Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) set a 1:54.420 on his final lap to set the pace in a fantastic FP4 at the Grand Prix of Qatar. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) finished second with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) third, as the riders dialled in their race settings ahead of qualifying.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) benefitted from Sam Lowes’ (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) cancelled lap time to claim a maiden Moto2™ pole position at the Grand Prix of Qatar. The Italian set a late 1:59.082 to lead Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) by just over a tenth, as Lowes slips to third after exceeding track limits.
The early session table topper in the pole position battle was rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) from Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), as Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) suffered an early crash at Turn 5 – the Thai rider went to the medical centre for a check-up.
Double 2021 Lusail winner Lowes then leapt to P1 as the yellow flags were then shown for a Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash at the final corner. The reigning Moto3™ World Champion was all ok but his maiden Moto2™ qualifying session was over.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) set a time good enough for the front row but it was later chalked off for a yellow flag infringement, as compatriot Lowes increased his advantage at the summit. No one was able to beat Lowes’ time, Vietti went closest on his final flying lap, as late drama unfolded. Lowes’ lap was cancelled for exceeding track limits at Turn 15, which handed Vietti pole position.
Rookie Salač put in a mightily impressive performance to front the second row of the grid in P4, the Czech rider has Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) for company on the second row. Dixon will launch from P7 alongside Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), with Acosta starting P10 for his first Moto2™ race after a final corner crash.
The Moto2™ race gets going at 16:20 local time (GMT+3)!
Top 10:
1. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – 1:59.082
2. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.112
3. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.144
4. Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2™) + 0.205
5. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 0.220
6. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.257
7. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.275
8. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) + 0.277
9. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) + 0.398
10. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.446
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
For the first time in his World Championship career, Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) will start from pole position after leaving it late to set a session topping 2:04.811. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) came through Q1 to earn a fantastic P2, with Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) occupying the outside of the front row in P3 at the Grand Prix of Qatar.
Fresh from finishing fastest in Q1, Sasaki was the early pacesetter in Q2 and his initial advantage stood at 0.5s – the fastest lap of the weekend at that stage. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) closed the gap to 0.2s on his second flying lap as a lot of the riders piled into pitlane, with only four riders within a second of Sasaki heading into the final five minutes.
Sasaki was towing teammate John McPhee and the British rider climbed to P5, with Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) going P4. A freight train of frantic Moto3™ riders formed behind Foggia, typical lightweight qualifying shenanigans were in play, slipstream vital for a good time in Qatar.
A gaggle of riders crossed the finish line within tenths of each other, as Guevara grabbed P1 from Sasaki. Masia claimed P3 with Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) slotting in ahead of Foggia, who slipped to P5. Yamanaka and McPhee’s strategy to go out ahead of the big group worked well as they line-up P6 and P7 for the opening race of the season, Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) set his best time on the final lap but only managed P8. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and quickest rookie Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) round out the top 10.
The opening Moto3™ race of the season promises to be a belter at the Lusail International Circuit. Tune in at 15:00 local time (GMT+3) to see who will claim the first win of the season.
Top 10:
1. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) 2:04.811
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.085
3. Jaume Masia (red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.212
4. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.363
5. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 0.378
6. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) + 0.725
7. John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.738
8. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Asar Team) + 0.847
9. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) + 0.872
10. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.952
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is the fastest rider heading into MotoGP™ qualifying at the Grand Prix of Qatar after his 1:53.432 from Friday remains unbeaten. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) complete the top three as the top four stays unchanged after FP3, but reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) misses the top 10 cut and will have to compete in Q1.
The only improver in the early stages of FP3 was Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), as the riders went in search of some race pace rhythm and optimal settings. No one was troubling the combined standings, in terms of the top 10 anyway, as Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) moved from P18 to P16 with 14 minutes to go. The Frenchman was a second down on Rins’ FP2 time though.
The session then came alive with five minutes to go. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) shot to P1 from P11, eliminating Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) from the top 10, but the Italian’s lap time was cancelled for exceeding track limits moments later. Pecco then climbed to P6, crucial for one of the pre-season favourites, as Quartararo failed to improve from P9 on his last lap as the chequered flag dropped.
That proved vital. Bastianini responded to go P5 on his final lap, and with Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) also finding time, Quartararo was shoved outside the top 10 into P11. Early season drama for the 2021 World Champion, who misses the Q2 cut by 0.020s – just the fourth time in his premier class career that he’s not automatically through to Q2.
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) sits as the leading Ducati in P4 as Bastianini’s 1:53.790 sees the Italian rise to P5. Pol Espargaro is sixth thanks to his late charge, the Spaniard is just ahead of the only Yamaha automatically challenging in Q2 – Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), who is unhurt after a Turn 6 tumble. Bagnaia is into Q2 in P8, he’s 0.015s ahead of teammate Jack Miller in P9, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) holding onto 10th by the skin of his teeth as he sat in his box watching the late flurry of times fly in.
