Results from the Sprint Race at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, held at the Circuit de Catalunya, marking the 20th and concluding round of the 2024 World Championship season.

* Novice

The 2024 MotoGP championship will be decided at the final race on Sunday, following Francesco Bagnaia's victory in the Barcelona Sprint.

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Jorge Martin, the frontrunner in the world championship, aimed to secure the title today by finishing at least two points ahead of Bagnaia. However, the Italian dashed Martin's plans by converting his pole position into a winning performance, keeping his title chances intact

Things went downhill for Martin as the race progressed. After overtaking Enea Bastianini, a teammate of Bagnaia on the factory team, in the initial laps, Martin was overtaken by Bastianini on the last lap, reclaiming his position.

This means Martin will carry a 19-point advantage over Bagnaia into the season's last race. On the other hand, Bastianini has reclaimed third place in the world championship standings from Marc Marquez.

The top eight in the Sprint were filled by Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia, Alex Marquez representing Gresini, Franco Morbidelli from Pramac, Marc Marquez also from Gresini, and Marco Bezzecchi of VR46.

Brad Binder emerged as the top KTM rider, while Fabio Quartararo on his Yamaha managed to outperform Johann Zarco, who was riding a Honda, securing the tenth position.

Espargaro experienced an unexpected beginning from his position in second place and found himself battling back from eighth. The hometown hero changed to one of his older two-stroke racing motorcycles for the cooldown lap following his last Sprint as a full-time competitor!

In the initial turns, Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta collided, which resulted in the KTM newcomer having to withdraw due to significant damage to his bike's fairing.

Barcelona stepped in as a last-minute substitute for the usual final event in Valencia, which was called off due to severe flooding.

During MotoGP's May event at the circuit, local favorite Aleix Espargaro revealed his intentions to retire on Thursday. The following day, he topped the practice sessions, secured pole position in qualifying, and clinched victory in the Sprint race, capitalizing on a last-lap error by Bagnaia.

Bagnaia claimed victory in the main race, while Martin, who started from seventh place after a crash during qualifying, secured second place. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, who failed to advance to Qualifying 2, impressively moved from 14th position to finish on the podium in both races.

Miguel Oliveira is set to make his comeback in his last appearance for Trackhouse, having been absent for five rounds because of fractures to his left wrist sustained in Mandalika.

Michele Pirro, a test rider for Ducati, has been asked to step in for VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio, who is recovering from a recent shoulder operation.

Due to a late alteration in the location and lower temperatures, Michelin is providing its widest selection of the season with seven tire choices this weekend, consisting of four front and three rear options.

Updated regulations for tire pressure in 2024 dictate that riders must maintain a front tire pressure above a new minimum of 1.8 bar, down from the previous 1.88 bar, for 60% of a Grand Prix race distance, an increase from the previous requirement of 50%. For Sprint races, the requirement is set at 30% of

In a Grand Prix, if a competitor does not achieve the minimum requirements, they receive a time penalty of 16 seconds added after the race. For a Sprint or shorter race, the penalty is reduced to 8 seconds.

For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the racing paddock, witnessing the career of Valentino Rossi from start to finish. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces due to his injuries.

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"Unmatched since the legendary era of Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi, and Marc Marquez intrigue

"Next year promises excitement, with Marc riding a factory bike…"

The championship rivalry between Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin this season is unmatched since 2015.

Jack Miller, who raced alongside Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi, and Marc Marquez during their iconic battle nine years ago, has confirmed this information.

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In 2015, Lorenzo clinched the title, narrowly surpassing a visibly upset Rossi, who accused Marquez of hindering his chances at securing the championship. The bitterness between them persists to this day.

Miller mentions that the clashes between Martin and Bagnaia throughout this season have been monumental.

"Clearly, with Marc's dominance fading in recent years, this season has likely been our strongest," stated the KTM rider.

The showdown between Pecco and Fabio Quartararo was also quite impressive.

"Undoubtedly, when it comes to championship battles, this is the most exciting since the clash between Vale and Jorge back in 2015."

"This is the top pick we've encountered in almost a decade."

"I'm confident that as time progresses, it will increasingly draw nearer."

"Next year promises to be engaging, as Marc transitions to a factory bike and numerous adjustments occur during the off-season."

"The championship is drawing nearer with each passing day."

"But [Bagnaia and Martin] stand out remarkably in their own unique class!

"Just take a glance at the Sepang race to observe how significantly ahead the leading duo were."

Heading into the final sprint race and grand prix, Martin has a 24-point lead over Bagnaia.

Should he emerge victorious in Saturday's sprint race, he will secure his first-ever championship title.

