Cycle News Staff | November 12, 2023
Sunday MotoGP Race
Pecco vs Martin: it’s official. The fight for the 2023 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship is now a duel, and it’s a duel split by just 14 points as we head into the final two race weekends. It was also an early race duel at Sepang as the two went toe-to-toe in the fight for the podium, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) defending with everything he had against now sole challenger, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). But that was the fight for third!
Up ahead, Enea Bastianini’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) fantastic return to form continued as the number 23 moved through to the lead, set some absolutely searing pace, and wasn’t to be seen again. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) kept him honest enough, however, with the number 73 following up his Sprint win with another Grand Prix podium.
It was almost three abreast into Turn 1 once the lights went out, with the front row side-by-side. Bastianini played it safe, Bagnaia was on the outside, and it was Martin who let the brakes off – diving up the inside to very briefly take the holeshot. But he was deep and Bagnaia took the chance to try and cut back in, but the #1 wasn’t in the postcode of the apex either. He got back past Martin but Bastianini was already through, as was Alex Marquez.
Pecco held on to third against Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) but Martin wasn’t so lucky, getting shuffled back behind the Italian and left with a little more work to do from fifth.
And so Bastianini led Alex Marquez, with a small but increasing gap back to some stunning early race fireworks. Once Martin was able to get back past Bezzecchi, he was right on the tail of Bagnaia and the teams, factory and grandstands held their breath as the show began.
The number 89 was all over the number 1 but he attacked and was denied, attacked and was denied as the two scythed round Sepang near side-by-side. It was stunning, and it could prove important in terms of more than just points. On Sundays when they’ve both seen the flag, the reigning Champion has only finished ahead of Martin once since the Red Bull Ring – on the day of Johann Zarco’s history-making win in Australia. Bagnaia hasn’t beaten Martin in a Sprint since Catalunya. But at Sepang, the reigning Champion also turned the tables in qualifying, nabbing pole from Martin and outqualifying the number 89 for the first time since Barcelona.
From that huge shot of adrenaline though, it became an ebb of tension as the laps ticked down. Bastianini led Alex Marquez, both in some clear air. Bagnaia was in a “safe” third, and Martin a “safe fourth” as the battle behind was the next.
By five laps to go, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had arrived at Bezzecchi, and this time the Yamaha rider struck quickly, slicing through almost immediately. The he was left trying to hold off the mighty power of the Ducati out the final corner and down the main straight into Turn 1, but it was mission accomplished – Quartararo was up into the top five as Bezzecchi officially dropped out on title contention.
At the front, Bastianini pounded on. With just over a second in hand, sometimes up to 1.5, the Beast was keeping very calm as he carried on – and very, very fast. He crossed the line for his first win since Aragon last year with a second and a half in hand, becoming the seventh different winner this season. Alex Marquez returned to the Grand Prix podium in second, Bagnaia took that vital third, and Martin was forced to settle for fourth to end the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia 14 points adrift. Still, there are 74 left in play.
Quartararo took fifth from Bezzecchi, with Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Franco Morbidelli putting on a charge into seventh and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) P8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was hot on the heels on the Australian, and they had Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) for company too as he completed the top ten.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) and his teammate Pol Espargaro completed the points – with one notable name missing out on some being Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he crashed out of the battle with Miller and Diggia, rider ok.
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Sunday MotoGP
1 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
|
2 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+1.535 |
3 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+3.562 |
4 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+10.526 |
5 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) |
+15.000 |
6 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+16.946 |
7 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) |
+18.553 |
8 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+19.204 |
9 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
+19.399 |
10 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+19.740 |
Moto2 Race
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is the 2023 Moto2 World Champion thanks to a P2 finish at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. The Spaniard becomes the youngest Moto2™ title winner – taking that accolade off Marc Marquez – as Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools Speed Up) strode to a commanding third win of the campaign. Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) kept his composure to secure a hard-earned debut Moto2™ rostrum in P3.
There was drama from the off as polesitter Aldeguer and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) made contact on the exit of Turn 1 which saw the latter crash out. Thankfully everyone managed to avoid the Spaniard but one rider who had to take evading action was Arbolino. The Italian lost ground and was down to P7, with Acosta capitalising on Gonzalez’s misfortunes to climb up to P2.
