Joan Mir had the chance to make it into Q2 before a crash during the final practice session at the Barcelona MotoGP. "I felt really good with the first set of tires and was able to perform quite well…"

Joan Mir believed he could have secured a spot in the top 10 during MotoGP Practice at the upcoming Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona, but a late accident thwarted his efforts.

Mir decided to cut short his initial attempt as he was trailing behind Jorge Martin, who headed into the pits on his Pramac Ducati at the conclusion of the lap.

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Mir believed he might have been better off heading to the pits for a fresh tire to keep pace with Martin during the second stint. However, after switching tires, he experienced reduced grip, and in his attempt to compensate for this, he ended up crashing at turn 10.

"I had an incident with the last tire," Mir explained. "I think I could have performed at a higher level. However, we need to figure out what went wrong because with the first tire, I felt really confident and was able to perform well."

"I managed to drive quickly on the lap when I headed into the pits; it was the best lap I could achieve today."

"I noticed that the bike was performing smoothly, and I attempted to keep up with [Jorge] Martin. When I observed Martin heading into the pit, I decided that it would be better to make another attempt with a fresh tire. I had some flexibility, so I thought it was a good opportunity to try and enhance my lap time."

"For some unknown reason, the traction with the second tire was significantly different and not even close to being the same."

"I attempted to apply additional pressure on the brakes to make up for the reduced traction, which led to my crash. We'll analyze the situation for tomorrow."

"I believe we might have a chance to advance to Q2 today."

One of Mir's challenges during a time attack is that his usual way of riding doesn't align well with the current setup of the RC213V. When he's trying to achieve a quick lap, it's more difficult for him to consciously modify his technique to match the bike, something he manages more easily in a race setting.

Mir mentioned that when using a worn tire, the pace slows down, allowing for more time to contemplate your actions.

"When I have a new tire, riding feels more natural to me, and that's when this issue occurs."

"I'm making an effort, but it's challenging to switch your style overnight. Whenever they modify something on the bike, I find myself reverting to my usual style. This is essentially what's going on right now."

On Friday, numerous riders, including Mir, were caught off guard by the unexpectedly low grip levels on the track at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This occurred even though the temperatures were significantly cooler than what is typically encountered during the Catalan Grand Prix, which is usually held at this venue in early summer.

"I anticipated that the colder temperatures would provide better traction," Mir stated.

"It's quite challenging to get the tires to function properly. The softer rear compound offers a slight improvement, but the overall grip on this track remains quite inadequate."

Mir stated that the limited traction will complicate selecting the right tires for the races.

"It will be challenging to grasp," he remarked. "Tomorrow, we plan to run additional laps using the soft compound tire to better comprehend its degradation. This is necessary because all the tires experience significant spinning at this track—the medium tire spins considerably, and the high wear is a result of this excessive spinning."

"We need to grasp the importance of the soft tires: they will be crucial for the race, as experiencing a decline in performance here could mean losing two seconds."

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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2024 Barcelona MotoGP Solidarity Event – Complete Qualifying Outcomes

Here are the comprehensive results from the qualifying rounds for both the Saturday Sprint and the main race on Sunday during the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP held at the Circuit de Catalunya. This event marks the 20th and concluding round of the 2024 world championship season.

Barcelona Solidarity MotoGP – Complete Results from Qualifying Sessions

* Beginner

Records for the Barcelona MotoGP:

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Fastest lap: Aleix Espargaro with a time of 1 minute and 38.190 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap of the race: Pedro Acosta completed it in 1 minute and 39.664 seconds (2024)

Francesco Bagnaia secures the last pole position for the 2024 MotoGP season, surpassing Aleix Espargaro and Marc Marquez at the Solidarity Barcelona Grand Prix.

Jorge Martin, who is currently at the top of the world championship standings, will start from the second row in today's race. To prevent the championship from being decided on Sunday, he needs to finish at least two points ahead of Bagnaia.

Before the session began, a visibly tense Martin sat in the garage, eyes shut, going over his qualifying lap in his mind. On his initial attempt, he benefitted from a planned slipstream provided by his close friend Espargaro.

However, this only placed Martin in third position, as the defending champion Bagnaia was at full throttle right from exiting the pits, securing a provisional pole position while pulling Marquez into second place.

