Ducati's Unprecedented Success in Thailand's MotoGP: Exploring the Reasons

Ducati Sets New Milestones in Thailand's 2024 Sprint Races

Ducati maintained its winning streak at the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix on Saturday, securing the first eight positions in the sprint race.

At the Australian Grand Prix last weekend, Ducati achieved a remarkable feat by securing the first six positions, a milestone not reached since Honda in 1997. This past Saturday, at Buriram, they further solidified their dominance over the 2024 grid.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the racetrack right to your email.

For further details, please consult our Privacy Policy.

Enea Bastianini clinched victory, leading Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, as they dominated the podium in Saturday's sprint race.

The dominance was unparalleled, as the team filled all of the first eight positions, led by Marc Marquez in fourth place, followed closely by Alex Marquez, Franco Morbidelli, Marco Bezzecchi, and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

For the first time since Honda's endeavor in Barcelona in 1996, a manufacturer has undertaken such an initiative.

KTM's Brad Binder emerged as the top non-Ducati competitor, securing a single point by finishing ninth. However, he was 13.692 seconds behind the winner and trailed Di Giannantonio, the last in the line of Ducati riders, by two seconds.

From Binder's viewpoint, once his RC16 loses grip, he sees no chance of keeping up with any of the Desmosedicis.

"I'm capable of battling it out with them if I have new tires," he expressed.

"As soon as the hold is lost, I find myself lacking the means to proceed further."

"It was somewhat challenging. I was eager to join the battle with Ducati, but it was the same story as last week."

"In any case, tomorrow presents a great chance for us to work through our issues and advance further, so let's continue to battle on and explore our possibilities."

In recent races, Pedro Acosta has proven to be the sole competitor capable of matching the front-running Ducatis' speed, with the Tech3 newcomer maintaining a position within the top five in the initial laps prior to encountering a crash.

He attributes Ducati's supremacy to their sheer quantity of competitors and acknowledges that the "overall skill level among those riders is notably strong."

"When questioned about Ducati's competitive edge, Acosta mentioned, 'Well, having eight bikes.'"

"It's logical, given that there are producers out there with merely a pair of [bikes].

"KTM possesses four. Given this, it's understandable [why Ducati has such a strong presence].

Moreover, their standard of riding skills is notably elevated.

"However, out of eight bikes, six riders can achieve high speeds, indicating that, in this scenario, the overall standard quickly reaches a peak level."

"We constantly experience setbacks. As a result, it strengthens them since ultimately, they possess significantly more information than others."

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Index

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing, in whole or in part, any text, photos, or illustrations is strictly prohibited.

Thailand: Updated Standings for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship

Following the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram on Sunday, which marked the 18th race out of a total of 20, the 2024 MotoGP World Championship standings have been

Text:

Riders whose names are in bold are still mathematically in the running for the championship title.

^X indicates a rider has moved up X places in the championship standings.

= indicates a rider's championship standing has not changed since the last race.

˅X indicates a rider has fallen X

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter to receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the paddock straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight in your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Website Directory

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or artwork in any manner.

Rainy Opening for Sunday's 2024 Thai MotoGP

Rainfall in Buriram introduces an unexpected turn in the MotoGP championship battle.

Following a period of no rainfall on Friday and Saturday, Buriram experienced precipitation on Sunday morning during the Thai MotoGP event.

By 8am, the rain had ceased, but the circuit remains shrouded in thick clouds, with weather forecasts indicating further rainfall expected during the day.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP stories, behind-the-scenes exclusives, one-on-one interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

The brief morning session for the MotoGP category, kicking off at 10:40am, will be essential for determining the optimal settings for wet conditions.

"Shouldn't we experience at least one rainy race [this season]?" Marc Marquez remarked, having secured the fourth spot in the Sprint. "However, I'd rather it pour in Malaysia!"

In the Sprint race held under clear skies, Enea Bastianini claimed victory, finishing in front of the championship frontrunner Jorge Martin. With this result, Martin extends his lead to 22 points over Francesco Bagnaia.

The Thai Grand Prix, consisting of 26 laps, is set to start at 3 pm according to the local time zone.

Check out this Instagram post from Peter McLaren (@mclarenmotogp)

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the racing world directly in your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Copying or replicating the text, photos, or images, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited in any format.

