Sunday MotoGP Race
A dramatic Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland saw Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) come out on top after piling the pressure on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) throughout as the duo pulled away to make the race a chess match at the front. Martin was holding on to a half second advantage as the final laps closed in, but then suddenly went sliding out at Turn 1, rider ok but Championship lead far from it. The #89 cedes the top of the leaderboard to Bagnaia as the reigning Champion swept through to take the 25-point haul.
If the fight for the win was a chess match decided by tenths, the battle behind was a rollercoaster ride. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) scythed through from P13 on the grid to take second place after battling a gallery of rivals, the last of whom to overcome was brother Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). But the #73 held on to third and took his first GP podium of the season, with the Marquez brothers becoming the first to share a premier class podium since Nobuatsu and Takuma Aoki in Imola in 1997.
Martin got the best start but didn’t get the perfect T1, giving Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) chance to have a look, but the Portuguese rider was forced to settle into second. Bagnaia was holding third but the reigning Champion struck at the end of Lap 1 to overtake Oliveira, taking up the chase as Martin tried to bolt at the front. He couldn’t, however, and the #1 pulled off a carbon copy of his last corner move on Oliveira to take the lead.
Morbidelli was then the rider in the spotlight as he shot past Oliveira and into second, then starting to harry his teammate Martin. Bagnaia, Martin and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) started to build a small gap as the shuffle continued in a big group battle behind, but then the shuffle kicked off again in theirs as Martin struck late at Turn 1 to take back the lead with 24 to go.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) then suffered a run off from the battle behind, leaving Alex Marquez, Oliveira and now Marc Marquez in the chasing group as Martin started to put the hammer down at the front. Bagnaia had been reeling a couple of tenths back in, but then Morbidelli sailed down the inside of Turn 1 past the reigning Champion, somehow getting it stopped and nabbing second. And there were still 22 to go.
Martin led Morbidelli with around half a second between the Prima Pramac duo, with the group behind holding high-speed station. By 16 to go Morbidelli then went deep at Turn 1, and Bagnaia was right on him looking for a way though. He found one at Turn 12, and then Marc Marquez found one on Oliveira. Martin was a second clear, Bagnaia was now the rider on the chase, and Alex Marquez got past Morbidelli before Marc Marquez also homed in. The podium fight was starting to take shape.
As Morbidelli headed wide at Turn 1 with nine to go, #93 went for it, but the #21 cut back. The two bashed into each other and just stayed on, but Marquez ultimately came off worse, dropping back into the clutches of a charging Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One dance of high-speed ballet wasn’t enough and the two staged another at Turn 1 next time around. Marquez was then able to hold him off, and the duo stalked down the deficit to Morbidelli up ahead.
It was an absolute late lunge when it came, the #93 suddenly darting out from behind the #21 at the final corner and making the pounce stick to perfection. At the front, Martin was holding Bagnaia at bay by five, seven, six tenths, and Alex Marquez was now in the space between the duo and the #93. The gap between the two Gresini machines was over two seconds. But then it was 1.5, then just under a second, then even less… when the #93 arrived he sliced straight past, more tire underneath him and only a few laps to go.
Those few laps delivered the headline drama. Martin seemed on course to complete his second consecutive double at the Sachsenring, with that margin to Bagnaia looking to be enough. And then the #89 was sliding out across the tarmac into the gravel, with his closest rival so far this season sweeping through to create a 20-point swing in the title fight.
Bagnaia just had to avoid the same to take the victory, and that he did as he crossed the line with just under four seconds in hand to become the Championship leader for the first time since Saturday in Portimão
Marc Marquez, after his huge highside on Friday, a dramatic Q1, and then an all-out war up from P13 in the Grand Prix – including full combat with Franky – takes second for this fourth podium of the season, but loses that undefeated record at the track. Alex Marquez is back on the podium for the first time since Sepang last year and makes that history as two brothers sharing the podium in the premier class.
Bastianini added some stunning racing to the mix at the front but had to settle for fourth this time round, ahead of Morbidelli in fifth after a standout race day for the #21. Oliveira takes a very solid P6 to follow up his Tissot Sprint podium on Saturday, with some breathing space ahead of a big battle for seventh. That was won by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) completed the top ten.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) stayed ahead of Viñales after his run off, with another close set of finishes just behind as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) pipped Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) after tyre pressure penalties for Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR). For Marini, a point rewards a weekend with a big step forward seemingly taken in all sessions just ahead of summer break.
