations are heavily weighed against him. Additionally, his boasts regarding his significant weight loss for the 2019 season – his sole year with Aprilia, notably the heaviest bike on the grid since it exceeded the minimum weight requirement – cast a negative light on him.

Iannone's situation is quite intriguing. From his initial days in the grand prix races, his skill and quickness were always apparent, with Marc Marquez recently in Thailand referencing the intense competitions he experienced with 'the Maniac' during their Moto2 days.

Without question, Iannone's quickness suggests he ought to have secured more than a single win in the top tier. However, he often sabotaged his own efforts. His unintentional collision with Ducati teammate Andrea Dovizioso during the final turn of the last lap in Argentina in 2016, just as they were on track for a podium finish, effectively ended his tenure with the Italian brand.

In 2017, while at Suzuki, his expertise in engineering superior engines did not come to his aid, leading him to make a misguided decision regarding the path the Japanese brand should take in its inaugural season without advantages. This decision resulted in such subpar performance that the team was granted exceptions again for the 2018 season.

Consider events such as bowing out of a rainy Grand Prix in San Marino due to complaints about an overly snug rain suit, or skipping the pre-season trials before his first ride with Aprilia in 2019 because he opted for jawline cosmetic surgery, and it becomes easier to argue that this racer may not have merited the chances presented to him.

It could be said that Iannone faced more difficulties than many of us were aware of, yet the environment of motorcycle racing seldom provides the opportunity to be open about personal challenges, as there's a fear that it might be seen as a vulnerability.

Setting that aside, Iannone's defense over the past few weeks has come across as notably unsophisticated.

Some are discussing the 35-year-old as though he's a minor criminal caught for several minor burglaries.

He used performance-enhancing substances. That's the essence of the situation.

Different from many athletes caught using banned substances, Iannone continued to receive considerable backing from the motorbike racing world. Aprilia supported him during his appeal process, and previously, Gigi Dall’Igna from Ducati had discussions with him regarding a potential comeback to World Superbike racing in 2024 after his four-year suspension concluded.

GoEleven prepared an excellent opportunity for him by providing a Panigale V4 for the 2024 WSBK season, where he proved to be competitive and achieved a victory at the Aragon race. Following a four-year hiatus, Iannone was offered an opportunity to demonstrate his prowess in the premier class of motorcycle racing, beyond the MotoGP circuit.

Anything beyond that point is unwarranted.

Is it possible for him to regain his speed in MotoGP?

What's particularly aggravating is that Iannone has been chosen over a younger, more promising MotoGP talent at this point in his career.

In his first year competing in the World Superbike Championship, Nicolo Bulega secured the second spot in the overall rankings, marking a significant milestone in his career revival. This comes after his departure from the VR46 Academy and his exit from MotoGP racing, shifting his focus to the Superbike series. His victory in the Supersport championship the previous year paved the way for his entry into WSBK, where he has certainly made an impact.

At the age of 25, Bulega stands a good chance of joining the MotoGP lineup in the coming years, provided he keeps up his impressive performance. Currently, it's uncertain how Bulega stands with VR46, but the current MotoGP world champion, Francesco Bagnaia, has singled him out as his top choice to replace Di Giannantonio.

MotoGP needs to reflect and question: why offer such chances if not to acknowledge and incentivize the emerging, speedy talents?

In any case, VR46 and Ducati have reached their conclusion, a decision that WADA finds perfectly acceptable.

According to the regulations outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete who has completed their mandated suspension period is eligible to resume participating in events. The statement released to Crash.net clarified that the athlete's return is not contingent on the competition level.

What are the realistic expectations for Iannone during the Sepang race?

Iannone's departure from Ducati in 2017 was less than triumphant. In his debut season with the less competitive GSX-RR, he finished just 11 points ahead of his new teammate, newcomer Alex Rins, who didn't participate in five races due to injury. The following year, 2018, saw Iannone achieving four podium finishes, yet Rins outperformed him by securing five podiums and surpassing him by 36 points in the overall standings.

He managed to hold his own against Aleix Espargaro during a challenging 2019 season filled with injuries while riding the Aprilia, finishing just 20 points behind him. Unfortunately, that marked the end of Iannone's career in MotoGP.

Since 2019, the design and technology of MotoGP motorcycles have undergone significant transformations. Iannone competed during a period when aerodynamic advancements were not as sophisticated as they are today, and devices to adjust the motorcycle's ride height were just beginning to emerge. Additionally, the idea of sprint races was not yet on the table. Without any preliminary testing before Sepang, Iannone is making a considerable jump.