This will also signify a triumph for the Pramac team, a subsidiary team outperforming the very manufacturer they are associated with.

Miller's final competition with KTM

Miller was replaced by Pedro Acosta for the 2025 factory KTM position. Consequently, the team decided to introduce Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales as the fresh pairing for the upcoming season's revamped Tech3 squad.

Miller discovered relief through Pramac, set to transform into a Yamaha affiliate squad by 2025.

He mentioned regarding his final race with KTM in Barcelona this weekend: "I've experienced this on several occasions now."

"I am eager to conclude on a high note."

"I maintain a strong bond with every member of my team. Having collaborated with him for seven years, it's quite an extensive period to be associated with just one person.

"Undoubtedly, feelings will be involved. However, in this industry, when one opportunity ends, another begins."

"The charm of it is that this race track is quite compact, so we'll have plenty of opportunities to encounter him throughout the coming year!"

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

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2024 Barcelona MotoGP Solidarity Event: Bagnaia Maintains Championship Aspirations with Sprint Victory Bagnaia Extends Championship Battle to Sunday's Grand Prix Following Sprint Triumph

Francesco Bagnaia maintained his chances for the 2024 MotoGP championship by winning the sprint race at the Solidarity Grand Prix, while current leader Jorge Martin finished in third place.

Martin led the standings with a 24-point advantage over Bagnaia. To secure the championship title, the Pramac rider had to earn only two more points than his competitor on Saturday.

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Bagnaia transformed his pole position into his seventh sprint victory of the season, while his teammate Enea Bastianini overtook Martin on the final lap, pushing Martin down to third place.

This implies that heading into Sunday's grand prix, the gap between the two stands at 19 points. For Martin to secure the championship title, he must finish in at least ninth place.

Starting from seventh position on the grid, Bastianini managed to take the lead as they approached the first turn. However, Bagnaia quickly maneuvered inside at Turn 3 to take charge of the race.

Martin secured the third position following the initial chaos, whereas Pedro Acosta, who for a short time was in the podium spots, lost the front fairing of his Tech3 GASGAS after colliding with Marc Marquez.

After the first two laps, Bagnaia held a 0.4-second advantage over Bastianini. However, Martin maneuvered his Pramac Ducati to overtake Bastianini and claim second place at Turn 1.

On the following lap, Bastianini reclaimed second position from Martin at the identical spot, as the duo exchanged speed during the fifth circuit.

Martin pushed Bastianini toward the outer edge of Turn 1, creating an opportunity for Alex Marquez, Aleix Espargaro, and Franco Morbidelli to join the action.

The dispute allowed Bagnaia to gain a 1.3-second advantage, which only decreased during the last laps as the current champion secured his crucial sprint win.

He crossed the finish line 0.942 seconds ahead of Bastianini, who managed to overtake Martin for second place at Turn 5 during the last lap.

Espargaro, who began the race in second place, finished fourth on the lead Aprilia bike. He marked his second-to-last MotoGP event by riding a cooldown lap in front of his local supporters on an old 125cc motorcycle.

After making a late error at Turn 10, Alex Marquez finished in fifth place, falling behind Bastianini.

He led Morbidelli (Pramac), as Marc Marquez secured seventh position following his initial lap clash with Acosta.

Marco Bezzecchi secured the eighth position for the VR46 Ducati team, while Brad Binder impressively moved up from 18th on the starting grid to finish in ninth place, just ahead of Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, claiming the last point.

Johann Zarco was the highest-ranking Honda rider, finishing in 11th place. Meanwhile, Michele Pirro emerged victorious among the test riders for VR46, securing 21st position, just ahead of Honda's Stefan Bradl.

Acosta decided to retire following a first-lap collision with Marquez.

Complete results for the sprint race at the 2024 MotoGP Solidarity

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Pecco Bagnaia discusses the Barcelona MotoGP incident involving Maverick Vinales: “I lost control at the front”

“I believe my error was in decelerating too much…”

Francesco Bagnaia led the way in MotoGP Practice for the upcoming Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona. However, his day was marked by an unusual incident – a crash during the practice start session following FP1.

Bagnaia lost control and crashed during the first turn's braking phase, as Maverick Vinales overtook him on the outside, causing his front wheel to lock.

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The rider from Ducati Lenovo Team described how he experienced a bad start from the practice launch, and how he was startled to see Vinales appear on his outside while he was slowing down to approach the first turn.

Bagnaia explained he didn't catch the beginning due to his back tire losing traction, further stating he reduced his speed to protect his engine. "Our engine is operating at its maximum capacity, so I was cautious not to overwork it, as it's unpredictable," he mentioned.