As the final segment of the session commenced, Marquez, who will be a teammate in the future, and Franco Morbidelli closely followed Bagnaia's rear wheel. All three riders managed to enhance their performance, securing the positions on the front row.

In his last qualifying round riding for Aprilia, Espargaro, followed closely by Martin, came remarkably close to surpassing Bagnaia, missing the mark by just 0.055 seconds, and managed to position himself between the Ducatis on the front row.

Martin managed to secure only the fourth position, placing him at the front of his teammate Morbidelli and KTM's Pedro Acosta on the second row of the grid.

Marquez later mentioned that he was aware Pecco was pleased to lead other riders past Martin earlier today.

Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha advanced to Qualifying 2 by finishing at the top in Q1, while Joan Mir from Repsol Honda just missed the cut.

Brad Binder and Jack Miller, riding factory KTM bikes, will begin the race from 18th and 19th positions on the starting grid, respectively, with Miller having taken a fall. Meanwhile, Augusto Fernandez, who is on the same GASGAS team as Acosta, will start in 21st place.

The 12-lap sprint race in Barcelona is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

How Martin Can Clinch the MotoGP Title in the Barcelona Sprint on Saturday:

– Martin secures the Sprint victory.

– Martin comes in 2nd place while Bagnaia does not claim the win.

– Martin takes 3rd place, and Bagnaia finishes no higher than 5th.

– Martin ends in 4th place, with Bagnaia not exceeding 6th place.

– Martin finishes 5th, and Bagnaia does not place better than 7th.

– Martin achieves 6th place, while Bagnaia finishes no higher than 8th.

– Martin comes in 7th, and Bagnaia does not place better than 9th.

– Martin secures 8th place, with Bagnaia finishing 10th or lower.

As the weekend's championship decider approaches, Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 24 points.

This implies that Martin has the opportunity to be named the premier-class champion for the first time. He could also make history by becoming the first satellite team rider to secure the title in the 'MotoGP' era. This could happen if he wins the Saturday Sprint or earns at least two more points than Bagnaia.

Although Martin seems to have the advantage, the possibility of rain and chilly weather conditions suggest that another unexpected event might occur in what Bagnaia, the two-time defending champion, refers to as a "championship full of errors."

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

During MotoGP's event at the circuit in May, local favorite Aleix Espargaro revealed his intentions to retire during the Thursday session. The following day, he topped the charts in practice, secured pole position in qualifying, and emerged victorious in the Sprint race, benefiting from a final lap error by Bagnaia.

Bagnaia struck back by winning the grand prix, while Martin, despite starting in seventh place after a qualifying crash, secured second position. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, who failed to make it to Qualifying 2, impressively climbed from 14th place to finish on the podium in both races.

Gresini's Marquez is currently leading by just one point over Enea Bastianini in the competition for third place in the world championship standings. Notably, Marquez will be taking Bastianini's spot on the factory Ducati team next year.

The outcome for the fifth position overall and the highest-ranking rider not on a Ducati will be determined this weekend. Rookie Pedro Acosta currently holds a 3-point advantage over Brad Binder, who will soon join him as a teammate on the factory KTM team.

Miguel Oliveira is set to compete again for his last outing with Trackhouse after being sidelined for five rounds because of fractures in his left wrist sustained in Mandalika.

Michele Pirro, a test rider for Ducati, has been summoned to fill in for VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio, who is currently recovering from recent shoulder surgery.

Due to the venue switch at the eleventh hour and the drop in temperatures, Michelin is providing a maximum of seven tire choices for this weekend, consisting of four front tires and three rear ones.

I'm

For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Pole position was clinched, and the strategy paid off as the clever Bagnaia provided a slipstream for Marquez during the MotoGP qualifying session in Barcelona. Marc Marquez commented that the front row position wasn't entirely genuine, acknowledging that Pecco Bagnaia used intelligence to ensure there were competitors between him and Martin.

Francesco Bagnaia not only secured a vital pole position for the decisive Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event but also helped Marc Marquez achieve a spot on the front row.

Although Bagnaia is trailing Jorge Martin by 24 points, he has decided against using cautious strategies during the races. However, he suggested that he might assist other riders by providing a slipstream during qualifying sessions.

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On Friday, Marquez was in eighth place, but he made the most of his opportunity by closely following Bagnaia during both Q2 sessions.

