MotoGP Catalunya Sunday

Bagnaia banishes Barcelona demons to deny Martin with statement win, Marquez makes late podium attack.

After a Saturday to forget it was a Sunday to remember for the reigning Champion as he hits back to outpace Martin – with #MM93 charging up the order to make it a familiar top three.

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team delivered a triumphant performance on Sunday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, making up for a missed opportunity the day before. After relinquishing the early lead to Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing, the reigning Champion executed a relentless pursuit to eventually claim victory and crucial points.

While Martin held firm in second place, the battle for the final podium spot unfolded between Marc Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP™ and Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing. Marquez ultimately clinched third place in a photo finish, marking his third consecutive podium, a feat not achieved since 2019.

As the race commenced, Bagnaia narrowly secured the lead from Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, with Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing slotting into third. Martin, having started strongly, maneuvered his way into fourth position. However, the initial skirmishes were merely a prelude to the dramatic exchanges that ensued.

Martin’s bold move on Binder at Turn 10 set the tone for a series of intense battles at the front. Meanwhile, behind the leading duo, Binder, Espargaro, and Raul Fernandez fought fiercely for position. Eventually, Acosta’s misfortune at Turn 10 allowed Martin to extend his lead, with Bagnaia seizing the opportunity to mount a challenge.

Bagnaia’s relentless pursuit paid off as he executed a flawless overtake on Martin at Turn 5, a move reminiscent of his previous day’s misfortune. With Martin unable to respond, Bagnaia steadily increased his lead to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Marquez replicated Espargaro’s earlier maneuver on Binder, securing third place and continuing his impressive streak. Espargaro ultimately finished fourth, while a late charge from Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team saw him narrowly beat Fernandez to fifth.

The race was not without controversy, as Enea Bastianini of Ducati Lenovo Team incurred penalties for track limit violations. Despite the setbacks, Bastianini remains determined to bounce back at the next race in Mugello.

As the action-packed weekend draws to a close, all eyes turn to the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo at Mugello, where more thrilling racing and historic moments await.

RESULTS

Moto 2 Ogura puts in a masterclass for first win since 2022 as Aldeguer falters

In a surprising turn of events at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, Moto2™ witnessed a thrilling battle culminating in Ai Ogura of MT Helmets – MSI clinching victory for the first time since the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Ogura, starting from 10th on the grid, showcased exceptional speed to navigate through the pack and ultimately outpace teammate Sergio Garcia in the closing stages, securing a sensational one-two finish for their team. Meanwhile, Jake Dixon of CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team celebrated his maiden podium of the year, adding a touch of jubilation to what had been a challenging season thus far. The twist in the tale came as initial leader Fermin Aldeguer of MB Conveyors SpeedUp received a Long Lap penalty for exceeding track limits, subsequently crashing out as he entered the penalty loop.

As the race commenced, Garcia swiftly capitalized on his pole position, surging into the lead at Turn 1. Meanwhile, Ogura, displaying remarkable tenacity, made a remarkable ascent from 10th to third position by the end of the opening straight.

At the front, Aldeguer wasted no time in seizing control of the race. Making a decisive move on his fellow Boscoscuro rider Garcia at Turn 10 on Lap 3, he began to extend his advantage, posing a formidable challenge to the Moto2™ sophomore. However, Aldeguer’s aspirations were dashed when a Long Lap penalty for track limits disrupted his momentum, ultimately leading to his untimely exit from contention.

With Garcia inheriting the lead, Ogura emerged as a formidable challenger, rapidly closing the gap to his teammate. The defining moment arrived on Lap 18 as Ogura executed a flawless maneuver at Turn 1, swiftly overtaking Garcia and subsequently cruising to victory with a commanding lead of almost four seconds. Remarkably, this marked Ogura’s first win since his triumphant victory in Japan back in 2022, sealing a memorable one-two finish for the MT Helmets – MSI squad. Dixon, securing third place, expressed his joy at returning to the podium after enduring a challenging start to the season.

Elsewhere, Jeremy Alcoba of Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team delivered an impressive performance to claim fourth place, narrowly edging out Senna Agius of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP, who also served a Long Lap penalty for track limits en route to fifth.

As the paddock sets its sights on Mugello for the iconic Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, anticipation mounts for another exhilarating round of racing action.

RESULTS

Moto 3 Catch me if you can: Alonso pulls the pin for fourth win of the year.

David Alonso of CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team orchestrated a masterful performance at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, seizing the opportunity when it mattered most and then exhibiting an unmatched pace to secure victory. This triumph, his fourth of the season, propels him into the coveted position of Moto3™ World Championship leader. In a closely contested battle, Ivan Ortola of MT Helmets – MSI showcased his prowess by converting his maiden pole position into a commendable second-place finish, while Jose Antonio Rueda of Red Bull KTM Ajo rejoiced with a well-deserved spot on the podium in third.

Amidst a tumultuous start marked by several close encounters with the grass, Ortola emerged with a slender lead in the initial stages of the race. However, Dani Holgado of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, who surged from ninth on the grid, quickly closed the gap. David Muñoz of BOE Motorsports executed a bold maneuver reminiscent of Rossi-Razgatlioglu at the end of the lap to snatch second place from Holgado. Yet, the dynamics swiftly shifted as they entered Turn 1, with Ortola leading the charge ahead of Collin Veijer of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP and Taiyo Furusato of Honda Team Asia, who was tasked with serving his double Long Lap penalty imposed on Saturday, along with Muñoz serving his single LLP.

The race unfolded with Ortola, Veijer, and Holgado dictating the pace at the front, while Alonso gradually asserted his presence, striving to break away from the pack. By the final five laps, Alonso’s efforts began to yield results as he endeavored to create a gap, with Ortola, Veijer, and Holgado valiantly clinging on as a gap started to emerge behind them.

In the closing stages, Rueda and Muñoz mounted a late surge, with Rueda successfully bridging the gap to the leading trio. As the final lap commenced, a quartet of riders vied for victory, with Rueda making a decisive move to overtake Veijer at Turn 4. However, with each rider pushing to the limit, no opportunities for overtaking emerged, and Alonso crossed the finish line a mere quarter of a second ahead to clinch the Championship lead.

Despite falling short of victory, Ortola showcased resilience and determination, securing another podium finish as he continues to build momentum. Rueda’s impressive performance, marked by a late charge, earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium, further solidifying his comeback after a challenging start to the season.

With Alonso now leading the Championship, the stage is set for the thrilling Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello next weekend, where the battle for supremacy is bound to intensify.

RESULTS

Official MotoGP Press Release