"In hindsight, my error likely stemmed from decelerating too significantly. However, in fairness, when you're approaching at such high speeds, you naturally veer towards the inside, where there appeared to be ample room."

"I began to pick up on his approach and assumed he'd take the inner path. However, the moment I noticed him speeding along the outer edge, on the kerb, and with the bike swaying, I was filled with fear, leading to my front wheel sliding out just like that."

He elaborated: "The pressure increased by two bars on the lever, moving from 11 bars to 13 bars, and that's when I lost control."

Despite experiencing an unusual crash during the first practice session, Bagnaia concluded the day on a high note, topping the timesheets.

"I'm feeling positive because achieving a strong start, feeling confident, and performing effectively is my goal for every race weekend, especially on Fridays," he stated.

"We consistently moved forward, never retreating, with each effort propelling us ahead, which brings us great joy."

Pleased with the selection of tyres, I believe, thanks to Michelin's exceptional performance this time around — as always. However, this occasion stands out due to the variety of viable options they've provided us with, so I'm quite satisfied with that.

"I didn't get the chance to test out the hard compound front tire, which I noticed was making all the riders fast, except for Jorge Martin who switched it out."

"However, both Bezzecchi and Espargaro engaged in the time attack and displayed impressive speed, so if the conditions are favorable, I'll give it a shot tomorrow morning. Other than that, everything went smoothly."

Bagnaia was caught off guard by the state of the track, finding it unexpectedly slippery despite the cooler conditions compared to those of the Catalan Grand Prix in May.

Bagnaia expressed his belief that the speed was higher, attributing it to the colder conditions which typically lead to faster speeds, and also pointed to the very soft rear tire as a contributing factor.

"However, from the moment I began today, it was apparent that things had changed; there was less grip, necessitating adjustments to the motorcycle, especially since the conditions have significantly shifted [since May]."

Ultimately, Bagnaia concentrated on enhancing the aspect he pinpointed as his significant shortfall in 2024: Sprint races.

"I spent a lot of time riding with the smaller fuel tank of the Sprint, and my experience mirrors that of the Sprint because halting the bike posed a greater challenge, similar to what happens in the Sprint race.

"We made an effort to enhance the bike's performance and succeeded, which pleases me. However, I still require additional improvements."

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

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Barcelona Sprint: Updated 2024 MotoGP World Championship Rankings

Following the conclusion of the Barcelona Sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya, which was the 20th and final round, the 2024 MotoGP World Championship standings have been revised.

The Solidarity Barcelona Grand Prix on Sunday will mark the third consecutive season in which the MotoGP championship is decided in the final race.

With 25 points left in the competition, Jorge Martin can secure the world championship title by placing in the top nine, regardless of whether Francesco Bagnaia claims victory in the race.

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Barcelona Sprint Race: Updated MotoGP World Championship Rankings for 2024

Text:

Names in bold indicate riders who still have a chance to win the title mathematically. If a rider maintains their position in the championship compared to the last race, this is noted as "=". A downward arrow followed by a number shows that a rider has fallen by that many spots in the championship standings. An asterisk denotes

I'm

For two decades, Peter has been a part of the paddock, witnessing the rise and fall of Valentino Rossi. He is currently at the center of the news regarding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Marc Marquez: “No shock, achieving a podium is extremely challenging”

“Every time I compete here, I find it tougher than normal.”

Marc Marquez has minimized expectations of securing a podium spot for the Gresini team at this weekend's Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event.

The Spanish rider battled from 14th position at the start to secure a spot on the podium in both Catalunya races held in May, and since then, he has clinched victory in four races while riding the Ducati.

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In Friday's practice session leading up to the final race of the season, Marquez managed to secure only the eighth fastest time, ranking as the third top performer on a Ducati GP23, following Marco Bezzecchi who came in second and his brother Alex Marquez, who placed seventh.

"Marquez expressed that his struggles at the Circuit de Catalunya are nothing new, stating, "Each time I race on this track, it's unusually challenging for me." He acknowledged the need for additional effort to enhance his performance and achieve a better feeling while racing.

"The sole bright spot today is our advancement into Q2, coupled with the progress we made from FP1 to Practice. We'll see if we can take it a notch higher tomorrow."

"The goal is to aim for a spot among the top five positions since achieving a podium finish in this Grand Prix is expected to be extremely challenging."

Marquez disclosed that he appears to be struggling more than others in the colder weather.

"He described it as an odd situation," he mentioned. "It affects everyone equally, yet from my own perspective, I'm feeling significantly more unwell than I did back in May.

"Identifying the boundary was challenging. The grip can vanish in an instant. Overworking the tires, especially in low temperatures, leads to their rapid deterioration."

