Brad Binder expressed his frustration, stating, "I struggle to complete a lap because the front keeps slipping out from under me." He further explained, "Whenever I tried to improve my lap time, the front end would consistently give way."

On Friday in Buriram, Brad Binder discussed the challenges he faced and the possibilities he sees for himself.

During Friday's practice session for the Thailand MotoGP, Binder secured the 11th position on the leaderboard.

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Despite facing a significant issue during his sessions, the KTM rider can also identify substantial improvements for Saturday.

"Binder mentioned that while everything seemed fine initially, he consistently experienced front-end instability whenever he attempted to achieve a faster lap time."

"That was quite challenging…"

"My perfect lap time is impressive, yet I struggle to complete a lap without losing grip on the front."

"We have to come up with a plan to make it effective and lasting."

"If we manage to achieve that, it will definitely simplify things for me."

"Aside from that, all went smoothly. I was comfortable while riding the bike."

"As soon as we fitted a new tire and attempted a time attack, it became challenging to prevent the front from washing out."

"We have tasks ahead of us, but if we address that problem, we have the potential to excel."

Binder missed out on the top 10 by just one thousandth of a second during his fastest lap.

"I completed that lap by nearly losing the front end three times, which adds to the frustration," he expressed.

"The advantage? When I manage to combine everything effectively, I am quick."

"In other words, the situation might be more unfavorable."

"The hard braking works flawlessly. However, when I push to the limit, I begin to slide and lose grip at the front."

"That's the area where I need to get better."

"We've rearranged everything, yet we haven't discovered the perfect setup. I need to discuss it with my team."

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Marc Marquez Sets the Pace but Foresees Competition Closing In

Marc Marquez anticipates that fellow Ducati riders will surpass him at the Thailand MotoGP.

Marc Marquez believes that the other Ducati riders will close the gap on him during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix. This comes after he set a new lap record and led the Friday practice session.

Gresini's racer set the pace in the second practice session with a time of 1 minute and 29.165 seconds on his GP25, giving him a 0.110-second advantage over championship leader Jorge Martin, who secured the second spot.

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After securing a win in Australia, Marquez arrives in Thailand, having claimed victory in three of the last six grand prix races.

In the long term, Marquez thinks that Martin has a faster pace than he does. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini's strong beginning to the weekend suggests that the Italian will also be a significant contender in the battle for victory.

He expressed his happiness about kicking off the weekend on a positive note, emphasizing its importance to the press, including Crash.net, on Friday.

"It's accurate to say that the speed is decent. However, it's not as quick as it is in Australia."

"I believe Martin is quicker than we are. If Bastianini shows speed on Friday, it usually means he'll be extremely fast throughout the entire weekend. However, let's see what we manage to achieve."

In response to whether the others will reach the same level, he replied, "This is going to occur."

"In particular, I possess the ability or the upper hand to perform exceptionally well and quickly at the start, but then I find myself in that position."

"The rest of the group is gradually catching up. Take Bastianini, for instance; he is quite distinct from me."

"He faces significant challenges initially, but then he manages to recover. We'll have to wait and see what actions we can take tomorrow."

At the beginning of the season, I consistently faced challenges on Fridays, but I managed to make significant progress as the weekend went on.

"By Friday, I have already established a solid foundation and am riding well, so the approach to getting better remains the same."

"Even tomorrow, it will be tough for me to beat my practice lap time since it's already a record. I'd gladly accept repeating a 1m29.1s lap right now."

Ahead of tomorrow's race, Marquez aims to increase the top speed of his GP23, as he is currently losing time on the lengthy straights coming out of Turn 1 and Turn 3.

"What do I want to make better? Naturally, one always seeks out the little details."

"Right now, my main challenges and losses are occurring in T1 and T2."

"It's on the long straight sections where we're falling slightly behind. However, we'll install a new engine tomorrow, and hopefully, that will help us pick up some speed."

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Pecco Bagnaia's experimental setup doesn't succeed during practice in Thailand. However, the MotoGP champion maintains that it was one of his top-performing Fridays in Buriram for 2024.

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati described Friday at the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix as one of his top days of 2024, even though the set-up trials conducted in the afternoon did not yield successful results.

The current two-time world champion is trailing Jorge Martin by 20 points in the championship standings as they head to Buriram. During Friday's hour-long practice session, the champion did not seem at ease.

