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Category: Moto GP

  1. MARC STAYS IN THE GAME WITH FOURTH PLACE IN MISANO’S SPRINT RACE

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    It was everything but a positive Saturday for Team Gresini MotoGP around the familiar corners of the Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’, with Alex and Marc Marquez who both crashed out in the morning session (at turns 1 and 3, respectively). These tumbles had an important impact on the #EmiliaRomagnaGP grid position.  
     
    With Marc 7th and Alex at the very back of the grid, the sprint still gave some encouraging signs especially ahead of tomorrow’s 27-lap encounter. The #73 had a good start and made up plenty of positions before finishing 14th, a result that could lead to points tomorrow. The #93 had to put together a defensive race finished in fourth place, a result that keeps him in the title contention and boosts his morale. 

    4th - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “Had we started on the front row today, we would have still finished fourth. Our race pace made this our higher target. We must be happy that with this fourth place, which I think will be our goal for tomorrow as well. Today we crashed while trying to improve, I don’t feel fully comfortable on these tyres and we need to try to keep improving and get closer to Pecco and Martin.”
     
    14th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “Our confidence cannot be as high with these crashes, but it was important to do well in the sprint race and gather some data ahead of tomorrow. We started last and we recovered many positions while racing with the medium rear tyre in order to have better reference for the race. I’m still not sure what my choice will be for tomorrow, but we surely now have more data to have a clearer comparison between soft and medium options.”

     

     

  2. Suzuki GSX-8R makes BSB racing debut with Powerslide Motorcycles

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    Suzuki’s GSX-8R made its National Sportbike Championship debut at the weekend, with Taylor Moreton racing the Powerslide Motorcycles Suzuki at Oulton Park.

    The Powerslide team spent the summer building the 8R following the bike’s launch in the spring. However, with their rivals in the new-for-2024 series already up to speed and armed with data and experience – plus the changeable weather conditions over the weekend – it was always going to be a challenge for the Stoke-based squad. 

    Though on the back foot, the team worked meticulously through practice and qualifying, steadily improving the package and the lap times, before Moreton qualified in 20th place. However, the arrival of rain on Sunday made for a difficult race, and with no prior wet weather experience for the team or rider with the new 8R Moreton took the flag in 26th.

    Demonstrating the importance of prior circuit data and experience, Moreton’s qualifying time this weekend would have put him 10th on the grid at the opening round. Yet despite the result, it proved a solid first outing for the GSX-8R in the UK domestic series, a bike that has been winning in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup this season with Rocco Landers onboard. The team will see out the remaining two rounds of the 2024 before launching a full campaign in 2025.

    Powerslide Motorcycles’ team principal Brad Clarke said, “Obviously we knew the challenges we would face this weekend, but I would be lying if I said I was happy after showing so much promise in FP3 where I honestly thought we would cruise into the 44s come race day. But that’s racing and the main thing was to get laps in, and to be only a couple of seconds off after FP3 was impressive. Looking over the data we can see where we are losing out, and hopefully we can make gains in those areas. We have a test on Tuesday to see where we are at and then we can look to improve at Donington. We all know the potential of this package and Taylor and of it hadn’t rained I know we would have been knocking on the door of the top 10.”

    Taylor Moreton reflected on the result, saying, “It was great to be back. This weekend was just about getting the bike to feel like my own and we were looking forward to the race, but then the heavens opened and with no wet track time it was a last minute dash to get the bike changed only for it to dry during the race. But our time in FP3 would have put us sixth at the previous test so it shows just how much the bikes and riders have come on this year so to be able to do that lap time, first time out, gives us confidence.”

    Jak Tyrrell, Suzuki GB marketing manager, added, “It was great to see the 8R in race spec and in the British Superbike paddock this weekend, and I have to thank Brad and the Powerslide team for their hard work to get the bike to this point. They had a real challenge on their hands this weekend and they did an excellent job in rising to meet it. The 8R’s been widely praised following its launch earlier this year as a road and track day-friendly machine, and Powerslide have further demonstrated its circuit capabilities by proving its competitiveness in the Sportbike Championship. The bike is also winning races in the US, so hopefully we’ll see some more 8Rs on the grid in 2025.”

    The Powerslide Motorcycles GSX-8R swaps the standard suspension for Bitubo units, with power boosted and weight saved courtesy of a Spark exhaust system. There’s also a Spider top yoke, clip-ons, and rearsets.