The Gresini team member had company on the track, and at one point, Bagnaia had brought Marquez up to second place, with Franco Morbidelli moving into third.

Martin, on the other hand, was aided by his close friend Aleix Espargaro.

However, the Aprilia rider missed out on taking pole position from Bagnaia by a mere 0.055 seconds on his last lap, while Martin managed only to secure fourth place, leading the second row.

In parc ferme, Bagnaia admitted his strategy of assisting others: "Yes, that's what I intended this weekend. I attempted to lend a hand to someone yesterday and did the same today. My goal was to have more riders between myself and Jorge, and it was successful."

"He's beginning in 4th position, which is quite competitive, but I'm generally pleased because I believe our speed is strong both in terms of overall pace and during time attacks. We just need to stay focused and get ready for this afternoon."

Marquez promptly recognized the help he received.

"The current Gresini rider, who will soon team up with Bagnaia, stated that they are always truthful and that it isn't a genuine front row since he benefits from Pecco's slipstream."

"He’s intelligent and requires other riders to separate him from Martin. I realized yesterday that he would continue to push forward, even if there were other riders trailing."

"Today, it wasn't just me trailing; there were also other riders during the initial attempt, and Morbidelli was involved in the second attempt. This is because Pecco requires these actions."

"He is incredibly quick and handling his ride excellently. I took advantage of his slipstream to secure a spot on the front row. We'll have to wait and see how things unfold. However, the aim for the race is to finish in the top five."

Bagnaia's strategy was undermined by Espargaro securing a last-minute second place.

The Spanish racer poses a significant challenge for winning the Sprint, especially after his victory in the May event. Additionally, he is expected to support Martin, who will be joining Aprilia in the future, if the need arises.

"I gave it my all," Espargaro stated. "When I used the initial set of tires, I had a terrible experience. I encountered an issue with the front and nearly lost control three times."

"I was very fortunate to avoid an accident. Once I got back to the garage, I made the unusual decision to switch the front, a move we typically don’t make during the qualifying rounds."

"I began the second attempt without much confidence, but right away I sensed that the bike was in good condition."

"I realized Martin was trailing, so I aimed to give my all and complete the best lap I could. Although I wasn't a fan of the soft front tire, I still managed to achieve a time of 38.6, which is quite impressive."

This afternoon, Martin must earn two points more than Bagnaia in order to clinch the championship.

For two decades, Peter has been involved in the racing scene, witnessing the rise and fall of Valentino Rossi's career. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP: Sprint Real-Time Updates

Stay tuned for live updates from this weekend's MotoGP Sprint at the Solidarity Barcelona Grand Prix.

The Sprint race at the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona begins this morning at 3:00 PM local time. Francesco Bagnaia will be leading from the first position on the grid, while Jorge Martin has a chance to clinch the world championship today if he finishes with at least two points more than Bagnaia.

Barcelona Sprint: Updated 2024 MotoGP World Championship Rankings

2024 Barcelona MotoGP: Solidarity Sprint Race Outcomes

Pecco Bagnaia claimed triumph in the MotoGP Sprint at Barcelona, with Enea Bastianini ensuring a Ducati Lenovo Team sweep by securing second place ahead of Martin.

Aleix Espargaro secures the fourth position, while Alex Marquez completes the top five.

On the last lap, Bastianini overtakes Martin to secure second position, making his move at the fifth turn.

With one lap remaining, Bagnaia maintains a 1.1-second lead, while Bastianini has closed in on the back of Martin's bike.

Martin now holds a lead of 1.1 seconds over Bagnaia. Is Bagnaia intentionally falling behind? Could he be experiencing late-stage tyre problems?

Bagnaia holds a lead of 1.4 seconds, while Martin keeps a slight edge over the pursuing Bastianini, Marquez, and Espargaro.

With just four laps remaining, Bagnaia is ahead by 1.3 seconds. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez is making a significant push in fourth position, rapidly catching up to Bastianini for the third spot.

Aleix Espargaro has moved up to fifth place, overtaking Franco Morbidelli. Although Espargaro has had a solid Sprint, his poor start may have ruined his chances for a podium finish.

Martin is performing his duties flawlessly. He is maintaining the same speed as Bagnaia, not really gaining ground, but he is managing to pull away from Bastianini with ease.

