Pedro Acosta expressed that the extent of his discomfort will dictate his performance at the Thailand MotoGP. He noted significant progress in recent days, which he considers a positive development.

Pedro Acosta heads to Buriram for the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix this weekend after facing a challenging time in Australia last weekend, where he sustained a shoulder injury during the Sprint race.

On Sunday morning, Acosta was deemed unfit to participate in the Grand Prix, preventing him from competing. However, he reports that his health has already gotten better as he prepares for the event in Thailand this weekend.

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During a press conference on Thursday before the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix, Acosta described his current state in contrast to the previous weekend in Australia by saying, "I'm feeling much improved. I've spent several days undergoing physiotherapy and doing various activities off the track, but overall, I'm feeling significantly better."

Medical examinations conducted in Australia uncovered the full severity of the shoulder injury Acosta sustained during his Sprint crash.

"It was a partial tear in the ligament," he explained. "I would describe it as moving out and then back in quite forcefully, which exacerbates the situation. Regardless, that's the reality of it, and it has gotten significantly better over the past few days, which is something to be grateful for."

Acosta mentioned that he does not need surgery for his shoulder injury. He also noted that the primary issue he anticipates facing in Thailand this weekend is pain, not a lack of strength.

"The doctor mentioned that the threshold would be determined by the level of pain," he explained.

"Let's find out what's happening. The positive aspect is that I can move freely without any discomfort—it's only when I make contact with it that I feel pain."

In a sense, Acosta's injury happened at an unfortunate time. In Japan, he was consistently in the running for podium finishes, and now he's in the midst of three consecutive races.

He remarked, "These situations arise when they are meant to," but acknowledged, "It's certainly not at the most opportune time. We'll have to wait and see what happens and how I handle the entire weekend."

Acosta shared information regarding the expected duration of his recovery from the injury.

"They mentioned it might take a few weeks," he remarked. "It's hard to determine exactly how long, but I must say, I've been feeling significantly better and have made notable progress over the past few days."

"The issue was that I was unable to raise the arm."

As he arrives in Thailand, Acosta is hopeful about his and KTM's prospects. Last year, he secured second place in the Moto2 Thai Grand Prix, trailing Fermin Aldeguer. Meanwhile, Brad Binder finished in the runner-up position behind Jorge Martin but was demoted a spot due to a track limits violation on the final lap, allowing Francesco Bagnaia to move ahead after the race concluded.

"Acosta commented that in the previous season, Brad Binder delivered an impressive performance. He also noted that this track might be advantageous for them due to its numerous braking and acceleration areas."

"Let's observe how we begin the weekend and figure out how we can handle it."

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Aleix Espargaro dismisses the use of aerodynamics as a defense in the frightening MotoGP incident involving Bezzecchi and Vinales.

"Blaming aerodynamics to excuse the incident is unjust."

Aleix Espargaro disagrees with the MotoGP stewards' decision that aerodynamics played a role in lessening the impact of the frightening crash between Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Vinales in Australia last weekend.

During the second-to-last lap of last weekend's sprint at Phillip Island, Bezzecchi crashed into the back of Vinales' Aprilia as they approached the high-speed Turn 1, resulting in both riders being eliminated from the race.

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The race officials concluded that Bezzecchi was responsible for the accident. However, they acknowledged that the disturbed airflow caused by the RS-GP's aerodynamic design played a role, which led them to impose a lighter penalty on him.

An unfortunate accident occurred late in the event 💥 Fortunately, Maverick has been confirmed to be in good health, and although Bez has no broken bones, he has been taken to a hospital in Melbourne for a thorough examination. The Stewards are continuing to investigate the incident #AustralianGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6z8hsHSmTu— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 19, 2024

Recognizing that under typical conditions Bezzecchi would have faced a double long lap penalty, he was instead penalized with just a single long lap.

The officials examining the role of aerodynamics in the collision have ignited a discussion about its possible involvement in all future accidents.

In a statement made on Thursday before the upcoming Thailand Grand Prix this weekend, Espargaro, who is Vinales' teammate, dismissed the claim and proposed that Bezzecchi was just not cautious enough.

"The aerodynamics make corner one at Phillip Island even more challenging and prone to mistakes," he mentioned to reporters, including those from Crash.net, during the event in Buriram.