2024 German MotoGP Race Results
| 1 | Francesco Bagnaia | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +3.804 |
| 3 | Alex Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +4.334 |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +5.317 |
| 5 | Franco Morbidelli | (Prima Pramac Racing) | +5.557 |
| 6 | Miguel Oliveira | (Trackhouse Racing) | +10.481 |
| 7 | Pedro Acosta | (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +14.746 |
| 8 | Marco Bezzecchi | (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +14.930 |
| 9 | Brad Binder | (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +15.084 |
| 10 | Raul Fernandez | (Trackhouse Racing) | +16.384 |
Moto2 Race
Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) notched up his first win since the Spanish GP as the Spaniard broke clear in the latter stages to beat Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) by 2.1s, with Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) leaving it late to claim a fourth podium of the season in P3 at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland.
Dixon grabbed the holeshot but polesitter Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) soon pinched P1 back from the Brit on Lap 1. Lap 3 saw Aldeguer take the lead for the first time, with the #54 and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) passing Vietti in quick succession.
On Lap 6, Arbolino then led for the first time as Vietti profited from Aldeguer getting overtaken by demoting the Spaniard to P3. The latter was soon back in P2 though, with Dixon and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) rounding out the top five, as a Moto2™ freight train formed. By Lap 7, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) had climbed to P6 from P12, with teammate Ogura tucked in behind.
With eight laps to go, Aldeguer – having returned to the front – was now 1.3s clear following a near highside from Arbolino coming out of Turn 7 that cost the Italian several places. In total, eight riders had a podium place in sight, as Aldeguer stretched his advantage further to 1.7s.
On the final couple of laps, Aldeguer cruised home to beat Dixon by 2.1s, as the latter broke clear of the fascinating fight for the final podium spot between Vietti, Ogura and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). A spellbinding final lap played out between the three, and it was Ogura who outfought Vietti at the final two corners to claim the final spot on the rostrum, with Moreira also getting the better of Vietti on the run to the line.
Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) was 0.118s away from the podium in P6, with Championship leader Garcia forced to settle for P7 – one place ahead of the impressive Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing). The American battled through the pain barrier to pick up a valuable P8 at the Sachsenring.
2024 German Moto2 Race Results
| 1 | Fermin Aldeguer | (MB Conveyors Speedup) | |
| 2 | Jake Dixon | (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) | +2.159 |
| 3 | Ai Ogura | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +4.418 |
| 4 | Diogo Moreira | (Italtrans Racing Team) | +4.533 |
| 5 | Celestino Vietti | (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +4.543 |
| 6 | Somkiat Chantra | (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) | +4.651 |
| 7 | Sergio Garcia | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +5.425 |
| 8 | Joe Roberts | (OnlyFans American Racing Team) | +6.314 |
| 9 | Tony Arbolino | (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) | +7.018 |
| 10 | Alonso Lopez | (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) | +8.255 |
Moto3 Race
David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) took a stunning sixth win of the season at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, holding off Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) on the final lap.
Championship challenger Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) crashed out early on from the lead, and Alonso scored the full 25-point haul when offered the open goal.
Veijer took the holeshot and led early doors, but his crash out the lead left his rivals with a big opportunity in the race and in the title fight. After a classic group battle and with some added dashes of drama for plenty – including Ortola who had to serve a Long Lap for a slow sector on Saturday and a run through the gravel for Furusato – it all came down to a final lap face-off.
Alonso had some big pressure from Furusato as the two led the way for the final trip round the Sachsenring, but a wobble for the Japanese rider saw him lose just enough momentum to ut him too far back to make a final corner lunge. Alonso held on to it but 0.187s, with Furusato, in turn, holding off Ortola too. The podium trio pulled out two seconds on the chasing pack by the flag.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and teammate Angel Piqueras took fourth and fifth, with their own small gap back to another duel as Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helments – MSI) came back from two Long Laps for a jump start to pip Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) faded slightly from initially running at the front to take P8 ahead of Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), with Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) taking the final spot in the top ten to deny Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsport).
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had been in the battle right at the front before a moment at Turn 1, with the #99 unable to drop anchor and initially making a top save before sailing off into the gravel, rider ok but out the race.
