Authorities Confirm Designation for MotoGP Season's Closing Event

Confirmed Title for Upcoming Final Stage Revealed

The concluding race of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship is set to be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as officially announced by the series organizers.

The event will be titled the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona.

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Furthermore, the race in Barcelona is scheduled for November 15-17, coinciding with the weekend initially set for the Valencian Grand Prix.

Last week, the race in Valencia was called off as a result of the severe floods that hit the area starting from last Tuesday.

This week, Spain's eastern coastline experienced more severe weather conditions, leading to flooding in Barcelona on November 4.

The competition at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the venue for this year's Catalan Grand Prix, is still unnamed. However, MotoGP has announced that the event "will take place in support of the Community of Valencia."

The finalization of the last race taking place in Barcelona confirms that the MotoGP championship will culminate in its 20th round.

The championships for Moto2 and Moto3 were decided prior to the recent race in Sepang, with Ai Ogura clinching the Moto2 World Championship in Thailand, and David Alonso capturing the Moto3 title in Japan.

The battle for the MotoGP World Championship title remains unresolved, as Jorge Martin holds a 24-point advantage over Francesco Bagnaia going into the final race in Barcelona.

In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting about consumer motorcycles and racing news.

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Alex Marquez aims to leverage the 2025 MotoGP improvements

"Having two fewer Ducatis in the competition is beneficial for us…"

The 2025 MotoGP World Championship will offer Alex Marquez, the Gresini Ducati competitor, a chance he acknowledges he must "capitalize on".

Marquez has committed to continue racing for the Gresini team, which he first joined in 2023, into the next season, marking his third year with the Italian team. Additionally, he will benefit from an equipment upgrade, moving from the Desmosedici GP23 to the more successful GP24 model, a bike that has triumphed in 15 out of 19 Grand Prix races throughout 2024.

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In actuality, Marquez is set to lag by a year in comparison to Ducati racers who have secured factory agreements ensuring they receive the latest motorcycles in 2025. These racers include Fabio Di Giannantonio from the VR46 squad, along with Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia from the official Ducati team.

In 2024, Michelin rolled out a new design for its rear tire, which changed the usual dynamics of the racing season. Typically, the early part of the season saw satellite teams leveraging their slightly older, yet updated equipment and the previous year's data to their advantage. This period allowed them a competitive edge before the factory teams started to unlock greater improvements with their brand-new motorcycles.

"Marquez emphasized the importance of capitalizing on this opportunity," he stated on the Thursday preceding the Thai Grand Prix at Buriram, regarding the transition from the GP23 to the GP24.

Marquez exercised caution in his remarks, pointing out that despite GP24's current dominance, it's uncertain how competing manufacturers will progress through the winter and into the start of the forthcoming season.

"The grid will see a reduction of two Ducatis, which is actually beneficial for us."

"Moreover, being part of a satellite team and understanding that you'll be equipped with a competitive bike, the initial three or four races present an undefined goal due to the uncertainty surrounding the advancements other manufacturers might make."

"Thus, it hinges on that particular aspect."

In August 2024, Alex became part of the Crash.net team after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting about consumer and racing motorcycle news.

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Alvaro Bautista responds sharply to Andrea Iannone's bold "speedier" assertion

Fiery retort on social media from WSBK competitor

Alvaro Bautista has responded to a veiled suggestion made by Andrea Iannone in Sepang.

"I discovered I can outpace Bautista last year," Iannone joked following his return to MotoGP in Malaysia.

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"I gained knowledge on this topic."

Iannone returned to compete in MotoGP for his first race since 2019, on the same circuit where Bautista had participated as a wildcard the previous year.

In 2023, Bautista secured the 17th position while competing on a Ducati, marking his return to MotoGP after a four-year hiatus, similar to Iannone's experience.

Bautista qualified penultimate and finished 22nd in last year's sprint race at Sepang.

Iannone equaled Bautista's 17th place finish in this year's edition of the grand prix.

However, the assertion that he was quicker has been countered.

"Bautista expressed gratitude, acknowledging the importance of certain moments, in his response to Iannone on social media."