"Everything presents a challenge, yet we're fortunate to have a wide variety of tyre choices. Michelin has done commendable work, and it remains to be seen which option will prove optimal for the races."

"Regarding speed, similar to the previous Grand Prix at this location, my gap isn't significantly large. I actually perform better as the tyre wears down, compared to when it's brand new."

Marquez leads Enea Bastianini by a single point in the fight for third place in the global championship standings. The Italian also faced difficulties on Friday, ending up in tenth position.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the racing scene, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces due to injuries.

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Jorge Martin Advocates for Resurfacing at the Barcelona MotoGP Track for Enhanced Performance

"The circuit isn't inherently dangerous, given our expertise as professional racers; however, we navigate through…"

Anticipations are high for increased speeds at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, as the cooler conditions of the Solidarity GP in November are believed to offer better racing conditions than the typically warmer early-summer period usually reserved for the Catalan Grand Prix.

Yet, traction this weekend has proven to be more challenging than during May's Catalan Grand Prix, with Jorge Martin pointing out that the track requires resurfacing—not for safety reasons, but to enhance the spectacle.

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"Martin believes they have no intention or strategy for a comeback, describing it as the least favorable circuit of the season."

"The issue isn't about safety, as we're skilled riders who adjust our speed accordingly, but rather, the problem lies in the reduced excitement and competitive edge due to insufficient traction. The current condition makes it nearly impossible to pass other riders or effectively utilize the rear tyre, making riding a challenging task. For the benefit of both the spectacle and the sport, I believe resurfacing is a necessary step."

Martin considers Barcelona to be a more "hazardous" circuit to navigate during this period, especially when contrasted with the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Typically, the latter venue serves as the season's closing race; however, due to recent flood events in Valencia, it was not feasible this year.

"He believes that in Valencia, the traction is significantly improved, making it a safer option compared to this location," he stated.

"However, I believe Michelin did an excellent job by providing a significantly larger quantity of tyres, which proves to be extremely beneficial for the timed runs. Yet, it's peculiar, especially since it introduces a new variable."

Martin expressed feeling odd, even though he maintained a "good" rhythm. Even with reduced traction, Martin managed to keep up a respectable speed, ending the day in fourth place overall. This was after he had to abandon his second attempt at a fast lap due to correcting a front-end slide at the fifth turn.

"Martin described the day as unusual," he reflected. "It seemed like we were given the usual amount of time, yet we had to test a significantly higher number of tires. So, in my experience, it felt quite chaotic, with an overwhelming amount of details to process in a limited period.

"Indeed, the timetable was somewhat packed, yet I'm inclined to focus on the bright side. Without a doubt, there are both ups and downs, but on the whole, I believe I have a solid foundation: my pace is competitive, and the speed is present; it was just during the second run in the attempt to set a time that I fell short."

"However, my sensation has somewhat deteriorated; there's an odd feeling, like I'm having difficulty maintaining traction with the back tyre, and there's also a lack of confidence in the front tyre, especially when turning left. We're addressing this issue."

"I believe I've figured out our destination for tomorrow. I was aware of the direction, and tomorrow, I'll trust my gut feeling."

Martin experienced a few close calls in the afternoon, with one being particularly noteworthy.

"We're always pushing the boundaries. During a time trial, that edge feels even closer. I believe I made a solid effort in getting to grips with the various tyre options — I experimented with all the front tyres, except for the hard compound, which no one used. Interestingly, I was the sole person to test the hard compound for the rear. Thus, I reckon I've gathered valuable insights. Perhaps I wasn't consistently the quickest, but I consistently ranked within the top four or five, which aligns with my goal: to contend for a podium spot. Aiming for the podium is a realistic goal for me, one that helps keep me focused and in the right mindset, so that's what I'll strive for."

Drag of the left shoulder at turn five becomes a spectacle

As MotoGP makes its way to Barcelona, spectators eagerly gather at turn five, looking forward to seeing Martin graze his left shoulder against the kerb.

Martin mentions that it's purely a stunning sight, nothing more.

"He admitted, "Touching the shoulder is somewhat for show, truthfully."

"When I'm riding flawlessly and focusing hard, I stay very near the shoulder. However, if I make contact with the shoulder, it's somewhat playful, so it doesn't create a major problem."

Martin's remarkable maneuver at turn five on Friday occurred during his last time trial in Practice, where he impressively saved the situation.

The Pramac Ducati competitor detailed that the challenge was due to the intricate nature of the Barcelona circuit, its impact on the motorcycle's electronic configurations, and the duration required to navigate from the tenth corner in one lap to the fifth in the following one.