2024 German Moto3 Race Results
| 1 | David Alonso | (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) | |
| 2 | Taiyo Furusato | (Honda Team Asia) | +0.187 |
| 3 | Ivan Ortola | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.339 |
| 4 | Adrian Fernandez | (Leopard Racing) | +2.362 |
| 5 | Angel Piqueras | (Leopard Racing) | +2.438 |
| 6 | Ryusei Yamanaka | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +3.786 |
| 7 | Daniel Holgado | (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +3.869 |
| 8 | David Muñoz | (BOE Motorsports) | +5.461 |
| 9 | Tatsuki Suzuki | (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +5.685 |
| 10 | Scott Ogden | (MLav Racing) | +5.817 |
Marquez explains massive Friday crash
Having missed his media duties on Friday, Marc Marquez explained the massive Practice Turn 11 crash that has hampered his German GP until now after a strong fightback to sixth in the Sprint.
“It was a combination of everything,” he said of the Friday fall. “I went out with a bike that was supposed to be the good one, I had a mechanical problem and I went in. Then we switched the tyres to the other bike and the tyre temperature becomes colder and colder.
“I tried to save it, because I knew that the other bike had a mechanical problem. And then for that reason, I tried to save it. If not for that point, you just jump from the bike and that’s it. But I said, wah, this is not possible, I tried to save, because I knew that the other bike was not ready.”
Alex Marquez stays with Gresini
Alex Marquez will stay with Gresini Racing for two more years in a deal that was confirmed prior to the German GP.
“I’m so happy to renew my contract for 2 years,” he said on Thursday. “I had in my head just this plan because it’s they saved my career in MotoGP two years ago. I feel really comfortable in this team, really appreciate it and with Nadia (Padovani – Team Owner) we have a really good relation.
“After race four my main target my main goal was to continue here. We have it, we know where we need to arrive. We are struggling a little bit more this year. But I think with small changes will arrive the results that we need to achieve.”
Marc’s crew chief change
Marc Marquez will change crew chief for a second time in two years when he moves to the Ducati factory team in 2025. The eight-time champ will work with Marco Rigamonti, who is currently Enea Bastianini’s crew chief.
“When you move to a team, a winning team and to a crew that is working in a good way is something that you have to respect,” he said. “And when I did the move to Ducati, I only really asked for was one person with full confidence, that is Javi Ortiz, that is the one that followed me to Gresini.
“Of course, now I’m feeling super good with the Gresini team, but also I’m felt super good with Honda and with the team of all my life. But I’m arriving in a team that they are super good, and they are doing a very good job, so I’m ready to adapt and to understand the atmosphere and do my 100% on the race track.”
Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) converted pole position to a sublime Tissot Sprint win at the Sachsenring – extending his Championship lead to 15 points. Despite losing out slightly in the launch off the line, Martin battled back to the front to finish 0.676s ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), who put together an impressive ride to follow Martin home in P2 and take Trackhouse Racing’s first rostrum finish in the paddock.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the Sprint podium to put in some damage limitation, but some more headlines also went to a duel to the flag between Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as the two crossed the line in a photo finish to decide sixth.
As the lights went out it was Oliveira who was briefly ahead on the run to Turn 1, before Bagnaia threaded the needle in signature style to launch down the inside of both the Portugese rider and Martin as the polesitter dropped to third. He didn’t wait there long though, launching his attack for P2 on Lap 2.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez cracked on with a tough task ahead after qualifying down in 13th. The #93 made a solid start and latched onto the back of his brother Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in the battle for P9 early doors.
Martin soon pulled off a carbon copy of his earlier move at Turn 1 on Lap 3, this time on Bagnaia, but this time with the #89 running wide and handing the Italian the lead once again. It instantly turned into a dogfight at the front with Martin making a move stick later in the lap, and Oliveira then passing the reigning World Champion at the final corner.
Further back, Marc Marquez’ charge continued and he was on the back of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in the fight for P8. The #93 found a way through at the end of Lap 4, and then soon began to set his sights on passing Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), who began to struggle as the Sprint progressed.
At the front, the front three were holding station but Martin was starting to get the hammer down as Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) arrived on the scene, having escaped the clutches of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Viñales. Martin had extended his gap to over one second on Lap 12.
Further back, there was some drama for the #31 as any point-scoring hopes were quickly taken away from Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) with a trip through the gravel – dropping down to last position, but able to rejoin.
Down to the final lap at the front though, everything was still to play for in the podium fight and the duel behind. Martin was in just enough clear air to hold off Oliveira, who likewise kept himself with just enough in hand to take some historic silverware for Trackhouse.
Ducati Lenovo Team had to hold their breath as Bastianini swarmed behind Bagnaia, but over the line the reigning Champion kept it, ensuring Martin’s win only extends his lead by five points. Bastianini was forced to settle for fourth, with Morbidelli taking fifth and one of his best finishes of the year after accelerating away from Viñales.
