Category: Moto GP

1. MOTOGP TRIPLE TOUR PART 2: MALAYSIA, QATAR AND VALENCIA

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 6th Nov 2023

   One weekend off to recharge body and soul and it is already time for the last ride of the season with Malaysia, Qatar and the season finale at Valencia as the upcoming events for Team Gresini MotoGP.
    
   The Faenza-based squad is living a positive moment as the last outings brought good results and points with both riders: Fabio Di Giannantonio more and more consistent with two parc fermé trips in the last three races (best-placed independent rider in Indonesia and third-placed overall in Australia), while Alex Marquez is finally back to full fitness and ready for the final charge for 2023.
   
   The world championship top ten is currently 27 points away, meaning it is a difficult but not impossible challenge considering the 111 points still up for grabs between full and sprint races.

   #73 ALEX MARQUEZ (11th in the championship standings with 117 points) “Australia and Thailand have been two very positive weekends considering the injury I suffered in India. In the preseason test at Sepang we made some adjustments to the setup that helped me: we know we are fast and despite knowing we still have some more fine-tuning to do, to be back at full fitness in Malaysia is already a big thing. The season must be wrapped up with a sweet taste in the mouth, so we’ll also need consistency in terms of results in Qatar and Valencia.”   #49 FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (12th in the championship standings with 93 points) “We’re surely have been on food form lately, both with regards to results and feeling with the bike. The growth has been consistent, and I see no reason why we should stop now. We still have three rounds left at venues I like, despite being very different from each other. We’ll keep our heads down to wrap up a positive season on a high note.”

2. Aleix fifth in the Thai Sprint Race

   Posted on 1:00pm Saturday 28th Oct 2023

   IN THE BATTLE FOR THE PODIUM, ESPARGARÓ IN THE MIX ALL THE WAY TO THE CHEQUERED FLAG The final lap of the MotoGP Sprint Race thrilled the numerous and lively Thai fans with a battle fought all the way to the chequered flag between Aleix and Marc Marquez. The Aprilia riding Spaniard, after starting from the third spot on the grid, had built up a good gap ahead of his compatriot and was pushing to make a play for the third step of the podium, provisionally occupied by Marini. Unfortunately, the gap was reset when he went wide and, between passes and counter-passes, he wound up in fifth place. However, the feeling is there on a difficult track and the long race tomorrow (with a lot of strategy in play) will give Espargaró the chance to exploit all the hard work done during the practice sessions. Saturday was not quite as happy for Maverick, who had been a protagonist until today here in Buriram. Both in qualifying and in the Sprint Race, the Aprilia rider was unable to find the good feeling from the other sessions. After starting from the third row, he had to reckon with the start height-device system failing to disengage, which relegated him to last place. In his attempt to recover, Viñales also exceeded track limits twice, forcing him to pay a long-lap penalty. The goal for tomorrow is to find those good sensations he had before and finish the weekend on a positive note. ALEIX "I’m proud of the work we are doing on this track. Remembering last year, when I arrived here I did not have any great expectations, but I must say that I am feeling good. In the final laps today, I wanted to try to battle with Marini for the podium, but I made a mistake that allowed Marc to catch up. It was an exciting final lap. I knew that he was going to have a go on the final turn and, even though I braked extremely hard, he managed to stay ahead of me. A lot more strategy will come into play in the race tomorrow, but with the harder compound at the rear I was fast so I’ll be trying for the podium again." MAVERICK "I am angry because in qualifying and in the Sprint Race, we were unable to maintain the level we had up until this morning. In the race, I went wide twice. The pace was lacking, and we need to find out what happened. Tomorrow, much will depend on the feeling I’m able to find."

3. Good Friday for Aprilia in Thailand

   Posted on 3:00pm Friday 27th Oct 2023

   MAVERICK SECOND AND ALEIX THIRD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE

   STRAIGHT THROUGH TO Q2 AND GOOD SENSATIONS

   
   There is a positive air in the Aprilia camp after the initial practice sessions on the Buriram circuit in Thailand. Maverick and Aleix were protagonists in both session, focusing their work on used tyres in preparation for tomorrow’s Sprint race and the GP on Sunday. The time attack in the afternoon then had them going easily straight through to Q2, with the second and third time respectively for Viñales and Espargaró.

   With thirteen riders all within four tenths of one another, it promises to be a weekend where details, consistency, and precision will make the difference.

   ALEIX
   "I was surprised at our performance today, especially in some stages such as going into turns where we usually lose a few tenths. The track conditions are different than last year but we are also working a lot on the position in the saddle. The guys at Aprilia analyse the data and from their reports, it seems like that is an aspect we can work on to improve the RS-GP. I should point out that we are all extremely close, so we’ll need to be perfect to qualify well tomorrow."