"If it were the inaugural year for using the wings, I would comprehend the situation."

"It has been five years since we became aware of the situation at turn one on Phillip Island regarding aerodynamics."

"In my opinion, using aerodynamics as an excuse for the decision is unjust."

When questioned about whether he believed the punishment was sufficient, he responded, "Absolutely not."

Numerous individuals are claiming that he attempted to pass once more.

"I am certain that Bez didn't do it intentionally."

However, it was a significant error that led to a major collision, and the penalty, equating it with merely blocking someone during a quick lap, is unjust.

"It's not satisfactory. It ought to have been much more robust."

After completing his penalty, Bezzecchi crashed and withdrew from the grand prix on the following lap.

Following a crash during the sprint, the VR46 rider needed to visit the hospital for examinations. Fortunately, there were no injuries except for some discomfort in a shoulder ligament.

On Thursday in Thailand, Bezzecchi expressed that he was feeling pretty well.

"I am still experiencing an issue with my left shoulder. During the crash in the sprint, I slightly injured a ligament in that area."

"Luckily, there are no fractures, but it's still causing me some pain."

"Regardless, I'm feeling pretty well. I'll find out more tomorrow when I go biking, but I managed to ride during the race on Sunday. I'll experience some discomfort, but nothing too severe."

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Aleix Espargaro dismisses aerodynamic factors as a defense in the frightening MotoGP crash involving Bezzecchi and Vinales. "It's unfair to use aerodynamics as an excuse for the incident," he stated.

Aleix Espargaro disagrees with MotoGP stewards' conclusion that aerodynamics played a role in lessening the impact of the frightening crash involving Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Vinales in Australia last weekend.

During the second-to-last lap of the sprint race at Phillip Island last weekend, Bezzecchi made contact with the back of Vinales' Aprilia as they approached the rapid Turn 1, resulting in both riders being eliminated from the race.

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The officials concluded that Bezzecchi was responsible for the accident. However, they acknowledged that the turbulent air caused by the RS-GP's aerodynamics played a role in the incident, which led them to impose a less severe penalty.

An unfortunate event occurred late in the session 💥 Fortunately, Maverick has been confirmed to be uninjured, and although Bez has no fractures, he has been taken to a Melbourne hospital for a comprehensive examination. The incident is still being reviewed by the Stewards #AustralianGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6z8hsHSmTu— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 19, 2024

Recognizing that in what it considered typical situations, Bezzecchi would typically face a double long lap penalty, he was instead issued only a single long lap penalty.

The stewards' decision to view aerodynamics as a factor in the crash has ignited discussions about whether it should be considered a contributing element in all accidents from now on.

Ahead of the Thailand Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend, Vinales' teammate, Espargaro, dismissed the claim on Thursday, arguing that Bezzecchi was merely not cautious.

He explained to the press, including Crash.net, in Buriram that the aerodynamics make the first corner at Phillip Island even more challenging, increasing the likelihood of errors.

"If this were the inaugural year for the wings, I might see why."

"It's been five years since we became aware of the situation at the first corner of Phillip Island regarding aerodynamics."

"In my opinion, using aerodynamics as an excuse to explain the decision isn't justified."

When questioned about whether he believed the penalty was sufficient, he replied, "Definitely not."

Numerous individuals are suggesting that he attempted to pass once more.

"I really don't believe Bez did it intentionally, completely."

"However, it was a significant error on his part, leading to a major collision. The penalty, equating it with merely being on the track and blocking someone during a quick lap, doesn't seem just."

"It's lacking strength. It definitely should have been much more robust."

After serving his penalty, Bezzecchi crashed and was unable to finish the grand prix.

After the accident during the sprint, the VR46 racer was taken to the hospital for examination. Fortunately, there were no injuries, although there was some discomfort in a shoulder ligament.

On Thursday in Thailand, Bezzecchi expressed that he was feeling very well.

"I am still dealing with an issue in my left shoulder, where I slightly injured a ligament during a crash in the sprint."

"Luckily, there are no fractures, but I'm still feeling some pain."

"Nonetheless, I'm feeling pretty well. I'll find out more tomorrow when I get on the bike, but I managed to ride on Sunday while the race was happening. It'll be uncomfortable, but not unmanageable."