Bagnaia holds a lead of more than a second over Martin, who is beginning to distance himself from Bastianini in the runner-up spot.

Bagnaia has extended his lead to nearly a second, while Bastianini appears to be slowing down, causing Martin to fall back towards Morbidelli and Marquez. However, Martin regains his position by overtaking into the first turn, moving back into second place.

As the fourth lap commenced, Bastianini reclaimed second position at the first turn.

By the conclusion of the third lap, Bagnaia holds a half-second advantage over Martin. Unfortunately for Bagnaia, with every lap, the gap between them and competitors like Morbidelli and Alex Marquez is widening.

Bagnaia maintains his lead with a 0.4-second advantage over Bastianini. However, as lap three starts, Martin overtakes and moves into second place at the first turn.

Acosta is out of the race. He collided with Marc Marquez at the third turn, causing his entire front fairing to fall off.

Bagnaia crosses the finish line ahead of Bastianini, with Morbidelli also keeping pace with the front runners.

The race has started in Barcelona, with Enea Bastianini taking the initial lead ahead of Bagnaia. However, by the time they reached turn four, Bagnaia had taken the lead, followed by Martin and then Bastianini.

The cyclists have started their preliminary lap before the start of the Solidarity Sprint.

With just five minutes remaining before the Sprint starts, it appears that no one is altering their selection of front tyres.

Selecting the right tires will be crucial for this race. Presently, the air temperature is at 19°C, while the track temperature stands at 20°C. However, these temperatures have the potential to decrease as the race progresses.

During the observation lap, all participants selected a soft rear tire and a hard front tire, except for those who opted for a medium front tire.

However, there is still an opportunity to make adjustments on the grid.

Although Martin and Bagnaia are the sole contenders for the championship, others can still influence the outcome of the competition.

Martin's close companion, Aleix Espargaro, is set to begin the race from the second position. Marc Marquez, who will join Bagnaia as a teammate in the future, takes off from third place. Following Martin in fifth on the grid is Franco Morbidelli, who is also part of the VR46 Academy. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta, eager for his inaugural MotoGP victory, starts from sixth place.

Although Bagnaia has secured pole position, it is evident that Martin holds the upper hand in the championship leading up to the Sprint. The Spanish rider's 24-point advantage indicates that, even if he fails to finish today, securing third place tomorrow will still clinch the title for him.

We're back in Barcelona for the Sprint event at this weekend's Solidarity Grand Prix. This marks the last Sprint race of the season, and Jorge Martin just needs to outperform Francesco Bagnaia by two points to secure the championship title.

2024 Barcelona MotoGP Solidarity Event – Complete Qualifying Results

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New TV Agreement Secured for MotoGP in the UK Starting 2025 – Sprint Races to be Broadcast for Free

Exciting News for MotoGP Enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland for the Upcoming Year

The television broadcasting agreement for the 2025 MotoGP season has been revealed.

TNT Sports has secured a new multi-year deal to continue broadcasting MotoGP in the UK and Ireland.

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They plan to keep airing live coverage of all sessions for MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3.

Sprint races are set to be broadcast on free-to-air television, marking a significant shift and providing a major advantage for MotoGP enthusiasts in the UK.

In 2025, Quest, a free-to-air channel, will provide live coverage of the sprint race held on Saturdays during each round.

In 2025, Quest will air two live MotoGP grand prix events, including the British Grand Prix, at no cost to viewers.

TNT Sports and discovery+ are set to air the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR), along with the FIM MotoE World Championship. They will also cover events from the Road to MotoGP, a program designed to make motorcycle racing more accessible by nurturing new talent.

Trojan Paillot, the Senior Vice President of Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndications at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, expressed his enthusiasm for MotoGP, calling it one of the most thrilling sports globally. He stated their pride in maintaining the collaboration with MotoGP. Paillot highlighted the championship's growing appeal, capturing the interest of sports enthusiasts nationwide as top motorsport stars compete in thrilling races at tracks worldwide.

Bringing MotoGP to our free-to-air channel, Quest, will enhance our live broadcasts on TNT Sports, expanding its appeal beyond the usual motorsports enthusiasts.

Scott Young, who holds the position of Group Senior Vice President for Content, Production, and Business Operations at WBD Sports Europe, expressed his enthusiasm about renewing their contract with MotoGP. He highlighted that this renewal allows them to keep sharing the remarkable narratives that contribute to MotoGP's status as an exceptional series.