With 0.7s covering 16 riders and the World Champion competing in Q1, an already unmissable Qatar GP qualifying just got even tastier. Tune in at 18:00 local time (GMT+3) to watch the first Q1 and Q2 action of the year unfold.
Top 10 combined:
1. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – 1:53.432
2. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.035
3. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.147
4. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) + 0.220
5. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) + 0.358
6. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.371
7. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.413
8. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.423
9. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.438
10. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) + 0.454
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Ducati expands its electric bicycle range in 2022 with the Futa, the brand’s first-ever roadrace bike. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the bike will be available in the States during the fourth quarter of 2022 in standard and Limited Edition versions. The livery of the Limited Edition model is inspired by the Ducati Corse racing program; only 50 numbered units of the LE will be made.
The Futa, which gets its name from the Futa Pass between Bologna and Florence, features a carbon fiber monocoque frame designed to optimize speed and aerodynamic efficiency. It comes with a 250W FSA System HM1.0 rear hub motor and integrated FSA battery. Five assistance levels will be available to riders, selectable via a Garmin control on the handlebar. The system is designed to integrate with the FSA app, which provides information such as remaining battery life, charge status, ride stats, and system stats.
The standard Futa comes with a K-Force WE 12-speed electronic drivetrain and FSA hydraulic brakes; the Limited Edition Futa will be equipped with Campagnolo drivetrain and braking kit. The Limited Edition features a Vision Metron Carbon 5D ACR integrated handlebar and stem along with Vision Metron 40 SL wheels. The standard comes with a Vision HB Trimax Carbon Aero bar; wheels are Vision AGX 30 units. Both bikes come with Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR tires. The LE will also come with a 250Wh range extender and Garmin Edge Explorer GPS with custom handlebar mount.
Four sizes of each version of the Futa will be available. The medium standard edition will weigh 27.3 pounds, sans pedals; the Limited Edition will tip the scales at 26.9 pounds.
2022 Duati Futa Electric Bicycle Technical Specifications and Price (Standard)
| Price: | TBD |
| Motor: | FSA HM 1.0 hub motor (250 watts) |
| Battery: | FSA integrated 240Wh, 250Wh range extender (optional) |
| Drive Unit: | FSA K-Force WE 12 S electronic |
| Shifter: | FSA K-Force WE 12 S |
| Cassette: | FSA K-Force WE 11-32T |
| Frame: | E-road carbon UD frame, fork offset 45mm, full internal cable |
| Brakes: | K-Force WE hydraulic |
| Rotors: | FSA 160mm |
| Weight: | 27.3 lb. (medium) |
2022 Duati Futa Electric Bicycle Technical Specifications and Price (Limited Edition)
| Price: | TBD |
| Motor: | FSA hub motor (250 watts) |
| Battery: | FSA integrated 240Wh, 250Wh range extender (optional) |
| Drive Unit: | Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12 S electronic |
| Shifter: | Campagnolo Super Record 12 S electronic |
| Cassette: | FSA K-Force WE 11-32T |
| Frame: | E-road carbon UD frame, fork offset 45mm, full internal cable |
| Brakes: | Campagnolo Super Record hydraulic |
| Rotors: | Campagnolo 160mm |
| Weight: | 26.9 lb. (medium) |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Augusto Fernandez will lead a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 into Moto2™ qualifying at the Grand Prix of Qatar, as the top five positions remain unchanged on the combined standings. Fernandez’s 1:59.112 is 0.160s faster than teammate Pedro Acosta – a crasher in FP3 – as injured Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) rounds out the Free Practice top three.
As expected, there weren’t too many riders who managed to go quicker than they did on Friday afternoon. However, an injured Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was able to leap up to P6 overall with a late lap that saw him claim P1 in FP3, but that was 0.4s away from the fastest time of the weekend set by Fernandez. Acosta crashed unhurt at Turn 1 as we saw numerous riders hit the deck in a windy FP3, including fellow Q2 qualifier Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team).
Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Celestino Vietti sits fourth ahead of the opening qualifying sessions of the season, the Italian is 0.007s ahead of Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40). Lowes is sixth thanks to a fantastic lap in FP3 despite his ongoing left wrist tendinitis issues, with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™), Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and American Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) round out the top 10.
Dixon was shuffled down to P11 and is ok after his Turn 5 crash, the British rider sits ahead of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and two FP3 improvers – Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Jorge Navarro (Flexbox HP40). The duo snatching all-important top 14 spots on Saturday.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team), Marcos Ramirez (MV Agusta Forward Racing), Romano Fenati (MB Conveyors Speed Up), and Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) also crashed in FP3 – the latter went for a check-up in the medical centre.