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Enea Bastianini announced that there will be no directives from Ducati at the Thai MotoGP, stating, "I need to give my all." He expressed his ambition to secure third place in the championship and is determined to pursue this goal.

With three races remaining in the 2024 season, Enea Bastianini is aiming for a third-place finish in the MotoGP World Championship.

As the Thai Grand Prix approaches this weekend, Enea Bastianini finds himself trailing Marc Marquez by 14 points. This comes after the Gresini Ducati racer secured a win in Australia just a week prior, with only two races left in the season.

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Last year, Bastianini finished in 13th place in Thailand. However, due to his injuries from a crash in Barcelona the previous summer, his physical state during the Asian races was compromised. As a result, the 2023 season doesn't provide a reliable basis for predicting his performance in this year's Buriram race.

"We need to assess our potential," Bastianini remarked before the Thai Grand Prix.

"During the previous year, I faced numerous challenges and it's crucial that we conduct more thorough checks with increased backing now. My health wasn't optimal around this time last year, but I'm optimistic about making progress and achieving more this year."

"It's evident that Friday holds significant importance, and tomorrow is a crucial day for me. However, I am prepared."

Bastianini outlined his plan for the remainder of the season, saying that his goal is straightforward: "If I secure more race victories, I will likely finish third in the championship standings."

Francesco Bagnaia, who is Bastianini's teammate at Ducati, holds the second spot in the riders' championship. Bagnaia is currently trailing Jorge Martin by 20 points. Given his position, the Ducati Lenovo Team may ask Bastianini to assist Bagnaia in securing his third consecutive MotoGP title.

Bastianini has stated that he has received "Nothing" in terms of directives from Ducati before the Thai race this weekend.

As he considered the forthcoming races in Sepang and Valencia, Bastianini maintained a straightforward outlook.

"Sepang is a track I really enjoy," he stated. "I'm aware of that, and historically, I've had good speed there."

Valencia isn't a track I particularly enjoy. As for Buriram, I'm uncertain about it. I'm approaching this Grand Prix without any specific expectations.

"I need to give my all because I have the chance to secure third place in the championship, and I'm eager to attempt it."

Adding to Bastianini's challenges for this weekend is the narrative surrounding his experience at the Australian Grand Prix.

During last weekend's event at Phillip Island, Bastianini secured third place in the Sprint race but ended up in fifth position in the Grand Prix, trailing the winner by 13 seconds.

Following the race, Bastianini expressed dissatisfaction with the front end of his Desmosedici GP24, stating that even after four days, he remains unable to understand the issue.

"We need to discuss this matter now," Bastianini stated on Thursday in Thailand.

"I only have information from the Sunday at Phillip Island, and it's crucial to grasp what occurred."

"However, it's been odd since the bike was identical to the one I used earlier in the day, and my experience with it this morning was really positive."

"For the race, it felt completely different, almost as though I had no grip at all. It was quite unusual."

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"A Pleasant Revelation": Raul Fernandez Discusses Riding a Wingless MotoGP Bike

"It's incredible… no physical strain"

Last Sunday at Phillip Island, Raul Fernandez utilized a loophole in the MotoGP regulations to compete on his Trackhouse Aprilia bike without the use of wings.

Due to the stringent MotoGP homologation rules, teams are allowed to alter the fairing design only once each season. However, on some tracks, teams are allowed to detach the side pods from the aerodynamic body for safety purposes.

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Phillip Island is the sole circuit on the current schedule where taking off the aero is permitted, following previous worries about intense crosswinds.

Last Sunday, the wind wasn't a major concern, and several riders think that the additional downforce contributes to stability in these situations. However, Fernandez and Aprilia decided to take off his sidepods to collect information on the RS-GP's performance without the aerodynamic components.

The trial began poorly for Fernandez as he dropped from sixth position on the grid to 17th. However, he managed to climb back to ninth place, only to be overtaken by Fabio Quartararo near the end.

Fernandez trailed Maverick Vinales' RS-GP24, which was equipped with full wings, by under three seconds and finished in eighth position.

"It was an unexpected delight," Fernandez remarked on Thursday in Buriram, Thailand. "We gained significant insights into the bike, which is currently giving us some difficulties. Therefore, it served as a valuable test looking ahead."

