Cycle News Staff | August 6, 2023
Sunday MotoGP
MotoGP came back with a bang as the Monster Energy British Grand Prix delivered enthralling and unpredictable racing action that left fans unable to look away. With spots of rain falling towards the end of the race, Aleix Espagaro (Aprilia Racing) mastered the changing conditions to put himself in the perfect position for a last-lap attack on Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Italian led the majority of the race with Espargaro able to get a good look at the factory Ducati ahead. The reigning Champion will be happy to take 20 points as his title rival Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed out whilst following Bagnaia in 2nd place. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had his hands full with the Aprilia’s of Maverick Viñales and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team ) as the South African fought hard to bring home 3rd place.
Marco Bezzecchi started on pole position, but as the revs rose and the grid flew off the line it was a lightning start from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) from the middle of the front row with Bezzecchi eyeing up a way through on the Aussie. Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia shot up to P3 from 4th on the grid as he had Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Maverick Vinales in his wheel-tracks.
Bagnaia did not hesitate in getting past his title rivals as he took his first opportunity to pass Bezzecchi, with his sights set on Jack Miller in the lead. Bezzecchi wasn’t letting Bagnaia have it easy though as he fired it back up the inside. This ignited the fire in the Championship leader’s belly as Bagnaia pulled off an incredible move around the outside of Bezzecchi and used his momentum to take the lead away from Miller at the next corner.
Bezzecchi followed pursuit and pushed the Aussie back to P3 into the clutches of Alex Marquez. Bagnaia and Bezzecchi began to break away as the title rivals were locked together at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was a man on a mission with 16 laps remaining as the Aprilia rider pushed his way through on Marquez into 3rd place and was the fastest man on circuit.
Bezzecchi had rushed into turn Stowe corner with 15 laps remaining, running himself slightly wide. The Italian should’ve acknowledged this warning sign as it happened, as one lap later the VR46 man made the same mistake, but this time the Silverstone Circuit wasn’t as kind to the title contender as he tucked the front and went down and out of the British Grand Prix. With Bagnaia in the lead, this was proving to be a big dent in Bezzecchi’s Championship charge.
The Italian’s crash promoted Espargaro to 2nd place and Brad Binder up into 3rd, with the Spaniard putting the hammer down to reel in the number one plated Ducati out the front. Bagnaia did respond and upped the pace at the front with the Aprilia hanging onto his coattails, initiating an intense battle of attrition for the victory.
Meanwhile, Viñales had made his way through on Brad Binder with 11 laps to go, making it two Aprilias inside the top 3. Viñales then proceeded to catch the leading group with Binder latched onto his rear wheel.
It became a group of 4 at the front with seven laps remaining, and the white flags were displayed with light spots of rain dropping onto the Silverstone Circuit. The rain picked up at turn 15 and the Aprilias backed off slightly allowing Binder to fly his way through as the South African was as committed as ever on KTM.
Espargaro made his way through on Binder with 4 laps remaining as Bagnaia was putting down a strong pace out the front. Espargaro latched onto the Italian as Binder began to drop back with Miguel Oliveira now throwing his name into the mix as he came out of nowhere to catch the leading group.
Oliveira wasted no time in getting past Binder and Viñales as the Portuguese rider pulled off an incredible two-in-one move to make his way into P3.
Last lap time and Binder had gotten the better of Oliveira to slot himself into P3 as Bagnaia stretched out the group in the first sector. Espargaro made an incredible move on the power at the exit of Copse Corner to blast past the Italian. The Spaniard went defensive down the hangar straight with Bagnaia desperate to get past the Aprilia, but there was no way through as Espargaro left no room for the reigning Champion, leaving him forced to settle for 2nd place as he extended his Championship lead.
Brad Binder also put on an impressive defensive display as he fended off Oliveira for the final podium spot. Viñales came home in 5th place, making it three Aprilia’s inside the top five with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) taking P6 as he gained significant ground on Bezzecchi for P2 in the standings.
