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Yamaha officially launch 2024 MotoGP campaign

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2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins spearhead the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team in 2024, and here we present you the 2024 YZR-M1, their riders and team members ahead of the Sepang Test getting underway in Malaysia later today.

2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

The colour scheme of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1, the pit box, the riders’ leathers, and the team clothing are largely unchanged for the new season. The most notable changes were the livery featuring some new sponsors and Yamaha’s updates on the personnel and organisational front.

Fabio Quartararo remains a fan favourite and is determined to come back fighting to make 2024 his year. This season he is joined by new team-mate Álex Rins, who brings a ton of fresh technical and riding expertise to the team.

Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

“It’s the start of the new season – that’s always exciting! Everyone is starting from zero points again, and I know both the team and I are super motivated to get as much work done as possible during the Sepang Test. A good start to 2024 – even if it’s just preseason tests – can result in a big advantage later on. So, as always, we will put everything we have into every day, every session, every run, and every lap. I know Yamaha has been working hard behind the scenes, so I think that if we keep pushing ourselves to the limit in all aspects, we should be able to have a great year together. I want to fight at the front, and I want to greet my fans from the top step of the podium again!”

Fabio Quartararo - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

“I already had my first taste of the M1 working with the Yamaha team at the Valencia Test and the Shakedown Test, but today’s 2024 MEYM Season Launch event makes me feel excited again as if it’s the first day. We had a good first run at the test in Valencia, so I was quite happy with that, and I can’t wait to continue the work here in Sepang tomorrow. I have many things to try, but I’m feeling confident. The bike seems easy to adapt to, so I think I will be able to make some further steps at the Sepang Test. I have been working a lot on my physical fitness to arrive here at the best possible level, and now all I want to do is start riding again!”

Álex Rins - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

Besides Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s new rider line-up, the Yamaha management also underwent some changes for 2024. General Manager Motor Sports Development Division of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Takahiro Sumi will now be working closely with new Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda and new Yamaha Factory Racing Technical Director Massimo Bartolini.

Álex Rins' R1M - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins’ R1M – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Takahiro Sumi – Yamaha Motor Sports Development GM

“As many will know, YMC’s Motor Sports Development Division’s work towards renewed success in 2024 started already before the 2023 season ended. Yamaha’s main goal is and will always be to bring Kando to its customers and fans. It therefore goes without saying that the company is fully dedicated to the cause of bringing the MotoGP trophy back to Yamaha with our new global team power. Based on the riders’ feedback, we have been working tirelessly to find new ways to improve our bike, and we know that Fabio and Álex as well as test rider Cal are keen to put the new 2024-spec bike to the test. It will be a long season again, but we are ready to put in the work and to compete head-on.”

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal & Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Massimo Meregalli remain at the helm of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP equipe. The Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and its rider Cal Crutchlow will be led by Kazutoshi Seki in 2024.

Fabio Quartararo's R1M - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Fabio Quartararo’s R1M – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Lin Jarvis – Yamaha Motor Racing MD

“Last year was a tough season, but we have regrouped, restructured our organisation, and now we are ready to make a comeback. Having made significant changes to our MotoGP project team and with a new rider line-up, the team feel refreshed and ready to tackle the 2024 season. The Yamaha engineers have been working around the clock during the ‘winter break’ and kept developing the bike. So, though the livery remains the same for this season, there is much more to the 2024-spec M1 than is apparent at first glance. Another constant, which we are really grateful for, is the strong relationship with our official sponsors and partners. We are entering our twelfth year with Monster Energy Company as our sponsor and the sixth season with them as title sponsor. We are thankful to them and to our other official team sponsors, partners, and suppliers, with many of whom we have had long-term partnerships, for showing their full support to our project and our mission to excel in the super innovative, technically and physically challenging sport of MotoGP racing. At the start of the 2024 championship, we face 3 preseason tests followed by a 21-event calendar with 42 individual races, including the Sprints and main Races. In addition to that we have numerous IRTA tests throughout the season as well as many private tests where we can now use our GP riders due to the application of the new Concession rules for 2024. So, it will be a long and intense season, where both performance and endurance will count to achieve championship success. Having already started with the ‘Shakedown Test’, we will now begin the real season with the Official Sepang IRTA Test, which is where we can evaluate our performance versus our competitors. I believe this year will be one of the most exciting MotoGP seasons in recent times, and I hope the fans all around the world will enjoy the battles over the next 10 months. Let’s get started!”