As of 2024, Remy Gardner stands out as the sole World Superbike (WSBK) competitor to transition onto a MotoGP motorcycle, achieving this feat on three occasions for Yamaha during events in Germany, Britain, and Japan.

During the qualifying rounds in Germany, Gardner lagged behind the fastest Yamaha by 0.987 seconds, and in the grand prix, he finished 32.9 seconds behind. In the British qualifiers, he was 0.795 seconds slower and trailed by 34.935 seconds in the actual race. In Japan, he was 1.042 seconds slower in qualifying compared to the closest Yamaha competitor and finished the race 18.708 seconds behind. Naturally, Gardner brings to the table his fresh experience from racing with KTM in the 2022 MotoGP season.

Last year in Malaysia, two-time World Superbike champion Alvaro Bautista participated as a wildcard entry for Ducati. In the first qualifying round, he was 1.507 seconds slower than the closest Ducati competitor and finished the Grand Prix 33.824 seconds behind the leader, a performance impacted by injuries sustained during a crash in testing.

Last year at Le Mans, Danilo Petrucci took to the track on a factory Ducati, securing an 11th place finish. Previously, in 2022, he had made an appearance on a MotoGP bike in Thailand, filling in for a Suzuki team member, and had been a regular competitor in the series up until the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Perhaps the most notable instance of a World Superbike (WSBK) rider making a single appearance in MotoGP recently was when Garrett Gerloff competed in 2021. Riding an older Petronas SRT Yamaha at the Assen circuit, the American finished qualifying 0.820 seconds slower than the nearest Yamaha competitor (and 1.198 seconds away from advancing to Q2) and ended the race 50.456 seconds behind the next Yamaha, placing 17th, which was second from last among those who finished the race.

Riding a Ducati at Sepang gives Iannone a good opportunity to avoid finishing at the bottom throughout the weekend. However, aiming for a position close to the top 15 may not be feasible, especially considering the time he has been away.

What's next?

It appears that Iannone won't be altering his position regarding his doping suspension in the near future, and his comeback to MotoGP racing is expected to only reinforce his rigid attitude towards it. His interaction with the press in Malaysia will provide a clearer understanding of his current persona.

Regardless of the outcome, the Malaysian Grand Prix is expected to mark the final chapter of Iannone's captivating yet often vexing journey in grand prix motorcycle racing.

Without official word on who will take over Di Giannantonio's spot in Valencia, speculation leans heavily towards Ducati considering Michele Pirro for the position. Due to the rules set for 2024, Ducati hasn't been able to utilize Pirro in any wildcard entries, depriving them of valuable in-race testing opportunities and the ability to acknowledge the experienced rider's contributions to the brand's overwhelming success in MotoGP.

Given the critical off-season examination scheduled for the Tuesday following Valencia, the logical choice would be to assign Pirro to the second VR46 motorcycle to evaluate various aspects.

Regarding the broader discussion surrounding the extent to which cyclists should be rehabilitated, it's unlikely that a universally satisfactory balance will be found. The situation involving Iannone is somewhat simpler for many to understand: he had not achieved world champion status, he wasn't a frequent victor in MotoGP races, and it was improbable that he would reach such heights with Aprilia.

However, whether we agree or disagree, this now establishes a precedent…

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COMMENTARY: Should Andrea Iannone Be Given Another Opportunity?

Moral concerns surrounding Andrea Iannone warrant attention, according to Lewis Duncan.

The final occasion I encountered Andrea Iannone within the MotoGP paddock occurred during the Jerez test following the 2019 season.

Following the conclusion of a rain-affected second day, where he ended up 1.063 seconds behind on his factory Aprilia, Iannone conducted a brief media debriefing. During this session, he was terse with journalists and was not wearing his team's apparel.

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Glancing over his shoulder, Romano Albesiano exited the rear of the workshop, paused to observe Iannone, then, with a shake of his head indicating dissatisfaction, he continued on his way.

Several weeks subsequent, Iannone faced an 18-month suspension from FIM competitions after a positive test for Drostonalone, an anabolic steroid prohibited for use. Initially, it was employed in the treatment of breast cancer in females, but this application has ceased, and it is now utilized for improving athletic performance and body aesthetics.