Binder and Alex Marquez also battled to the line to decide the final spots inside of the Sprint points at the Sachsenring, split by just a tenth and a half.
2024 German MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 | Jorge Martin | (Prima Pramac Racing) | |
| 2 | Miguel Oliveira | (Trackhouse Racing) | +0.676 |
| 3 | Francesco Bagnaia | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +1.311 |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +1.458 |
| 5 | Franco Morbidelli | (Prima Pramac Racing) | +5.600 |
| 6 | Marc Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +6.281 |
| 7 | Maverick Viñales | (Aprilia Racing) | +6.284 |
| 8 | Brad Binder | (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +9.061 |
| 9 | Alex Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +9.201 |
| 10 | Marco Bezzecchi | (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +10.800 |
MotoGP Qualifying
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) came out on top in a dramatic qualifying at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, taking pole position with a new lap record as he aims to repeat his 2023 weekend of doing the double. Starting alongside him it’s an Aprilia 2-3 as Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) took his best qualifying result since his pole at the 2020 Portuguese GP, with Trackhouse teammate Raul Fernandez taking a second front row of the season in P3, and via Q1 no less.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) starts P4 as he aims to continue his winning streak, meanwhile Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is down in P13 after missing the cut in Q1 following some drama at the end of the session that held up the #93.
The spotlight was on 11-time Sachsenring winner Marc Marquez in Q1, but after the first runs, Raul Fernandez had the edge on the eight-time World Champion.
As they headed back out, a first flash of drama came as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) tried to head past the #93 and ended up running off at Turn 1, Marquez avoiding and then next time round coming back in. That would prove a fateful decision in his mission to move through, as his final run left him with one single shot at it – and more drama hit then.
As the #93 headed out of Turn 1 on his one shot wonder lap, Stefan Bradl (HRC Test Team) was on the apex of Turn 2 but not at full racing speed, then moving over. But that was enough to force more avoiding action from Marquez and write the lap off, leaving him P13 on the grid and Bradl under investigation, later given a 3-place penalty.
After the first flurry of activity, Martin was on provisional pole with a 0.220 cushion ahead of Raul Fernandez, who kept his groove rolling from Q1. Another quarter of a second decided P3, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) holding that early on.
As they thundered back out for the second runs, Martin had a moment that put paid to an improvement on his first shot at it, but even more drama was on the way. A crash for Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) at Turn 10, rider ok and passed fit, brought out the yellow flags and it took a minute to clear as the #12 also got his breath back following the highside. That paused any potential improvements, and then Martin had a run off, and finally there was a crash for Alex Marquez that made threading the needle to find space to push for a lap – as well as managing to really threaten on that lap – nigh on impossible. Martin takes pole with that fast effort set early on, ahead of a Trackhouse invasion of the front row, and Bagnaia starts P4.
Behind 2023 winner Martin and the two Aprilias of Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, Bagnaia heads up a second row completed by Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) – the latter equalling his best qualifying of the season so far from Mugello.
Row 3 sees Viñales looking for more from P7 after having topped Friday’s timesheets, and looking to shake off that highside in the session. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is eighth as his solid run of form continues, ahead of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the #23 looks to make another podium dash from a little further back.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) starts P10 for his final chance to become the youngest winner in MotoGP™, just ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Bezzecchi completing the Q2 runners.
2024 German MotoGP Results—MotoGP Qualifying
| 1 | Jorge Martin | (Prima Pramac Racing) | 1:19.423 |
| 2 | Miguel Oliveira | (Trackhouse Racing) | +0.048 |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez | (Trackhouse Racing) | +0.220 |
| 4 | Francesco Bagnaia | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.326 |
| 5 | Alex Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +0.368 |
| 6 | Franco Morbidelli | (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.523 |
| 7 | Maverick Viñales | (Aprilia Racing) | +0.527 |
| 8 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.534 |
| 9 | Enea Bastianini | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.555 |
| 10 | Pedro Acosta | (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.925 |
Moto2 Qualifying
Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) has taken a magical pole position at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland after a fantastic lap from the Italian. The #13 battled through Q1 and will now start alongside Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) on the front row, with the British rider a mere 0.047s slower. It was an intense session with Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) rounding off the front row and qualifying as the top Boscoscuro.
Vietti set a strong lap late in Q1, which allowed the Italian to secure the top spot and go safely through to Q2. Joining the #13 in Q2 was Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team), Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Early on in Q2, it was Diogo Moreira, who led early on before Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) stole top honors.