2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Gallery

Source: MCNews.com.au

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Acosta tops Sepang Shakedown – Rookie on top after three-day test

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MotoGP Sepang Shakedown
Day Three – Saturday

Pedro Acosta got his 2024 campaign going with a three day Shakedown at Sepang this week. As the sole rookie, Acosta was joined on track by test riders on the first day, and other MotoGP riders allowed to test following the new concessions rules shared the track with him from day 2. Three important days of experience were gained before the rest of the class joins the fray on February 6.

Looking fresh in newly revealed Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 colours Acosta delivered an impressive first day after he finished just 0.152 seconds away from fastest rider Dani Pedrosa with a 1’59.385. That is 1.894 seconds off the all-time lap record of the Sepang International Circuit, set by Pecco Bagnaia in qualifying for the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix just two months ago. Not bad at all for what was the young Spaniard’s second day on a MotoGP bike.

Pedro Acosta

The learning process continued on Friday in a hot and humid Sepang as Acosta continued the work to discover the category, sharing the track with more riders than the past day. Halfway through the day, he had already lowered his fastest lap time to 1’58.531, closing the gap to the circuit’s record (1’57.491). Friday was then interrupted by quite heavy afternoon rain.

Saturday saw the rookie continue his efforts for a final day, lowering his marker to a 1’58.189. A small crash put an end to the morning session, before the afternoon session was again disrupted by heavy rain. Acosta used that opportunity to try a MotoGP bike in the wet for the first time.

Acosta finished the final day of Sepang Shakedown at the top of the timesheets, 0.066 seconds ahead of Pol Espargaro. Two rest days are now ahead, before the entire MotoGP grid hits the track for three days of testing.

Pedro Acosa Sepang Shakedown Times

Day 1 – Time: 1’59.385 – Laps: 45

Day 2 – Time: 1’58.531 – Laps: 42

Day 3 – Time: 1’58.189 – Laps: 33

For reference, the all-time lap Sepang record was set by Pecco Bagnaia at 1m57.491 during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix last year. The race lap record at Sepang was set by Alex Marquez last year at 1m58.979.  Acosta’s time would have placed him P5 in last year’s Sepang Test overall standings, and there are still three more days to go in that event next week.

Pedro Acosta

“We spent these three days mainly trying to work on my riding style, trying to understand the tyres in MotoGP, find a bike set up, and we have to be happy with this first test. We did some good fast laps, but we most importantly had a good race pace on the dry. We even got a bit of time in the wet, which is always a bonus. I tried to follow Dani Pedrosa a bit today, and it was not that easy! In the Sepang Test, we will try to follow the lines of the other riders, and understand everything a bit more. Very happy, now I am going to enjoy two days of rest!”

Nicolas Goyon – Tech3 Team Manager

“The Sepang Shakedown is a tradition and usually kicks off the MotoGP season, and this year it was quite interesting as there were more bikes on track with the new concessions rules, so more references for our rookie. Pedro Acosta and the whole Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team are really happy with these three days, everything went really well. Pedro could set some decent lap times on the dry, and he got to try a bit the wet too, which is always good to take. We did not turn the bike upside down, we just tried to find a comfortable setting for him, and it worked out well because he did an amazing job. This is just the beginning of the season, but it is a good one, and we are looking forward to the Official IRTA Sepang Test with all riders on track.”

As we saw across the previous two days of Shakedown action, the factories have ramped up the aerodynamics game in 2024. Honda’s upgraded ‘stegosaurus’ rear wing can be seen below.

