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Category: Superbikes

  1. UNDERWHELMING FRIDAY AT LE MANS FOR TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP

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    The outcome of this morning’s FP1 at Le Mans had created a very different degree of expectations for Marc and Alex Marquez, who in the end could not finish Practice higher than 13th and 19th, respectively. An afternoon characterised by high temperatures that saw a crash (for the #93) and a bit too many yellow flag situations did not help in what was extremely competitive session, with the top-12 lapping under the 1’31s barrier. 
     
    For the first time in the season, both standard bearers of Team Gresini Racing MotoGP will be forced to tackle Q1 tomorrow from 10:50 local time (GMT +2). 

    13th - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (1’31.097s)
    “I never felt comfortable in the afternoon set-up wise, and we need to react quickly. I’m not really fond of Q1 and it’s going to be a key but also complicated session. Unfortunately I got a yellow flag during my quick lap attempt and then made a mistake at the last second. We went in the wrong direction with the set-up so there’s a lot of work to do to be competitive tomorrow.”
     
    19th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’31.530s)
    “I managed to only do one time attack. We tried some adjustments that we working well this morning, but not as much in the afternoon. We need to make a step back, I had an idea set-up wise that I thought could have helped, but it turned out not to be. There’s margin to do well, but we need a bike that is not as nervous. Q1 is a complicated session and it’ll be even more challenging tomorrow with so many fast riders.”

     

  2. ASTRA OTOPARTS GRESINI MOTOGP SIGN A NEW, TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT

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    A new, two-year partnership extension see Astra Otoparts and Gresini Racing continue their journey together. The Indonesian giant bets once again on the Gresini MotoGP project and in 2024 will be alongside Alex and Marc Marquez in a season that has already shown great potential for the two light-blue dressed brothers. 
     
    Astra Otoparts top brand Aspira will be on display in all the main elements of Team Gresini MotoGP: from the bike to the riders’ leathers, team uniforms, pit-box panels, team trucks and MotoGP hospitality.
     
    A leading institution in the production and distribution of automotive spare parts, Astra Otoparts continue to contribute to the strengthening of the relations between Gresini and Indonesia, which is in all ways a second home for the Faenza-based team. 

    TUJUH MARTOGI SIAHAAN – DIRECTOR ASTRA OTOPARTS - "It’s an honour for us to be able to announce the extension of the partnership with Gresini Racing MotoGP for this season and the next one. We only wish for a further strengthening of the partnership between one of Astra’s top brands in the automotive industry, Aspira, and Gresini. I believe this new stellar line up made by the Marquez brothers makes this season a very interesting one and we expect to see a great story to be told in MotoGP. Indonesian people love Marquez for his incredible performance and this positivity will reflect also in our collaboration.”

    CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL & MARKETING DIRECTOR - “13 years together. What is a historical partnership will continue for at least another two years, until the end of 2025, and I’m extremely happy about it. We share a lot with Astra Motoparts and will continue to do so by raising the bar of our share goals a bit further up. We started the season among the protagonists, and we intend to do so until the final round in Valencia. We continue to grow together and a thank you goes to the whole Astra Family, which is in all ways an integral part of the #GresiniFamily.”

  3. PANDEMONIUM IN JEREZ AS MARC NARROWLY MISSES OUT ON RACE WIN AND ALEX IS FOURTH

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    Some Sundays are difficult to forget. At the same place where four years prior his nightmare began, Marc Marquez is back on the podium at Jerez de la Frontera after narrowly missing out on the race win in the last laps. The 20 points scored today catapult the #93 up to sixth place, 32 points in arrears of leader Martin.

    It was a very solid performance also for Alex Marquez, fourth at the line at the end of a good battle with Binder. It was a weekend among the protagonists for the #73, who was close to podium positions also yesterday.

    2nd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “I rode even too conservatively in the first five laps. Yesterday’s crash played a part and I wanted to make sure I made it to the finish line. Then I saw the chance to win and I gave it a try. Pecco defended the position strongly and it was good this way. Now winning is not a dream anymore, so let’s enjoy this return to speed and to podium ways.”

    4th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “It was a positive weekend, and we did very well today despite a small problem with the front brake. We have an important test tomorrow so we must stay focused!”

  4. THE SUN SHINES ON TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP’S FRIDAY AT JEREZ

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    #SpanishGP The weekend has started on the right foot for Marc and Alex Marquez at their home track in Jerez de la Frontera. The only ‘tiny cloud’ in this sunny (albeit not too hot) day was the crash by the #73 halfway through the second session, from which he escaped uninjured. The recently turned 28-year-old was able to return to the pits and then finish the session in 10th place.
     
    Things did not go as hoped, especially in light of the morning’s quickest time, but it was enough to secure the direct seed to Q2, a session that will also feature his brother Marc Marquez for the fourth consecutive time as the #93 was third overall in practice. The eight-time world champion was likely the fastest in sectors one and three, while there is still work to be done in the other two in order to battle for top positions. 