"Typically, we create a single map for every track; however, in this case, we're required to produce a distinct map for each turn, which is insane," Martin explained.

"The braking system, acceleration, and front lift vary significantly in different situations, making it quite challenging to manage. We often face issues with the back end sliding while braking. It occasionally regains traction and propels forward, which varies from turn to turn."

"Thus, navigating turn five poses a challenge due to the reduced temperature of the tyre, leading me to enter the curve at a higher speed. I attempted to decelerate slightly later than usual, which caused the rear tyre to react and exert additional pressure on me, resulting in the loss of control at the front."

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

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Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez's collision at Tech3 leads to a frightening incident

An incident involving team members triggered a stoppage early in Friday's practice session.

The Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP season's final opening session started dramatically as teammates Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez from GASGAS Tech3 team crashed into each other, causing the session to be halted with red flags.

Fernandez tried to overtake Acosta on the outside as Acosta was trailing behind Brad Binder at Turn 5. However, the newcomer didn't notice Fernandez nearby, leading to a collision between them as they exited the turn.

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The duo crashed, resulting in damage to an air barrier and necessitating a halt to the session. Thankfully, they were not injured and managed to return to the track for the resumption.

"Fernandez remarked, "It felt odd. It was quite alarming, yet after my conversation with Pedro, everything turned out fine in the end."

"He didn't catch me watching him lift the bike, and I went unnoticed by him.

"The individuals leading were sluggish in making a left turn, prompting me to move towards the right side. This maneuver wasn't an attempt to overtake or get ahead; it was simply to steer clear of them."

"I was sprinting along the outer track when we collided during the pick-up."

"An ordinary event, though hardly the perfect beginning to the weekend. Additionally, I had an accident later in the day, making it quite a challenging day."

Acosta, managing to recover and secure a second-place finish in the morning session, dismissed the event without much concern.

"He mentioned, 'Every possible scenario that could unfold in that moment did unfold. We're fine. It wasn't anybody's fault. It was due to a mix of circumstances. So, let's just move on from it… These things occur!'"

Marc Marquez, trailing closely behind the duo, swiftly maneuvered to avoid the mishap and lifted his hand to alert fellow riders of the unfolding situation.

"The Gresini rider described the incident as unfortunate and perilous, attributing the error to Augusto, as he believed Acosta wasn't aware of his presence."

"However, since they are on the same team, I believe there won't be any issues!"

The circumstances were quite odd as everyone was moving at an unusually slow pace.

Pirro experienced a collision at the same turn during the opening lap, leading to a slowdown among the competitors, while Augusto took an ambitious position on the outer edge.

"In racing, such incidents occur. Fortunately, they're on the same team, so there's no major turmoil!"

Acosta wrapped up the day ranked ninth, standing out as the sole KTM competitor to secure a spot directly in Qualifying 2. However, he was notably uneasy due to the chilly and slick conditions.

"Acosta mentioned, "The grip remains unchanged from what we experienced back in May. The issue now is that it's become even simpler to lose control of the front."

"The lap time didn't improve, there was even more spinning, and the motion increased. Given this, it's hard to highlight any positives regarding the grip."

The reasons behind Catalunya circuit being described as having "the poorest traction throughout the season" remain unclear.

"He mentioned that it's hard to determine because their surface lacks bumps, cracks, or numerous dark spots. However, the issue is the absence of traction," he explained.

"It's rather peculiar, especially since the track had been repaved not too long ago.

"Then there are circuits like the ones in Japan, which have existed for a long time and offer significant traction."

"It's odd to examine, yet it remains consistent for everyone."

Acosta mentioned, "Currently, the main concern is deciding on the tyre selection."

"Given that we're dealing with the standard three fronts and two rears, there's still a significant amount of work ahead of us."

"Picture this: four in the front and three in the back!"

The upcoming weekend in Barcelona marks the last event for Acosta and Fernandez with the Tech3 team.

Next season, Acosta is set to join the factory KTM team, while it is anticipated that Fernandez will take on a role as a test rider for Yamaha.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ups and downs in the paddock, including Valentino Rossi's career milestones. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Maverick Vinales on the Pecco practice start situation: "There was enough space"

"After witnessing the collision, my initial thought was 'perhaps I made contact with him'. However, this notion changed after viewing the replay."

Maverick Vinales maintained that his actions were completely normal during the practice start event that led to championship hopeful Francesco Bagnaia's crash following the chequered flag on Friday morning at the final Barcelona MotoGP race.

Vinales executed an overtaking maneuver on a slower Bagnaia in the braking area of Turn 1 from the outside.