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Nevertheless, Bagnaia managed to confidently clinch a position in Q2, finishing in fourth place. However, he was behind his Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini, as well as Martin and Marc Marquez in the rankings.

In a later conversation with the media, including Crash.net, he explained that his messy performance during the second practice session was because he found it challenging to "adjust" to changes made in the setup.

He responded affirmatively when questioned if this Friday was an improvement, noting that he felt better after they resolved a minor issue with one of the two motorcycles during the sessions.

“This morning went well for me, but this afternoon, when I had to experiment with different bike setups, things didn’t go smoothly.”

"I had to pause and try to adjust the setup on the second bike, but it just wasn't feasible."

"I faced some difficulties during the adaptation process, and it didn't go smoothly."

"We made another adjustment prior to the time attack, and I noticed an improvement as we moved in the opposite direction."

"I was prepared for the time trial and managed to maintain good speed even without setting a very exact lap time. Overall, it was a successful Friday."

On Friday at Buriram, many riders encountered difficulties with braking, but Bagnaia reported that he did not experience any problems in this regard.

"It's not a problem for me," he mentioned.

"I can apply the brakes with great force, as evidenced by the data showing my lap time reflects this."

"This isn't an issue for me. I'm losing some time in the fourth corner, quite significantly, and my performance in the third sector, particularly at corners six and seven, wasn't very strong."

"However, aside from that, braking currently poses no issues."

As the championship draws closer to its end and each session becomes more crucial, Bagnaia maintains that his method for practice has remained consistent throughout the season.

"It's no different than the rest of the season for me," he mentioned.

"Throughout the race weekend, my focus is solely on performing at my best for the competition."

"At the moment, I don't notice any changes from before. It might shift slightly in the future, but currently, there's no difference."

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Jorge Martin reignites debate: “Crashing doesn’t bother them…”

Jorge Martin describes competing against Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez as "challenging."

The discussion about Enea Bastianini's contentious maneuver in Misano has been reignited by Jorge Martin.

On the last lap of the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP, Bastianini overtook Martin to secure victory, significantly harming the Pramac rider's chances in the championship race.

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The officials decided it didn't warrant any penalty, yet Martin remains frustrated even weeks after the incident.

Following the Friday practice at the Thailand MotoGP, Martin asserted, "The move at Misano was wrong, and those five points belong to me."

"He veered off course and collided with me just as we were exiting the turn."

In Australia last week, Martin was defeated when Marc Marquez passed him and claimed the win.

"Marc's action was definitely assertive," Martin commented. "However, since he didn't make any contact with me, I think it's acceptable."

"He made strategic moves and performed exceptionally well in the race."

Martin holds a slim lead of just 20 points over Pecco Bagnaia, who is in second place in the MotoGP championship standings.

With the upcoming weekend in Thailand, there are just three rounds left.

Martin acknowledges that Bastianini or Marquez might have an influence, even though Marquez's chances of winning the title are gone.

He stated, "It's challenging for me when competing against riders like Enea or Marc."

"It's challenging to defeat them since they have very little at stake."

"They aren't concerned about the possibility of a crash."

"I felt anxious," Marquez admitted. On Friday in Thailand, he recorded the quickest time, followed by Martin, Bastianini, and then Bagnaia.

This implies that the Ducati team has a completely free schedule on both Saturday and Sunday.

Martin confessed, "I'm pleased to be in the competition. This week, I felt anxious."

"I was mentally preparing for what would happen next."

"However, once I started running on the track and everything went smoothly, my fears disappeared."

"Pecco and Marc are formidable competitors, making this weekend a tough one, but I'm ready to compete."

During his practice session, he commented, "I was feeling strong, but switching to the hard compound tires made things more challenging."

"In addition, the tires had already been worn down after 22 laps, which made it difficult for me to maintain the same speed."

However, I am feeling alright.

"In this situation, if I get the opportunity, I will break free. No one else will get the opportunity."

"We'll find out if we reach the final turn alongside Marc or another competitor."

"Every weekend plays a crucial role. My priority is to concentrate on my own performance. If there's an opportunity to score points, I will pursue it."

"If Pecco is performing well, I'll aim to minimize my losses as much as I can."

"I'm not going to worry about scoring points. It's pointless. My focus is on being quick and staying competitive."

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Jack Miller expressed his desire to defeat Martin during the race rather than in a contest of stunts. He noted that while their speed is impressive, they are taking a more roundabout approach once more.