Stefan Bradl had wings galore, but was slowest by a fair margin

On Day 3, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) was spotted testing a different swingarm, and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) has confirmed that Honda’s 2023 bike isn’t in Sepang. Honda are focusing on the package they had at the Valencia Test and on a new prototype they’ve got. A “change in direction”.

Joan Mir

Zarco was the fastest Honda on Saturday, ahead of Mir and then Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Nakagami, peppered throughout the top ten.

Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) finished the Shakedown in P4, while new team-mate Alex Rins was a tenth off him in P7.

Alex Rins

Yamaha Test Rider Cal Crutchlow ventured out with a new, longer exhaust and an updated aero body.

Cal Crutchlow

The progress of the two Japanese factories will be closely monitored at the Sepang Test.

For Ducati and Aprilia, repped at the Shakedown by Michele Pirro and Lorenzo Savadori, respectively, there were the previously mentioned aero updates on obvious show, and the event saw plenty of prep for the rest of their riders to join the fray at the Sepang Test.

Michele Pirro

That will include reigning Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) meeting his new steed ahead of another title defence campaign, and 2023 challenger Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). It’s also another chance to see Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) heading out, although that’s not on a 2024-spec bike…

Meanwhile, alongside Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia, there’s also a complete novelty of a different kind in the Noale camp as Trackhouse Racing prepare to land in MotoGP, with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez likely soon to appear in their new colours on track for the first time.

Next up it’s the official Sepang Test from the 6th to the 8th of February, where we’ll see everyone back out and back in business ahead of their assault on 2024.

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Saturday

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Pedro Acosta GASGAS 1m58.189
2 Pol Espargaro KTM +0.066
3 Johann Zarco Honda +0.211
4 Fabio Quartararo Yamaha +0.249
5 Dani Pedrosa KTM +0.289
6 Joan Mir Honda +0.328
7 Alex Rins Yamaha +0.354
8 Luca Marini Honda +0.746
9 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha +0.794
10 Takaaki Nakagami Honda +0.883
Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd Date Location
1 10 March Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2 24 March Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3 07 April República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4 14 April Americas Circuit of The Americas
5 28 April Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6 12 May France Le Mans
7 26 May Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8 02 June Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9 16 June Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10 30 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11 07 July Germany Sachsenring
12 04 August Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13 18 August Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14 01 September Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15 08 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16 22 September India Buddh International Circuit
17 29 September Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18 06 October Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19 20 October Australia Phillip Island
20 27 October Thailand Chang International Circuit
21 03 November Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22 17 November Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, News

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown got much busier on day two

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MotoGP Sepang Shakedown
Day Two – Friday

More riders joined the fray on Friday but it was still Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on top, this time thanks to test rider Pol Espargaro. Pol ended the second day of the Shakedown fastest with a 1:58.241, a lap time just under three-tenths clear of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who took part for the first time on Friday. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) continued to impress, third quickest and just thousandths off 2021 Champion Quartararo.

Fabio Quartararo

After remaining on the sidelines for the opening day of Shakedown action, the Yamaha and Honda riders all allowed to take part thanks to the new concessions system headed out. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) was the first rider on track, with team-mate Joan Mir, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also in action. Likewise, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) got stuck in, settling in to his new team.

Alex Rins

It was another eye-catching day for MotoGP’s sole 2024 rookie Acosta. Pedro’s best time on Day 2 was a 1:58.531. For context, Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickest time at the 2023 Malaysian GP was a 1:58.080 (Q2), Augusto Fernandez’ (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was a 1:58.107 (Q1) and Jack Miller’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was a 1:58.232 (PR)…

Pedro Acosta

A new piece of front aero – more specifically a front fender wing – was spotted on Dani Pedrosa’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine on Day 2, while Aprilia Racing – with Lorenzo Savadori – continued to lap on the Noale factory’s new ‘Batmobile’ rear wing (below). Honda and Stefan Bradl have been busy testing an upgraded stegosaurus-looking rear wing too.