    To comply with class regulations it runs a Mectronik ECU, using the standard loom and throttle bodies. Peak power gets a lift thanks to new cams from UK-based specialists Kent Cams, with further development work carried out by Moto46 and PCR Performance. Protection comes from GB Racing engine covers, with the whole package wrapped in Pro Fibre bodywork.

    23-year-old Taylor Moreton, who piloted the Powerslide Motorcycles GSX-8R, returned to the BSB paddock after finishing third in the domestic Moto3-based championship in 2018. He’s also raced in the National Superstock 600 championship, and made appearances in World Supersport 300.

    Find out more about the GSX-8R here.

     

     

  3. CINEMA PARADISO

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    This time it was all him. At Misano, an incredible win came from ninth place on the grid, in a race where everything happened and one in which Marc Marquez is the shiniest of stars aboard a Desmosedici machine. A superb performance that brings the Spaniard back to a 53-point gap to the lead and 46 points away from Bagnaia in second. 
     
    Alex Marquez also had a great race as he ran out of strength in a GP characterised by scorching and humid conditions. One little scary moment at the end of the race due to a drop of his physical conditions, but the number 73 was still sixth at the chequered flag.

    1st - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “Those rain drops helped a lot… Maybe Fausto looked down and gave us a helping hand. I thought I had nothing to lose and gave it all. Honestly, I would have never got back to the pits to change the bike, and surely not that soon. Had it rained for a couple of more laps then maybe… but I chose to follow the instincts of the home riders who stayed out. I can’t say if it’s an open championship again, but we want to continue looking for consistency.”
     
    6th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “It was a very tough race on physically speaking and I took a hit. We brought home a good result but towards the end I was really at my limit. The good thing is that we feel good and I’d like to congratulate my brother. Tomorrow we’ll be back on track to work on the next event, again taking place here.”

     

  4. MARC BOUNCES BACK TO FIFTH PLACE IN MISANO SPRINT RACE

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    It was a good Saturday on Italian turf for Marc Marquez and Team Gresini Racing MotoGP, with the rider #93 who – after an eventful Q2 – was able to bounce back and finish fifth, scoring valuable points for the championship standings. 
     
    It was an ‘endurance’ race for Alex Marquez who was seventh on the grid and eventually ended up just outside the points for a few tenths of a second (10th). The Spanish rider did well in making it through Q1 even though there is still work to do for tomorrow’s race – with the weather that may shuffle the cards. 

    5th - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “We ruined our weekend with the qualifying crash. That lap that I did not complete may have placed me on row two and that would have dramatically changed today’s goals. Today we did everything we could and a few good overtakes on a track where it’s really hard to do so. Tomorrow’s encounter will be decided in the opening seconds, as a good start could help us a lot.”
     
    10th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “It wasn’t an easy race, but I must say it was a positive Saturday in which we were able to turn the weekend around a bit thanks to entering Q2 and doing a good qualifying. I made a few mistakes at the beginning of the race, but the pace is not too bad and I think we can battle for the top ten tomorrow.”

     

     

  5. MARC IS BACK: HERE COMES THE FIRST RACE WIN

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    1042 days later, Marc Márquez is back atop the podium for what was the maiden sprint race win of his career. It was a dominant win in what has been so far a perfect weekend for the eight-time world champion, who topped the timesheets in every session – pole position included. 
     
    Alex Márquez also had a great race as he crossed the finish line in fourth position and did especially well in swiftly avoiding Pecco Bagnaia at the start. The rider #73 managed to bad some important points, with the whole Gresini team that gets ready for Sunday with a bit of dancing…

    MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “We need to enjoy this moment: despite being just a sprint race, today is time for celebration. It has been a tough race and it’ll be even tougher tomorrow especially with regards to tyre management, but we must be happy now. This win, as tiny as it is, is part of the learning curve we’re in.”
     
    ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “It wasn’t easy at the start. First the mistake by Pecco – which can happen – and then mine that made me lose touch with the podium contenders – as Pedro pulled away. I went wide at turn seven and lost more than a second. The pace is good, but we need to improve the feeling with the track. I think we can be play an important role on the full race distance: I’m not sure we’re podium worthy, but we have what it takes to finish in the top 5."