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Though they didn't touch, Bagnaia was taken aback by the maneuver, clenched his front brake, and went down.

Bagnaia admitted, "Slowing down that much was my error, but truly, when you're coming in at such a high speed, you instinctively head towards the inside."

"I began listening to him, thinking 'Alright, he's going to move inward'."

"The moment I noticed him approaching rapidly from the outside, riding on the curb, and with the bike in motion, fear struck me, leading to my loss of control over the front like that."

Vinales emphasized that the goal of a practice start extends beyond merely taking off from the starting line; it also involves identifying the precise point at which to begin braking for the first turn.

"The Aprilia competitor emphasized, "For me, the blame isn't the issue. Ultimately, the purpose of a practice start is to simulate the real thing, which means approaching the first turn as if you're in a race, attempting to deactivate [the holeshot mechanisms just like a genuine start], and therefore braking later."

"I noticed Pecco was positioned centrally, moving at a slow pace. The reason was unclear to me. In an attempt to steer clear of him, I maneuvered to the exterior, ensuring I left a gap equivalent to about two motorcycles. I didn't actually come anywhere near him."

Upon witnessing the collision, I thought to myself, 'perhaps I made contact with him', I'm not certain.

"However, upon reviewing the footage, it became clear there was ample space. It seems like he perhaps panicked or the like. He ended up squeezing the front brake too hard, causing the front tire to lock up."

Bagnaia, aiming to overcome Jorge Martin's significant 24-point lead in the championship this weekend, eventually ended up leading the Friday afternoon rankings, with Vinales placing sixth.

"Vinales expressed satisfaction at making it to Q2, considering it a positive outcome. However, he faced an obstacle during his final time attack, encountering two yellow flags, which prevented him from completing the lap as intended."

"In my opinion, our competitiveness has increased since May."

Is Vinales, the sole racer to overcome the Ducatis in a grand prix this year thanks to his win at COTA, capable of challenging them in this weekend's concluding RS-GP event?

"I'd love to say yes, but it's uncertain. It's the usual scenario – based on today's lap times, I feel confident about competing with them. However, what happens tomorrow remains to be seen," he mentioned. "I'm unsure about the progress they might achieve."

Team member Aleix Espargaro secured the third quickest time.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the motorsport landscape evolve, including Valentino Rossi's rise and eventual departure. He's currently leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal from the competition and the ongoing health concerns surrounding Marc Marquez.

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Johann Zarco delivers an outstanding lap to advance to Q2 in Barcelona MotoGP

"I'm extremely pleased with the progress made in this afternoon's practice, and I'm hopeful that I can continue on this trajectory…"

Johann Zarco secured a remarkable fifth place on Friday during the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona, attributing his success to what he described as "one of the best laps" he's had in the 2024 season.

Zarco has qualified for Q2 multiple times this season, but this occasion marks only the third instance he's advanced directly from Friday's practice sessions.

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"Zarco described his performance as potentially one of the best laps after ranking fifth in speed on Friday afternoon."

"I believe the race in Thailand was impressive, trailing behind Marc [Marquez], and another notable one in Aragon, following Jorge [Martin].

"Indeed, securing a strong lap time before the final attempt was significant, and while there was room for improvement on the last set of tires – potentially shaving off a few tenths – some errors prevented me from doing so. Nonetheless, this bodes well for tomorrow."

"Observing the temperature is crucial, as gaining certainty on the left side can be challenging. Attempting it might yield unexpected results, so I prefer not to risk underperformance and waste valuable practice time."

"I'm quite pleased with the afternoon's Practice performance, and I'm hopeful I can maintain this momentum."

Zarco was so confident in his speed over a single lap that he believed he could secure a spot in the top six during qualifying, despite his performance not appearing as promising on worn tires.

"He mentioned that the first two rows present a chance, which could work wonders for the future."

"Subsequently, as the tire wears down, there's a significant alteration in the motorcycle's performance. I'm uncertain about finding a fix by tomorrow, but accelerating and then managing the motorcycle is an aspect I enjoy. I'm optimistic about handling it successfully tomorrow."

Since the beginning of the year, the combination of Zarco and the RC213V has seen enhancements in terms of both rider performance and technical advancements.

"Zarco mentioned, 'The bike has improved since our initial trip to Catalunya earlier this year.'"

"Now, I'm making more effective use of the bike's strengths, and it's evident that the bike has gotten better."

"Following the Misano race, we made progress in navigating quick turns better, and now, when trailing behind another rider, it's noticeable that keeping up has become feasible — something that was out of the question at the start of the season."