Moto2™ qualifying kicks off at 16:25 local time (GMT+3) – tune in!
Top 10 combined:
1. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 1:59.112
2. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.160
3. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) + 0.164
4. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.437
5. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) + 0.444
6. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.482
7. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 0.547
8. Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2™) + 0.554
9. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 0.590
10. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) + 0.593
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) will front the Moto3™ field heading into qualifying at the Grand Prix of Qatar after his Friday time, a 2:04.920, went unbeaten in FP3. John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) remains P2 as the top two head into Q2 thanks to their FP2 times, with Foggia third on the combined times after a small improvement in FP3.
Heading into Saturday’s action, no one really expected too many changes on the overall timesheets in FP3 with conditions worse than they were in FP2 on Friday. Foggia did manage to find a little bit of time though, the Italian sat 1.4s of the pack at one point in FP3, before the rest of the field then found time.
There were no riders able to penetrate the fastest time, Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) did manage to go P2 overall but his time then got chalked off for a yellow flag infringement. This meant the top three stayed the same from Friday – Guevara heading McPhee and Foggia.
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) round out the top five after Free Practice, ahead of Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and FP3 improver Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power). Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) and his teammate Xavier Artigas complete the top 10.
Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), fastest rookie Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) earn the remaining top 14, automatic Q2 spots for the opening round of the year.
Elia Bartolini (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team), Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) crashed unhurt in FP3, while Ana Carrasco (BOE SKX) suffered a mechanical issue with her machine.
Tune into Moto3™ qualifying at 15:30 local time (GMT+3)!
Top 10 combined:
1. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – 2:04.920
2. John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0,424
3. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 0.450
4. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) + 0.525
5. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.583
6. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.587
7. Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) + 0.606
8. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.654
9. Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) + 0.692
10. Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) + 0.861
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
The 2022 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship began this weekend in Doha, Qatar. On Saturday the Discovery + programme shows qualifying and on Sunday, the opening race in each class. The broadcast on Discovery + starts every day at 2pm, providing fans in Finland with four hours of live coverage on discovery+.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
The three-time MotoGP™ eSport Champion is the most successful gamer in his field. So, join the talented Italian for a lap around the challenging, technical Lusail International Circuit, which plays host to the first Online Challenge of the 2022 MotoGP™ eSport Championship.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Team Suzuki Ecstar, thanks to Alex Rins, topped the timesheets on Day 1 of 2022 as MotoGP™ returned to blistering action at the Grand Prix of Qatar. The Spaniard set a 1:53.432 under the lights in FP2 to lead Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) by 0.035s, as Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completed the top three.
With the Lusail International Circuit floodlights beaming, the premier class got straight to work and the lap times fell. Marc Marquez sat top before Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took over as the riders got some valuable laps under their belts at the same time the race is going to be at on Sunday.
With 20 minutes to go, the time attacks started. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) climbed to the summit as Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed unhurt at Turn 1. Pol Espargaro went even faster on his second flying lap on the soft tyres, his gap was up to 0.4s, but a whole heap of rapid laps were about to be posted.
The first 1:53 lap was posted by Mir with 13 minutes to go. That was swiftly beaten by Marc Marquez, the new benchmark was a 1:53.711, but that time didn’t stand as the fastest for long either – Rins went 0.174s clear. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) closed the gap with two minutes to go before Mir made it a Suzuki 1-2, but Marc Marquez returned to P1 with a minute left on the clock.
Again, though, Rins ensured Marc Marquez didn’t spend long at the top, and that’s how it ended. Rins is the rider to beat heading into Day 2 from Marc Marquez and Mir.
For the most part, it had been a quiet day for the Ducatis but Martin takes away a P4 from Friday’s running, the 2021 Rookie of the Year sits ahead of fastest Yamaha Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) – a late time saw the Italian leap up the timesheets. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) is sixth ahead of qualifying day in the desert, as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) grabbed P7 despite getting in a bit of a tangle with teammate Maverick Viñales on his final flying effort.
Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is four tenths off the pace in P8, just ahead of Pol Espargaro in ninth and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in tenth – the Italian sneaking into the top 10 after a crash at Turn 6 in FP1.
0.8s splits the top 15 down to FP1 pacesetter Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), as the riders outside the top 10 now face an uphill battle to try and earn an automatic Q2 place in the warmer, day time conditions.
Grand Prix of Qatar: MotoGP™ FP1
Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) crashed twice in quick succession in FP2, once at Turn 6 and then on the next lap at Turn 10 – rider ok.
Tune into MotoGP™ FP3 from Qatar at 13:15 local time (GMT+3).
Top 10 combined:
1. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – 1:53.432
2. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.035
3. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.147
4. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) + 0.220
5. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) + 0.413
6. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.438
7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) + 0.454
8. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) + 0.474
9. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.531
10. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.539
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here