"In reality, he finished a full two minutes ahead of me, having completed one fewer lap, naturally."

"Given that, if you remove a lap from my time, so I would have completed 19 laps like he did, I'd be three seconds quicker…even with an injury…"

Last year, Bautista disclosed that he was nursing an injury from a previous accident following his challenging MotoGP wildcard appearance in Sepang.

This season, Bautista and Iannone have been fiercely competing in the World Superbike Championship.

Bautista handed over his World Superbike Championship title to Toprak Razgatlioglu, ending the season in third place. Iannone secured the seventh position in the championship during his comeback season following a four-year suspension.

Both of them are set to return to the World Superbike Championship in 2025. As for a comeback in MotoGP, it remains a question mark

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Championship hopefuls weigh in on the Barcelona showdown

"Barcelona presents a favorable circuit for the both of us…"

Recent inundations in Valencia have necessitated the relocation of the MotoGP's 2024 season-ending race to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a venue that is favorable for both competitors.

Earlier in the year, Francesco Bagnaia clinched victory at the Catalan Grand Prix and was on course for a Sprint-Grand Prix twin win until a crash on the final lap of Saturday's shorter race, while in the lead, dashed his hopes.

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Conversely, while Jorge Martin has yet to secure a victory in the top category at Barcelona, he has consistently finished among the top three in the past three Grand Prix events held there.

"Barcelona suits both of us well," stated the championship frontrunner Martin during the press conference following the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] clinched victory last Sunday; I secured second place, not far behind. Admittedly, there was something lacking on my part, but we'll figure out the reason."

Sepang victor Bagnaia stated, "From a mathematical standpoint, it remains feasible. Although challenging, anything is possible in Barcelona."

During the Sprint race, while I was ahead by a second and focusing on not making any errors, I ended up crashing in the same manner.

"Therefore, it's going to be challenging, as the conditions will become harsher than what we experienced in June due to the colder weather."

"In Barcelona, there are two challenging bends, specifically turn two and turn five, making it crucial to strive for competitiveness while maintaining composure."

Both competitors also emphasized that the shift in venue for the last race will not affect their preparation strategies.

"Bagnaia expressed his adaptability, stating, 'We adjust to any situation consistently, so for me, there's no [difference in preparation methods]. When it comes to performance, I usually do better in Barcelona [than in Valencia].'"

"Moreover, it's a circuit that's quite challenging, with errors lurking around the corner, demanding greater accuracy. However, I don't have a favored choice."

Martin boasts an impressive track record in Barcelona, although he has yet to secure a victory in the premier class.

"For me, it's identical," he expressed. "I believe my performance is quite comparable in Barcelona and Valencia.

"In Montmelo, I secured a podium finish in both 2022 and 2023, indicating my competitiveness."

"According to Pecco, the course has its challenges, especially now in November. We might encounter a variety of weather conditions – it could rain, there might be wind, or even snow; it's uncertain."

"I'm optimistic that Michelin will discover a satisfactory resolution, similar to what was achieved in Australia, but we'll wait to see the outcome."

For Bagnaia, the challenge of making up his 24-point gap to Martin, given that only 37 points are left to be won, appears nearly insurmountable, especially as Enea Bastianini, who is in third place, ended up 10 seconds behind in Malaysia.

"Bagnaia humorously remarked that it's an area they must enhance for the upcoming event in Barcelona."

"I'll aim to provide drafting opportunities for everyone this weekend, ensuring there's always someone in contention. Winning both races is my goal, so we'll see how it goes."

Contrastingly, Martin has the confidence that he is in full command of his fate in the championship.

"He mentioned that his confidence level remains consistent, whether he's approaching this race or the next."

"Furthermore, I feel assured about my performance and the journey to this stage. It feels like an honor to be competing at this level, especially against a champion such as Pecco. It's truly remarkable, so without a doubt, I'm confident. I'm also pleased that we managed to secure an additional seven points from this race."

"I sense that we're nearing our ultimate goal, yet the journey isn't complete until it truly ends, so it's crucial to maintain our concentration and undoubtedly keep faith until the final moment."