On Lap 2, desperate to pick off the riders ahead of him, Arbolino’s slim title hopes then all but vanished. The #14 made small contact with Ai Ogura’s (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) rear wheel at Turn 9, then made more contact with Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40), as Arbolino ran onto the grass. That dropped him outside the top 20.
Back at the front, Aldeguer was operating on another level. By Lap 4, the Spaniard was over two seconds clear of Acosta, who in turn was over a second up the road from third place Ramirez. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) was P4 and had Ogura and Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) for company, with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) just slightly adrift of the fight for P4.
Aldeguer’s lead kept growing and with seven laps left, six seconds split him and Acosta. Ramirez was holding Lopez, Ogura and Dixon a second behind him, with Ogura beginning to climb all over the back of Lopez’s rear wheel. With six to go, Ogura was through and then set about chasing Ramirez for the final spot on the podium.
With three to go, Ramirez was coming under increasing pressure. Ogura was taking two or three tenths a second a lap out of the Spaniard’s advantage but up the road, there were no issues whatsoever for Aldeguer and the Champion elect Acosta.
Aldeguer took the chequered flag a sensational 7.1s clear of anyone to claim a dominant victory, but it was all eyes on the rider in P2 as Acosta crossed the line to become the 2023 Moto2™ World Champion and a two-time Grand Prix Champion after his 2021 Moto3™ success. Take a bow Pedro, what a season!
Just behind, Ramirez did manage to fend off Ogura to claim a first Moto2™ podium, with the latter coming from P13 on the grid to challenge for a podium, as Dixon rounded out the top five. Chantra and Lowes take home P6 and P7, with Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and the recovering Arbolino rounding out the top 10. A disappointing day for the #14 sees his title hopes disappear for 2023, but he’ll be back stronger in 2024
Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP), Jeremy Alcoba (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), Alex Escrig (Forward Team), Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team) were the final points scorers in Malaysia.
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Sunday Moto3
1 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Speed Up Racing) |
|
2 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+7.128 |
3 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(American Racing) |
+9.558 |
4 |
Ai Ogura |
(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) |
+9.992 |
5 |
Jake Dixon |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+11.652 |
6 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) |
+13.675 |
7 |
Sam Lowes |
(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+15.200 |
8 |
Joe Roberts |
(Italtrans Racing Team) |
+18.482 |
9 |
Albert Arenas |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+20.004 |
10 |
Tony Arbolino |
(ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+20.990 |
Moto3 Race
The Netherlands has a new Grand Prix winner, and the first since 1990 as Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) defeated teammate – and title challenger – Ayumu Sasaki in the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. Championship leader Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) completed the podium in a close race to the finish that went right to the final corner. It’s now likely a two-horse race for the crown too, with some big drama for three of the five contenders on the way into the weekend at Sepang.
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) got the best start from Row 2 and looked like he was going to take the holeshot before Veijer shot through and somehow kept it nicely in line, with Masia then able to grab second too. It didn’t take long for the Leopard rider to grab the lead though, and the number 5 then started to seriously push. Who could go with him?
Initially the answer was Sasaki, Veijer and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), but the small group couldn’t break away. It quickly became a freight train once again, but there was drama coming.
After a dramatic weekend before the lights went out, with the Buriram winner suffering some crashes including in qualifying, David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) started well down the order. By 13 laps to go, he was already into the top ten. But then came the drama as he suddenly crashed out in the group, taking, among others, fellow contender Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) out of the race – all riders ok, but the group split and two key members of the Championship fight out of the race.
The group became Masia, Sasaki, Veijer, Öncü, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team). As the laps ticked down the tension was high but no one was able to make a difference – until a difference was made for some. Rueda got it wrong at the final corner when going for a move on Bertelle, making contact with the Italian then unable to save it and going down – in a nightmare, also tagging and taking down his teammate Öncü just ahead. Again, all riders ok – Bertelle staying upright and Öncü getting back in it, but that left a trio fighting for victory: Masia, Sasaki… and Sasaki’s teammate, Veijer.
This wasn’t a team game though. Veijer passed Sasaki for the lead as the final lap began, and he then got the hammer very much down as he gunned for his first Grand Prix win to follow up his maiden podium. But still, it all went down to the final corner.