"Initially, the chilly weather made me concerned about not being able to fully exploit the bike's advantages. However, this afternoon, as conditions improved, I believe I managed to ride quite effectively, which has left me quite pleased. This is because I hadn't anticipated performing so well, but it certainly aligns with my goals."

Mir: Zarco's Speed Not Exclusive to Barcelona

"Zarco's ability to deliver a quick lap isn't limited to this track," Mir observed. "He has shown this capacity elsewhere for some reason."

"For myself, particularly, this is the domain where I face the greatest difficulty due to the issues we encounter with vibration, whereas for him, it’s the aspect he finds less challenging.

"Thus, we're attempting to grasp how he manages to accomplish something currently beyond our abilities, and each time I push myself further, I end up falling."

"Thus, it's essential to grasp that, despite the oddities, this bicycle presents numerous unforeseen issues causing an unusual riding experience. It seems to suit him quite well, particularly with a fresh tire, but it's definitely not suitable for me."

"We need to either enhance the bicycle or I must adjust myself. Currently, I am unable to do so."

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

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Review: Bagnaia vs. Martin – Assessing the Edge in the Upcoming Championship Showdown

An examination of the lap times from Friday's session in Barcelona suggests Bagnaia has a marginal lead over Martin.

During MotoGP's most recent visit to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it appeared that the championship was swinging towards Jorge Martin. Francesco Bagnaia's fall during the sprint, while in the lead, resulted in the current champion trailing the Pramac competitor by 44 points.

As the series makes its comeback at the Catalunya circuit for the Solidarity GP, the title race is still open, though Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 24 points. Over the 13 races since that May Catalan GP, the gap in points has shifted by only 20.

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This is largely due to Bagnaia's achievement of clinching 10 grand prix victories throughout the season before the last race, although Martin's unwavering steadiness has kept him ahead of his Ducati team colleague.

The two competitors are equally poised in the battle for the title. However, their situations couldn't be more distinct. Martin is seen as the top contender, placing the pressure squarely on his shoulders to clinch the victory. Bagnaia, on the other hand, understands that his best chance to secure a third championship hinges on claiming victory.

On the Barcelona circuit this past Friday afternoon, Bagnaia exhibited the demeanor of a racer who had received the memo, navigating the track with what appeared to be a complete absence of stress. He clocked the fastest lap with a time of 1m38.918s, edging out the competition by a mere 0.080 seconds in what turned out to be a closely contested session.

The combination of cooler temperatures and reduced traction, along with the seven different types of tyres provided by Michelin due to the last-minute switch in location from Valencia due to severe floods, resulted in an unexpected lineup on the timesheet.

During the Catalan Grand Prix held in May, the sprint race was closely contested, yet Martin seems confident that the main race will see competitors more spread out. This suggests that he might not view Saturday as the likely day for his championship victory, despite only needing to score two more points than Bagnaia to secure it.

Martin shared with reporters, including those from Crash.net, on Friday in Barcelona, his observation that numerous tyres were tested but not many riders had the chance to extensively use them. "We'll get a real sense of it during the race. Naturally, everyone shows speed with fresh tyres. The upcoming sprint race on Saturday might showcase several fast competitors, similar to the previous event here. However, by Sunday, we expect to see significant performance gaps," he explained.

The climb in competitors near the top of the rankings affects Martin more negatively compared to Bagnaia. However, some significant contenders such as Enea Bastianini (ranked 10th) and Marc Marquez (positioned eighth) currently do not see themselves vying for a spot on the podium.

Bagnaia joyously marked his leading lap time from the Practice session, signaling a triumphant overcoming of the weekend's initial significant challenge. His celebration was well-justified, especially following his close encounter with Maverick Vinales at the conclusion of FP1. During a moment of unawareness at Turn 1 after their practice starts, Vinales surprised Bagnaia, causing him to apply excessive front brake pressure, which led to the front of the bike tucking under. The impact of his fall was severe enough that it could have easily resulted in an injury, potentially putting an end to his participation for the rest of the weekend.

He was irritated yet remained composed, a sentiment not shared by his opponent. In the final moments of Practice, Martin was clearly troubled in his garage. He later mentioned that his stress partly stemmed from his inability to locate his crew chief, who wasn't in his usual spot when he came in for new tires.

However, the sudden flurry of arm movements had been escalating. Martin appeared as though he was challenging boundaries and capable of exerting pressure. Yet, on multiple instances, among them his final sprint, he failed to maintain control while navigating a turn.

This resulted in him securing the fifth position in the rankings, guaranteeing his spot in Q2. He mentioned that theoretically, he's performing well “and the speed is quite impressive”. However, he confessed to feeling uneasy on his Pramac-operated GP24 at the moment. He described a “strange” sensation, citing a lack of confidence in the front during left turns and an inability to achieve the customary traction from the back tyre.