Jorge Martin, who currently leads the MotoGP championship, showcased some remarkable stoppies as he rode into the pit lane, securing second place during Friday's practice session at the Thai Grand Prix.

Jack Miller stepped up and met the challenge, earning a thumbs up from Martin when the Australian overtook the Pramac rider, with his KTM nearly vertical on its front wheel as the session concluded.

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"After watching Martin perform his, I felt the need to prove myself as well… Winning against him on the track would be preferable to just outdoing him in a stoppie contest!" Miller joked with a grin afterward.

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As the time trials commenced, the Australian was positioned in front of Martin, holding the fifth spot.

As Martin advanced using new tires, a disappointed Miller fell back to 13th place, narrowly missing the top ten and a direct entry to Qualifying 2 by merely 0.155 seconds.

"It's the narrative of the past half-year," Miller stated. "The speed was solid, consistently maintained with the medium tire from the start of the session. I managed to complete several laps and felt at ease with it."

In my initial two attempts, I performed well, but during the final one, I couldn't quite make it work. There were just too many instances where things didn't go smoothly, particularly in the middle section of the track.

"I'm struggling with the front end starting at Turn 5, and the issue carries on through Turns 6 and 7, and happens again at Turn 8."

Each time I attempt to accelerate, I find it extremely difficult to complete the turn. I often have to depend on using the rear tire to help pivot the vehicle during a hot lap in order to navigate the middle of the corner.

"We'll experiment with it throughout the night and aim to return with an improved plan for the next day."

"The speed is intense, but the key aspect in MotoGP nowadays is securing a good spot during qualifying, and once more, we're taking the more difficult route."

As he approaches the final phase of his career with the KTM factory team, Miller believes he has recently "made some progress" in the latest races.

"I'm attempting to navigate the problems I'm facing. The other two riders, Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, have the new chassis, whereas I don't. Therefore, I'm working to make the most out of the equipment I currently have."

"I'm concentrating on improving my horseback riding skills by focusing on how to align my body movements with the horse and handle the uneven terrain smoothly, aiming to prevent any disruptions. We plan to keep striving hard until the finish."

Positive developments for the #43 team indicate that the severe vibration issues observed on camera at Motegi have not affected performance at Buriram up to this point.

"A slight adjustment in Turn 4, but nothing significant," he remarked.

Before his afternoon stunt that delighted the onlookers, Miller had already captivated the audience with a rolling burnout on the main straight. This occurred when he kept the throttle open following a botched practice start earlier in the day.

Miller expressed his thoughts on the '110' holeshot device, saying, "We were just interested in testing it out. Personally, I'm not really fond of the 110 device because when you lower the bike's front end that much, the rear wheel tends to spin almost right away."

"I started slowly, but as soon as I released the clutch, the rear tire spun. I decided to keep going for the audience, knowing that I wouldn't be using that tire again!"

Pedro Acosta, who finished in seventh place, was the sole KTM rider to gain direct entry into Qualifying 2, while Binder narrowly missed securing tenth position by a mere 0.001 seconds.

Augusto Fernandez finished in 20th place, trailing the quickest rider, Marc Marquez of Gresini Ducati, by just 1.3 seconds.

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Jack Miller expressed his desire to outperform Martin during the race, rather than in a stoppie contest. He acknowledged the fast pace but noted that they are once more taking the more difficult route.

Jorge Martin, who currently leads the MotoGP championship, performed a series of remarkable stoppies as he entered the pit lane, ultimately securing the second-fastest time during Friday's practice session for the Thai Grand Prix.

However, Jack Miller accepted the challenge, which led to Martin giving him a thumbs up as the Australian overtook the Pramac racer with his KTM nearly upright on its front end at the session's conclusion.

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After witnessing Martin perform his move, I felt compelled to match his skills… However, I'd prefer to surpass him on the race track rather than in a stoppie contest!" Miller said with a grin following the event.

Check out this Instagram post from MotoGP™ (@motogp).

As the time trials commenced, the Australian racer was positioned in fifth place, ahead of Martin.

Although Martin advanced with new tires, a disappointed Miller fell to 13th place, narrowly missing the top ten and direct entry to Qualifying 2 by just 0.155 seconds.

"It's been the narrative for the past half-year," Miller remarked. "The speed was steady and reliable with the medium tires right from the start of the session. I did a few laps and felt at ease."