The Spaniard admitted that he was taken aback by his own level of competitiveness.

He explained that he completed five laps in the morning without wings and then went straight into the race. Initially, he found himself in 17th place on the first lap, as the bike's starting performance wasn't its strong suit. However, he noted that afterwards, the pace was quite strong and competitive.

"I noticed throughout most of the race that the gap to the top four remained fairly consistent. The speed was sufficient to keep up with them. Although I had a poor start and couldn't compete up front, my pace was still competitive. Overall, I'm really pleased."

Fernandez, who first competed in MotoGP with Tech3 KTM in 2022, had yet to experience riding a MotoGP motorcycle that lacked winglets.

He explained that initially, the idea of testing the bike without wings seemed like a humorous suggestion during the season. However, by the time they reached Phillip Island, it turned out to be a serious consideration.

"Riding this bike feels unique. As a result, my confidence grew with each lap. By the end of the race, my speed had significantly increased."

According to Fernandez, although aerodynamic features assist in preventing wheelies and improve cornering and braking, the physical effort needed to change direction is "nonexistent" without the downforce components.

"Following a race weekend and an extensive race, I usually feel extremely exhausted. However, after completing the race at Phillip Island, I informed the team, 'I'm ready to race again if needed!'"

"It's incredible. The bike has no physical resistance, which is an aspect we might need to focus on improving in terms of aerodynamic design in the future."

Lorenzo Savadori, who serves as a test rider for Aprilia and occasionally fills in as a teammate, disclosed that he has also tested the RS-GP bike without its aerodynamic wings in private sessions.

The Italian clarified that the typical aerodynamic advantages are ineffective due to the swift and smooth design of the Phillip Island track.

"Phillip Island stands out as a distinctive circuit characterized by high-speed sections. Unlike other tracks, it doesn't require heavy braking. Under typical track conditions, I definitely favor using the wings," Savadori remarked.

"The wings significantly impact braking, corner entry, and wheelies, and overall, they improve performance across the board. However, Raul showed impressive speed at Phillip Island, which was a positive outcome for him. Additionally, the engineers now have data to evaluate for the 2025 aerodynamic design."

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"An Unexpected Delight": Raul Fernandez Discusses Riding a MotoGP Bike Without Wings

"It's incredible… no physical strain at all"

Raul Fernandez utilized a special allowance in the MotoGP regulations, allowing him to compete without wings on his Trackhouse Aprilia at the race held last Sunday at Phillip Island.

Due to the stringent MotoGP rules, changes to the fairing design are restricted to just once each season. However, there are specific tracks where, for safety purposes, teams are allowed to take off the side pods from the aerodynamic body.

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Phillip Island is the sole circuit in the current schedule that permits the removal of aerodynamic components, a decision stemming from previous worries about powerful crosswinds.

Last Sunday, the wind didn't pose much of a problem. Some riders think that increased downforce can enhance stability in these conditions. However, Fernandez and Aprilia opted to take off his sidepods to collect data on the RS-GP's performance without the aerodynamic components.

The experiment got off to a rocky start as Fernandez dropped dramatically from his initial sixth position on the grid to 17th. However, he managed to climb back up to ninth place, only to be overtaken by Fabio Quartararo towards the end of the race.

Fernandez trailed Maverick Vinales's fully equipped RS-GP24 by under three seconds, securing the eighth position.

"It was an unexpected pleasure," Fernandez commented at Buriram, Thailand, on Thursday. "We gained significant insights about the bike, which we are currently having difficulties with. Therefore, it was a valuable test for future improvements."

The Spanish individual admitted to being taken aback by his own level of competitiveness.

"I completed five laps in the morning without any wings and then went straight into the race. Initially, on the first lap, I was in 17th place because our bike doesn't have the best start. However, after that, the speed was excellent and very competitive," he stated.

"I noticed throughout most of the race that the gap to the top four remained consistent, so the speed was adequate to stay competitive. Unfortunately, due to a poor start, I couldn't contend at the front, but the speed was on point. Overall, I'm really satisfied."

Fernandez, who entered the MotoGP scene with Tech3 KTM in 2022, had not previously experienced riding a MotoGP motorcycle without aerodynamic wings.