How Marc Marquez’s accident in the Thai MotoGP helped Jorge Martin maintain his lead in the championship

“I was constantly on the verge of crashing”

Jorge Martin mentioned that if Marc Marquez hadn't crashed ahead of him during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, he likely would have crashed as well. Seeing Marquez go down allowed Martin to anticipate losing control of the front of his bike.

The leader of the championship secured the second position during the rainy Thai Grand Prix in Buriram on Sunday, as Francesco Bagnaia, his main competitor for the title, achieved a crucial victory.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the freshest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

In the initial laps, Martin took a short-lived lead but went off course at Turn 3 during the fifth lap, allowing Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to overtake him.

Marquez experienced a crash on the 14th lap at Turn 8 while he was in second place. At the same time, Martin, who was right behind him, had a major front

After the race concluded, Martin explained that he managed to avoid his own crash by witnessing Marquez's accident ahead of him. He noted that without this incident, he would have relinquished his lead in the championship standings.

"Initially, I felt really great, but right away I noticed that it wasn't the same sensation I had during the warm-up," Martin said, noting that his championship lead has now decreased to 17 points.

"I was experiencing significant sliding from the back of the vehicle. Despite that, I was still widening the distance, and that's when I realized they had an advantage."

In turn three, I took a wider line, which allowed Pecco and Marc to pass me. After that, I focused on staying near them, considering a possible maneuver towards the race's conclusion.

"However, when Marc went down, I experienced a similar front-end issue. Fortunately, I managed to recover and avoid a crash."

"I veered off course but managed to avoid a crash. After that, I could maintain the gap between myself and Jack [Miller] as well as Pedro [Acosta], who were both closing in quickly."

He mentioned, "Throughout the race, there were numerous instances where I almost lost control and crashed."

"I was constantly prepared to handle the situation. When I noticed Marc's front tire slip, I braced myself for a similar occurrence."

"That's the way I managed to avoid the accident. If Marc hadn't been right in front of me, I'm pretty sure I would have ended up crashing."

"While I feel sorry for him, the crash allowed me to gain insight and be more prepared."

The rain that fell before the race added stress for those competing for the title. Martin commented, "I wouldn't wish the feelings I had before the race on anyone. Being either Pecco or myself in the championship under these conditions isn't ideal."

Although Martin faced a challenging race and was ultimately surpassed by Bagnaia, he expressed admiration for his competitor and considered it “a really good weekend” despite dropping three points in the rankings.

"It was indeed a very lengthy race," he remarked with assurance.

During the final laps, my thoughts were, "I really wish the track would just stay dry."

"I believed that I had an advantage over Pecco in dry conditions, so I was hoping for the track to stay dry."

"He possessed immense strength and was truly an exceptional champion."

"Being a three-time world champion speaks volumes about his abilities. He excels no matter the circumstances. I aimed to match his speed, so coming away with just a three-point deficit makes it a successful weekend."

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates on MotoGP, including exclusive content, interviews, and special offers straight from the paddock, delivered directly to your email.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Current Updates Additional Headlines Website Map Crash.Net ©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Was the Thai MotoGP a crucial victory for Francesco Bagnaia? “Definitely”

“In terms of emotions and mindset, it held great significance”

Francesco Bagnaia expressed that winning the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix was essential for boosting his self-assurance, especially after narrowing the gap with Jorge Martin in the championship standings.

On Sunday, the factory Ducati rider overcame a challenging sprint race from the previous day in Buriram, where he had given up two points to Martin, to take command of the wet grand prix.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter to receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the world of MotoGP directly in your email inbox.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

On the fifth lap, Bagnaia took the lead after Martin veered off the track at Turn 3. Despite facing significant pressure from Marc Marquez, Bagnaia was further aided when a crash involving the Gresini rider secured his dominant position.

Bagnaia secured his ninth grand prix triumph of the season, finishing 2.9 seconds ahead of Martin. This marked his inaugural victory in wet conditions, narrowing Martin’s championship advantage from 22 points to 17, with just two rounds remaining.

When questioned about whether winning in Thailand was essential, he responded with a firm "Absolutely."

Regarding the championship, it didn't change much. However, emotionally and mentally, it held great significance—not only for me but for him as well.

"It's a positive day overall for us. The 17-point difference is a favorable figure in my opinion."

He mentioned, "Today was about making a change, and fortunately, we succeeded."