2023 British MotoGP Results
1 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
|
2 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
+ 0.215 |
3 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 0.680 |
4 |
Miguel Oliveira |
(Apr) |
+ 0.750 |
5 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Apr) |
+ 2.101 |
6 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 7.903 |
7 |
Luca Marini |
(Duc) |
+ 9.099 |
8 |
Jack Miller |
(KTM) |
+ 9.298 |
9 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 9.958 |
10 |
Raul Fernández |
(Apr) |
+ 19.947 |
Sunday Moto2
Moto2 delivered enthralling action at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix as Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) came out guns blazing with the heat turned up in Silverstone. The Spaniard got the better of Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) who had the bit between his teeth in 2nd place. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was fighting at the sharp end as always, as a British GP podium saw him take the Championship lead from Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who could only manage 10th place.
It was Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) who took the holeshot down into turn 1, before being pushed back down the order to 4th place with Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Pedro Acosta, and Aron Canet hitting the front.
It was a disaster home Grand Prix for Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) who was looking for redemption in the race after crashing out of qualifying. Unfortunately, it was a similar fate for the Brit in the race as the Aspar rider went down and out of the race with 16 laps to go.
Meanwhile, back at the front, Aron Canet began to put the hammer down and pull away from Lopez, Acosta, and Aldeguer. The Spaniard stretched out a one-second lead with 11 laps remaining.
One lap later Alonso Lopez went down and out of the Grand Prix after dropping off the back of Acosta and his teammate Fermin Aldeguer.
Aldeguer went on to put down a scintillating pace as he reeled in Aron Canet and snatched the lead from his compatriot with 8 laps to go.
Canet did all he could to hold onto the lead but was forced to drop a position to Pedro Acosta after overtaking under yellow flags.
The Boscoscuro went on to pull away at the front, setting the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap with the only 2:04s of the weekend. The Spaniard’s pace was unmatched as he went on to take the win by 2.546s.
Canet then bounced back at Pedro Acosta, snatching 2nd place from his compatriot as the KTM Ajo man was forced to settle for P3 which saw him took hold of the Championship standings.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing) picked up P4 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) who carved through the field to round out the top 5, after being battered down out of points earlier in the race.
2023 British Moto2 Results
1 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Bos) |
|
2 |
Aron Canet |
(Kal) |
+ 2.546 |
3 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Kal) |
+ 3.883 |
4 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+ 6.460 |
5 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(Kal) |
+ 7.162 |
Sunday Moto3
The Grand Prix paddock heard the Colombian anthem for the first time as David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) not only took his first Grand Prix victory but the very first for his nation. The rookie put in a stellar last-lap performance after climbing up from last on the grid to snatch victory ahead of the Moto3™ big-hitters, with Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) taking P2. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) strengthened his title campaign as the Championship leader took an important podium with his title rival Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) crashing out of the lead and failing to recover points.
It was heartbreak for the British fans before the lights even went out as Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) was unable to get off the line on the Warm Up lap. By the time the Brit had gotten his bike restarted he was behind the safety car and was forced to start his home Grand Prix from the back of the grid.
The lights went out and it was a good start for Holgado, who snatched the holeshot from Masia into turn 1. Masia, who started from pole, bit straight back though as Holgado who was then pushed back to 4th place with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sasaki getting themselves stuck in on lap one.
Öncü led as they came across the line for the first time ahead of Masia and Holgado. The typical Moto3™ freight train then began to form as Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) joined the battle at the front.
With 13 laps still remaining it was a disaster for Masia as the Spaniard crashed out at Village corner, remounting straight away and firing himself back into the race, but with a mountain to climb to the top 15, he was unable to score a point.
Meanwhile at the front, Diogo Moreira (MT Helemts MSI) and Alonso had joined the party whilst Masia’s title rival Holgado was leading the freight train, with 20 riders locked together in victory contention.
It was blink-and-miss-it stuff as the laps ticked away with the Moto3™ riders banging bars, swapping paintwork, and bashing elbows in a hard but fair battle for victory.
Alonso was looking racey with eight laps remaining as the youngster wasn’t shy of battling with the big names at the front. Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) also threw his name into the mix with six laps to go, utilising his unique wide-swooping style to take the lead with an incredible round-the-outside move, but only to battered back down the order.
The lead continued to change as moves were being made at every corner of the 5.891km Silverstone circuit. The teams watched on through their fingers as any of the top 20 could’ve put themselves in victory contention on the final lap.
Last lap time came around and it was Holgado that led Alonso and Öncü with Ortola, Sasaki, and Moreira eager to break into the top 3. Alonso took the lead halfway around but it didn’t last long as Sasaki pushed his way to the front ahead of the final sector.