Sasaki looked for a way through and it looked like he couldn’t find one, but Veijer was wider than his teammate – leaving them gassing it away from the apex almost in unison and the number 71 very close behind. But the drag to the line wasn’t enough and Veijer kept it, taking his first win and first Grand Prix victory for the Netherlands since the 1990 Czech GP!
Sasaki took second on a day that saw so many contenders find bad fortune, but Masia also took a valuable podium and 16 points. The Spaniard is therefore now 13 clear of Sasaki in the title fight, with Alonso and Holgado both now at a deficit of 41 points.
Ortola ultimately came home fourth ahead of David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) and Joel Kelso completing the second group down to P8. Filippo Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) beat Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) to ninth, with Bertelle ending up P11 after his involuntary excursion. Öncü impressively got back on and took P12. But not so, with a time penalty equivalent to a Ride Through later given to Muñoz for causing a crash, moving all up a position behind where he’d crossed the line and that just enough to technically keep Öncü in the fight for the crown…
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Sunday Moto3
1 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact Gp) |
|
2 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.066 |
3 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.328 |
4 |
Ivan Ortola |
(Angeluss MTA Team) |
+6.830 |
5 |
David Muñoz |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+6.878 |
6 |
Adrian Fernandez |
(Leopard Racing) |
+7.191 |
7 |
Xavier Artigas |
(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) |
+7.354 |
8 |
Joel Kelso |
(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) |
+7.400 |
9 |
Filippo Farioli |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
+11.175 |
10 |
Ryusei Yamanaka |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+11.287 |
2023 Malaysia MotoGP News—Saturday
Injury helped Alex Marquez
In the wake of his best MotoGP weekend to date, Alex Marquez stated his recent injury – three cracked ribs due to a crash in India, then a further one in an incident when recovering at home – have forced him to ride smoother, thus learning to manage the rear tire better.
“At the beginning of the year, honestly, I was the worst (at Ducati for tire management), and now I am the best in that aspect, the one who uses it the least,” he said. “Why? We have changed the set-up a lot starting at the Misano test. Apart from that breaking four ribs has helped me with that. Both Australia and Thailand I had to go smoothly, without forcing the bike too much. And that helped me understand many things about this bike.”
Tire pressure concerns mean ‘we’re not seeing real races’
As fears over receiving a penalty for incorrect front tire pressures increased in the wake of three riders warned and one punished in Thailand, a host of names voiced frustration at the current system, which penalizes riders if they’re under the incorrect number (1.88 bar) for more than 50% of the race.
“We cannot ride at our 100% because of this rule.,” lamented Jorge Martin after the Sprint. “This rule they need to understand on our side and try to make (the minimum pressure) lower because we’re not seeing real races. We’re seeing technical races. If my technician does a wrong tyre pressure then I cannot push, or show my potential.”
Brad Binder also would like to see the minimum number dropped. “It’s 10 times more unsafe when you’re over 2 bar. Honestly, the feeling is like you could hit somebody at any time. You have these massive locks and when you get to the edge of the tyre, you don’t turn. You see these guys going wide and cutting back. We’re all over the show. I reckon dropping it by another 0.1 is going to make the racing better and make us all safe on the bike.”
Marquez not making any friends
Marc Marquez didn’t make many friends on Saturday. Franco Morbidelli was less than impressed with his following antics in qualifying. He then had contact with several riders on the first lap, including Fabio Quartararo, before crashing out. “He was playing bowling today,” joked Pol Espargaro before stating, “He was way over the limit.”
Asked if Marquez’s antics in qualifying crossed the line, Morbidelli explained how on-track aggression has changed in modern-day MotoGP. “Back in the day the non-respect zone, the non-respect moments in MotoGP were maybe the last three laps of the race. Now the amount of time is spread out throughout the whole weekend, from the first lap to the last. There is a lot of pressure and there is no respect for the opponent.”
MotoGP Sprint Race
The final chapter of the 2023 Championship story is underway and the momentum swung a little more in the direction of the purple corner in Saturday’s Tissot Sprint. With Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) taking a classy, dominant victory and absolutely charging through to it too, that left Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) to battle it out. And the former claimed P2, with polesitter Pecco having to settle for P3. Now, the gap ahead of Sunday’s race is just 11 points.