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) accepted his explanation that the substance, known for its rapid elimination from the body, was unintentionally consumed via tainted meat in Malaysia. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed this claim due to inadequate proof provided by Iannone, and the World Anti-Doping Agency's request for the severest penalty of a four-year suspension was enforced.

The decision was announced in November 2020, taking effect from the prior November, which invalidated his results in the Malaysian and Valencia Grands Prix. Consequently, he was let go from Aprilia, effectively ending his career in MotoGP.

Iannone still asserts his innocence to this day.

Is redemption warranted for him?

After a five-year hiatus, Andrea Iannone has made a comeback to MotoGP, marking eight years since his last Ducati race in the series 🇮🇹#MotoGP #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/DFz1ykuOtx— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 28, 2024

Following a five-year break, Andrea Iannone returns to MotoGP action, and it's been eight years since he competed on a Ducati in the championship 🇮🇹#MotoGP #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/DFz1ykuOtx

The case's doping allegations are heavily against him. Additionally, his boasts regarding the significant weight he shed for the 2019 season, his solitary year with Aprilia – notably the heaviest bike on the grid then, surpassing the minimum weight threshold – cast him in a negative light.

Iannone's situation is intriguing. From his initial days in the grand prix paddock, his skills and quickness were undeniable, with Marc Marquez recently in Thailand recalling the fierce competitions he shared with 'the Maniac' in Moto2.

Without a doubt, Iannone's rapid pace suggests he ought to have secured more than a single win in the top tier. However, he often sabotaged his own chances. Specifically, his unintentional collision with Ducati teammate Andrea Dovizioso during the final corner of the last lap in Argentina in 2016, just as they were both about to finish on the podium, effectively ended his tenure with the Italian brand.

In 2017, at Suzuki, his usually reliable intuition for excellent engines led him astray as he chose an unsuccessful path for the Japanese brand in its inaugural season without the benefit of concessions. The outcomes were so disappointing that it resulted in the brand regaining concessions for the following year, 2018.

Consider events such as withdrawing from a rainy Grand Prix in San Marino due to complaints about an overly snug rain suit or skipping the pre-season trials before his first race with Aprilia in 2019 to undergo aesthetic surgery on his jaw, and it becomes increasingly clear that this rider might not have merited the chances he received.

It could be said that Iannone faced greater challenges than many of us were aware of, but the environment of motorcycle racing rarely provides an opportunity for openness without the concern of appearing vulnerable.

Recently, Iannone's defense has shown a troubling level of naivety.

Some people are referring to the 35-year-old as though he's a minor criminal caught for several minor burglaries.

He used performance-enhancing substances. That's the simple truth.

Contrary to many athletes caught using banned substances, Iannone continued to receive considerable backing from the motorcycling world. Aprilia remained supportive during his appeal process, and the previous year, Ducati's Gigi Dall’Igna had discussions with him regarding a potential comeback to World Superbike racing in 2024 after his four-year suspension concluded.

GoEleven provided him with a competitive seat on a Panigale V4 in the WSBK for the 2024 season, where he showcased his talent by securing a victory at Aragon. Following a hiatus of four years, Iannone received an opportunity to demonstrate his prowess in the premier class of motorcycle racing, beyond the realms of MotoGP.

Anything beyond that is unwarranted.

Is it possible for him to regain his speed in MotoGP?

The most aggravating aspect of this situation is that Iannone has been selected over a younger rider who currently has greater potential in MotoGP than he does.

In his first year competing in the World Superbike Championship, Nicolo Bulega secured a second-place finish in the overall rankings, marking a significant phase in his career revival. This comes after his departure from the VR46 Academy and his time in grand prix racing, as he ventured into the Superbike realm. His successful capture of the Supersport championship the previous year paved the way for his entry into WSBK, where he has proven his mettle.

At the age of 25, Bulega's chances of joining the MotoGP lineup in the coming years look promising, especially if he maintains his impressive performance. Currently, the nature of Bulega's connection with VR46 remains uncertain. However, the current MotoGP World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia, has expressed his support for Bulega as the top choice to replace Di Giannantonio.

MotoGP needs to reflect on its purpose: isn't it meant to recognize and give chances to young, talented riders?

Despite everything, VR46 and Ducati have come to a conclusion, a decision that WADA finds no fault with.

According to the regulations set forth by the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete is allowed to resume participation after completing the designated suspension period. The statement released to Crash.net emphasized that the competition level does not affect this rule.

What are realistic expectations for Iannone at Sepang?