Pol Espargaro

In the hands of Michele Pirro, Ducati’s main aero update that we’ve seen so far – teased by Gigi Dall’Igna at the 2024 team launch – comes on the side fairing. The addition of a further “ground effect” panel can be seen next to Ducati’s usual downwash duct, so it will be interesting to hear the comments of the riders on what effect this has.

Michele Pirro

For the full-time riders, most of the day was spent getting themselves back in the groove on a MotoGP bike after the winter break. Quartararo and Rins had three bikes – two ’23 spec and one ’24 spec – each, with Mir spending a lot of his time on the bike he used at the Valencia Test. The same can be said for Marini, with the Italian largely focusing on adapting to the RC213V.

A heavy rain shower meant dry running was cut short on Friday ahead of the final day of Shakedown testing on Saturday.

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Friday

  1. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 1:58.241
  2. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.283
  3. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +0.290
  4. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.409
  5. Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.431
  6. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) +0.846
  7. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) +0.850
  8. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) +0.971
  9. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) +1.028
  10. Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) +1.529
  11. Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) +1.633
  12. Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) +1.915
  13. Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) +2.579
Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd Date Location
1 10 March Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2 24 March Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3 07 April República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4 14 April Americas Circuit of The Americas
5 28 April Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6 12 May France Le Mans
7 26 May Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8 02 June Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9 16 June Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10 30 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11 07 July Germany Sachsenring
12 04 August Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13 18 August Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14 01 September Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15 08 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16 22 September India Buddh International Circuit
17 29 September Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18 06 October Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19 20 October Australia Phillip Island
20 27 October Thailand Chang International Circuit
21 03 November Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22 17 November Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, News

Up close and personal with the 2024 GASGAS RC16 MotoGP machine

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2024 GASGAS RC16

Only days away from the first official 2024 pre-season tests getting underway in Malaysia, GASGAS overnight officially launched their campaign and presented the latest RC16.

2022 Moto2 World Champion and 2023 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Augusto Fernandez will tackle his sophomore attempt at the premier class with the GASGAS RC16 and will be aiming to better a ‘PB’ race result of 4th from 2023 as well as enter the top ten of the championship standings.

Augusto Fernandez
Augusto Fernandez

“Everything was new and there was a lot to learn last year but there were points towards the end of the season where I felt fast and like I had the speed. I felt comfortable riding the bike but as a rookie you had to be very patient and trust the process. When I finished 2023 I analyzed the season and saw I had made the steps I needed to take. I am looking forward to this year because I now have the references of each track with the GASGAS RC16 and I know on Fridays we need to put a lot of input because it can decide much of the weekend. I’m super-proud to be partnering with Red Bull, and to have them on the bike. It’s a dream and we have everything we need to perform. It’s in our hands so let’s go for it.”

Augusto Fernandez

The 26-year-old is, of course, joined by fellow Spaniard and reigning Moto2 Champ Pedro Acosta. The 19-year-old already has Moto3 and Moto2 titles in just three years of GP competition and comes to the MotoGP fray with deserved hype and expectation. 2024 will be his first taste of the demands and technical complexities of MotoGP and the initial step of what could be a truly spectacular career.

Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta

“If I think about my career and journey so far then it is quite nice! Nice to say I had the opportunity to ride for a factory team in my first season, nice to say I won two titles in three years, it is nice to say I come into a factory team for the first season in MotoGP. But it is also quite tough to play with the pressure, to play with the comments. I don’t want to think about results at the moment. I just have one day on the bike, and it is not the time to talk about results or targets because it is not realistic. I will try to enjoy the Malaysia test and try to get as much experience as I can to try and be competitive at the beginning of the season but during that we also need to take race experience to grow step-by-step.”

Pedro Acosta

Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is again led by Nicolas Goyon, for the second season in a row, and with excellent back up from the likes of Pol Espargaro in a test rider and supporting role and the team’s loyal band of partners and suppliers.

Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez
Nicolas Goyon – Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Manager

“In 2023 we had a lot of changes. We had this new Sprint format, and the new team structure but this means we are set and ready for the coming season. Augusto was strong for his rookie season. Of course, we all expect him to improve for 2024.He is very calm! He always takes some time to think about what has happened on the track and then to explain the technique and his feelings. This is something super-important for the team to develop and set-up the bike. Pedro is a great talent but my message for the fans would be ‘be patient’. You know, it is not so easy for a rookie to perform. It is complicated now with ride-height devices and a lot of electronics. The format of the weekend is also complicated and something to learn. Let’s give him time. For me, the 2024 Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 line-up will be even closer to the fans. Both riders are young, and we know this is the main target for GASGAS, to connect and excite all those that watch MotoGP.”

Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Principal

“One of the very exciting things that has happened this winter is the return of Red Bull with Tech3, and we are extremely happy to have them again featuring on our MotoGP bike. This season will be more exciting than ever, with a very competitive grid: riders and technical packages are so close to each other, so I truly believe that we are set for an amazing show. Augusto Fernandez learnt a lot last year, and he is ready to perform and fight for top positions. One of the most exciting prospects that MotoGP™ has known in recent years, Pedro Acosta, will line up for us. His first day at the Valencia test gave us the insurance that he has everything to have a brilliant rookie season, and we are looking forward to heading to Sepang to kick things off!”

Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez
Pit Beirer – GASGAS Motorsport Director

“2023 was a very intense year for our first season with GASGAS on the grid but Augusto came in with a great approach – he is super-positive and a fighter – and gave us a highlight in Le Mans with his 4th position. I feel the team adapted really well over the whole season and I’m looking forward to seeing what Augusto can do in his second go. With Pedro I think the whole paddock and community agrees that there is a diamond coming up in this sport. He is a very special rider, a unique rider who has already broken so many records at a young age.Pedro will make us better and stronger for the future, so we are happy to have him. I feel GASGAS is a very dynamic brand, and looking to the team spirit with these two fantastic athletes it is definitely the one to watch out for in ’24.”

2024 GASGAS RC16
Hubert Trunkenpolz – Member of the Board, Pierer Mobility AG

“One of the reasons why we went with GASGAS into MotoGP was to create brand awareness and it worked perfectly. MotoGP is, by far, the biggest and most successful platform because the media value and the public attendance is immense and we are absolutely happy we made that move. We now have a very exciting combination of Augusto and Pedro and a motorcycle that has proven it is ready for trophies. We know it will be a long season and the Sprints have been challenging: the really positive thing is that the fans really appreciate [the Sprints], the action on Saturday, and frankly speaking I also like it. At the end of the day the guys are racers. It’s great to have Red Bull onboard this year and I think the 2024 livery looks fantastic.”

2024 GASGAS RC16

The 2024 MotoGP season gets underway with round one at Lusail International Circuit on the weekend of March 10. The season opener under lights will be the first of a scheduled 22 rounds and 44 races (2024 will be the second term of the Saturday Sprint format). Although there are murmurs that the Argentinean round may be cancelled.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, News

CryptoDATA RNF owners to sue Dorna over removal from entry list

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MotoGP 2024

More behind-the-scenes shenanigans have recently been playing out surrounding the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team. Last week 60 per cent owners of the team, CDT SPORTS AND MEDIA SRL (CryptoDATA), forced 40 per cent owner Razlan Razali out of his Team Principal position.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports CEO (L) with Razlan Razali, RNF Racing Team Principal, pictured here in 2021

A few weeks ago an offer was made for the team’s ownership in the Madrid offices of Dorna, which was rejected.

Overnight, the MotoGP Selection Committee, comprising members of FIM, IRTA, and Dorna Sports, has decided not to select the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team for the 2024 season and announced that they are reviewing applications for a new Independent Team, using Aprilia machinery, to join the MotoGP class grid for 2024.

CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team Aprilia RS-GP machines

This has led the CEO of CryptoDATA, Ovidiu Toma, to release this hard-hitting statement that suggests that he is not backing down from this fight.