The rider who got the best start on the front row was actually Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), but the Beast played it to perfection for teammate Bagnaia (spoiler alert) as the Championship leader didn’t come under attack as he grabbed the holeshot and the number 23 slotted in behind. Alex Marquez struck soon after to take second though, with Martin shuffled down to fourth early doors.
Bagnaia led Alex Marquez led Martin as the number 89 hit back against Bastianini on Lap 1, and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was past the second factory Ducati not long after.
Heartrates then hit the roof at the end of Lap 2 as Alex Marquez went for a dive on Bagnaia for the lead at the final corner. The reigning Champion let the Gresini machine steam past and head wide, taking back the lead, and that left Alex Marquez nearly side by side with Martin instead, squabbling for second. The Gresini decisively grabbed it at Turn 1, however, and from there was able to start reeling Bagnaia back in.
He did just that, with Martin able to stay close and Bastainini coming back at them too, back past Miller, and with five to go Alex Marquez struck with a brutal, clean move for the lead. And then came Martin, the number 89 attacking Bagnaia almost immediately. The hammer went down.
That left Bastianini with some decisions, right on the tail of his teammate and Pecco looking to recover after losing two positions in fairly quick succession. There was another twist in the tale too as something white then appeared on the front fairing of the #1 Ducati, some debris stuck on the bike. But it didn’t last too long as the battle for third was allowed to continue regardless.
Bagnaia held on, and Bastianini may not have attacked, but he definitely put on some pressure and proved two points at once – his speed and a little team spirit, certainly in terms of avoiding too much risk. It almost cost him fourth too, with a late charge from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) saw the South African and the Beast nearly side-by-side over the line after a last corner squabble.
One second back from that battle was Miller as the Aussie kept himself within the mix for most of the Sprint to bring home a solid 6th-place finish. Another second back was Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), who fended off Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) to take 7th place. The Italian’s teammate Luca Marini took the final Sprint point in 9th ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) who rounded out the top 10.
As the title battle continues to rage on there’s no telling which way the pendulum will swing. The PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia still has plenty to give in the 2023 Championship story with 25 Grand Prix points up for grabs on Sunday and a gap of just 11 between the top two.
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Sprint Race
1 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
|
2 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+1.589 |
3 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+3.034 |
4 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+3.242 |
5 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+3.310 |
6 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+4.318 |
7 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+5.307 |
8 |
Johann Zarco |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+5.501 |
9 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+6.420 |
10 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+7.241 |
Saturday Moto2
It’s now back-to-back-to-back pole positions for Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp)! The PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia saw the Spaniard set a 2:05.288 during qualifying to pull an incredible half-a-second clear at the top. Joining Aldeguer on the front row will be Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing), who bagged second place despite hitting the deck, with Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) just 0.025s behind Vietti in third.
Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) suffered a small off and just missed out on a front-row start by 0.038s as he took P4, but he also crashed under Yellow Flags so recieved a Long Lap for the race. Marcos Ramirez’ (OnlyFans American Racing ) great form continued as he rounded out the top five, just ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The Championship leader needs to finish fourth or higher on Sunday to lift the title, regardless of rival Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team), who starts just behind him at the head of Row 3.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) is alongside Arbolino, and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) locks out that row. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) rounds out the top ten.
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Saturday Moto2
1 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Speed Up Racing) |
2:05.319 |
2 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) |
+0.546 |
3 |
Jake Dixon |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.602 |
4 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.645 |
5 |
Aron Canet |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+0.690 |
6 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(American Racing) |
+0.725 |
7 |
Celestino Vietti |
(FANTIC MOTOR) |
+0.726 |
8 |
Barry Baltus |
(RW Racing GP) |
+0.752 |
9 |
Filip Salac |
(Gresini Racing Moto2) |
+0.753 |
10 |
Ai Ogura |
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) |
+0.774 |
Saturday Moto3
Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) absolutely smashed it out the park in qualifying for the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia as the #5 set the first-ever 2:10 lap on a Moto3™ machine. Masia’s 2:10.846 sits as the new all-time lap record at Sepang and secured the Leopard rider pole position by an incredible 0.906s. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) will line up alongside the polesitter after the Dutchman finished best of the rest in P2. Rounding out the front row will be Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) who finished just 0.026s behind the Husqvarna machine.