Iannone's departure from Ducati in 2017 was far from triumphant. In his debut season aboard the less impressive GSX-RR, he finished just 11 points ahead of his newcomer teammate, Alex Rins, who had to sit out five races due to injuries. By 2018, although Iannone secured four podium finishes, Rins outperformed him with five podiums and surpassed him by 36 points in the overall standings.

He held his own against Aleix Espargaro during a challenging 2019 season filled with injuries on the Aprilia, finishing just 20 points behind him. This marked the conclusion of Iannone's career in MotoGP.

Beginning in 2019, the design and technology of MotoGP motorcycles have undergone significant transformations. Iannone competed during a period when aerodynamic advancements were not as sophisticated as they are today, and ride height mechanisms were just beginning to emerge. Additionally, the concept of sprint races was not yet on the table. Without a preliminary test before Sepang, Iannone is making a considerable jump.

As of 2024, Remy Gardner stands out as the sole World Superbike (WSBK) competitor to transition to riding a MotoGP motorcycle, achieving this feat on three occasions for Yamaha during events in Germany, Britain, and Japan.

In the German qualifying round, Gardner lagged behind the next fastest Yamaha by nearly a second (0.987s), and in the grand prix, he found himself 32.9 seconds behind. During the British qualifying session, he was just under a second slower (0.795s) than the next Yamaha and trailed by 34.935 seconds in the race. In Japan, he was 1.042 seconds slower in qualifying compared to the closest Yamaha competitor and finished the race 18.708 seconds behind. It's worth noting that Gardner has the advantage of recent MotoGP experience riding a KTM, stemming from his participation in the 2022 season.

Last year in Malaysia, two-time World Superbike (WSBK) winner Alvaro Bautista competed as a wildcard entry for Ducati. In the first qualifying session (Q1), he lagged 1.507 seconds behind the closest Ducati competitor and finished the grand prix 33.824 seconds back, a gap attributed to an injury he sustained during a crash in a test session.

Last year at Le Mans, Danilo Petrucci took the reins of a factory Ducati to secure an 11th place finish. Prior to this, he had filled in on a Suzuki MotoGP bike during the 2022 Thailand race and had been a regular competitor in the series through the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Perhaps the most notable instance of a World Superbike Championship (WSBK) rider making a single appearance in MotoGP recently occurred in 2021 with Garrett Gerloff. Riding an older Petronas SRT Yamaha model at the Assen track, the American rider finished qualifying 0.820 seconds slower than the nearest Yamaha competitor (and 1.198 seconds away from moving on to Q2) and ended the race 50.456 seconds behind the nearest Yamaha, placing 17th, which was the second-to-last among those who finished the race.

Riding a Ducati at Sepang gives Iannone a solid opportunity to avoid finishing last throughout the weekend. However, aiming for a position close to the top 15 seems unlikely and unrealistic, considering his extended absence from racing.

Future Outlook:

It seems improbable that Iannone will alter his position regarding his suspension for doping in the near future. His comeback to MotoGP racing is expected to further solidify his rigid attitude towards the issue. His interactions with the press in Malaysia will provide a clearer understanding of his current persona.

Regardless of the outcome, the Malaysian Grand Prix is expected to mark the final chapter of Iannone's captivating yet often vexing journey in grand prix racing.

Without any official word on who will take Di Giannantonio's spot in Valencia, speculation is rife that Ducati may consider Michele Pirro for the position. The imposition of the concession system in 2024 has prevented Ducati from utilizing Pirro in wildcard entries, depriving them of important in-race testing opportunities and the chance to acknowledge the experienced rider for his significant contributions to the brand’s overwhelming success in MotoGP.

Given the crucial off-season trial scheduled for the Tuesday following Valencia, the logical step would be to assign Pirro to the second VR46 motorcycle for some evaluations.

Regarding the broader discussion on the extent of efforts put into rehabilitating riders, finding a perfect balance may be an elusive goal. The situation with Iannone is more straightforward for many to understand: he hadn't achieved world champion status, he wasn't a consistent victor in MotoGP, and it was improbable that he would reach the top while riding for Aprilia.

However, whether we agree with it or not, this now establishes a new standard…

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Joan Mir criticizes MotoGP officials following an excessively aggressive incident with Marc Marquez

"The individuals responsible for overseeing this can't possibly overlook such actions"

Joan Mir has criticized the MotoGP officials for the punishment they imposed on Marc Marquez after his collision with the Honda pilot during the Thai Grand Prix.