Alonso snatched the lead back on the hangar straight as Öncü jumped into P2 to then be pushed wide creating a gap in the group, this allowed the Colombian to hold onto the lead until the line as the youngster took his debut win in his rookie season at Grand Prix level, ahead of Sasaki who fended off Holgado to the line.
Ortola narrowly missed out on the podium in P4 as he fended off the menacing David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) who rounded out the top 5.
Ogden was a rider on a mission as he pushed his way into the top 20 with 12 laps remaining, tagging himself onto the back of the leading group. The Brit pushed his way into the points with 4 laps to go but dropped back to P16 in the closing stages, then classified one further back due to track limits on the last lap.
2023 British Moto3 Results
1 |
David Alonso |
(GASGAS) |
|
2 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Hus) |
+ 0.152 |
3 |
Daniel Holgado |
(KTM) |
+ 0.203 |
4 |
Ivan Ortola |
(KTM) |
+ 0.337 |
5 |
David Muñoz |
(KTM) |
+ 0.471 |
2023 British MotoGP News—Saturday
Rins leaving Honda
The first piece of the 2024 MotoGP puzzle was confirmed in the lead-up to Silverstone as it was announced Alex Rins will join Monster Energy Yamaha at the end of this season to become Fabio Quartararo’s team-mate.
The chance to ride in a factory team was too much to turn down for the Spaniard, who has been frustrated by HRC’s hesitancy to pass him on new parts, even if he claimed Honda’s only victory of the year at the Circuit of the Americas.
“We expected Alex would have accepted an offer from a factory,” said current team boss Lucio Cecchinello. “The truth is Alex has been a factory rider for many years. Realizing riding a factory bike in a satellite team is slightly different. You get the factory parts, but the factory parts a bit later. So he was a bit surprised that he was able to win a race but not really getting the parts in top priority. This was maybe annoying him. I can understand. But this isn’t under my control, it’s under the control of HRC.”
Ducati musical chairs
Ducati is set to shuffle its pack of riders for 2024, with Marco Bezzecchi likely to move up from VR46 to Pramac next season. The Italian manufacturer will continue supplying just four factory bikes in ’24, with the factory team and Pramac having two apiece.
At Silverstone Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director, said, “It’s not a secret that we think Marco has won two grand prix and shown incredible form this year. Ideally, he would deserve a factory bike. Naturally, the factory bikes are signed to Pramac. He’s working very well with his team so we need to see if we can come up with some good ideas and put him on a factory bike for next year. There are still a few details to sort out.”
On the chances of Franco Morbidelli riding Ducati machinery next year – possibly in VR46 – Ciabatti added, “I think Franco had a difficult year recently. But we think he has a great talent. We’d like to see him on a Ducati next year. Let’s see in the next couple of weeks if we can make it happen.”
Zarco dispels WorldSBK links
With his place at Pramac Ducati under severe threat, Johann Zarco has made his position clear for 2024: he will not accept a move to WorldSBK. The Frenchman feels he deserves to stay in his current squad. If that doesn’t work out, he has said he will consider taking over Rins’ vacant seat at LCR Honda.
“I’m fourth in the championship so why should I think about the Superbike now,” he asked. “Also, we’re used to saying that results, if you make results you can have your seat in MotoGP for next year. I’m doing it and I still don’t have the seat for next year. So that makes the feeling a bit strange. But for sure, what I’m doing now, I won’t go to Superbike. Not because I don’t like Superbike, but I’m still performing in MotoGP. How many guys are every year in the top 5 in the championship, even if I’m not always finishing inside the top 5. I’m a strong soldier and I will remain it.”
“It’s good to have the interest of Honda. It wouldn’t be a bad challenge.”
Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race
There’s a new Tissot Sprint winner on the block! Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) moved through to the front and took off on a wet but drying track, with pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) chasing him down late on but not quite close enough to launch a last lap attack. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) made steady progress to pick his way through the order, the Aprilia rider coming home third for his first Saturday podium.
One headline also saw Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score, the number 1 having a couple of close moments on track to lose ground and ultimately forced to settle for 14th – outside the points on super Saturday! Bezzecchi therefore gains some ground with second place, and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) too as he took P6.
Bezzecchi held the hold shot from pole, but Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) didn’t waste time to strike and take over in the lead. From there it was a frenetic opening couple of laps to the Sprint, with the track wet enough for the medium wets but conditions starting to dry.