"TNT Sports' on-air team is unmatched, with Suzi Perry at the helm, who is considered one of the top sports broadcasters in the UK."

MotoGP enthusiasts are known for their intense love of the sport. In collaboration with MotoGP rights holder Dorna, we aim to enhance all divisions within the Championship. This extended agreement allows our team the opportunity to introduce creative concepts that will bring fans closer to the essence of the sport and their favorite athletes.

"Our aim for the future is to assist UK-based riders in fulfilling their dreams of competing in the top tier. In collaboration with MotoGP, we strive to unleash the potential of one of the world's most exhilarating sports."

Alex Arroyo, who leads Media Rights at Dorna Sports, the company holding MotoGP™ rights, expressed his delight by stating, "We're pleased to share that MotoGP enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland will still be able to watch the races on TNT Sports."

Since TNT initially started broadcasting MotoGP, they have delivered exceptional coverage of the sport to viewers in a significant market. We are thrilled that our extended agreement will now include free-to-air Sprints, a fantastic enhancement to the Championship that we believe will captivate new fans. We anticipate collaborating to further develop the sport's popularity throughout the UK and Ireland.

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 racing.

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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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Unveiled: Ducati's test pilot sheds light on the enormous challenge Marc Marquez faces with the GP23

New insights into the hurdles Marc Marquez is confronting

Throughout the season, Marc Marquez has courageously battled using Ducati equipment that isn't quite on par with that of the leading pair, and the test rider for the manufacturer is able to shed light on the reasons behind this.

Riding for Gresini in the current season, Marquez has managed to secure victories and achieve upward mobility to the official team for 2025, where he will benefit from having access to the newest Ducati model.

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However, he trails behind Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, who ride factory-spec Ducatis that outperform the GP23.

During Friday's practice session for the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, Marquez secured the eighth quickest time. Michele Pirro, Ducati's test rider and wildcard entrant, was the ninth Ducati to hit the track, finishing in 22nd place.

Pirro is currently operating a VR46 GP23, but in the coming week, he will proceed with the advancement of the GP25, a model that Marquez will have access to for next year's competitions.

Pirro corroborated the observations of other GP23 competitors, noting that the front end exhibits a notable change from the 2022 model.

"Pirro remarked, "Indeed, returning to the '23 bike after such an extended period was a fascinating experience."

"I am returning to skilled cyclists because, when it comes to solo test rides, it's a whole different scenario."

"The 2024 model of the bike has undergone several changes. I'm noticing my experience with it is getting better."

"Next week's examination of the 2025 bike promises to be intriguing. Testing within the same week offers advantages."

This weekend, Marco Bezzecchi, who is Pirro's teammate at VR46, expressed concerns that the rear of the GP23 is causing the front to be pushed out.

Pirro concurred, stating, "The issue lies in the fact that, unlike before, these tires offer increased traction. This causes the bike to lean into a turn and exert pressure on the front.

Steering is challenging. The front requires additional reinforcement. Such behavior is unusual for the 2024 motorcycle.

"The issue originated from the tyre that came with the newer bike from the start."

Marquez has significantly outperformed the other three GP23 riders this season, generating excitement regarding his potential achievements riding Ducati's most recent model bike with their factory team next year.

This weekend in Barcelona, Pirro is taking the helm of a Ducati that's a year old, marking his first time on the bike in over two years. This experience is providing him with a genuine insight into the challenges Marquez has been tackling throughout the season.

"Pirro mentioned on Friday in Barcelona that he attempted to apply the brakes while going straight."

"I maintained the heat, yet quickly lost the lead."

"When I applied the brakes, the front gave out. It's astounding. We're pushing the boundaries due to the cold.

"As the final race approaches, numerous competitors are optimistic, having spent a year getting accustomed to their bikes."

"Overall, this year, I sense that I'm not here for the competition. My speed is decent. However, when it's like this morning, the distance between me and the lead rider isn't that significant."

"However, when the cyclists exert effort, I find it challenging."

In an exam, maintaining a steady speed is beneficial, but when you accelerate, you struggle to control the circumstances.

"The competition promises to be captivating because of this. Striving to the utmost and trailing behind other competitors…"

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

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