MotoGP Sprint Saturday Moto2 Moto3 Qualifying

Martin sublime, Marquez and Bastianini stay in the fight after dramatic Sprint at Phillip Island

Jorge Martin Extends Championship Lead with Sprint Victory at Australian GP

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) furthered his championship lead at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix with a stunning performance in the Tissot Sprint. Starting from pole position, Martin (#89) delivered a flawless ride, setting an unrelenting pace to take victory by a margin of 1.520s. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) fought back from a tough start to finish second, while Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) surged from 10th on the grid to claim the final podium spot. Defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) finished fourth, now trailing Martin by 16 points in the championship.

Sprint Recap

Martin made a perfect start, rocketing into the lead as the lights went out, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Bagnaia chasing behind. Bagnaia had also launched well from P5 on the grid, quickly moving into contention.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez struggled at the start, dropping to eighth after running wide at Turn 1. However, the eight-time World Champion began to claw back positions, overtaking Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Bastianini, and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to move up to fourth.

Martin continued to stretch his lead, building a one-second gap over Bezzecchi. On Lap 4, Bagnaia made his move, passing Bezzecchi for second. However, Bezzecchi soon faced pressure from a resurgent Marquez, who was quickly closing in.

By Lap 8, Marquez had passed Bagnaia, who began to struggle with his pace, eventually dropping to fourth after Bastianini found an opening and overtook his Ducati teammate.

Bezzecchi-Viñales Collision

A fierce battle between Bezzecchi and Viñales for fifth place came to a dramatic end on Lap 12. As the two riders approached Turn 1, they collided, sending both into the gravel. Viñales was cleared fit, and Bezzecchi, despite escaping fractures, is undergoing further medical checks in Melbourne. The incident remains under investigation, with a hearing scheduled.

More Drama as Binder and Miller Crash Out

Brad Binder’s race also ended in disappointment when he lost the front at Turn 4, dashing his hopes of scoring points. The local hero, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), also suffered a crash on Lap 8, much to the disappointment of the Australian fans.

Further misfortune struck Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), both of whom slid out of the Sprint. Fortunately, all riders were unharmed.

Strong Finishes for Morbidelli and Fernandez

Franco Morbidelli delivered a positive result, finishing fifth, while Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) achieved his best Sprint result of the season, finishing sixth. However, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was demoted to seventh after an eight-second penalty for running tyre pressures below the recommended parameters.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took eighth place, while Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) rounded out the points in ninth. Rookie Pedro Acosta suffered a highside crash but was cleared to race on Sunday.

Looking Ahead to Sunday

As the paddock looks ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, Bagnaia will be aiming to recover lost ground, while Martin sets his sights on completing a near-perfect weekend. Will Bagnaia’s claims of Martin playing mind games prove true, or is a showdown with Marc Marquez on the horizon, as predicted by the #89? Tune in at 14:00 local time (UTC +11) to find out.

RESULT

Moto2 Qualifying Aldeguer lands late stunner to beat Canet to pole, Ogura P9 ahead of first match point

Fermin Aldeguer Claims Pole with Record-Breaking Lap at Australian GP

For the first time since the Dutch GP, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) has secured pole position, and he did so in spectacular fashion. The Spaniard set a blistering new all-time lap record at Phillip Island, posting a 1:30.876 on his final lap to secure pole for the Australian Grand Prix. Aldeguer edged out Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.196s, with Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) rounding out the front row in third place.

Second Row Contenders

Just missing out on a front-row start by a mere 0.024s, Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will start from fourth. Joining him on the second row are Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Japanese GP winner Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™), who secured fifth and sixth positions respectively.

Championship Leader Ogura Starts P9

World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) will launch from ninth on the grid as he aims for a podium finish on Sunday, hoping to inch closer to securing the 2024 Moto2™ title in Australia.

Joe Roberts Sidelined Due to Injury

Unfortunately, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) has been ruled out for the remainder of the weekend. The American rider suffered a broken scaphoid following a crash in Practice 2 and will be unable to compete.

Will the Title Be Decided at Phillip Island?

As the race approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Moto2™ title can be clinched at Phillip Island, or if the battle will extend into the next round in Thailand. Don’t miss the action, with the race scheduled for 12:15 local time (UTC +11).

Moto 3 Hat-trick hero: Ortola snatches last-gasp Phillip Island pole

Ivan Ortola Secures Third Consecutive Pole at Phillip Island

For the third consecutive weekend, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) has clinched pole position, this time with a late lap of 1:35.872 at the Australian GP. The #48 delivered a thrilling Saturday performance at Phillip Island, securing P1 just as the session concluded. The fight for the front row went down to the final moments, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), despite a crash, and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) sealing P2 and P3 respectively on their last flying laps.

Second Row Line-Up

David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) had been on provisional pole when the chequered flag was waved but was ultimately pushed back to fourth. Joining him on the second row is Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing), who secured his best qualifying result of the season in fifth, and sixth-placed Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA).

Row Three Battle

Australian favorite Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) will start from seventh after briefly holding P1 late in Q2. He is joined on the third row by Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who qualified eighth and ninth respectively.

Champion and Local Stars

Newly crowned 2024 World Champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) will begin Sunday’s race from tenth position. Meanwhile, fellow Australian Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) came through Q1 to qualify 13th, just ahead of his teammate Daniel Holgado.

The Race Awaits

With the grid set, all that’s left is the race. Who will emerge victorious in the Island battle? Tune in at 11:00 (UTC+11) to find out!

Official MotoGP Press Release