In my initial two attempts at time-attacks, I performed well, but during my final attempt, I couldn't manage to put everything in place. There were simply too many incidents, particularly in the central section of the track.

"I'm struggling with the front end starting at Turn 5, and this issue persists through Turn 6 and Turn 7, then happens again at Turn 8."

Whenever I attempt to accelerate, I find it very challenging to complete the turn. I end up depending on the rear tire to help pivot the car during the middle of a fast lap.

"We'll experiment with it tonight and aim to return tomorrow with an improved approach."

"The speed is intense, yet in today's MotoGP, securing a good spot in the qualifying rounds is crucial, and once more, we're taking the roundabout route."

As he approaches the end of his tenure with the factory KTM team, Miller believes that he has “made some progress” in the most recent races.

"I'm just attempting to manage the difficulties I'm facing. The other two riders, Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, have the new chassis, while I don't. Therefore, we're simply trying to make the most out of our current situation."

"I am concentrating on improving my riding skills by aligning my body movements with the bike and minimizing the impact of bumps. We plan to keep pushing forward until the end."

The positive update for the #43 is that the intense vibrations recorded on video at Motegi haven't been an issue thus far at Buriram.

"It's slightly tight in Turn 4, but it's manageable," he remarked.

Earlier in the day, before his impressive stoppie performance in the afternoon, Miller dazzled the audience with a rolling burnout on the main straight. This spectacle occurred when he kept the throttle open following a mishap during his practice start in the morning.

Miller expressed his thoughts on the '110' holeshot device, saying, "We were simply eager to test it out. Personally, I don't have much enthusiasm for the 110 device. The moment you lower the bike's front end that much, the rear wheel begins to spin nearly right away."

"I started slowly, but as soon as I released the clutch, the back tire spun out. Then, I kept it going for the audience, knowing I wouldn’t be using that tire again!"

Pedro Acosta, who finished in seventh place, was the sole KTM racer to directly qualify for the second round. In contrast, Binder narrowly missed securing a spot in the top ten by only 0.001 seconds.

Augusto Fernandez finished in 20th place, trailing the quickest rider, Marc Marquez of Gresini Ducati, by just 1.3 seconds.

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Jack Miller remarked, "I’d like to outpace Martin during the race itself, rather than just excelling in a stoppie contest!" He added, "Our speed is impressive, but we're opting for the longer route once more."

Jorge Martin, who is currently at the top of the MotoGP standings, executed a series of remarkable stoppies as he entered the pit lane, ultimately securing second place during Friday's practice session for the Thai Grand Prix.

Jack Miller stepped up to the task, earning a thumbs up from Martin as the Australian rider overtook the Pramac competitor, with his KTM nearly vertical on its front end by the close of the session.

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After witnessing Martin perform his, I felt compelled to maintain my own performance… It would be great to surpass him on the track rather than just in a stoppie contest!" Miller grinned as he reflected on the event.

Check out this Instagram post from MotoGP™. The content has been posted by MotoGP™ on Instagram.

As the time trials commenced, the Australian was in fifth place, positioned ahead of Martin.

As Martin advanced with new tires, a disappointed Miller fell to 13th place, narrowly missing the top ten and direct entry to Qualifying 2 by only 0.155 seconds.

"It's been the narrative for the past half-year," remarked Miller. "The speed was solid, steadily maintained with the medium tires right from the start of the session. I did a few laps with them and felt at ease."

"In my initial two time-trials, I performed well, but I couldn't quite pull it off during my final attempt. I experienced too many challenging moments, particularly in the track's middle section."

"I'm losing grip at the front starting at Turn 5, and it carries on through Turns 6 and 7, and once more at Turn 8."

"Whenever I attempt to accelerate, I find it difficult to complete the turn. I have to depend on using the rear tire to help the vehicle pivot during a fast lap to make it through the middle of the corner."

"We'll experiment with this overnight and aim to return with an improved approach by tomorrow."

"The speed is intense, but in today's MotoGP, securing a good spot in the qualifying rounds is crucial, and once more, we're taking the more difficult route to achieve that."

As he approaches the conclusion of his tenure with the KTM factory team, Miller believes he has made some progress in the most recent races.

"I'm attempting to work through the challenges I'm facing. Unlike me, Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta have the new chassis, and I don't. Therefore, I'm focusing on making the most with the resources available to me."

"I'm concentrating on improving my riding skills, focusing on coordinating my body movements to better handle the bumps and minimize their impact. We'll keep pushing forward until the finish."