"I would like to offer this win to my team. Earlier today, we had a discussion about ways to enhance our performance since I was having significant difficulties with braking."

"We've achieved it once more! I'm incredibly pleased. The race was challenging due to its length and the pressure involved, but right from the start, I sensed I was in great form and noticed Jorge was really pushing hard."

"I opted to wait an additional two laps to ensure the rear was better prepared, and once it was, I attempted to close the gap and catch up with him."

"I managed to widen the gap, but Marc was putting in a lot of effort. On the lap where he crashed, we were already two-tenths of a second quicker in the third sector, making it an outstanding lap with remarkable speed."

"I realized that securing first place instead of second was crucial to earn additional points for the championship."

When questioned about the challenges he faced during the dry sprint race on Saturday, Bagnaia simply referred to it as a "box secret" and noted that the team had been "too cautious" about a certain aspect.

Bagnaia discussed why it took until now for him to secure his first victory in Thailand.

"I kept crashing, but I never managed to go fast enough," he explained.

"Back in Thailand two years ago, I was in contention for victory in the rain, but ended up finishing just two seconds off the lead."

"The speed was present, though it wasn't sufficient. Right from the beginning, I had strong faith in making it happen, and it turned out to be the optimal moment."

Discover More

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the freshest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Current Updates

Additional Headlines

Site Index

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to reproduce any portion or the entirety of the text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Brad Binder Clarifies Harsh Interaction with Quartararo During Thai MotoGP Sprint

"…My handlebars were fully turned. Apologies to him."

Brad Binder has clarified that an additional shift in gears caused an unforeseen level of engine braking, resulting in a forceful overtaking maneuver on Fabio Quartararo during the initial lap of the Thai MotoGP Sprint race.

Beginning in the second line, the rider from Monster Yamaha quickly found himself in seventh place, as Binder climbed from 13th to secure the eighth spot.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP updates, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the track to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

However, the duo became entangled at Turn 8, causing Quartararo to fall to eleventh place.

"Today went pretty well, except for the first lap with Brad Binder, where his overtaking maneuver was a bit too forceful. I ended up losing quite a few spots," Quartararo remarked.

The rider from France crossed the finish line in tenth place, closely following Binder on his KTM.

"Binder mentioned, 'I slipped up on the initial lap.' He elaborated, 'Typically, we downshift to 2nd gear after being in 3rd, especially before taking the right turn."

"I shifted into third gear, then up to fourth, before dropping back into third as I overtook Fabio on the inside."

"As you're aware, we've configured the engine brake to engage in each gear. Specifically, for the 3rd gear, the braking force was significantly increased to accommodate for the straightaway."

"I made the turn, and it ended up [at an angle] because the steering lock was on. My apologies to him."

Following an impressive start, the South African faced challenges maintaining rear grip throughout the remainder of the 13-lap race.

"When the grip at the back diminishes, your ability to halt is compromised, maneuvering becomes sluggish, and that's when the front begins to fail too."

"As you accelerate [upon exiting] and reach the middle [of the tire], it begins to spin."

Binder, who concluded the race trailing the leading group of eight Ducatis, currently maintains a 12-point lead over his soon-to-be teammate Pedro Acosta in the contest for fifth place in the global championship.

Acosta fell from fifth position during the initial phases.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes exclusives, in-depth interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Index

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any portion or the entirety of the text, photos, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

Results from the Warm-up Session of the 2024 Thai MotoGP in Buriram

The warm-up session results for the Thai MotoGP, held in Buriram as the 18th round out of 20 in the 2024 global championship.

* Newcom

Buriram MotoGP Official Records:

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP stories, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the circuit to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Marco Bezzecchi clocked at 1 minute 30.896 seconds (2023)

The first rain-soaked laps of the weekend occurred during the morning warm-up for the Thai MotoGP at Buriram.

Marc Marquez led the pack on the intermediate wet tires, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin and Repsol Honda's Luca Marini.

The track is gradually drying, but additional light rain and possibly intense storms are expected to occur over the course of the day.

Miguel Oliveira remains out of action due to wrist fractures sustained in Mandalika and will be substituted at Trackhouse by Aprilia's test pilot, Lorenzo Savado.