CEO of CryptoDATA – Ovidiu Toma
CEO of CryptoDATA – Ovidiu Toma

Dear partners, motorsport fans and media representatives,

Our team, CryptoDATA RNF, is dealing with a paradoxical situation, which seems taken from a comedy film, but with much more serious side effects. Dorna, the governing organisation of MotoGP, approached us with a kind of proposal worthy of Hollywood scripts: to sell our team at a bargain price. We thought of asking them for an autograph as well, to remember such a “generous’ offer.

The story begins in 2023, when Dorna promised an American team a spot in the championship, possibly the 12th, which, oh surprise, was vacant! We can already imagine the discussions in the Dorna offices: “Let’s give the Americans 12th or CryptoDATA. What could go wrong?” Well, a lot.

After turning down KTM on the grounds that 12th was “reserved for a factory”, they realised they couldn’t offer our place without our consent. Then they came up with a buyout offer so low I thought it was a joke. I politely declined, but the pressure didn’t stop.

Now, it seems Dorna wants to knock us out of the Championship in 2024, citing reasons so creative they could write a novel. Despite a contract valid until 2026, it seems that their slogan is ‘My championship, my unwritten rules… the ones written in the contracts don’t matter”.

We’re not just disappointed, we’re ready to fight back. After a month of intensive documentation and preparation for such a situation, we will go to court with a demand for substantial compensation for damage to our business and reputation, and for the limitation of participation in the championship.

We close this release with a message for Dorna: even in motorsport, where speed is of the essence, ethics and legality should not be overridden. We look forward to seeing each other on the courts with the same passion we met on the track.

BTW, stay tuned, we will soon make public the “orchestrated spiciness” behind the show that fans watch on TV.

Respectfully
That Romanian who will overturn their chariot
Ovidiu Toma

Well, that is certainly a bit spicy…  And there does seem to be some basis for the talk of new American owners coming into MotoGP.

Trackhouse Racing, an American NASCAR team jointly owned by ex-race car driver Justin Marks and fellow 42-year-old Armando Christian Perez, more commonly known as rapper Pitbull, is understood to be in the prime seat to take over the grid spots taken from CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP. Watch this space…

In the meantime, check out the 2024 MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 entry lists released by Dorna overnight with both Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira listed as riding for ‘Aprilia Racing Independent Team’.

2024 MotoGP Entry List

No. Rider Team
1 Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo Team
5 Johann Zarco CASTROL Honda LCR
10 Luca Marini Repsol Honda Team
12 Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing
20 Fabio Quartararo Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
21 Franco Morbidelli Prima Pramac Racing
23 Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo Team
25 Raul Fernandez Aprilia Racing Independent Team
30 Takaaki Nakagami IDEMITSU Honda LCR
31 Pedro Acosta GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3
33 Brad Binder Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
36 Joan Mir Repsol Honda Team
37 Augusto Fernandez GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3
41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Racing
42 Alex Rins Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
43 Jack Miller Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
49 Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina Enduro VR46 MotoGP Team
72 Marco Bezzecchi Pertamina Enduro VR46 MotoGP Team
73 Alex Marquez Gresini Racing MotoGP
88 Miguel Oliveira Aprilia Racing Independent Team
89 Jorge Martin Prima Pramac Racing
93 Marc Marquez Gresini Racing MotoGP

Moto2 2024 Rider Entry List

No. Rider Team
3 Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI
5 Jaume Masia Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team
7 Barry Baltus Fieten Olie Racing GP
10 Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team
12 Filip Salač Elf Marc VDS Racing Team
13 Celestino Vietti Red Bull KTM Ajo
14 Tony Arbolino Elf Marc VDS Racing Team
15 Darryn Binder LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP
16 Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team
17 Alex Escrig Forward Team
18 Manuel Gonzales QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2
20 Xavier Cardelus Fantic Racing
21 Alonso Lopez SpeedUp Racing
22 Ayumu Sasaki Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team
24 Marcos Ramirez OnlyFans American Racing Team
28 Izan Guevara GASGAS Aspar Team
34 Mario Suryo Aji Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
35 Somkiat Chantra Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
43 Xavier Artigas Forward Team
44 Aron Canet Fantic Racing
52 Jeremy Alcoba Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team
53 Deniz Öncü Red Bull KTM Ajo
54 Fermin Aldeguer SpeedUp Racing
64 Bo Bendsneyder Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team
71 Dennis Foggia Italtrans Racing Team
75 Albert Arenas QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2
79 Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI
81 Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP
84 Zonta van den Goorbergh Fieten Olie Racing GP
96 Jake Dixon GASGAS Aspar Team