The positive update for the #43 team is that the intense vibration previously recorded at Motegi has not been an issue at Buriram.

"A slight touch in Turn 4, but nothing major," he remarked.

Earlier in the day, before his impressive stoppie that thrilled the audience, Miller had captivated the spectators with a rolling burnout on the main straight. This happened when he kept the throttle open following a botched practice start in the morning.

Miller expressed his thoughts on the '110' holeshot device, stating, "Our goal was simply to test it out. Personally, I don't particularly like the 110 device. When you lower the bike's front end that much, the back wheel starts to lose grip and spin right away."

"I started off slowly, but as soon as I released the clutch, the back tire spun wildly. I decided to keep going like that for the audience, knowing that I wouldn't be using that tire again!"

Pedro Acosta, who finished seventh, was the sole KTM competitor to directly advance to Qualifying 2, while Binder narrowly missed securing the tenth spot by a mere 0.001 seconds.

Augusto Fernandez finished in 20th place, trailing the quickest rider, Marc Marquez of Gresini Ducati, by just 1.3 seconds.

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Luca Marini provides an in-depth analysis of Honda's recent improvements and persistent challenges.

Luca Marini discusses the advantages and disadvantages faced by Honda.

Luca Marini was excited to notice another Honda bike among the top 10 on Friday in Thailand, but he remains cautious and is not letting it go to his head.

During the Thailand MotoGP practice, Johann Zarco clocked the 10th-fastest time, marking another modest advancement for Honda as they continue to make gradual improvements.

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Honda's factory rider, Marini, finished in 17th place but provided an in-depth evaluation of the adjustments being made to the setup.

"We attempted a new approach with the setup," Marini explained.

"We attempted to establish a plan for the upcoming year by adjusting the weight distribution. Our focus was on increasing the load on the rear to enhance the performance of the rear tire."

"Currently, it is the most significant absence."

"During the initial lap, I focus on getting the tire up to temperature, but it loses grip as the race progresses. Our situation is unusual when compared to teams like Aprilia, KTM, and Ducati. We stand out as distinct."

"Our goal is to comprehend and enhance this."

"There are some advantages. It improves braking and stopping the bike, and possibly enhances grip, but I still need to adjust the settings and balance further."

From my perspective, there is room for improvement in my riding skills. I've been consistent in my approach throughout the year, but now I've reached a new level. As a rider, I know I can enhance my performance.

Marini commented on Zarco's performance, where he secured the 10th-fastest time on Friday, stating, "He delivered an impressive lap, but he was really pushing the boundaries. He took risks at every turn and utilized the slipstream."

"We must enhance the bike's performance because completing a single lap is achievable."

"However, in a competition? Not a chance."

"It's a positive indication that we've made progress."

Marini thinks he has found a solution to a problem that typically challenged the Honda.

"In my opinion, we make significant gains in the high-speed turns," he remarked.

"Perhaps it's because I'm a cyclist who enjoys high-speed turns."

"We took a significant leap forward with the fairing."

At Misano, I was among the quickest racers. While there’s been talk about Honda facing difficulties over the years at this track, this was the first occasion where we performed well.

"We've been struggling with stop-and-go situations. The bike isn't stopping as it should, particularly the back tire."

"When it comes to heavy braking, our performance isn't strong enough to compete with the other motorcycles."

Marini has the option to use a new exhaust at Buriram, but he's keeping his enthusiasm in check.

"I've tested this exhaust numerous times," he mentioned.

"I believe the regular version is superior."

"The purpose of this exhaust is to address a specific issue. We need to examine the bike to determine which exhaust will be suitable for use tomorrow."

"However, each time I've attempted it, I find I like the regular version better."

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Analysis: The tool Marc Marquez might employ to challenge Jorge Martin's lead

Though Jorge Martin demonstrates superior race speed, Marc Marquez possesses a hidden asset.

A stark contrast in conditions has characterized MotoGP's recent journey. In the last five days, the series has transitioned from the freezing temperatures at Phillip Island to the scorching heat of Buriram. This change mirrors the intensity of the 2024 MotoGP championship race, evoking the classic saying about moving from one challenging situation to another.

With only 111 points available and a 20-point gap between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, each session is vital as there are just three rounds left, including this weekend's Thai Grand Prix, before the season concludes.

