Bagnaia expands MotoGP™ title
The Motul Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona will keep the excitement going until the very end. The MotoGP™ World Championship is still searching for a champion and promises another day of complete uncertainty at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. For now, Pecco Bagnaia has done everything in his power to get closer to Jorge Martin, with pole position this morning and victory in the sprint race.
The Ducati Lenovo team is lucky. And Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini scored an undeniable double, which once again demonstrates the team’s superiority. Bagnaia, who had already done his homework in the second quarter, took first place and did not budge. Starting from pole position, the Italian took the lead and controlled the race from start to finish.
Enea Bastianini, for her part, was one of the greatest heroes of the time with a stellar beginning. Bagnaia’s teammate started eighth and was only a few meters ahead of many of his rivals ahead. Jorge Martin, a real expert on starts, remained in third position. However, despite his reluctance to take risks, Martin did not accept the position.
Both riders were dedicated to putting on a show and a very nice but clean battle for second place. With a group of riders behind him, Martin tried to distance himself from Bastianini in order to protect himself, therefore, from riders like Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez or Aleix Espargaro. And he seemed to have succeeded, but Bastianini returned the overtaking on the last lap without the opportunity to respond.
With these results, Bagnaia reduces the advantage of Jorge Martin, who now has 19 points more than the Italian, instead of the 24 he brought to Barcelona. Given Pecco Bagnai’s hypothetical victory tomorrow, Martin would be good enough to finish ninth. The two main characters of the final battle were happy with the end of the race.
Pecco Bagnaia: “I’m very pleased. The work is done for today. Tomorrow we will try to do everything possible to win this title, but it does not depend only on me. “Everything that should be will be.”
Jorge Martin: “Tomorrow I’m going to compete with myself. And I’m going to focus on my career. “I try to take it positively, although there are nerves, I’m not going to deny it.”
Right at the doors of the stands, Aleix Espargaro was applauded and appreciated. It is clear that the Catalan receives extra support from the fans when he races at home, and the Aprilia rider had a great day. Espargaro dropped to second position in qualifying and was in the leading group throughout the race. In addition, to honor his career, the Catalan took a lap of honor on his first motorcycle in the 125 cc category. Alex Marquez finished in the top five for the day, while his brother Marc Marquez was seventh. The meeting with Pedro Acosta at the start left both without much choice.
Aron Kane, King of the Poles
The Moto2™ World Championship concluded the second quarter, in which Aron Cane again excelled. The Fantic Racing driver recorded his sixth fastest lap of the season, being by far the most advanced in this regard. He did so with a yellow flag at the last minute due to the fall of Jaume Masia, but despite this, the Valencian had already done so before the incident. Cane was very close to reducing the time to one minute and 42 seconds, or more precisely to three thousandths.
A smiling Manuel Gonzalez returned to Parc Ferme after a long absence from qualifying. The Gresini rider is just over a tenth behind Canet and will take second position on the main straight tomorrow. Zonta van den Goorberg (RW – Idrofoglia Racing GP) will be third in the fight for that top spot. Ai Ogura, this season’s category champion, starts right behind this group, in fourth position. Sergio Garcia, fighting for second position in the championship, will have to work hard given his 14th starting place.
David Alonso, unstoppable
The 2024 Moto3™ World Champion continues to do honor and break barriers. CFMOTO Valresa Aspar took his seventh pole position of the year and is already on his way to making history. David Alonso not only broke his own lap record, which he set during the last Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, but tomorrow he can become the driver with the most wins in a single season – a total of 14. His 1 win today: The 45.9 beat May’s 1:46.1, even on a much colder track.
On this fast lap, Alonso stands out and breaks the tie with Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who has six pole positions. Ortola, however, is not far from pole position and will cover the first starting line tomorrow. Between both riders will be Colin Weier (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Both Ortola and Weier are vying for second place, so the fight between them promises to be fierce. Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) will occupy the second row of the grid.
Solidarity Auction
Today the District held the second of two in-person auctions to raise funds for those affected by DANA. In particular, in the fan zone, visitors were able to see a long list of famous guests such as the Marquez brothers, Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini, Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo and many others. People wishing to collaborate with the cause can also do so through an online auction.
Circuit reaffirms its commitment to sustainability
The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is preparing to host the FIM Ride Green KISS (Keep It Shine and Sustainable) program, organizing a series of events in collaboration with Dorna and within the framework of sustainability management based on the 3Cs “Awareness”. “Commitment and Consistency” to increase awareness and awareness of all stakeholders regarding environmental stewardship.
The Barcelona route will have a sustainability meeting point located behind Stand G (open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 14:00). It will also use 100% certified renewable energy to power the electricity supply and offer km0 and organic food. In addition, fans will be able to find drinking water fountains in public areas and in the paddock. The commitment to sustainable mobility will continue through a dedicated public transport programme, as well as zero waste, circular economy, recycling and surplus food donation.
Access to the schema
Access to the track is possible through any of its doors from 7 am. All Box Offices (except Box 5) will also be open during the same hours as the doors open. To be able to park in the Circuit car park, vehicles must present a parking pass. Tickets can be purchased on the Circuit website. Motorcycles can be parked for free on H1 and H3.