In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he reported on both consumer motorcycles and racing news.

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"I found myself crying" following the distressing incident involving Jack Miller

Describing the emotional upheaval experienced upon encountering Jack Miller later

The feeling of witnessing Jack Miller in the flesh following his terrifying accident has been depicted.

During the Malaysian MotoGP on Sunday, an incident unfolded that involved KTM's Miller, his team member Brad Binder, and Yamaha racer Fabio Quartararo.

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Miller needed medical help on the track when the red flags were displayed, amid concerning circumstances.

He subsequently acknowledged his fortune in escaping without significant harm.

"Seeing that crash and watching Jack's helmet being violently twisted by the sticky back tire really frightened me," commentator Simon Crafar expressed.

"Contrary to riders who had to block it entirely, it remained present in my mind."

Honestly, seeing him return from the health clinic had me in tears.

"I was truly scared. We don't wish to witness Jack concluding his career, or anything more dire.

They're absolutely thrilled to find out he's okay. I caught a glimpse of him, and planted a kiss on his forehead! He had their little girl in his arms and was making his way out.

"The experience was incredibly frightening."

"MotoGP has become significantly safer compared to the era of 25-30 years ago when I was racing."

"First off, the circuits. It's rare for us to witness such frightening accidents that really shake us up, like this one."

"The effects of barriers are rarely witnessed. It has all disappeared."

Neil Hodgson of TNT Sports recounted a moment with Miller, noting, "I noticed him strolling through the paddock with his wife. When I mentioned, 'You had everyone concerned,' he casually replied, 'It's okay, I merely took a short nap.'"

"The problem stemmed from him evidently experiencing a slight concussion."

Miller expressed his gratitude towards Alpinestars for ensuring his safety during the crash.

The MotoGP officials deemed it a racing incident, a decision that KTM leader Francesco Guidotti concurred with.

KTM emphasized that the accident served as a vivid warning of the dangers their riders confront each time they take their positions at the start line.

For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Marc Marquez acknowledges "it's more than just the motorcycle"

Discussion with Marc Marquez "that clarified the situation"

Marc Marquez acknowledged the exceptional talent of his leading competitors during an event in Sepang, it has come to light.

Marquez has made a triumphant return to clinching victories this season after switching to a Gresini Ducati, an older model of the powerful motorcycle that Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin compete on.

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However, Bagnaia and Martin outpacing Marquez in the championship race isn't just about their equipment, he has admitted.

Commentator Simon Crafar remarked following the Malaysian MotoGP regarding Marquez, "His performance on Saturday was incredible, he attempted to replicate it but ended up sliding out at the front."

"He offered a remark that provided clarity."

I inquired about what sets the GP24 apart from the GP23.

He mentioned that during the quickest laps aimed at setting records, he's unable to equal the performance of Jorge and Pecco.

"They're going above and beyond, it's not solely about the bicycle."

"Receiving such commendation from him was significant. He's actively attempting to bridge that distance."

"Marc excelled during the competitions."

Securing a strong position during Saturday's qualifying sessions has consistently been a weak spot for Marquez throughout this season.

Nevertheless, he has outpaced his GP23 peers, providing evidence that his extraordinary talent has had an impact.

Despite their efforts, they have not managed to match the performance of Bagnaia and Martin, who are set to compete for the MotoGP title in the final race of the season.

Pramac team member Martin leads by 24 points ahead of the current champion and fellow factory team rider Bagnaia.

Martin is poised to secure his first-ever premier class championship should he triumph in the sprint race at the season's finale.

Barcelona has been selected to take over from Valencia as the host city, following severe flooding in the area. The event is scheduled to proceed on the weekend of November 15-17, as planned.

Marquez has dismissed suggestions that his participation in the season's last sprint and grand prix could impact the pivotal championship fight.

However, it's equally probable that he will keep fighting at the forefront, facing off against Bagnaia and Martin.

In the upcoming season, Marquez is set to upgrade to the most current Ducati model as he teams up with Bagnaia on the official squad. Naturally, Martin will make a move to Aprilia.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Enea Bastianini "wasn't given tough treatment, and isn't entitled to remain" at Ducati. "You don't automatically get to hold onto your spot for over two years."