Heading into the closing stages 0.005s separated the top three riders with Arbolino holding onto his provisional pole position. Vietti soon used his Q1 experience to go to the top of Q2 after a great lap in the final five minutes. Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) suffered a late crash at Turn 1, bringing an early end to his qualifying – starting down in P12.
Meanwhile, heading the second row of the grid after an unbelievable qualifying was Senna Agius, who will line up in P4 for the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team. Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) took fifth after finding time late in the session on his ninth lap of qualifying. Arbolino will go from sixth on the grid after the Italian could not improve on his previous time as the clock hit zero.
Ai Ogura will start from seventh and as the first MT Helmets – MSI rider on the grid, qualifying ahead of Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). The #10 did not better his time from the start of the session as Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) starts from an impressive ninth and caps off a talent-packed third row of the grid.
Meanwhile, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) took an extremely brave P11 on the grid after yet another superhero performance. Further back, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) will start down in 14th ahead of Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) in 17th, with both riders facing a huge task ahead.
2024 German Moto2 Results—Moto2 Qualifying
| 1 | Celestino Vietti | (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 1:22.778 |
| 2 | Jake Dixon | (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) | +0.047 |
| 3 | Fermin Aldeguer | (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) | +0.127 |
| 4 | Senna Aguis | (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.163 |
| 5 | Manuel Gonzalez | (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) | +0.214 |
| 6 | Tony Arbolino | (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) | +0.259 |
| 7 | Ai Ogura | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.262 |
| 8 | Diogo Moreira | (Italtrans Racing Team) | +0.264 |
| 9 | Marcos Ramirez | (OnlyFans American Racing Team) | +0.305 |
| 10 | Alonso Lopez | (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) | +0.349 |
Moto3 Qualifying
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) has stormed to his maiden pole position of 2024, after an unbelievable lap in Germany. The #95 has looked strong throughout the weekend and will start alongside title rival David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) on the front row, after taking P2. The Colombian was 0.336s adrift from Veijer and was briefly on provisional pole at the Sachsenring. Joining Veijer and Alonso on the front row is Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who stormed to third on the grid and claimed his first front-row Grand Prix start.
It was a fast Q1, with Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) fastest and earning a spot in Q2 alongside Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), and MLav Racing’s Scott Ogden. This led to an exciting Q2, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) topping timesheets early on before Alonso responded at hit the top for the first time this weekend.
As the session progressed, Veijer took provisional pole position, setting a stunning 1:25.385. Alonso soon responded with less than two minutes remaining, with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) also setting a strong lap which was cancelled due to a yellow flag after Bertelle suffered a crash. However, Veijer soon put together the lap of his life to destroy the lap record on his final flying lap.
On the second row on Sunday is Fernandez, who was incredibly quick after working with his teammate and pulling off an impressive save at Turn 1 after his fast lap. Joining the #31 on the second row of the grid is Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who rounded out the top five and was a further 0.002s behind Fernandez. BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz completes the second row in sixth after a consistent weekend so far for the #64.
Meanwhile, after fighting through Q1, Ogden will start from P7 on the grid after an impressive lap from the British rider. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) took eighth and will join Ogden on the second row as the #72 sets his sights on Sunday. Moto3™ veteran Tatsuki Suzuki will start from ninth, capping a successful day for the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP squad. Meanwhile, Holgado is down in 13th on the grid alongside Ortola, with both riders facing a huge task ahead.
There was drama ahead of qualifying as it was announced that Bertelle, Esteban, Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Josh Whatley (MLav Racing) will all start from the pitlane on Sunday. There would be further penalties announced for, Carraro, Lunetta, Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Team Asia), and Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM), who all must take a double Long Lap during the German GP. While, David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), Ortola and Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) were handed a single Long Lap penalty.
2024 German Moto3 Results—Moto3 Qualifying
| 1 | Collin Veijer | (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | 1:24.885 |
| 2 | David Alonso | (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) | +0.336 |
| 3 | Luca Lunetta | (SIC58 Squadra Corse) | +0.337 |
| 4 | Adrian Fernandez | (Leopard Racing) | +0.501 |
| 5 | Jose Antonio Rueda | (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +0.503 |
| 6 | David Muñoz | (BOE Motorsports) | +0.545 |
| 7 | Scott Ogden | (MLav Racing) | +0.552 |
| 8 | Taiyo Furusato | (Honda Team Asia) | +0.603 |
| 9 | Tatsuki Suzuki | (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.769 |
| 10 | Stefano Nepa | (LEVELUP – MTA) | +0.821 |
MotoE Race One
Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) emerged victorious in a red-flagged MotoE™ Race 1 at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as the Spaniard rises to the summit of the World Championship with a second 25-point haul in three races. Garzo fended off polesitter Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) as the Italian and teammate Nicholas Spinelli completed the rostrum.