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) took 4th place after missing out on the front row by 0.121s. The Spaniard is set to head Row 2 ahead of title challenger Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) is next up in 7th place. The Aussie will be joined on row three by David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the latter riding to keep his title hopes alive.
Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) rounds out the top 10. Championship hopeful Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) suffered from a mid-session crash and could only manage P15.
2023 Malaysia MotoGP Results—Saturday Moto3
1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
2:10.846 |
2 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.906 |
3 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.932 |
4 |
Ivan Ortola |
(Angeluss MTA Team) |
+1.053 |
5 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+1.156 |
6 |
Jose Rueda |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+1.267 |
7 |
Joel Kelso |
(CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) |
+1.269 |
8 |
David Muñoz |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+1.383 |
9 |
Deniz Öncü |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+1.394 |
10 |
Diogo Moreira |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+1.396 |
2023 Malaysia MotoGP News—Friday
Bastianini-Martin swap?
The paddock was awash with discussion on whether Ducati could promote Jorge Martin to the factory team in 2024 should he win the title in place of Enea Bastianini… even if Bastianini has a contract to remain there next year.
Martin didn’t exactly close the situation down, saying, “I can’t say a lot. I would be proud to continue with Pramac next season but if Ducati want to put me on the red bike next year, I would be super happy also.”
For his part, Bastianini didn’t see any sense in the recent talk. “We haven’t talked about this (with the factory,” he said. “And I was confirmed (to stay next year) in Misano and I think I remain confirmed.”
Repsol Honda still searching
With just three races to go, Honda has yet to confirm its replacement for Marc Marquez in 2024. On Friday, a host of riders lined up to confess they had at least made contact with HRC in recent weeks. Pol Espargaro and Miguel Oliveira ruled themselves out as the only contract on offer was a one-year deal.
“As a rider are you going to break a relationship with one manufacturer to go to another without more guarantees of the future,” pondered Oliveira. “I just think it is difficult.”
Most interesting of all was Luca Marini. “As a rider I have dreams and goals to achieve and to ride and work for a factory team is incredible,” he said. Has Honda been in touch? “Not in this moment on Friday. You need to talk with my manager.”
One name that was heavily linked to the seat was Moto2 starlet Fermin Aldeguer. But that link was rubbished by Team Manager Alberto Puig. Fabio Di Giannantonio remains the rider most likely to fill the seat.
Aprilia addressing heat issues
Aprilia arrived in Sepang keen to address the issues its RS-GP has dissipating heat in hot conditions. All four riders had a new duct that ran down the fuel tank, which directed air toward its riders in a bid to cool them down.
“It works,” said Team Manager Paolo Bonora. “We studied with the simulation air flowing to the rider and it will help. For sure it was not in the initial design. So, they suffer a bit seeing the track in front. But to be honest it’s necessary to keep it because they struggled a lot in the last race to see the chequered flag.”
2023 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Friday
It’s advantage Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) after the opening day of action at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. The Spaniard was looking strong from the off and set a scintillating 1:57.823 in his late Practice time attack to take the top spot after falling just short of the all-time lap record. Marquez’s pace saw him deny title contender Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) a Friday clean-sweep. The ‘Martinator’ topped Practice 1 but was 0.174s back from his compatriot during the Friday afternoon time attack battle. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, enjoyed a positive return to form as the Aussie had the bit between his teeth in Practice to take the final spot inside the top three.
With Friday afternoon’s Practice session deciding who goes through to Q2, the riders spent the majority of the session working on their race packages before engaging in full time-attack mode.
With rain clouds looming the riders put on the soft rubber with twenty minutes remaining and the hot laps came flying in. It was Alex Marquez who led the way after the first lot of time attacks. The session then quieted down as the clock ticked past the 10-minute mark, but it wasn’t over yet!
The red sectors came flying in once again and it was time for fireworks in the final three minutes of the session. Red sectors came in from Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miller, and Alex Marquez until Martin moved the goalposts with the first 1:57 of the weekend. Alex Marquez still had plenty left in his back pocket however and the Spaniard quickly responded to retake the top spot ahead of Martin and Miller.
Next up on the timesheets was Binder. The South African threatened the top spots throughout and finished the session just behind his teammate in P4, with Viñales just 0.005s behind him in 5th. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was another 0.022s back as he took a solid P6.