Enea Bastianini has been informed that he is "unworthy" of retaining his position at Ducati.

Earlier this season, the competition for Bastianini’s spot on the factory team next year narrowed down to a head-to-head battle between Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez.

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Marquez was chosen, which led to Martin leaving for Aprilia, and Bastianini is set to become a part of the revamped Tech3 KTM team.

Initially, Bastianini might influence the outcome of the MotoGP final race in Barcelona, where his teammate Pecco Bagnaia is competing against Martin for the championship.

Despite Marquez facing inquiries about potentially challenging the leading pair in the title race, it's possible that Bastianini could be the one to do so.

Neil Hodgson from TNT Sports mentioned that the individual departing from Ducati could be motivated to demonstrate something.

"You aren't guaranteed permission to remain there for over two years."

He ranks fourth in the championship standings, trailing behind two GP24s, and therefore, he does not merit remaining in his current position.

"He hasn’t faced severe treatment. Over the course of two years, his performance has been overshadowed by his teammate, and he trails behind Marc on a GP23."

"Not everyone is qualified to be part of the top team."

Michael Laverty remarked, "It's a consistent trait throughout his career – I don't mean to be harsh, but he tends to be sluggish on Fridays."

"Enea finds his rhythm on Saturday and performs well on Sunday. This consistency places him among the top three globally, but it's not sufficient to secure the championship title."

Hodgson mentioned, "Since they rejected Martin, it's only natural they would also reject Bastianini."

There is a widespread belief among those in the racing community that Ducati has made the right moves. Many think that Marc will perform exceptionally well next year and has the potential to secure three or four championships in the future.

"I don't believe there was anything they could do regarding Martin because he felt disappointed."

"He was tough in his approach, and Marc matched that toughness. Marc might have ended up with Aprilia, most likely…"

In 2022, Bastianini secured the second-highest number of race victories, following Bagnaia, while riding for Gresini, which led to his promotion to the factory Ducati team, overtaking Martin.

However, a mishap during his initial race as an official team rider thwarted his inaugural season with Ducati.

Armed with top-tier equipment on the circuit, Bastianini has secured three grand prix victories for the official Ducati team.

In the upcoming year, he will be equipped with KTM factory equipment and will join Maverick Vinales in the Tech3 team.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Marco Melandri has expressed his disapproval of Andrea Iannone's comeback to MotoGP, stating that Iannone was performing at the same level as riders did back in 2007. The ex-MotoGP competitor critiqued Iannone's performance during his return at the Sepang

Marco Melandri mentioned that he "anticipated" Andrea Iannone would "find it challenging to earn points" in his MotoGP comeback at the Malaysian Grand Prix, but he "didn't expect us to perform so poorly."

Following a four-year suspension for doping, which essentially concluded his MotoGP career, former grand prix and World Superbike race victor Iannone returned to the premier class for the first time since 2019, competing last weekend at Sepang.

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VR46 brought him on board to take over from Fabio Di Giannantonio, who concluded his season prematurely to undergo surgery for a dislocated left shoulder sustained in Austria.

Iannone demonstrated remarkable pace, finishing Friday morning in ninth place with new tires and securing 17th in the qualifying session. However, he was on track to achieve a faster time if not for a mistake during his fast lap.

Having been away from MotoGP racing for an extended period, Iannone faced physical challenges that affected his performance, causing him to finish second-to-last in both the sprint race and the grand prix.

Melandri, a racer who has won five MotoGP races, expressed that Iannone's comeback was more underwhelming than anticipated, noting that he was completing laps at a pace reminiscent of 2007.

Marco Melandri mentioned to Corsedimoto that there were high expectations for Andrea Iannone, particularly after his promising performance on Friday morning.

"Yet, not many people had replaced their tires. In Malaysia, fresh tires combined with cooler temperatures create a remarkable impact."

During the race, I anticipated that Iannone might have trouble earning points, but I didn't foresee him performing this poorly.

"I observed no improvement throughout the weekend. Starting from the midpoint of the race, the times were notably sluggish."