He mentioned that initially, the idea of testing the bike without wings midway through the season seemed humorous. However, by the time they reached Phillip Island, the suggestion had turned serious.

"Riding the bike feels unique, and as a result, with each completed lap, my confidence grew. By the end of the race, my speed had noticeably increased."

According to Fernandez, although aerodynamic features aid in preventing wheelies and enhance cornering and braking capabilities, the physical effort needed to alter direction is "nonexistent" without the downforce components.

"Every time after a race weekend and a lengthy race, I usually feel extremely exhausted. However, once I completed the race at Phillip Island, I informed the team, ‘I'm ready to race again if you need me!’"

"It's incredible. The bike offers no physical resistance, which is an area we might need to focus on improving in future designs, particularly in terms of aerodynamics."

Lorenzo Savadori, who serves as a test rider for Aprilia and occasionally fills in as a team-mate, disclosed that he has experimented with the RS-GP bike without its wings during private test sessions.

The Italian clarified that the typical aerodynamic advantages are ineffective due to the rapid and smooth configuration of Phillip Island.

"Phillip Island stands out as a distinctive circuit, known for its high-speed nature without intense braking zones. On a typical circuit, I definitely have a preference for using the wings," stated Savadori.

"The wings significantly improve braking, corner entry, and help with wheelies, making overall performance better. Raul showed strong pace at Phillip Island, which was a positive outcome for him. Additionally, the engineers now have data to evaluate for the 2025 aerodynamic design."

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Alex Rins is set to test the Yamaha ride-height device, which operates automatically, once again at the Thai MotoGP. Observers have noted that this system appears to be similar to the one used by Ducati.

Alex Rins has announced that he plans to test a 'Ducati-inspired' automatic ride-height system again at the Thai MotoGP this weekend.

Instead of manually activating a button to quickly lower the M1 when coming out of a slow corner to reduce wheelies, the automatic system enables a rider to set up the device while entering the corner, which then causes the rear to lower on its own as they exit.

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"Rins mentioned on Thursday in Buriram that Yamaha has developed an automatic version, though it still requires some pressing, and that's what we'll be using."

"It appears to be similar to Ducati's system. For instance, we'll engage it while coming out of the penultimate corner. Essentially, we turn it on and then refrain from using it again until just before the fourth corner."

"Without a doubt, it's easier on the finger!"

Rins explained that the primary advantage is this. He noted that when it was initially introduced in Austria, it wasn't fully operational. As a result, he ended up using a combination.

"Ultimately, the performance is pretty much the same, and for me personally, since they were first introduced in 2020 or 2021, I've consistently opted for manual, so I'm accustomed to it."

When it comes to engines, Rins disclosed that he favors a somewhat different setup compared to his teammate Fabio Quartararo.

“We possess the same engine, though it's set up differently. The interior varies significantly,” remarked Rins.

He went on to say, "The thing I appreciate about my engine is its ability to handle corners. Mine takes turns slightly better than his engine does."

"We've experimented with this setup numerous times in Valencia and Mugello, and I consistently favor this type of engine."

"They permitted me to utilize it, and in this way, we are exchanging information in both directions for the upcoming year."

On Thursday, Quartararo disclosed that Yamaha intends to unveil an additional new engine specification over the course of the last three races.

"I believe that by the end of the season, we will have a new engine specification that offers increased top speed."

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Top MotoGP riders express support for Andrea Iannone's potential return: "It would be great"

MotoGP's top competitors endorse Andrea Iannone's possible comeback

Top competitors in the 2024 MotoGP championship have expressed their support for the growing speculation that Andrea Iannone is set to return with VR46 in Malaysia.

As Fabio Di Giannantonio wraps up his season following this weekend's Thailand Grand Prix to undergo surgery for a shoulder dislocation he suffered in Austria, there are rumors circulating that Iannone might be selected to step in for him, at least for the Malaysia race.

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Andrea Iannone competed in the MotoGP series from 2013 until 2019, representing teams such as Ducati, Suzuki, and Aprilia. However, his career hit a major setback when he received a four-year suspension for doping. This ban was applied retroactively, starting from the weekend of the 2019 Malaysian Grand Prix.

As his suspension concluded just in time for the 2024 racing season, Iannone clinched a spot on the GoEleven Ducati team in the World Superbike series and achieved a win at Aragon.