An incident involving Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) brought out the red flags on Lap 1, with the former being handed a double Long Lap penalty for the restart. More drama unfolded for Gutierrez as he then jumped the start for the five-lap dash, seeing him face two more Long Lap penalties, and when attempting to complete the first, the #99 crashed out. Granado was taken to hospital for a full check and was diagnosed with a small contusion to his head, so he stays there under observation and we all send him well wishes.
The race began again and was a Garzo masterclass to the flag, with Zaccone staying in touch but not quite close enough to make an attack. Spinelli’s third was just ahead of a group battle that saw Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) take P4 and his best result of the season so far.
2024 German MotoE Results—Race One
| 1 | Hector Garzo | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) | |
| 2 | Alessandro Zaccone | (Tech3 E-Racing) | +0.408 |
| 3 | Nicholas Spinelli | (Tech3 E-Racing) | +1.563 |
| 4 | Matteo Ferrari | (Felo Gresini MotoE™) | +2.716 |
| 5 | Jordi Torres | (Openbank Aspar Team) | +2.846 |
| 6 | Miquel Pons | (Axxis-MSI) | +3.007 |
| 7 | Lukas Tulovic | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) | +3.185 |
| 8 | Kevin Zannoni | (Openbank Aspar Team) | +3.415 |
| 9 | Mattia Casadei | (LCR E-Team) | +5.443 |
| 10 | Alessio Finello | (Felo Gresini MotoE™) | +5.721 |
MotoE Race Two
Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) kept his nerve to perfection in a delayed and rain-soaked Race 2, outpacing Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) to complete the double after the two made the break early on. Garzo ultimately crossed the line with an impressive 3.4 seconds in hand, but Spinelli got back on the box for some valuable points.
The battle to complete the podium went down to a duel between Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) and Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), with the veteran edging out the rookie to get back on the rostrum in back-to-back rounds for the first time this season.
Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top five, with two riders just above him in the standings, Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) and Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team), taking P9 and P15, respectively, to give the standings another shake up. Watch the full Race 2 below and come back for more in Austria after summer break.
2024 German MotoE Results—Race Two
| 1 | Hector Garzo | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) | |
| 2 | Nicholas Spinelli | (Tech3 E-Racing) | +3.485 |
| 3 | Jordi Torres | (Openbank Aspar Team) | +6.217 |
| 4 | Oscar Gutierrez | (Axxis-MSI) | +7.254 |
| 5 | Alessandro Zaccone | (Tech3 E-Racing) | +9.398 |
| 6 | Matteo Ferrari | (Felo Gresini MotoE™) | +13.523 |
| 7 | Miquel Pons | (Axxis-MSI) | +15.149 |
| 8 | Andrea Mantovani | (KLINT Forward Racing Team) | +15.546 |
| 9 | Mattia Casadei | (LCR E-Team) | +21.748 |
| 10 | Lukas Tulovic | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) | +29.284 |
2024 German MotoGP News—Friday
Fabiano Sterlacchini departs KTM
Senior KTM engineer Fabiano Sterlacchini has left the Austrian in a surprise development after the Dutch TT. The Italian engineer, who joined from Ducati in 2021, where he was Gigi Dall’Igna’s number two, could not agree terms on a new three-year deal with the factory.
“It was a stormy week for us,” said KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer. “Fabiano was at the end of contract time in the last months. In the last week we had some discussions. We tried to renew. We were working on a new three-year contract with him. But at the end of the day, we just couldn’t agree to some things. For him the distance from his home was one part. But I don’t want to use this as our main excuse. We just couldn’t agree on some things on how to continue. That’s why we mutually agreed to split up.
“He has created some areas in our project we didn’t even cover and he’s built them up. We took a different direction. I feel our project is on a much more stable base. We have more great people and we’ve found them together over the past few years. I’m happy with what he did.”
Official: Aleix signs to be Honda’s test rider
Aleix Espargaro will join Stefan Bradl as HRC’s MotoGP test rider from 2025 and is relishing the challenge. “It is a really good opportunity and I’m really honoured to join HRC,” he said.