Moto3 2024 Rider Entry List

No. Rider Team
5 Tatchakorn Buasri Honda Team Asia
6 Ryusei Yamanaka MT HELMETS – MSi
7 Filippo Farioli Sic 58 Squadra Corse
10 Nicola Carraro MTA Team
12 Jacob Roulstone Red Bull KTM Tech 3
18 Matteo Bertelle Rivacold Snipers Team
19 Scott Ogden MLav Racing
20 Lorenzo Fellon CIP Green Power
22 David Almansa Rivacold Snipers Team
24 Tatsuki Suzuki LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP
31 Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing
36 Angel Piqueras Leopard Racing
48 Ivan Ortola MT HELMETS – MSi
55 Noah Dettwiler CIP Green Power
58 Luca Lunetta Sic 58 Squadra Corse
64 David Muñoz BOE Motorsports
66 Joel Kelso BOE Motorsports
70 Joshua Whatley MLav Racing
72 Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia
78 Joel Esteban GASGAS Aspar Team
80 David Alonso GASGAS Aspar Team
82 Stefano Nepa MTA Team
85 Xabi Zurutuza Red Bull KTM Ajo
95 Collin Veijer LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP
96 Daniel Holgado Red Bull KTM Tech 3
99 Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Start masters KTM leave rivals in the shadows

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However, making the start is only a small part of the task. You then have to stay there. And, so far, that’s largely what they’ve managed to do. Binder currently has two Sprint victories to his name, plus another two podium visits, despite his qualifying struggles. Whilst Miller has bagged three podiums in his first 16 starts for the factory.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Who’s adapted best to their new surroundings so far?

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The same story goes for Joan Mir, whose first half of the season has been plagued by crashes and injuries. The 2020 World Champion had to withdraw from the Grand Prix of Argentina, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands all through injury in what has been a nightmare start to life in the colours of Repsol Honda. Struggling with the RC213V, the Mallorca has scored just five points in the World Championship, which were earned in the season-opening race at Portimao. Despite this rough patch, there’s no doubting the two-time World Champion’s abilities, and, once fully fit, he’ll be as determined as ever to try and turn his season around.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

All wrapped up! The results are in for Online Challenge #3!

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Of the thousands of attempts posted last weekend, it was the Brit Jack Hammer4658 who was fastest in the European category with a lap time of 1’24:352 when using the Xbox. Reigning MotoGP™ eSport Champion 26_adriaan was the quickest using the PC with a time of 1’24:490 and Brit PlaT1ForLyfe, 2022 Rising Stars Champion, was the fastest using the Playstation (1’24:618).

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Changes to how MotoGP™ riders enter Q2 approved

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The first premier class practice session of a Grand Prix weekend will no longer be timed for qualifying/entry into Qualifying 2, so it’s now called Free Practice 1 and is just that – a completely free 45-minute session that riders, teams and factories can use to set up, dial in and anything else.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Zurutuza and Aditama take stunning JuniorGP™ wins

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There was drama from lights out to the chequered flag, and beyond, in the afternoon event, with a dramatic race seeing Indonesia rider Fadillah Arbi Aditama given the win. Once again, a large lead group formed, with P1 changing hands on a corner by corner basis. With two laps to go and space at a premium, there was a mid-pack collision that saw Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing), Eddie O’Shea (British Talent Team), Jacob Roulstone and Xabi Zurutuza hit the gravel trap.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here