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On Friday in Buriram, both Martin and Bagnaia appeared somewhat dissatisfied with their experiences on their GP24 motorcycles. Throughout the hour-long practice session, there were moments when they seemed a bit disorganized on the track. Meanwhile, they were frequently engaged in detailed discussions within their individual team areas.

The difficulties faced by Bagnaia originated from trying out some configuration changes that ultimately didn't yield positive results. This led his official Ducati team to switch back to the settings he had at the beginning of the session to make sure he remained competitive during the time attack segment.

This situation likely stems from the events of the Australian GP weekend. On Friday, adverse weather conditions led to limited track time, causing Bagnaia to make incorrect set-up choices for Saturday. As a result, he spent the remainder of the event trying to recover and find the right adjustments.

Martin's troubles appeared to originate from his dissatisfaction with the hard rear tire he experimented with halfway through the session. By the time he finished, the tire was heavily used and had already covered a grand prix distance.

During the critical moments of the MotoGP championship, a psychologist could find plenty to analyze in the paddock. Both Bagnaia and Martin claim that their weekend strategies remain unchanged, emphasizing that each race holds equal significance. However, Martin's comments following Friday's sessions imply, as has often been subtly evident despite the riders' composed exteriors, that the reality might be different.

Martin expressed his satisfaction with being competitive, stating to reporters, including those from Crash.net, on Friday, "I've been feeling anxious this week. I was mentally preparing for what lay ahead. However, once I hit the track and things went smoothly, my worries disappeared. With Pecco and Marc also performing well, it's set to be a tough weekend, but I'm ready to compete."

Both riders have successfully completed the first day of the important Thai Grand Prix without any significant issues, securing their places in Q2. An improvement from the GP24s on Saturday is expected, similar to what happened the previous weekend.

A mere 0.195 seconds separate the leading four riders in practice at the Thai Grand Prix. Leading the pack is M. Marquez, followed closely by Martin at just 0.110 seconds behind. Bastianini trails by 0.162 seconds, while Bagnaia rounds out the top four, 0.195 seconds off the pace. #MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/HJkx59DOlp — Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 25, 2024.

For the second consecutive week, Marquez topped the timings in Friday’s sessions. The Gresini team member appeared exceptionally at ease on his GP23, breaking the lap record with a time of 1 minute and 29.165 seconds during the second practice session to take the lead.

The GP23 model allows for a smoother start to the race weekend on Fridays because it is based on an older motorcycle for which there is useful data from last year. Marquez has reached a stage in his adjustment to the Ducati where he is no longer lagging behind, as he described it a few months back, when he begins his sessions on a race track on a Friday.

In the previous week in Australia, Ducati's leader, Davide Tardozzi, anticipated that the GP24 bikes would be able to overtake Marquez. However, Marquez demonstrated the fastest race pace during Friday's session and managed to defeat Martin in the grand prix, as well as decisively outperform Bagnaia.

Examining the extended performance on Friday in Thailand, it seems reasonable to think that Marquez's anticipation of the GP24s overtaking him on Saturday is well-founded.

During the second session on Friday at Buriram, he focused solely on using the medium rear tyre. Over the course of three runs, he completed 16 laps with it. By the conclusion of these 16 laps, his lap time was 1 minute and 31.071 seconds, and after removing laps that were unrepresentative or cancelled, his average time over nine laps was 1 minute and 30.790 seconds.

Martin completed just 11 laps using a medium rear tire, yet his speed showed improvement. Over an average of eight laps, the Pramac team member clocked in at 1 minute and 30.628 seconds. Notably, Martin also experimented with the hard compound tire, which was last year's choice for the Thai Grand Prix—a race he won, triumphing over Bagnaia and KTM's Brad Binder in a thrilling finish.

According to Michelin, at this point, both medium and hard tires are suitable choices for the upcoming races. Piero Taramasso, who leads Michelin's motorsport division, explains that while the medium tires provide superior grip, they lack the consistency offered by the hard tires.

While using hard tires, Martin wasn't entirely satisfied with his performance, though he did mention, "I felt okay." His speed seemed to confirm this sentiment. Martin managed a top time of 1 minute 30.847 seconds after completing 20 laps on the tire. On the tire's last lap, he recorded a time of 1 minute 31.565 seconds. During the final lap of the 2023 Thai Grand Prix on hard tires, Martin achieved a time of 1 minute 31.866 seconds.