"He was matching the lap times that Casey Stoner and I achieved back in 2007. I believe he should aim to improve and has the potential to do so."

Although Melandri is accurate in noting that his lap times from 2007 were close to those recorded by Iannone last weekend, the substitute rider for VR46 maintained an average speed of 2 minutes 2.379 seconds at Sepang. This time placed him 47.599 seconds behind the leader, resulting in a 17th-place finish.

In 2007, Melandri's typical speed, which earned him a second-place finish, was 2 minutes and 2.784 seconds.

Melandri's critique does not take into account the actual circumstances. Although Iannone's impressive time on Friday morning, which placed him ninth, was somewhat misleading because he used new tires while many others did not, Melandri's remarks miss out on important aspects.

Iannone last rode a MotoGP bike during the Jerez test that took place after the 2019 season. Back then, aerodynamic advancements were not as progressed as they are currently, and Ducati had only recently started implementing ride height devices.

During the nearly five-year period of developing bikes and tires, Iannone was serving a four-year suspension for doping. Meanwhile, transitioning from a Superbike to a MotoGP bike is a rare feat where few have excelled in recent history.

Iannone did not have the opportunity to test the Ducati before his ride. In contrast, Alvaro Bautista, who was criticized by Iannone following the Malaysian Grand Prix, had the chance to test the GP23 before participating as a wildcard in Sepang last year, even though he finished the event while dealing with an injury.

By the conclusion of the first quarter, Iannone trailed Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro by just 0.076 seconds. During Iannone's time away, Espargaro had clinched three grand prix victories. Additionally, Iannone was only 0.314 seconds behind Marco Bezzecchi, his teammate from the VR46 team, who was in 14th place.

Iannone missed the chance to advance to Q2 by just 0.383 seconds. Despite facing challenges during the races, he confessed on Saturday that he himself, rather than the motorcycle, was the main obstacle. He compared riding a Superbike to riding a bicycle, especially when considering the intense physical requirements of MotoGP.

While Iannone's weekend might not be remarkable on paper, it doesn't imply that he didn't leave a mark.

Iannone disclosed that championship leader Jorge Martin contacted him and commented, "I've reviewed your data and observed your riding style," during their interaction at Sepang.

"I was thrilled to discover that at certain moments, I'm quite close to the other Ducati racers. However, the challenge for me is understanding the optimal braking points. I'm not yet familiar with the bike's braking capabilities, and I haven’t fully utilized the tires, brakes, or aerodynamics. Most importantly, I'm struggling to apply strong physical braking force."

"These are lessons you pick up while riding; you can't practice them at home. The SBK is completely different from this motorcycle."

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Luca Marini believes Honda has the potential to become the second strongest team in MotoGP, capable of preventing Ducati from dominating the championship. He remarked that Ducati seems to be operating on an entirely different level.

Luca Marini feels that Ducati is currently "dominating" MotoGP to an overwhelming extent. However, he sees potential for Honda to rise as the "second strongest contender in the championship" in the near future.

In 2024, Ducati has dominated its rivals, securing victories in 18 of the 19 grand prix races held this season.

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The team has easily secured the constructors' title and is set to clinch the riders' championship with one of its competitors. Additionally, it has already claimed the titles for teams, independent teams, and independent riders even before the season concludes.

In the manufacturers' standings, Honda has accumulated only 73 points, which pales in comparison to Ducati's impressive 685 points. Moreover, as of 2024, Honda has yet to have any of its riders finish in the top six in a grand prix event.

In 2024, Yamaha, competing against Japanese adversaries, has made progress, as evidenced by last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix. The event marked their highest points total of the year, earning 23 points, and saw their riders achieve a first top-six finish.

Marini has observed that Yamaha's advancements suggest Honda can also make progress, but they will need to "innovate" to compete with Ducati.

Nevertheless, he believes that through diligent and strategic efforts in the coming year, Honda has the potential to emerge as Ducati's primary competitor.

"They seem to be in a league of their own right now," he remarked regarding Ducati, after being passed by Marc Marquez and Franco Morbidelli due to crashes that pushed him down to 15th place in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"We need to raise our standards and also figure out how to gain an advantage over them because, right now, they are dominating the championship in a way that's really overwhelming."