Reports of Iannone's potential return have sparked debate due to his previous conviction for using a prohibited anabolic steroid.

However, Jorge Martin, who currently leads the championship, expressed his delight at witnessing the return of the 2016 Austrian GP victor to racing.

In Martin's opinion, it's encouraging to witness his return to MotoGP following the challenges he faced due to the doping suspension imposed on Iannone after he was unable to provide an adequate defense.

He moved on to competing in Superbikes and secured a victory in a race. He is showing strong performance.

"I recall during the World Ducati Week, his lap time was a full second quicker than mine."

"Perhaps he's still quick, and we need to find out if he can still compete. However, I believe it's a great chance to show everyone that he remains powerful."

Various individuals have been associated with stepping into the VR46 Ducati vacancy, including Nicolo Bulega, who is the 2024 World Superbike Championship runner-up.

Bulega, a former member of the VR46 Academy, would be the preferred option for Francesco Bagnaia. However, the reigning world champion thinks Iannone would approach it as an enjoyable experience.

He expressed that he wished to witness Bulega riding this bike, as he believes one should seize the opportunity to test a MotoGP bike when given the chance.

"I believe Iannone will have a great time with our team. Certainly, the Malaysian track presents a challenge for riders."

"Last season, we observed Alvaro Bautista's performance. However, I believe he will find it enjoyable. He is already familiar with what it's like to ride a MotoGP bike and will likely see it as an enjoyable experience."

Last year, Bautista participated in the Malaysian Grand Prix as a wildcard entry, a reward for clinching the WSBK championship. Unfortunately, an injury hindered his performance, resulting in a 17th-place finish in the main event.

Marc Marquez, reflecting on his memorable Moto2 duels with Iannone, expressed: "Seeing Iannone there will be great for me because we had some exciting clashes."

"Naturally, it's incredibly challenging to immediately be quick in MotoGP from the start and maintain that speed after four years."

"He might be like a superman and have the ability to accomplish it, given his exceptional talent. It would be great, and I believe the attitude towards it is like receiving a gift."

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Marc Marquez comments on Bagnaia and Martin's struggles in the MotoGP championship battle, stating, "I recall the emotions experienced when you're in such a situation."

Marc Marquez believes that Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin are not having a good time in the current 2024 MotoGP championship fight and are likely experiencing a lot of stress.

Before the Thailand Grand Prix takes place this weekend, Martin holds a 20-point advantage over Bagnaia.

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With only three races remaining, including the event in Thailand, the winner of the world championship might be determined by the results of next week's Malaysian Grand Prix, contingent on the outcomes at Buriram.

In 2019, Marquez clinched his sixth top-tier championship in Thailand, and he is well aware of the challenges that Bagnaia and Martin are currently facing.

He stated on Thursday in Thailand that it is undoubtedly a challenging situation for both individuals involved, and he recalls experiencing similar feelings when he was in that position a long time ago.

"You're not having fun; instead, you're enduring it because in just three races, you'll find out if you've become the world champion or not."

"Other than that, they are in excellent condition and incredibly quick."

"Certainly, Martin holds a slight edge. Pecco might need to push himself a bit more to close the gap, but he is already familiar with what it takes to secure a championship, having won the world title twice."

"Martin will have his chances, so we'll see what happens."

In the previous race in Australia, Marquez managed to reduce Martin's lead by five points following an exciting last-minute battle at Phillip Island. The Gresini rider, Martin, is considered capable of indirectly affecting the championship's final results.

He mentions that he hasn't discussed with Ducati how to handle this scenario, but points out that he "cannot control" the impact his race outcomes might have on the championship fight.

"Certainly, I possess sufficient experience to attempt to handle the situation," he remarked.

Ultimately, whether you are competing for the world championship or going head-to-head with another racer, you never attempt an overtaking maneuver with the intention of colliding with them.

"You always aim to steer clear of this situation. However, just like we observed in Australia, I will confidently attempt to harness my strength and have faith in my abilities if necessary."

"I am competing to secure third place in the championship. It's not the top position, but it holds significant value for me."

"I will do my utmost while ensuring caution, just as we have done with other riders in similar circumstances."

"You always aim to avoid colliding with another rider, but occasionally it's beyond your control."

