Tag Archives: MotoGP

CryptoDATA RNF owners to sue Dorna over removal from entry list

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

Start masters KTM leave rivals in the shadows

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.comRead Full Article Here

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

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.comRead Full Article Here

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

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.comRead Full Article Here

Changes to how MotoGP™ riders enter Q2 approved

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.comRead Full Article Here

Zurutuza and Aditama take stunning JuniorGP™ wins

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.comRead Full Article Here

“What an event!”: MotoGP™ rounds out celebration at Goodwood

MICK DOOHAN: “It’s always a spectacular place here, it’s great for everyone to come here. It’s great to reunite with a bunch of the older guys, like myself, and then also the younger generation, see some of the new bikes and the old bikes. There are a lot of people, very knowledgeable motorsport enthusiasts here from all walks of life. From team bosses in F1 to the hierarchy in the manufacturers, and a bunch people who love all motorsport, be it MotoGP or F1 or other types of racing. It’s great to be here, I was here last year with Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts… and to come back now. But I think it’ll be a while before I come back again and it’ll make it worthwhile!”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

More MotoGP™ machinery and Legends at Goodwood

Rain on Friday didn’t dampen spirits at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as the unique event continued to provide plenty to celebrate, and MotoGP™ was in the thick of the action. As on Thursday, Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team), Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) headed up The Hill on their 2023 machines fresh from the track, joined by Dakota Mamola riding the LCR Honda Castrol-liveried Honda, and even more famous faces joined the Legend contingent too.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Get your tickets for the 2023 Day of Champions!

Thursday the 3rd of August the most faithful fans of this exciting sport will be able to enjoy an experience like no other. This event offers a fun-filled entertainment zone for the whole family, with live music, interviews as well as access to the paddock, the pitlane, and of course, the world-famous auction with some of the stars of MotoGP™. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Two Wheels For Life charity.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Rewriting history: will an Independent Team win the title?

In 2022, Ducati sophomore Enea Bastianini lit up the premier class riding a year-old Desmosedici for Gresini Racing MotoGP™. ‘The Beast’ established himself as a firm title contender with three wins in the first seven races of the season, with victory battles vs now teammate Francesco Bagnaia in San Marino and Aragon set to be remembered for years to come. By the finale, Bastianini claimed P3 in the overall standings behind Bagnaia and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Fabio Quartararo.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here