Discover More

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Receive the freshest updates, behind-the-scenes content, one-on-one interviews, and exclusive offers from the world of MotoGP straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any portion or the entirety of the text, images, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

2024 Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix, Buriram – Practice Session Outcomes

Practice session outcomes for the Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix held in Buriram, marking the 18th event (out of 20) in the 2024 global championship.

* Beginner

Official Motorcycle Grand Prix Records for Buriram:

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers directly from the circuit to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Marco Bezzecchi clocked in at 1 minute and 30.896 seconds (2023)

The Buriram circuit experienced its initial rain-affected laps of the weekend during the Sunday morning warm-up session for the Thai MotoGP.

Marc Marquez led the pack on the medium wet tires, surpassing the championship frontrunner Jorge Martin and Repsol Honda's own Luca Marini.

As the track begins to dry gradually, additional rain showers and possibly intense storms are expected to occur over the course of the day.

Miguel Oliveira remains out of action due to injuries to his right wrist sustained in Mandalika, with Aprilia test pilot Lorenzo Savado stepping in for him at Trackhouse.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, unique stories, conversations, and special offers straight from the race track to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Copying or reproducing text, photos, or illustrations in full or in part is strictly prohibited in any manner.

Fabio Quartararo criticized Franco Morbidelli for making a reckless move during the Thai MotoGP, which led to Quartararo crashing on the fourth lap.

The MotoGP Thai Grand Prix held this weekend started with high tension but became less dramatic as it progressed. A significant incident early in the race involved a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, resulting in Quartararo's fall.

Quartararo got back on his Yamaha M1 and ended the race in 16th place. Meanwhile, Morbidelli later crashed at the same corner where he had collided with Quartararo, following a long lap penalty for reckless riding.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight in your email inbox.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

For Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli's maneuver at turn eight during the fourth lap felt like a "suicide attack." This incident marked the second time in two days that Quartararo's race was impacted at that particular corner, following an earlier encounter where Brad Binder forced him onto the exit kerb during the Sprint race.

Quartararo expressed frustration over turn eight, stating, "I'm not sure what happened with this corner, but twice in a row, I've been forced out of the race by two different people."

"Yesterday's action was quite forceful, but today's was more of a desperate attempt. However, that's the nature of the competition. Sadly, we were unable to manage the other participants' maneuvers."

While addressing the press following the race in Thailand, Quartararo admitted he had not witnessed the maneuver. However, he was puzzled by what seemed to him like Morbidelli's urgent attempt to overtake him.

Quartararo mentioned that he didn't notice the incident involving Morbidelli. However, he did observe that Morbidelli approached him very quickly at turn eight. Quartararo believes that Morbidelli was quite distant during the braking phase and then suddenly let go of the brake.

"Overall, I believe the decision was overly optimistic. Earlier today, he was incredibly quick. He only needed to be patient for one more straight, and he could have passed me at the third turn."

"There were still 20 laps remaining in the race, so I doubt that being three corners further back would prevent him from reaching the podium or winning. Therefore, I have nothing else to comment on regarding the incident."

Morbidelli admitted, "I was at fault." The Italian rider had a different perspective on the event, suggesting that it wasn’t a reckless move. He clarified that Quartararo had slowed down sooner than expected, and his maneuver to the inside was an attempt to steer clear of a collision.

"It was very unfortunate," Morbidelli commented. "I was making an effort to catch up, moving at a fast pace, and I was attempting to regain my initial position, pushing myself to advance as quickly as possible."

"However, I did make an error when it came to Fabio Quartararo."

"I wasn't planning to pass him, but he slowed down slightly before I did. At that moment, I thought, 'Alright, I need to make my move and hope he notices me.'"

However, he did not manage to do so. I likely got there too late, leading to us making contact. As a result, he fell, which spoiled his race and set off a chain of events that negatively impacted my own race.

"I received a long lap penalty, and while trying to make up for it, I experienced a minor slide in turn eight, causing me to crash. The corner was particularly slick today."

Morbidelli mentioned that errors were the main factor that ruined a weekend where he demonstrated good speed and promise.

He stated, "Throughout this weekend, our speed was impressive, but I made errors when it mattered most."

"During the qualifying session yesterday, we had the potential to secure a spot in the front row. However, due to a crash I experienced at turn nine, we ended up starting in 11

"Beginning from the 11th position today, I was trying to make up ground too hastily. It's unfortunate, but we'll take this as a lesson. Moving forward, we'll aim to maintain our speed while being more precise during crucial times."