“I have talked with the top Japanese management and they really believe and trust in me and this is what makes me decide to go. It’s not just technically, but of course I will try to ride-up the level of the bike, which is what I did with Aprilia but I will also be a team player, trying to work with the riders, be in the garage, to bring the mood that I helped bring in these eight seasons with Aprilia. I think it is very important. They really need this also. It is not just technical but on this side also. I will try.”
Espargaro withdrew from the German GP on Friday morning after completing a few laps in FP due to the pain he was feeling from the right hand he broke at Assen.
Di Giannantonio edging toward VR46 renewal
Fabio Di Giannantonio has indicated he is edging toward renewing his contract with VR46 Ducati despite increased interest from Pramac Yamaha to lead its new venture in 2025.
The Italian revealed he was considering those two options, plus a back-up option, on Thursday, when he was sat next to Fabio Quartararo in the press conference, with the Frenchman pushing him to join the Yamaha operation.
But on Friday he said, “Plan A is for sure to continue this project. But in case we don’t have this opportunity, for many reasons, in case we don’t have the right project with this team, I have plan B.” It’s believed he is holding out for a GP25 for next year.
Friday MotoGP
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) ripped up the recent form book at the Sachsenring on Friday, putting Aprilia on top and by a sizeable 0.340 as he smashed the lap record. 2023 winner Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was the first on the chase after showing serious speed all day, but he had another Aprilia for company as Trackhouse Racing’s Miguel Oliveira made it two Noale machines in the top three, just 0.022 off Martin.
For many a favorite on the way in, it was a tougher opening day for Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the #93 had two crashes, the second of which was a big highside. After a medical check, he has been declared fit.
It was a dramatic first part to the vital Practice session in the afternoon, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashing in the opening stages, losing the front at the fast Turn 11, rider ok. Then, Marc Marquez suffered a highside there with 52 minutes left on the clock, with the Gresini rider initially heading back to the truck rather than the medical centre. Later, the #93 did go for a check and was declared fit.
Not long after that, more drama, this time at Turn 1. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) crashed and damaged the air fence – bringing out the red flag – and he headed straight to the medical center. But once again, rider ok and passed fit, and the #49 even headed back out and managed to improve his lap.
Once the session resumed, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) also crashed at Turn 1, riders ok, but the pace would heat up with time attacks starting in the last 20 minutes – and the lap record was destroyed. Marquez, who didn’t head back out, found his name pipped further and further down the order before it was outside the top ten, putting him in Q1.
Behind Viñales’ stunning 1:19.622 as he unleashed a full Batmav Friday, Martin had an impressive day at the office to stake his claim as favorite of the top three in the title fight. Oliveira impressed after a very tough Assen to come out swinging, taking third and at a track he’s taken a premier class podium at previously.
Fourth place was taken by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who showed strong pace throughout with over 30 laps set in the hour-long Practice to back up a top three position on Friday in Assen, and on the heels of his new two-year contract.
Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, completed a quiet day at the office but a good one, taking P5 just ahead of teammate Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). The ‘Beast’ had a late crash at Turn 11, but rider ok if a little bruised.
Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli found time in the afternoon to finish P7, ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) who had a fast but at times adventurous Friday. The rookie sensation crashed in FP1 and then again in Practice but moves through to Q2 in eighth. Sunday is the last chance he has to beat Marquez’ record of youngest premier class winner.
Diggia takes P9 despite his tumble too, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder completing the top ten as the final rider moving straight through to Q2. The South African was an infinitesimal 0.001 ahead of teammate Jack Miller. Miller heads Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), behind whom sits Marc Marquez on the timesheets. They head for Q1 alongside the likes of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). Check out the full results from the day below.
Saturday will certainly be an intriguing one, with Aprilia taking top Friday honors at a track Ducati have come to dominate, standout performances making waves, a new lap record set. The last time Viñales pulled out that kind of gap on the field, it turned into an ominous Saturday AND Sunday for the rest – at the equally anti-clockwise Circuit of the Americas.
2024 German MotoGP Results—Friday
| 1 | Maverick Viñales | (Aprilia Racing) | 1:19.622 |
| 2 | Jorge Martin | (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.340 |
| 3 | Miguel Oliveira | (Trackhouse Racing) | +0.362 |
| 4 | Alex Marquez | (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +0.407 |
| 5 | Francesco Bagnaia | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.439 |
| 6 | Enea Bastianini | (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.463 |
| 7 | Franco Morbidelli | (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.464 |
| 8 | Pedro Acosta | (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.520 |
| 9 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.658 |
| 10 | Brad Binder | (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.662 |
Friday Moto2
Friday’s Moto2™ pacesetter was Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) as the Thai rider heads into Saturday over three tenths clear of the chasing pack. Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) ended Day 1 0.351s adrift of Chantra’s 1:22.698, with Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) fronting the Boscoscoro charge in P3.