"We need to come up with a new solution. We will make an effort, as I believe Yamaha has recently made significant progress."

"[At Sepang], I believe they organized an excellent weekend."

"It is crucial for us to quickly return and enhance our performance without delay, as it is achievable at this moment."

"The other manufacturers are facing challenges, and if we act wisely and strategically, outsmarting our competitors, I believe we can become the second-leading force in the championship by making the right decisions in the upcoming year."

As the 2024 season progresses, Honda has been officially placed at the bottom of the manufacturers' standings, while Yamaha is secured in the fourth position. Only 37 points remain available for competition.

A possible change might occur in the battle for the second position between KTM and Aprilia, as there is a 31-point gap separating the two.

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Aspar team gathers €100,000 to aid Valencia flood victims

Through a GoFundMe initiative, the Aspar team successfully collected €100,000 to support those affected by the floods in Valencia.

The Aspar Team has collected more than €100,000, equivalent to £84,000, to support relief efforts for the floods in Valencia, thanks to a GoFundMe campaign they initiated just last week.

The Aspar team, based in Valencia, started their campaign on November 1st and impressively hit the €100,000 target within just three days. Contributions are still being accepted.

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Valencia experienced severe flooding last week, affecting the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, which was set to be the venue for the final and 20th round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship. The floods caused substantial loss of life and inflicted considerable damage on buildings and infrastructure.

Due to the flooding, MotoGP revealed at the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend that the Valencian Grand Prix has been canceled.

The arrangements for substituting the Valencia race have not been finalized yet. However, it is anticipated that the last round will be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This track is situated to the northeast of Barcelona's city center, an area that experienced flooding on November 4.

In Malaysia, David Alonso from the Aspar Team secured his 13th Grand Prix victory during his championship-winning and record-setting Moto3 season. Meanwhile, in the Moto2 race, the team achieved third place with Izan Guevara, the 2022 Moto3 World Champion, as he earned his first podium finish in the intermediate class.

Francesco Bagnaia, who used to ride for the Aspar team, clinched victory in the MotoGP race. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin, Bagnaia’s former Aspar teammate during the Moto3 seasons of 2015 and 2016, secured the win in the MotoGP Sprint.

After the Malaysian Grand Prix, Bagnaia and Martin shared the podium and displayed the Valencian flag together.

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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Aspar Collects €100,000 for Flood Relief in Valencia

The Aspar team successfully gathered €100,000 through its GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting those affected by the floods in Valencia.

The Aspar Team successfully collected more than €100,000 (approximately £84,000) to aid those affected by the floods in Valencia, thanks to a GoFundMe initiative they launched the previous week.

The Valencia-based Aspar team initiated their campaign on November 1, and within just three days, it surpassed €100,000. Donations are still being accepted.

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The Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, initially slated to be the venue for the 20th and concluding round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, experienced severe flooding last week. This disaster has led to considerable loss of life and substantial damage to structures and infrastructure.

Due to the flooding, MotoGP declared the cancellation of the Valencian Grand Prix during the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend.

The proposal to substitute the Valencia race has not yet been confirmed, although it is anticipated that the last race will occur at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This circuit is situated to the northeast of Barcelona's city center, which experienced flooding on November 4.

In Malaysia, David Alonso of the Aspar Team secured his 13th Grand Prix victory during a Moto3 season where he both won the title and set new records. Meanwhile, in the Moto2 event, 2022 Moto3 World Champion Izan Guevara earned his inaugural podium finish in the intermediate category by taking third place.

Francesco Bagnaia, previously a rider for the Aspar team, clinched victory in the MotoGP race. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin, who shared the Aspar team with Bagnaia during the Moto3 seasons of 2015 and 2016, emerged as the winner of the MotoGP Sprint.

After the Malaysian Grand Prix, Bagnaia and Martin shared the podium, displaying the Valencian flag together.

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown.

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Yamaha's moment of happiness? | Key takeaways from Sepang

Fabio Quartararo showcased his exceptional talent again in Malaysia.