"Back in 2015, I wasn't positioned at the center, yet I still managed to theoretically score points that might have been taken from someone else. I can't control the circumstances, but I'm committed to giving it my all."

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Marc Marquez comments that both Bagnaia and Martin are "just suffering" in their battle for the MotoGP championship. "I recall the emotions you experience when you're in such a situation," he adds.

Marc Marquez believes that Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin are likely "enduring" rather than "enjoying" the current phase of their 2024 MotoGP championship fight.

Before the Thailand Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend, Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 20 points.

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With only three races remaining, including the one in Thailand, the world championship could potentially be clinched as soon as next week's Malaysian Grand Prix, contingent on the results at Buriram.

Back in 2019, Marquez clinched his sixth top-tier championship in Thailand. Having been in a similar position before, he understands the challenges and emotions that Bagnaia and Martin are currently experiencing.

"Certainly, it's a challenging situation for both parties, and I recall from long ago the emotions you experience when you're in such a position," he stated on Thursday while in Thailand.

"You’re not having fun; you’re merely enduring it, since within three races, you'll find out whether you’ve become the world champion or not."

"Besides that, they are in excellent condition and incredibly quick."

Certainly, Martin holds a slight edge. Pecco might have to take on additional risks to make up for this difference, but it's important to note that Pecco is already a two-time world champion and understands what it takes to secure a championship victory.

"Martin will have his chances, so we'll observe what happens."

During the last race in Australia, Marquez managed to gain five points on Martin after winning an exciting late battle at Phillip Island. The Gresini rider is viewed as someone who might indirectly affect the championship's final result.

The individual mentions that he hasn't discussed with Ducati how to handle this scenario, though he points out that he "cannot control" the potential impact his race outcomes might have on the championship fight.

"Certainly, I possess sufficient experience to attempt handling the situation," he stated.

Ultimately, whether you're competing for the world championship or battling with a fellow rider, you never attempt to overtake with the intention of making contact with the other person.

"You constantly strive to prevent this from happening. However, as demonstrated in Australia, if I must make an effort to be resilient and have faith in my abilities, I am prepared to take that step."

"I am competing to secure the third position in the championship. While it's not the top spot, it holds significant importance for me."

"I will certainly do my utmost while ensuring to remain cautious, just as we have done with other riders in similar circumstances."

"You always aim to avoid colliding with another cyclist, but there are times when it's beyond your control."

"Back in 2015, I wasn't in the center of things, yet I still managed to 'theoretically' take points away from others. You can't control that, but I will always give my all."

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Augusto Fernandez says he is 'not at all' at ease with the carbon fiber chassis. "It's a peculiar sensation… But I am determined to keep trying."

With only three races remaining in what is currently planned as his last MotoGP season, Augusto Fernandez has not yet been able to match the achievements of his debut year.

The most crucial aspect for the Spanish individual is that he has always felt uneasy.

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The rider from GASGAS Tech3 secured fourth position at the Le Mans race, achieving one of his three top-ten placements and earning a total of 71 points last year.

This year, Fernandez has only accumulated 21 points, with his highest finish being eleventh place. By the middle of June, he was no longer in contention for a 2025 ride, as Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales had taken those spots.

Fernandez, potentially connected to a Yamaha test riding opportunity, states that his sole aim is to end the season with a positive experience on the motorcycle.

"Fernandez commented on Thursday in Buriram that the previous year had been favorable at this location. However, he admitted uncertainty about what this year might hold, as is the case with every track."

"Last year, I made it into the top 10 on Friday, securing a spot in Q2. However, the race didn't go perfectly as I encountered some problems. Overall, though, I didn't feel too bad about my performance here."

"Let's take a look. We are putting in a lot of effort to end the season on a positive note. I don't want to wrap up the season on a low note, especially given how challenging it has been throughout."

With only a few weeks remaining until the conclusion of the world championship, Fernandez mentioned that they have yet to establish a fundamental set-up.

"We continue to make adjustments and experiment," he mentioned. "For the upcoming weekend, we have a plan. I've spent considerable time pondering how to capture the right sensation, while also examining the other KTMs and comparing them to my bike from last year."

"I'm not sure, but I'm experimenting with everything! I'm not losing hope of recapturing that feeling, performing well, and reaching the speed I know I can achieve. We have three tracks I enjoy, so we'll see how it goes."