Enea Bastianini secured the third-best time for the top factory team, Ducati. However, on Friday, the Italian rider faced challenges with braking, resulting in an average pace of 1 minute and 30.920 seconds on medium tires.

Marquez believes that Bastianini's impressive beginning to the weekend serves as a signal that he will play a significant role in the upcoming races.

Due to setup challenges, Bagnaia ended up in fourth place overall. However, his extended run times on medium tires showed a slight edge over Bastianini, clocking in at 1 minute and 30.852 seconds. This currently places him behind Martin and Marquez according to this measurement, but the actual capabilities of the two-time world champion are still uncertain following his disrupted afternoon session.

Despite feeling anxious and uneasy while using the hard tyre, Martin concludes Friday as the top contender. However, he acknowledged that his challenge in Thailand is highly complex.

In Australia, he mounted a vigorous defense against Marquez, though his efforts were somewhat limited by his standing in the championship. This is an issue that will persist for both him and Bagnaia until the championship is ultimately resolved.

While Marquez and Bastianini are technically still in contention, their main focus in the last three races is on personal pride and the possibility of earning some victory bonuses.

Martin found himself facing Bastianini's aggressive tactics at Misano and experienced a similar situation with Marquez last week. The incident with Bastianini continues to leave a bitter taste for him.

"The maneuver at Misano wasn't right. I believe those five points should belong to me," stated Martin. "He went off the track and then collided with me as we exited the corner. Marc's maneuver was definitely aggressive. However, since he didn’t make contact with me, I think it's acceptable. He strategized well and had an outstanding race."

During the week, Marquez faced criticism for supposedly meddling in the championship fight at Phillip Island. This is a recurring issue reminiscent of 2015. Marquez addressed it during Thursday's press conference, stating that he "cannot control" his position in a race in relation to a championship contender.

In Thailand, he believes he needs to gain some speed on the two straight sections following Turn 1 and Turn 3. However, he is confident this will be resolved once a new engine is installed in his GP23 later tonight.

Should he maintain the pace he demonstrated on Friday, Australia showcased the significant impact he can have when his skills surpass the bike's deficiencies.

Martin expressed his intention to take a proactive role in the races by leading from the front whenever possible. However, he acknowledges the importance of being strategic, a skill that his Pramac team has evidently taught him well.

Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi emphasized the significance of this weekend, stating on Friday during practice that it is undoubtedly one of the key weekends of the year. He noted that the final three weekends hold particular importance for the team.

"We should keep our approach similar to Australia's strategy, focusing on avoiding errors and considering alternative tactics to Pecco's. Our goal should be to stay close to Pecco rather than aiming for a victory, as winning is great, but the priority is to finish with a solid performance and return safely with the bike."

The progress that Bagnaia and Bastianini achieve on Saturday is crucial in determining the outcome of the weekend. Meanwhile, the fragile title race presents a chance for Marquez to capitalize on, and for Bastianini as well, provided he resolves his braking problems. Martin, above all, needs to stay focused on the overall objective.

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Casey Stoner Returns to Racing for 'Champions Charity Event'

Casey Stoner Gears Up for a Unique Single Event Race

Casey Stoner is set to make a temporary comeback to the racing scene for a charitable event.

Next month, the legendary MotoGP rider is set to participate in an event known as the 'Champions Charity Race.'

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EICMA, known as "the premier trade fair for the whole two-wheel industry," is organizing the event.

According to Corsedimoto, Danilo Petrucci, Jonathan Rea, Stefan Everts, Troy Bayliss, Loris Capirossi, Christophe Pourcel, Randy Mamola, Carlos Checa, and Marco Melandri are expected to participate in the event.

Check out this Instagram post from Casey Stoner AM (@official_cs27).

The organizers have announced: "Don't miss out on this exciting new opportunity!"

From November 7th to 10th this year, the MotoLive track is set to host an exhilarating race featuring top champions competing both on and off the road in thrilling pursuit showdowns.

Each day, between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon, the Flat Track will serve as the arena where past legends and current champions from World Superbikes and the Africa Eco Race clash.

As usual, the focus will be on specialized off-road motorcycles. However, this year, adventure bikes will take center stage, showcasing more than 20 models from various manufacturers and with a range of engine sizes.

"Adding to the excitement… The legendary Casey Stoner is making a comeback to racing at EICMA after a 12-year hiatus!"

"You definitely won't overlook it; with 54 shimmering titles lining the track, it promises to be a landmark occasion!"