MT Helmets – MSI teammates Sergio Garcia and Ai Ogura are P7 and P8 respectively at the end of play on Friday, with the top two in the title race both setting a 1:23.267.
After fracturing his right collarbone seven days ago in Assen, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) returned to action and ended Friday in P17, just over a second from Chantra’s time. The American will be hunting for a top 14 spot on Saturday morning.
2024 German Moto2 Results—Friday
| 1 | Somkiat Chantra | (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) | 1:22.698 |
| 2 | Jake Dixon | (CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team) | +0.351 |
| 3 | Fermin Aldeguer | (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) | +0.407 |
| 4 | Bo Bendsneyder | (Preicanos Racing Team) | +0.425 |
| 5 | Aron Canet | (Fantic Racing) | +0.529 |
| 6 | Marcos Ramirez | (OnlyFans American Racing Team) | +0.563 |
| 7 | Sergio Garcia | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.569 |
| 8 | Ai Ogura | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.569 |
| 9 | Manuel Gonzalez | (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) | +0.629 |
| 10 | Tony Arbolino | (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) | +0.666 |
Friday Moto3
Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) topped the Moto3™ times on Friday at the Sachsenring as the Italian put together a 1:25.283 to finish 0.031s ahead of Dutch TT winner Ivan Ortola (MT Helmet – MSI). David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) bagged P3 on Day 1 but the Colombian had to leave it late to land a competitive time following a fast crash at Turn 11. The World Championship leader will be aiming to have a less dramatic session on Saturday morning.
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) pocketed a P4 to signal a solid day at the office for Alonso’s chief Championship chaser.
Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) sits P11 heading into Saturday morning’s final Practice session, but the Spaniard is less than half a second away from Nepa’s pace.
2024 German Moto3 Results—Friday
| 1 | Stefano Nepa | (Levelup – MTA) | 1:25.283 |
| 2 | Ivan Ortola | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.031 |
| 3 | David Alonso | (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) | +0.064 |
| 4 | Collin Veijer | (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.096 |
| 5 | Angel Piqueras | (Leopard Racing) | +0.115 |
| 6 | Taiyo Furusato | (Honda Team Asia) | +0.306 |
| 7 | Adrian Fernandez | (Leopard Racing) | +0.395 |
| 8 | Jose Antonio Rueda | (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +0.412 |
| 9 | Ryusei Yamanaka | (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.443 |
| 10 | David Muñoz | (BOE Motorsports) | +0.449 |
Friday MotoE
For the third time in succession Tech3 E-Racing’s Alessandro Zaccone will launch from pole position after the Italian pipped Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) by just 0.062s in a drama-filled qualifying at the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland. Zaccone’s 1:26.234 was 0.221s quicker than Nicholas Spinelli’s (Tech3 E-Racing) best effort, as the latter came through Q1 to stick his Ducati V21L on the front row in P3.
Title hunting Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) spearheads the second row of the grid in P4, as the top two in the World Championship – Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) and Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) – both suffered crashes in Q2. Casadei qualified P8 but will serve a Long Lap penalty in Race 1 for crashing under yellow flags at Turn 13, while Zannoni didn’t set a time after the Italian crashed at Turn 1 early in Q2 – the #21 will start in P10 if given the all-clear to race.
2024 German MotoE Results—Friday
| 1 | Alessandro Zaccone | (Tech3 E-Racing) | 1:26.234 |
| 2 | Oscar Gutierrez | (Axxis-MSI) | +0.062 |
| 3 | Nicholas Spinelli | (Tech3 E-Racing) | +0.221 |
| 4 | Hector Garzo | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) | +0.267 |
| 5 | Jordi Torres | (Openbank Aspar Team) | +0.295 |
| 6 | Eric Granado | (LCR E-Team) | +0.343 |
| 7 | Matteo Ferrari | (Felo Gresini MotoE™) | +0.363 |
| 8 | Mattia Casadei | (LCR E-Team) | +0.689 |
| 9 | Lukas Tulovic | (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) | No time |
| 10 | Kevin Zannoni | (Openbank Aspar Team) | No time |
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