Miller quickly made his way back through on the VR46 rider to take the lead as Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) shot into P3 with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) trying to force his way through on the rookie. Martin eventually got the better of Fernandez with Alex Marquez quickly following suit, his charge beginning in earnest. Martin then tried his hand at taking the lead but Miller wasn’t letting the Spaniard have it easy as the Aussie had plenty of answers for the Pramac rider’s attacks.
The race began to settle with a seven-bike freight train battling for the victory with the top guys swapping and changing postions corner after corner. Once Alex Marquez took the lead, however, he went on to set the fastest lap and begin to stretch out the field.
Marquez, Bezzecchi, Miller, Viñales, and Martin was the order with six laps to go, with a second between Marquez and Bezzecchi, and another half a second back to Miller who had the rest of the front group right in his wheel tracks.
Marquez kept Bezzecchi at arm’s length for the rest of the race but as the rain started to come down once again on the final couple of laps, the Italian began to make up significant ground on the Gresini machine ahead. By the final sector it was only a handful of tenths but Bezzecchi didn’t quite have enough in the tank to make a move, seeing Alex Marquez sweep through to his first ever Sprint win.
Despite starting down in 8th place, Viñales was a man on a mission during Saturday’s Sprint action. The Spaniard was on the move and eventually pushed his way past the Aussie Jack Miller for the final podium spot, holding onto P3 as Miller faded the other way.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also had his head down as he climbed his way up from 12th on the grid to 4th, before being demoted down to P5 by a late-charging Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). Sixth went to Martin, meaning Bezzecchi just edges him down into third in the standings, and behid Miller came Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Miguel Oliveira (CrytoDARA RNF MotoGP) completed the top ten.
That leaves some big names out. Reigning Champion Bagnaia failed to score in a Sprint for the first time this year, getting pushed a little wide by Zarco but then fading down to P14. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) rode home behind teammate Joan Mir to literally observe as the Japanese giants work to make big steps forward, in P17 and P18, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) came home in P20 after that difficult qualifying too.
2023 British MotoGP Results—Sprint Race
1 |
Alex Marquez |
(Duc) |
|
2 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Duc) |
+ 0.439 |
3 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Apr) |
+ 3.169 |
4 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 5.671 |
5 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
+ 6.068 |
6 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 7.294 |
7 |
Jack Miller |
(KTM) |
+ 9.415 |
8 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(GASGAS) |
+ 9.850 |
9 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 10.435 |
10 |
Miguel Oliveira |
(Apr) |
+ 11.247 |
Saturday Moto2
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was the only rider in the 2:16s as he set a 2:16.953 to blow the field away in Moto2™ qualifying, with Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Zonta van den Goorbergh (Fieten Olie Racing GP) joining the Spaniard in the top 3.
Former Moto3™ World Champion Acosta built his way into the conditions finding phenomenal pace right at the end and fending off attacks from the rest of field, including title rival and Championship leader Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) who came through Q1 to snatch 4th place to start from the front of row 2. Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) is also still in the title picture as he’s sat 3rd in the standings, and was threatening pole at his home Grand Prix before the Brit crashed out and was pushed down to P11. But the news then got worse as that lap was cancelled after the session due to a miscommunication about its validity – it was the lap he crashed on. So he’ll start P15.
Alonso Lopez (Beta Tool SpeedUp) rounded out the top five ahead of Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40). Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegwow Los40) will start from the front of row three ahead of Barry Baltus (Fieten OlieGP) and Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team), with Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) rounding out the top 10.
2023 British Moto2 Results—Qualifying
1 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Kal) |
2:16.953 |
2 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Bos) |
+ 0.700 |
3 |
Z Van Den Goorbergh |
(Kal) |
+ 0.711 |
4 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Kal) |
+0.927 |
5 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Bos) |
+ 1.036 |
Saturday Moto3
Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) is proving he means business in Moto3™ as he put himself on pole position in a drenched qualifying at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. The Spaniard’s 2:25.072 was enough to fend off Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) who secured his first Grand Prix front-row with an impressive 2nd place on home soil. Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) joins the Brit on the front-row, eager to keep his title rival Masia in his sights.
Masia was posting fast lap after fast lap, and as the clock ticked down he posted the pole time in the closing stages. Ogden was in hot pursuit as he latched onto the rear wheel of the Leopard machine to take P2. The Brit did go on to improve further as he set the fastest time of the session, but with the yellow flags displayed was forced to settle for 2nd place as that lap was scrubbed off. Holgado was also threatening the front but two crashes in the wet conditions denied the Spaniard pole position and he’ll start third.