    3rd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “We worked on the base set-up from the previous GP and things went well straight away. I struggled a bit more with the wind in the afternoon but I can say we’re in a good place, even though so many riders are fast, too. We’re losing a bit at turn five and in the final sector but one thing is for sure: the adaptation process with the Ducati machine is over, now it is time to do some fine tuning in order to race with the best. We keep working session after session and qualifying is next.”
     
    10th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “Too bad for the afternoon crash and especially for the traffic encountered during the time attack, otherwise we would have been much higher in the practice timesheets. We needed to recover the feeling and the confidence, and we did it. To be racing in front of the home crowd obviously helps in being fast straight away from the morning. We need to be as close as we can to the front of the grid because it’s not easy to overtake here, so our full focus is now on tomorrow’s qualifying.”

  5. A drama-filled 24 Heures Motos for F.C.C. TSR Honda France but a Honda 1-2 in the Superstock category

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    A drama-filled 24 Heures Motos for F.C.C. TSR Honda France but a Honda 1-2 in the Superstock category
    		 
     
     

    - Last year's winner at Le Mans, F.C.C TSR Honda France makes an incredible comeback from two early crashes, but challenge comes to an end in the final hour - Double delight for Honda Superstock teams with victory for National Motos Honda and second place for Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda

    F.C.C. TSR Honda France started the 24-hour race from the third place on the starting grid with the Australian Josh Hook, based on the combined results achieved during good qualifying sessions aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

    With F.C.C. TSR Honda France firmly in the fight for victory and repeat last year’s result, two early crashes put an end to the team's plans.

    After 6 laps, Hook had a minor crash and managed to rejoin the race in 26th place and thanks to a series of consistent and solid laps, he managed to place the Fireblade #5 to 8th place after 26 laps.

    When Hook returned to the pits, he informed Mike Di Meglio about a strange sensation with the front tyre. The Frenchman took a couple of laps, but unfortunately, he crashed due to a lack of feeling with the front braking.

    Di Meglio had to push the bike all along into the pits, where the team made an impressive job repairing the bike. However, the bike fixing cost the team approximately 45 minutes, rejoining the race in 45th position overall and 15th in the EWC category.

    Since Di Meglio's return, a new race begun for Honda’s endurance specialist who delivered a series of fast and flawless stints, maintaining consistent lap times throughout the race. 

    Following the characteristic fighting spirit of the Honda family, the team began an incredible comeback, placing the Fireblade #5 in 8th position in the EWC class in the last quarter of the race.

    Unfortunately, when the team was back in the top 10 in the overall standings, just one hour and a half to end the race, the Fireblade #5 suffered a problem when the chain broke, and Hook had to take the bike to the pits, bringing their 24-hour race to an end.

    F.C.C. TSR Honda France leaves Le Mans with 5 points and is determined to come back stronger and fight for a victory at the 8 Hours of Spa Motos.

    National Motos Honda clinched another superb victory in the Superstock category, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to triumph after securing the runner-up spot in the 2023 FIM EWC World Cup and claiming earlier a victory at Le Mans in 2021.

    The Honda #55, that got the pole position during the qualifying sessions, made a strong start in the first quarter of the race, leading the race after the first eight hours. 

    The French team showcased a formidable performance thanks to the efforts of Suchet brothers and Guillaume Raymond during all the race and crossed the chequered flag in first place in Superstock and fifth overall.

    Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda started in third place from the grid in his category with Chris Leesch aboard the Honda CBR1000 RR-R Fireblade SP.

    However, early issues with a rear tire and the handlebar forced an extended pit stop, relegating the #41 team to 11th place.

    Despite this setback, consistent performances from the riders brought the team back up the ranks, securing a second place by the end of the first quarter of the race. 
    From that moment onward, the Fireblade #41 maintained their position until the finish line, ultimately securing the runner-up spot on the podium.

    The new Honda-powered team in EWC category, Tati Team Beringer Racing, with the squad formed by Hugo Clere, Randy Krummenacher and Coren Perolari got the 5th place in EWC category after the 24-hour race, getting a lot of information to improve the package and be stronger for the next race.

    The Honda #4 battled in podium positions throughout the race, but the Honda CBR1000 RR-R Fireblade SP had to stop at the pits to change a rear shock absorber, which caused the team to rejoin in sixth and final position.

    Honda Viltaïs Racing started with Florian Alt from the 4th position on the grid after delivering an impressive performance and consistent results throughout the week.

    Florian Alt made a good start and quickly found his pace and placed the Fireblade #333 in third place. Following his stint, it was Steven Odendaal’s turn to take over, but the South African couldn’t complete his stint as an issue obliged him to return the bike to the pits.

    Despite the best efforts of all the technical crew to fix the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to get it back on track as quickly as possible, Honda Viltaïs Racing was forced to retire. 

    Honda #333 gets two points in the championship thanks to the qualifying result, and it is ready to battle at the front in the next race.

    The next round of the 2024 FIM EWC Championship will take place at the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, which will host the 8 Heures of Spa Motos on June 8.