It was a positive day in the Yamaha camp as both riders showed glimpses of promise during Friday’s running. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was one of five riders in the 1:58.3 club as he kept himself in contention in P7 ahead of his 2022 title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), as the World Championship leader bagged a very important Q2 spot in P8.
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) also showed decent potential in Sepang. The Italian picked up P9 ahead of Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), the Frenchman claiming the final automatic Q2 spot in P10.
Q1 is set to be a tense affair as always with Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ being the first rider to miss out on Q2.
The Yamaha rider will have to battle it out with his compatriots Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), as well as both factory Honda and GASGAS Tech3 riders.
2023 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Friday Times
1 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP) |
1:57.823 |
2 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+0.174 |
3 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.409 |
4 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.484 |
5 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.489 |
6 |
Luca Marini |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.511 |
7 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) |
+0.576 |
8 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.597 |
9 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Mooney VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.627 |
10 |
Johann Zarco |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+0.664 |
2023 Malaysian Moto2 Results—Friday
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is the rider to beat after the opening day of the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. Ogura’s 2:06.093 came from a late Practice 2 charge where the Team Asia rider became the only competitor to beat Fermin Aldeguer’s (Beta Tools SpeedUp) Practice 1 lap time. The latter topped Practice 1 with his 2:06.183, a time that held firm to consolidate 2nd place on the combined timings, as Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) made his presence known after his Practice 2 time attack saw the Spaniard sit just 0.100s back from the top spot in P3.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) is also looking strong around the Sepang International Circuit. The Brit’s personal best times from P1 and P2 were within 0.003s of each other with his P1 time seeing him just miss out on the top three by 0.050s. Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top five as he made positive steps forward in the afternoon to finish just ahead of Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) and Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40). Acosta can wrap up the title this weekend if he finishes in the top four regardless of where Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) ends the Malaysian GP, and the Italian was P19 on Day 1.
Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team) put in an impressive performance to finish the day in 8th place overall. The Italian’s teammate Joe Roberts finished just behind him in P9 with Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounding out the top 10.
2023 Malaysian Moto2 Results—Friday Times
1 |
Ai Ogura |
(Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) |
2:06.093 |
2 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Speed Up Racing) |
+0.090 |
3 |
Aron Canet |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+0.100 |
4 |
Jake Dixon |
(Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.150 |
5 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.196 |
6 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(OnlyFans American Racing) |
+0.506 |
7 |
Sergio Garcia |
(Pons Wegow Los40) |
+0.604 |
8 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Italtrans Racing Team) |
+0.655 |
9 |
Joe Roberts |
(Italtrans Racing Team) |
+0.667 |
10 |
Albert Arenas |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.692 |
2023 Malaysian Moto3 Results—Friday
Championship leader Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) started his weekend at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia as he means to go on as the Spaniard’s 2:12.065 saw him top the pile on Day 1. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was looking strong from the off as well and was closest to Masia in P2, looking to keep his title hopes alive. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), fresh from a maiden podium, also took well to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit and made a big step in Practice 2 to put himself into the top three on combined timings.
Buriram winner and Championship contender David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) had another strong showing as the rookie found himself just 0.037s away from the top three in P4. Matteo Bertelle (Rivacvold Snipars Team) made it three Hondas in the top five as the Italian rounded out that top five ahead of title challenger Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3).
The returning Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) looked strong in Practice 1 and ended the day 7th overall ahead of title contender Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), as Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) rounded out the top 10.
2023 Malaysian Moto3 Results—Friday Times
1 |
Jaume Masia |
(Leopard Racing) |
2:12.065 |
2 |
Deniz Öncü |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.435 |
3 |
Taiyo Furusato |
(Honda Team Asia) |
+0.515 |
4 |
David Alonso |
(GASGAS Aspar Team) |
+0.890 |
5 |
Matteo Bertelle |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.893 |
6 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull KTM Tech3) |
+0.977 |
7 |
Romano Fenati |
(Rivacold Snipers Team) |
+0.979 |
8 |
Adrian Fernandez |
(Leopard Racing) |
+1.309 |
9 |
Ayumu Sasaki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+1.319 |
10 |
David Muñoz |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+1.355 |
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