On the second row, Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who snatched fourth with Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) and his teammate Xavier Artigas next up. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) heads Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on Row 3, with Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) rounding out the top ten.
2023 British Moto3 Results—Qualifying
1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Hon) |
2:25.072 |
2 |
Scott Ogden |
(KTM) |
+ 0.363 |
3. |
Daniel Holgado |
(KTM) |
+ 0.535 |
4 |
Ricardo Rossi |
(Hon) |
+ 0.604 |
5 |
Joel Kelso |
(CFMOTO) |
+ 0.635 |
2023 British MotoGP News—Friday
Pol back in the saddle
Pol Espargaro made his MotoGP return at Silverstone, where he finished the first day of practice in a tentative 21st place, 2.6s off the fastest time.
The Catalan, who missed the first eight races due to a crash at Portimao which broke his jaw as well as several vertebra, admitted to feeling scared, especially on his out laps when struggling to get heat into his rear tire.
“It was very, very stressful,” he said. “I think it was one of the most stressful in my career. Changing direction at this high speed, my brain was not as fast as everything was coming. I wanted to do more, especially the 1st practice, my brain was not working fast enough for the information I was getting. You realize how fast these bikes are and how fast everything comes. It’s insane.”
Aprilia testing carbon chassis
Photos leaked from a private Aprilia test showed the Italian factory is testing a carbon-fiber chassis for its MotoGP project. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori put the new frame through its paces at Misano, but Aleix Espargaro confirmed it needs more laps before being raced.
“They tested quite a few things during the summer break and I have some for Practice 1 on Friday,” said Espargaro. “The chassis is still on the first steps. It is still our baby. Hopefully I can try it at some point this year but not here in Silverstone.”
A carbon chassis has not appeared in MotoGP since Ducati experimented with the technology in 2009 and 2010.
New format appreciated
Friday was the first time riders experienced a change to the MotoGP format, which means the first session of the weekend – now called FP1 – no longer counts toward who enters Saturday’s Q2 session automatically.
The change was introduced as there were fears the fact every session had an element of risk caused the high injury rate witnessed in the season’s first half. Franco Morbidelli, who crashed toward the end of Friday morning, appreciated the change.
“For me I had a crash this morning and if it was the usual format then I should have gone back to the pitbox and gone straight out to make the time attack. Instead, I could go out with the same tires, medium tires and take it more gently. That was better. I was happy about that.”
Friday MotoGP
MotoGP is back with a bang as the riders enjoyed a dry Day 1 at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) absolutely shot out the blocks. The number 41, who took Aprilia’s first ever MotoGP™ podium at Silverstone in 2021, was over six tenths clear at the top with a 1:58.183 and the chase is on to cut that gap on Saturday.
In second it’s Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who seemed to have a firm hold of the top spot with the chequered flag already out before Aleix Espargaro struck. Martin wasn’t the only rider to hit the top in the closing stages and then be denied by the Aprilia missile either, as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was looking incredibly strong on his KTM as he put in a solid time attack to hit the front but ultimately finish Day 1 in P3. The first Friday with the new Free Practice 1 and renamed afternoon Practice counting for Q2 promised much and delivered on it, with the day ending in a crescendo of late fast laps.
Silverstone is an emblematic track for Aprilia in MotoGP™. Not only was it the scene of the manufacturer’s first podium in the modern MotoGP era, but it also saw Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pick up his first podium for Aprilia just one year ago. This time out Viñales suffered a big high-side early on in Practice which winded the Spaniard, it didn’t stop him from pushing on however as he went top with just over ten minutes remaining and continued to post impressive lap times to finish the day in 4th, just 0.006s away from the top 3.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) rounded out the top 5 as the Frenchman put in a solid Friday Practice run.
It was looking as if Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was struggling for form in Free Practice 1, but he seemed to find more in the afternoon Practice session. The number one-plated Ducati was in the danger zone towards the closing stages, but then decided it was crunch time and found an extra gear to hit the top before a plethora of fast laps demoted him to P6. The Championship leader is slowly building into his weekend and will be one to watch.