Hope remains, yet it's common that when Bagnaia kicks off the weekend with a strong performance on Friday, it usually signifies difficulties for the others.

Analyzing lap times has become more challenging due to the testing conditions and the variety of tyres that had to be evaluated within a constrained timeframe. Martin managed to complete eight laps using a soft rear tyre, recording an average speed of 1 minute and 40.646 seconds. Conversely, with a hard rear tyre, a five-lap run yielded an average time of 1 minute and 40.401 seconds, after discounting times that were not indicative of usual performance.

Bagnaia completed seven laps using a soft rear tire, achieving a time of 1 minute 40.365 seconds. When he switched to a medium rear tire for five laps, his average speed was recorded at 1 minute 40.510 seconds.

Currently, Bagnaia holds the upper hand in terms of both quickness and general comfort with his motorcycle. The upcoming Saturday sprint race will serve as a significant challenge for the current titleholder. After failing to finish the last Saturday race in Malaysia due to a crash, he now must confront the setbacks he experienced in May, where he lost an essential 12 points in a dramatic mishap at the Turn 5 gravel trap.

With no risks at stake, Bagnaia is at liberty to approach it as just another quick race. While Martin has some leeway for errors, Bagnaia's impressive speed during the Catalan GP in May suggests that any significant loss of points will further intensify the strain on the Pramac racer.

The lessons from Friday's racing at the Solidarity GP underscore that the race for the championship is still wide open, regardless of what the current standings suggest…

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Pecco Bagnaia discusses the incident with Maverick Vinales at the Barcelona MotoGP: "I lost control of the front."

"I believe my error was reducing speed excessively…"

Francesco Bagnaia led the MotoGP practice session ahead of the Solidarity Grand Prix happening in Barcelona this weekend. However, the most notable incident of his day was an unusual accident that occurred during the practice start session following FP1.

As Maverick Vinales overtook him on the outside, Bagnaia crashed while trying to brake for the first turn, causing the front wheel to lock up.

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The rider from the Ducati Lenovo Team described how he had a bad start during the practice session and was startled when Vinales appeared on his outside as he was braking to approach the first turn.

Bagnaia explained that he didn't get off to a good start as his rear tire lost traction. He also mentioned that he eased up to protect his engine, saying, "We're pushing the engine to its limits, so I was cautious not to strain it too much, as anything could happen."

"My error, I believe, was slowing down to such a degree. However, when approaching at such speed, you instinctively move to the inside where there was plenty of room."

"I began to hear him approaching and thought, 'Alright, he’s going to take the inside path.' However, when I saw him coming at a tremendous speed on the outside, riding on the kerb and the bike shaking, I got frightened and ended up losing control of the front in that manner."

He explained: "The pressure increased by two bar on the lever, jumping from 11 bar to 13 bar, and I lost control."

Although Bagnaia experienced an unusual crash during FP1, his day was largely successful, concluding with him as the fastest.

He expressed satisfaction, stating that his goal for every race weekend is to have a strong start, feel positive, and perform effectively.

"We consistently moved forward with each attempt, never taking a step back, and we're very pleased with our progress."

"I'm pleased with the tire selection, particularly because Michelin performed excellently on this occasion—just as they always do. This time, they provided us with a wider range of effective options, which is fantastic. I'm really satisfied with that."

"I didn't get the chance to test the hard compound front tire, which seemed to make all the other riders quicker, except for Jorge [Martin], who switched to a different option."

Marco Bezzecchi and Aleix Espargaro also used it during the time attack and showed impressive speed. Therefore, if the conditions are favorable tomorrow morning, I plan to give it a try. Other than that, everything went well.

Bagnaia was taken aback by the track conditions, as the grip seemed to be reduced even though the temperatures were cooler compared to the Catalan Grand Prix held in May.

Bagnaia expressed his belief that the pace was quicker. He reasoned that the colder conditions typically lead to increased speed and noted that they were using a very soft rear tire.

"Upon beginning my ride this morning, I immediately noticed a change; the grip was reduced. This required adjustments to the bike since the current conditions are substantially different from those in May."

Bagnaia has turned his attention to enhancing his performance in sprints, which he considers his main area of weakness for the year 2024.

"I spent a significant amount of time riding with the Sprint's smaller fuel tank, and my experience was similar to racing on the Sprint. I found it challenging to bring the bike to a stop, much like during the Sprint race."

"We attempted to make some enhancements to the bike and succeeded, which pleases me, but I still require a bit more improvement."

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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