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Brad Binder: KTM's MotoGP Efforts Unaffected Despite PMG Challenges

Brad Binder shares thoughts on recent developments within the Pierer Mobility Group

KTM MotoGP competitor Brad Binder has stated that the project is proceeding as usual despite the recent reduction in the board of directors by the Pierer Mobility Group.

This week, an Austrian company revealed that it has dismissed four out of its six board directors due to a gloomy financial forecast for PMG. The company attributes this downturn to the economic recession in Germany and the elevated cost of living in the U.S.

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This development has raised inquiries regarding the PMG racing initiative, but the organization has maintained that its operations will continue unaffected.

Binder, when questioned about the situation on Thursday before the Thai Grand Prix, responded, "From my perspective, I believe everything is proceeding as usual."

"The best I can do is attempt to secure victories in some races."

"It seems that success on Sunday leads to sales on Monday. This is my latest drive, and I'm eager to see the outcome."

Following a challenging year in MotoGP, PMG has experienced financial setbacks. As the season nears its conclusion, the brand has not secured a race victory in 2024, with only three rounds left to compete.

Although it holds the second position in the constructors' championship, it trails behind the leading Ducati by approximately 326 points in the rankings.

In the standings for the riders, Binder holds the fifth position. However, he trails fourth place by 232 points and hasn't secured a podium finish since the first race of the season in Qatar.

He is engaged in a close competition for fifth place with KTM newcomer Pedro Acosta, who trails the South African by 11 points after achieving four podium finishes in grand prix races this year.

When questioned about the significance of surpassing Acosta in the rankings this year, Binder responded: "It's quite straightforward for me."

"Actually, it's not just about me; my whole team feels the same way. We are all dissatisfied with our current standings every weekend."

"Our aim is to move higher up in the rankings, and I believe we must maintain our concentration on our performance on the track, making the most of each lap."

"If we focus on that, the outcomes over the weekend will improve, and everything else, including the championship, will naturally follow."

"In essence, my main aim is to concentrate on the task at hand, and if I manage to execute it effectively, everything else will naturally fall into place."

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Francesco Bagnaia remains calm about his position in the MotoGP rankings, stating that a 20-point difference isn’t significant. The reigning world champion discussed the title race as there are still three rounds left in the season.

Francesco Bagnaia remains unconcerned about trailing Jorge Martin by 20 points in the 2024 MotoGP championship standings, considering it "not a significant difference" now.

After securing a third-place finish behind Martin in Australia last weekend, Martin has expanded his lead over Bagnaia to 20 points, with only three rounds left, starting with the Thai Grand Prix.

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Depending on the outcomes at the Buriram weekend, where last year’s Thai Grand Prix was among the Pramac rider's best performances, Martin might head to Malaysia next week with his initial chance to secure the 2024 championship.

However, Bagnaia, who managed to overcome a 91-point shortfall to clinch the 2022 title, views his present 20-point shortfall as inconsequential in today's fast-paced racing environment.

"It's a unique experience," he said when questioned on Thursday in Buriram about what it's like to be the one trailing in the rankings.

"Three years ago and even two years ago, approaching the final three races with a 20-point lead was a more pressing situation compared to now, where it's possible to gain an additional 12 points every weekend."

"It's somewhat unique. It's as if we're observing that one can quickly experience significant gains and losses."

"Three years ago, the situation was different, and currently, a 20-point difference isn't considered significant."

"Regardless, I need to catch up by 20 points. To secure a win, you have to go above and beyond."

He stated, "I feel the same as I always have. This is the fourth consecutive season that I'm competing for the championship."

"In 2021, I indeed missed out with just three races remaining, and over the last two seasons, I have either been trailing or leading."

"In my view, the approach remains unchanged, which involves thoroughly getting ready for the weekend."

"Whether you are leading or chasing, the pressure remains constant; it’s the level of risk that varies slightly. However, I believe I will approach it just as I always have."

As he anticipates an important Thai Grand Prix, Martin expressed his satisfaction by stating, “Certainly, I’m pleased to still be in the fight for this championship.”

"I'm feeling great right now; we just returned from successful trips to Indonesia, Japan, and Australia."

Australia was fantastic. Although I aimed for victory, it proved to be quite challenging. However, I feel optimistic about this upcoming race.

"There's no doubt it will be extremely hot and challenging. I believe Marc and Pecco will perform exceptionally well, making it a difficult weekend ahead."

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