The Mooney VR46 Racing Team were looking in fine fettle during the morning session, using team tactics to their advantage with Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini locked together on the circuit as they took the top two spots in FP1. The VR46 duo used the same tactics during the afternoon practice session too, and enjoyed the most of it at the sharp end. Marini then unfortunately suffered a fast crash but was unable to improve, Bezzecchi then met the same fate and joined his teammate in the gravel trap whilst pushing for a fast lap in the closing stages. Both riders managed to secure Q2 spots, however, with Bezzecchi finishing in 7th place and Marini rounding out the top 9. Both riders ok.
The two KTMs were also on a charge as they both went to the top of the timesheets with just under a quarter of an hour remaining. Whilst Binder held on to the top 3 after the flag, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) slipped down to 8th place seeing him slot in between the VR46 duo.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took the final Q2 spot as the Spaniard rounded the top 10, forcing some big hitters to compete in Q1 session.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is one of the names that will be competing in Q1 after missing out on the top 10 by just 0.127s, taking P11. The Frenchman also had his teammate Franco Morbidelli latched to his back wheel as the Italian sits in P12 0.029s away from Quartararo.
Despite jumping into the top 10 in the closing stages, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will also compete in Q1 after being bumped down to 13th. The Spaniard states he’s taking a “calmer” approach this weekend in hopes of bringing home some solid points.
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounded out the top 15 to kickstart his second half of the season. The Italian hopes to be closer to 100% this weekend in fitness, and will want a lot more from Saturday.
2023 British MotoGP Results—Friday
1 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Apr) |
1:58.183 |
2 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 0.671 |
3 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 0.715 |
4 |
Maverick Vinales |
(Apr) |
+ 0.721 |
5 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 0.760 |
6 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
+ 0.790 |
7 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Duc) |
+ 0.835 |
8 |
Jack Miller |
(KTM) |
+ 1.018 |
9 |
Luca Marini |
(Duc) |
+ 1.063 |
10 |
Alex Márquez |
(Duc) |
+ 1.115 |
Friday Moto2
Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) is the rider to beat in Moto2™ at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix as the Spaniard heads into Saturday’s action on top of the combined standings after setting a 2:04.420. The SpeedUp duo were in hot pursuit and by no means letting their compatriot have it all his own way, as Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) finished 0.063s and 0.137s away from Canet’s top time.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is showing good pace at Silverstone despite walking slightly wounded after a training crash over summer. The title contender bagged P4 after Friday’s practice sessions. Ai Ogura (IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) rounded out the top 5 ahead of Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) who started his home Grand Prix with a P6 after the combined Friday practice sessions.
Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) finished Day 1 in 7th place with Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on his tail in 8th. Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) finished Day 1 of what could be his final British Grand Prix in 9th place ahead of Somkiat Chantra (IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) who rounded out the top 10.
2023 British Moto2 Results—Friday
1 |
Aron Canet |
(Kal) |
2:04.357 |
2 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Bos) |
+ 0.063 |
3 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Bos) |
+ 0.137 |
4 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Kal) |
+ 0.395 |
5 |
Ai Ogura |
(Kal) |
+ 0.751 |
Friday Moto3
It’s advantage Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) as the Monster Energy British Grand Prix gets underway at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. The Spaniard put down a 2:11.403 to keep the field at arm’s length, with his teammate Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) bagging P2 just 0.113s behind. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets MSI) was threatening the top spot as well but Leopard teamwork on the circuit worked a treat as the Brazilian was forced to settle for 3rd spot, 0.450s away from Masia.
Practice 2 saw the riders take big chunks out of their lap times with a late time attack from the field seeing slipstreaming come into full effect at the longest circuit on the Grand Prix calendar. Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) and Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) put the hammer down to secure 4th and 5th respectively, with Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) taking P6 on the combined timings despite topping the P1 session.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders were locked together as Deniz Öncü and Jose Antonio Rueda finished Friday in 7th and 8th respectively. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) finished in P3 in Practice 1 but crashed very early on in Practice 2, losing the front through Becketts to remount and set the 9th fastest time of the day, with Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounding out the top 10.
2023 British Moto3 Results—Friday
1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Hon) |
2:18.817 |
2 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 0.010 |
3 |
Diogo Moreira |
(KTM) |
+ 0.022 |
4 |
Stefano Nepa |
(KTM) |
+ 0.199 |
5 |
Romano Fenati |
(Hon) |
+ 0.371 |
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