The primary modification for the 2024 RC16 involved transitioning from a steel trellis framework to a carbon fiber chassis, which the factory team introduced at the close of the previous year.

Fernandez's new teammate, Pedro Acosta, has achieved four podium finishes in grand prix races this year, while Brad Binder has also secured an additional podium spot.

When questioned about whether he has ever felt as at ease on the carbon fiber this season as he did last year, Fernandez responded, "Not at all. I've never had that sensation."

The ex-Moto2 world champion mentioned that his challenges appear to arise from the rear chassis's flexibility.

"The issue isn't about traction, yet it sort of is – it's more about how the rear end feels in terms of connection. It's not really a stability problem, but more of a sensation of being too pliable. It's an odd sensation."

"It's certainly been quite challenging. However, three other riders have managed to perform at high speeds this year. One of them has outpaced the rest. Ultimately, they all surpassed my performance."

"As I mentioned, I refuse to quit. With three races remaining, let's continue to strive forward."

As Binder and Acosta compete for the fifth spot in the world championship rankings, Binder's teammate, Jack Miller, holds the 14th position, with his top result being a fifth-place finish.

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Fabio Di Giannantonio discusses his scheduled surgery at the end of the MotoGP season. The VR46 team member is preparing for his final race weekend of 2024 in Thailand.

VR46 Ducati MotoGP competitor Fabio Di Giannantonio has announced the timing for the surgery that will conclude his season. The operation is needed to address a dislocated left shoulder he sustained earlier this year.

The racer, who has won a grand prix once, suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Austrian Grand Prix in August and had been considering undergoing surgery for it for a while.

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Before the Australian Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio revealed that he would conclude his 2024 season following this weekend’s Thai Grand Prix. This decision was made so he could undergo surgery and recuperate in time for the GP25 testing set to start in February.

On Thursday in Buriram, he disclosed the date of his upcoming surgery.

He mentioned that he plans to have shoulder surgery on the upcoming Saturday.

"Until then, I'll attempt to make the most of this downtime, even though I truly wish I were in Malaysia."

"Right now, I would prefer not to watch racing because it brings me sadness."

"I’m certain I’ll upset my girlfriend, as we’ll be watching all the practice sessions, every qualifying round, each race, and every class."

"It seems like this weekend will be spent enjoying motorsport, reminiscent of the good old days."

Before this year's Austrian Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio had managed to avoid missing any races due to injury throughout his grand prix career. However, he experienced a "sad feeling" as he had to conclude his 2024 season after the Thailand race, particularly since he had been on the verge of securing his first podium of the season in Australia.

He remarked that the weekend at Phillip Island had undoubtedly been incredible for them.

"It has been amazing to return to the performance level we demonstrated before the incident in Austria earlier this year."

"I'm really pleased and proud about making this small return. However, there's also a touch of sadness because I've never had to finish a season early or skip a few races due to injury or any other issue in my career."

"It's an unusual sensation, yet I'm completely driven to perform well this weekend."

"I aim to deliver the best performance for the team and conclude the season on a high note."

"Ending the season with a podium finish would be incredible, especially since I haven't had many this year."

No news yet on a replacement

The question of who will fill Di Giannantonio's spot on the VR46 team for the final races of 2024 remains a popular subject of discussion, with growing speculation that Andrea Iannone might return to the track.

The MotoGP career of the 2016 Austrian GP victor came to an abrupt end in 2019 after he was convicted of doping, resulting in a four-year ban from competition.

This year marked the end of his ban, enabling him to compete in World Superbikes for the GoEleven team on a Ducati, where he succeeded in securing a race victory.

However, Di Giannantonio refrained from engaging in any conjecture and maintains that no decisions have been made at this point. According to him, VR46 assured that he would be the first to be informed once a successor had been chosen.

He mentioned that there are definitely numerous rumors circulating, as it would indeed be positive news.

"Currently, I'm in the dark because the team assured me I'd be informed first, yet I remain unaware at this time."

"I can't really say who I'd like to see riding my bike. To be honest, as a rider, you never really want to see someone else on your bike because it's something personal to you, like your own child."

"However, if the team needs to have a rider on the track, it benefits both the team and the sponsors to have a bike participating in the race."

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