Discover More

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates on MotoGP, including exclusive content, interviews, and special offers, delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Website Directory

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Marc Marquez tops the charts in rainy Thai MotoGP practice session

Marc Marquez dominates the soggy morning practice session for the Thai MotoGP in Buriram.

Having been the fastest in the dry practice on Friday, Marc Marquez reclaimed his position at the forefront of the Thai MotoGP rankings during a rainy morning warm-up in Buriram.

Even though the rainfall has ceased, the skies are still overcast, and meteorological predictions indicate additional heavy showers are expected throughout the day.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers straight from the track to your email.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Marquez, expressing his desire on Saturday night for at least one rain-affected race this year, cautioned that the track was extremely slick after he topped the session, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin.

Pramac Ducati competitor Martin widened his lead in the points tally against Francesco Bagnaia to 22 by securing a second-place finish, just after Enea Bastianini, in the Sprint.

Luca Marini capitalized on the rainy weather, securing a third-place finish for Repsol Honda, with Franco Morbidelli of Pramac and the KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller trailing behind.

Maverick Vinales topped the Aprilia team by finishing seventh, with Marco Bezzecchi and the current two-time champion Bagnaia trailing behind.

Brad Binder, finishing 16th, alongside Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in 17th place and the Sprint victor Bastianini in 18th, found themselves lower in the rankings during the rainy conditions.

This morning, Augusto Fernandez of Tech3 was the sole rider to experience a fall.

Discover More

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes exclusives, one-on-one interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

The complete or partial copying of text, photos, or artwork is strictly prohibited in all formats.

Pedro Acosta described the Thai MotoGP showdown as a decisive moment, saying, "Fortunately, we managed to avoid any major mistakes." He added that the race felt like a "now-or-never" situation.

Pedro Acosta expressed that his intense competition for a podium finish with his KTM teammate Jack Miller during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix felt like a "do or die" moment. He was satisfied that they managed to avoid any mishaps.

The newcomer from Tech3 had an accident during Saturday's sprint race while he was in the top five positions. He also had a rough beginning to the 26-lap grand prix on Sunday, which was held in wet conditions.

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, special content, exclusive interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

As the race progressed, Acosta made a strong push to secure a podium spot, overtaking factory KTM racer Miller for third place during the second-to-last lap. This exciting duel spanned from Turn 3 to Turn 7.

This was Acosta's first time finishing on the podium and completing a race since the Indonesian Grand Prix.

"It was definitely a really great contest," he commented regarding his clash with Miller.

"I realized it was a fight for a podium finish, and it was a critical moment to act."

"It's always a great experience to compete against Jack. He has an aggressive style, but he stays within the rules. I found it very enjoyable."

"Fortunately, we avoided creating any chaos, otherwise we would have spent a long afternoon dealing with it in the garage."

"In any case, it's important to stay positive and look for ways to enhance our performance in the initial stages of the races."

Following his crash on Saturday, Acosta stated that he would have to reassess his racing strategy to avoid losing strong finishes when there's nothing additional to gain.

He understood this after making numerous mistakes at the start of the grand prix and believes this outcome should serve as a reminder to "keep in mind the importance of completing races."

"We should feel joyful since we finally completed a race after numerous attempts," he mentioned.

"This is positive. We should keep moving forward with the mindset that even if things aren't going our way, we can still turn the situation around."

"We should try to remain a bit more composed to gain from that experience. However, today turned out to be a positive day."

"It’s possible that I had difficulty finding my pace compared to the warm-up session, and I also veered off course during the early phase of the race at Turn 3, as well as at Turn 1."

"I thought it might be a good idea to take a step back and maintain a steady rhythm."

"Indeed, towards the conclusion of the race, something inexplicable occurred, and suddenly I picked up tremendous speed. We should feel pleased and keep in mind the importance of completing races."

Acosta lacks significant experience with MotoGP bikes in wet weather, and he frequently faced challenges in maintaining performance during rainy conditions in other grand prix categories.

When questioned about his competitiveness in Thailand, Acosta responded: "Honestly, I'm not quite sure why I wasn't consistently competitive in Moto2."

"The only time I was really quick was in last year's Australian race, where I started from the back of the grid."

"I was never particularly speedy, as I recall that in 2022 I began the race in fifth place, but by the time I reached the second corner, I had dropped to around 20th position."