During the final laps of the rain-soaked 26-lap Grand Prix at Buriram, Marquez was making his way from the rear of the field after falling from second place on the 14th lap due to a crash.

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During the third turn, he collided with Mir from Honda as he attempted to surpass him for the 15th spot, causing Mir to go off the track. The race officials then instructed Marquez to move back one place.

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He agreed, but it was only after he had passed LCR's Takaaki Nakagami, hence never giving the spot back to Mir.

Mir described the incident as crossing the line, yet believed the major problem was the severity of the sanction imposed by the officials.

"Pushing the boundaries? Not quite. Exceeding them," commented Mir, who finished 15th, whereas Marquez took the 11th spot.

"It closely mirrored what occurred during the sprint race in Jerez. The same scenario unfolded.

"I have decided not to make any statements because, in my experience, whenever I do, it backfires on me. Therefore, I'll leave it to you to form your own opinion on this matter.

Indeed, it's evident that those who are compensated for their roles must recognize that if there's an issue with one competitor, another takes the opportunity to battle back, gaining numerous spots, only for a position to be deducted at the race's conclusion.

"And as for my experience? I ended up losing three when you struck me. Therefore, it's definitely unfair how they've made their judgment."

"In my experience, whenever this occurred – and it occurred frequently with me in the past upon making contact with someone – [one would] receive a lengthy penalty."

"Extended circuit and you end up dropping the spots that likely cost me, because when you collided with me, I was on the extended track. That's the rational outcome."

Marquez acknowledged receiving the penalty, yet he justified his actions by stating that he was "side by side" with Mir when they collided.

Mir was having one of his most challenging races of the year on the Honda, but in the last 10 laps, he started experiencing issues with traction.

He explained, "During the final 10 laps, an incident occurred that made it impossible for me to remain on the bike."

"We've experienced a two-second drop in performance, and currently, the reason is unclear."

"It's regrettable, as I gave it my all, starting way back in 19th place. By the third lap, I was already battling to break into the top 10."

"The events that unfolded in the final laps were absurd. It's confusing to grasp what actually occurred. We aim to comprehend it to prevent a recurrence."

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Alex Rins believes Honda has superior edge grip, enhanced traction, and greater top speed compared to Yamaha. "In general, the conditions mirrored those in the dry. We encountered precisely the same issues…"

Alex Rins experienced a crash during the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix the previous weekend, however, he managed to validate his theories regarding the performance of his Yamaha YZR-M1 throughout the race.

Overall, Rins encountered identical challenges to those he and his factory Yamaha colleague, Fabio Quartararo, experienced in dry weather throughout the 27-lap race at the Buriram International Circuit.

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Primarily, this involved issues with getting the tyres up to temperature, and it took Rins a few laps to reach his best speed.

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"Essentially, it mirrored the arid conditions," Rins commented.

"We encountered identical issues; warming up the rear tire required a significant amount of time and numerous laps, leading to no grip at the race's outset."

"After the tire warmed up, about five or six laps in, I managed to clock times in the mid to low 1:40s range, even achieving a 1:40.3."

To provide context, Francesco Bagnaia, who won the race, recorded his fastest lap at 1:39.794. Throughout the latter part of the race, his lap times were consistently in the range of the mid to high-1:40s.

Rins maintained a consistent pace, yet once he reached the pack in front, his speed decreased to the 1:41 range.

"I managed to close the gap on a cluster of Honda motorcycles that were leading by three seconds."

Upon my arrival, it turned out to be rather exasperating. There I was, with no tasks at hand, merely focusing on braking recovery. Yet, they managed to outperform me significantly in terms of traction — their grip and top speed were far superior.

"So, I was there, contemplating the spots where I could potentially pass others and where I couldn't. Eventually, I noticed that [Luca] Marini seemed a bit stronger and Joan [Mir] appeared somewhat weaker than Marini, which gave me the opportunity to pass him, and I did overtake Joan.

"However, I was already pushing the boundaries a bit with the front tire. When I joined the pack, I attempted various maneuvers and lines to overtake and experiment, and I could sense that the front tire was too soft, leading to a loss of control."

The rainfall proved to be a hindrance for Rins as it prevented him from testing a modification he had applied to his setup following Saturday in clear weather conditions.

"Regardless, we've made a significant adjustment from yesterday to today which I haven't had the chance to evaluate in dry conditions; my testing was only in the wet. Therefore, we're going to proceed with this setup into Sepang to determine if it presents any potential benefits moving forward," he mentioned.