The battle for the MotoGP championship is set for a thrilling conclusion, as Francesco Bagnaia stays in contention by securing a win at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The current titleholder is facing significant challenges in maintaining his championship status. A mishap during the sprint competition has resulted in Jorge Martin taking a 24-point lead, with only one more round remaining.

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With the title competition intensifying, the event's location has not been determined due to severe flooding in Valencia, which led to the cancellation of the race at Ricardo Tormo.

The MotoGP series plans to conclude the season in Barcelona from November 15 to 17. However, heavy flooding in the city on Monday, November 4, has raised doubts about the final event.

In the face of uncertainty, the MotoGP community united to show their support for the residents of Valencia.

In other news, Yamaha had its most successful weekend of the season. Fabio Quartararo finished in sixth place during the grand prix, despite racing on a motorcycle that was not originally meant for him.

Andrea Iannone made a comeback to grand prix racing, participating for the first time since 2019, and showcased impressive speed on the VR46 Ducati.

These are the top five highlights from the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2024.

Quartararo Excels During Yamaha's Top Weekend of the Year

Fabio Quartararo concluded Yamaha's strongest weekend performance of the season by securing an impressive sixth place in a 19-lap grand prix, despite the M1 not performing at its peak.

The 2021 world champion found themselves entangled in an incident at Turn 2, initiated by Brad Binder. This event also included a frightening crash involving Jack Miller, who, fortunately, was able to walk away unharmed.

Quartararo had to begin the restart on his backup motorcycle, which featured a somewhat used rear tire and an engine that had seen better days. Nonetheless, he managed to outpace Maverick Vinales, who was riding for Aprilia, by 3.2 seconds and finished just shy of three seconds behind the leading non-Ducati competitor.

Fellow competitor Alex Rins achieved his highest placement of the year, finishing in eighth position. This accomplishment followed Yamaha's impressive performance with two riders in Q2. Additionally, Quartararo emerged as the leading non-Ducati rider in the sprint race.

Throughout the year, Yamaha has been dedicated to enhancing the M1, introducing a new engine at Sepang. Although Quartararo's engine failed on Friday, this setback didn't slow him down, as the most significant improvements were achieved in the electronics area.

A significant alteration in the settings returned greater control to the riders. Although this required a distinctly different method of handling the Yamaha, it eventually enabled them to maintain their competitive edge.

As Yamaha gears up for a hectic winter, the promising outcomes from the latter part of the season's flyaway races offer a solid base to prepare for the 2025 season.

An amazing picture features Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia posing with the Valencian flag on the podium ❤️📸 @ducaticorse #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/6n8WjowcCH— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) November 4, 2024

Bagnaia's Rollercoaster Journey

Heading into the Malaysian Grand Prix, Jorge Martin had a slim opportunity to secure the championship title, as he led Bagnaia by 17 points in the overall rankings.

The victory in the sprint race increased the lead to 29 points as Bagnaia fell from the podium positions. This marked Bagnaia's eighth failure to finish this year, occurring shortly after he impressively secured pole position over Martin in an exciting qualifying session.

Bagnaia had to give it his all in the grand prix to ensure the competition continued into the final race. During the initial three laps, the two competitors were fiercely battling, switching positions a total of 13 times. In the end, Bagnaia emerged victorious and secured his 10th grand prix victory of the season, finishing more than three seconds ahead.

Facing a critical situation, Bagnaia showed an impressive confidence reminiscent of his previous win against Marc Marquez at the Spanish Grand Prix. Although securing five points might be crucial, the 48 points Martin has accumulated over him in sprint races this season seem likely to dash his competitor's championship dreams.

Martin matched Bagnaia's performance, but chose to ride wisely when Bagnaia's speed was unmatched. Throughout 2024, Martin's unwavering consistency has allowed the Pramac rider to comfortably follow Bagnaia's lead as the season comes to a close.

Martin seems to have the upper hand with a 24-point lead. However, the Sepang race showed that Bagnaia is not going to give up without a fight.