   MAVERICK
   "On tracks like this one, being able to be precise is the secret to being fast. Today we managed and that is important. It means that we have learned from our experiences this season. As I always say, we need to build our performance day after day and always add another piece to the puzzle. It is only Friday, but I’ll do everything I can to stay out front tomorrow as well. We have a chance and we need to exploit it."

    

4. WONDERFUL INDONESIA REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO GRESINI RACING MOTOGP

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 24th Oct 2023

   A few weeks ago, Gresini Racing and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy reconvened during the 15th round of the MotoGP season at the Mandalika International Circuit. This meeting served as an opportunity to renew their partnership for the upcoming season. 
    
   The iconic 'Wonderful Indonesia' logo will continue to adorn the wings of the Ducati Desmosedici GP23, which from next year will be in the hands of Alex Marquez and his brother Marc. The primary goal remains unchanged: Gresini Racing MotoGP will remain the team of reference for many Indonesian brands and for a fanzone that has always been at the top of the global rankings.

   SANDIAGA UNO – Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy
    
   “First of all, we are delighted to extend partnership between MoTCE and Gresini Racing Team, as we now the ongoing partnership has positive impact for both Indonesia and Gresini. We are proud to witness Wonderful Indonesia and our national brand (Federal oil, Aspira, Antangin, MS Glow, Bold Riders and Riding Style) “compete” in international circuits around the world, moreover when Gresini rider take the winning podium. Next year will be exciting with the arrival of the 8 times world champion Marc Marquez, we can’t wait!”.
    
   CARLO MERLINI – Gresini Racing Commercial and Marketing director
   “I’m delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to make Gresini Racing “Official Ambassador Team of Indonesia” for another two years. For us it is an acknowledgement for promoting several Indonesian sponsors on the global stage of the MotoGP World Championship and for engaging a very large number of local fans who see Gresini Racing MotoGP as the Team that represents their own nation. And we feel extremely honoured to display the Wonderful Indonesia logo on our bikes and rider suits. I would like to thank Your Excellency Minister Sandiaga Uno, the Deputy Ministers Made Marthini and Vinsensius Jemadu for the trust in Gresini Racing.”

5. Race at Phillip Island

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 21st Oct 2023

   ALEIX EIGHTH AND MAVERICK ELEVENTH IN THE GP OF AUSTRALIA

   APRILIA RACING UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE GOOD PERFORMANCE FROM FRIDAY IN THE RACE, BOTH RS-GP MACHINES FINISH FAR OFF THE PODIUM

   The good sensations experienced by Aprilia Racing on Friday were not confirmed on the Saturday dedicated to qualifying and, partially due to the change of programme forced by the looming foul weather, in the 27-lap GP.
   In fact, the usual order of the Grand Prix and the Sprint Races was inverted due to the rain and high winds forecast for tomorrow, so the short race is still on the schedule.

   On Friday, the factory RS-GP machines distinguished themselves, taking top-ten spots easily with Maverick in third place. However, Viñales struggled in Q2, finishing in the ninth spot on the grid. Espargaró did better than him, taking the fourth spot on the grid.
   After a good start from the second row, Aleix progressively lost contact with the leading group, partly because of a battle for sixth that lasted throughout the entire race. The many overtaking manoeuvres, to his advantage and detriment, with Miller, Marc, and Alex Marquez, and in the finale also with Bezzecchi, progressively increased the gap between that group and the one leading the race. In the battle that lasted all the way to the finish line, Aleix finished eighth.

   Farther back, Viñales had to settle for eleventh. Maverick did not start badly, but the battle in the central group kept him from finding a pace acceptable and consistent enough to attempt a comeback.

   ALEIX
   "It was a difficult race. From the start, we struggled with grip on some sections of the track, but just enough that we were unable to do the same pace as those at the front. I knew that it would be a race where we’d need to manage the tyre well and I tried to do so at the start, but it was not enough because, especially on the right-handers, there was a lot of spin. If the Sprint Race is held in the dry tomorrow, we may have better chances. I was fast in both qualifying and practice using the softer rear."

   MAVERICK
   "Nothing really out of the ordinary happened, this was simply our level today. I expected this, partly because the traction was not good yesterday. I tried to look after the tyres today, but it didn’t make much of a difference. We need to focus on improving the bike. If we are able to this weekend, it would be an important step, also in view of next year. What we need to do is understand the difficulties and learn from them."