Conversely, the consistent performance traits of the YZR-M1 across both dry and wet environments have solidified Rins' understanding of the motorcycle's deficiencies, highlighting the areas in need of enhancement.

"Rins stated that the issues were identical to those experienced in dry conditions."

"On numerous instances, I've raced alongside Honda, and with Marini at Misano, encountering the same outcome: they possess superior edge grip, enhanced traction, and greater maximum speed."

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Fabio Quartararo suggests Yamaha showed surprising speed in the Thailand race. Although he experienced an early fall, Quartararo remained excited about his performance in the Thai MotoGP.

A premature accident thwarted Fabio Quartararo's chances of securing his first MotoGP podium finish of the season during the Thai Grand Prix.

After his crash, Quartararo was riding at such a speed that he believed he could have easily finished within the top 10, or potentially even secured a spot on the podium, if Franco Morbidelli hadn't made contact with him on the fourth lap.

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Quartararo mentioned after the race that it was challenging for him as he kept checking the TV to see Francesco Bagnaia's position during the race.

"I noticed he was increasing the distance between us, but it wasn't by a huge margin. I believe finishing somewhere between third and seventh place was achievable, although I was only watching on TV, so it's hard to be precise."

In Thailand, Yamaha faced challenges in the dry weather as they tried to heat up the rear tire, and these problems continued during the rainy conditions at Sunday's Grand Prix.

Quartararo mentioned that they faced difficulties throughout the morning with getting the rear tire, particularly on the left side, to reach the right temperature. Additionally, he noted that the electronics were quite challenging to figure out.

"The bike was skidding a lot, and it wasn't gaining speed in a straight line. While some turns were handled well, others weren't, which is confusing to me about the bike's performance."

After his crash, Quartararo remained optimistic due to his impressive speed, which was quite similar to that of race victor Francesco Bagnaia. Both riders consistently achieved lap times in the mid-to-high 1:40s range, and Quartararo managed this despite sustaining considerable damage from the crash.

"Following the crash, despite not having a wing, dealing with bent steering, the absence of a rear brake, and a right footpeg that was broken in half, I believe the speed was still impressive. I find that to be quite encouraging."

Quartararo expressed that both he and his Yamaha team succeeded in enhancing the performance of his YZR-M1 from the morning session to the afternoon. He particularly noted an improvement in how he felt with the front tire, although he acknowledged that there was still room for further enhancement.

He mentioned that he's particularly having difficulty with the front in this situation, although they generally perform well in straight-line braking on wet surfaces.

"In the morning, I faced some difficulties, but the afternoon session showed some improvement. Although I continued to experience significant front locking, the progress from morning to afternoon was noticeable. That's why, despite the bike being quite damaged from the crash, I decided to keep going, complete more laps, and assess whether the electronic adjustments had made a difference."

As the race progressed, Quartararo experienced increasing problems with the front locking.

Quartararo mentioned that towards the end of the race, the front end was a significant issue for them. He experienced considerable loss, and the brakes often locked up on the straight.

"The performance of our bike is heavily reliant on track conditions, as I've mentioned before. We perform significantly better when the track has good grip compared to when it's lacking."

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Potential MotoGP talent faces injury setback, casting doubt on postseason test debut

Fermin Aldeguer announces he has undergone surgery

Fermin Aldeguer has sustained an injury that could jeopardize his involvement in the MotoGP postseason testing.

Moto2 competitor Aldeguer has secured a deal with Ducati and is set to join the top-tier racing category with Gresini in 2025.

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His first experience on a MotoGP motorcycle, set for next year on a Ducati that's a year old, was scheduled to happen during the Valencia test, which takes place shortly after the season's last race.

However, during the opening lap of the Moto2 event in Thailand, Aldeguer experienced a crash.

He needs an operation on his left hand, and it is currently unclear when he will be able to resume activities.

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of his race in a social media post.

"I was hopeful, but things didn't turn out as planned."

"The collision with Tony Arbolino was intense, and I feel sorry for how the situation unfolded."

At this point, my main priority is to concentrate on my healing process, with the aim of returning to my usual routine quickly.

"I'll be returning home sooner than planned, but I'll make an effort to get things back to normal in Valencia. I'll keep you updated!"

If Aldeguer were to skip the Valencia test or participate under suboptimal conditions, it would not be the best way to begin his MotoGP career.

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