"I'm not sure. Riding in Moto2 with the Dunlop tires was challenging because they felt very hard."

"The performance improved significantly after switching to Michelin tires, and it's noticeable that riders on KTM bikes excelled in these challenging conditions."

"Think back to Miguel Oliveira's performance in Thailand in 2022, Brad Binder's speed in the wet conditions at Spielberg, and the impressive pace Pol Espargaro showed at the start of the project."

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP world delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Articles

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Enea Bastianini rejects notion of supporting Pecco Bagnaia's championship ambitions

Enea Bastianini exited the MotoGP title race following the Thai Grand Prix

Enea Bastianini's 14th-place result in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix eliminates his chances of winning the title this season. Despite this, he insists he will not shift his attention to assist his Ducati factory teammate, Francesco Bagnaia.

Bastianini began the race next to Bagnaia in the second spot on the front row, but he fell back at the start and was in 13th position by the conclusion of the opening lap.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

"Frankly speaking, I'm not sure what occurred right from the beginning, as I dropped several positions. Even coming out of the first corner onto the straight, it felt like my bike had 30 horsepower less," Bastianini remarked following the Thai Grand Prix.

Nevertheless, he proceeded to clarify that, following the guidance of the Ducati Lenovo Team, he deliberately chose not to utilize the front start device on his Desmosedici GP24.

Martin and Bagnaia are separated by 17 points, keeping the championship battle very much active 🏆#MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/BQdWqjFpNj— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Bastianini explained, "At the start, I didn't use the front device. The team advised me against it, suggesting that avoiding it would prevent potential spinning issues."

"In the end, the rider equipped with the front device was significantly more competitive than I was at the beginning."

Following a disappointing beginning, Bastianini made impressive progress through the pack and had reached seventh place before he fell during the ninth lap.

"Following the start, I needed to heat up the tires because the initial lap was a catastrophe," Bastianini stated.

"However, following that point, I gained confidence and my speed increased with each lap."

I was in seventh place, quite near the race leader since we were all bunched up at that point. However, as I approached turn eight, I went in slightly quicker than I did on the previous lap and ended up losing my front grip.

"I felt reasonably confident given the circumstances, but then I ended up failing."

Before his crash, Bastianini's performance in the race marked a significant improvement. He had faced difficulties during the Warm Up, which was the only other wet session of the weekend. This led him to make adjustments to his setup.

Bastianini explained that they adjusted the configuration slightly, as he was using extremely stiff springs during the Warm Up, making it challenging to maneuver the bike.

During the race, things went well overall, but the biggest issue was with the front, as it kept becoming unstable frequently.

"I occasionally face this issue in dry weather, but when it's wet, the problem becomes more erratic, making it harder for me to manage."

Bastianini's accident, which led to him finishing in 14th place, has now ensured that he cannot win the championship as he prepares to join Tech3 KTM next year.

The championship will be determined between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Martin currently holds the lead in points following his performance at the Thai Grand Prix, while Bagnaia, who emerged victorious in the same race, is in second place in the riders’ rankings.

"At this point, the competition for the championship is down to just two competitors, Jorge Martin and Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia," Bastianini stated.

"[Bagnaia] showcased an astonishing level of skill today. Additionally, I talked to him prior to the race, and he didn't seem very optimistic about it."

During the warm-up, neither he nor I were particularly quick, but by the time the race came around, we were competitive.

"He had a bit of good fortune early on, as he led the race in the initial laps, making things somewhat simpler for him. However, towards the end, he made a strong effort and secured the victory. The gap between Martin and Bagnaia is now 17 points."

In reflecting on my performance, I missed an opportunity to gain a lot of points. This was especially true since [Marc] Marquez also had an accident. Wet track conditions increase the likelihood of errors.

Bastianini clarified that both he and Marc Marquez have a riding style that increases their chances of making errors in the rainy conditions at Buriram compared to other riders.

Bastianini mentioned that he and Marc have a unique style that sets them apart from the other riders.

"We focus extensively on the front tire, and in situations like today, we found ourselves pushing it to its limits."

With Bastianini mathematically unable to clinch the title, will he now assist his teammate in the championship fight?

He expressed his desire to win in Malaysia, saying, "It's not the right time yet."

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers related to MotoGP straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Reports

Site Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to reproduce text, photos, or images, whether in whole or in part, in any manner.