Pedro Acosta is showing growth and development

As Pedro Acosta's first year in the top category comes to a close, he might finish without the victory many anticipated for him in 2024. However, this doesn't take away from the reality that it has been a remarkable, albeit slightly error-filled, debut in the premier class for the 20-year-old.

Following his second-place finish at the Indonesian Grand Prix, Acosta experienced a five-race streak with no points. This prompted him to recognize the necessity for a different strategy.

After a lackluster qualifying session, he found himself starting from 13th position on the grid at Sepang. Despite the challenging heat, he managed to secure a point in the sprint race. During the main race, he impressively climbed to fifth place. He finished approximately 1.4 seconds behind Alex Marquez, who was in fourth, and believed he could have challenged the Gresini rider if he hadn't worn out his front tire while pushing to reach the top five.

In the last five laps, a brief stint at the front led him to concede and settle for fifth place. However, his reaction following this event revealed a noticeable change in the Tech3 rider's outlook.

Acosta mentioned that it was important to realize that sometimes doing less can actually mean achieving more when it comes to competing for a championship. Reflecting on this, he pointed out how many points he had missed out on due to crashes during races.

With Brad Binder unable to participate in the Malaysian Grand Prix, Acosta has climbed back to fifth place in the rankings. His fresh, systematic strategy may position him as the leading KTM rider by the end of the 2024 season.

Controversial Racer Stages Remarkable Return

VR46 has formally announced that Andrea Iannone will make his comeback to MotoGP, stepping in for Fabio Di Giannantonio. Di Giannantonio recently had surgery on his left shoulder, and the decision was made on the Tuesday before the Malaysian Grand Prix.

During the weekend in Thailand, there were widespread rumors, which led to differing opinions on the matter.

Andrea Iannone made his comeback to MotoGP at the same event where his doping scandal began five years ago, but his return didn't make significant headlines. On Thursday in Sepang, Iannone appeared much more content as he spoke to the press. By Friday, some of his former prowess was evident on the track, as he concluded the first practice session in ninth place on the GP23.

During the qualifying session, Iannone continued to show strong performance, securing the 17th position in Q1. He was only a few tenths of a second away from surpassing his VR46 teammate Marco Bezzecchi, had it not been for a late error. However, the demanding nature of today's MotoGP bikes took a significant toll on Iannone physically, and he was only able to outperform Lorenzo Savadori in both races.

It remains uncertain if he will participate in the season's last race, but should this mark Iannone's final appearance on a MotoGP bike, he can look back on it as evidence of his capability to succeed in the top tier of racing, provided he had made better use of his chances.

MotoGP racers showed their resilience and respect in response to the devastating floods in Valencia. These floods, which resulted in over 200 fatalities and caused significant destruction, brought a somber atmosphere to the MotoGP community as they congregated at the Sepang International Circuit.

As the paddock focused on the welfare of Valencia's residents, there were also concerns about the fate of the concluding event, scheduled for November 15-17 at Ricardo Tormo.

As of Friday, the event was called off, but many riders had already voiced their apprehensions about competing in Valencia due to the tragic circumstances. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia had essentially warned that he might refuse to participate.

"I am willing to sacrifice my main objective of winning the championship because I am not ready to compete in Valencia," he stated on Friday. Reflecting on the Valencia Grand Prix the day before, he remarked, "It's a time to appreciate. Given the current circumstances, participating would be inappropriate. We always maintain great respect for global events, and since we all share the same world, racing there might be misguided."

Jorge Martin announced that he plans to give the prize money from his victory in the sprint race at Sepang to support relief initiatives in Valencia. Meanwhile, the Aspar team, which operates out of that area, launched a GoFundMe campaign that had collected nearly €100,000 by Monday evening.

Before the sprint race began, everyone in the MotoGP paddock gathered to observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to the people of Valencia.

In the face of uncertainty regarding the outcome of the championship, both title contenders, Bagnaia and Martin, along with the entire MotoGP lineup, showcased a commendable response to the tragic events in Valencia.

The future is uncertain, as a suggested alternative race in Barcelona for the same date has yet to receive confirmation. This proposal is now in question due to Monday's flooding in the city.

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