Category: Moto GP

1. THE SUN SHINES ON TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP’S FRIDAY AT JEREZ

   Posted on 6:00pm Friday 26th Apr 2024

   #SpanishGP The weekend has started on the right foot for Marc and Alex Marquez at their home track in Jerez de la Frontera. The only ‘tiny cloud’ in this sunny (albeit not too hot) day was the crash by the #73 halfway through the second session, from which he escaped uninjured. The recently turned 28-year-old was able to return to the pits and then finish the session in 10^th place.
    
   Things did not go as hoped, especially in light of the morning’s quickest time, but it was enough to secure the direct seed to Q2, a session that will also feature his brother Marc Marquez for the fourth consecutive time as the #93 was third overall in practice. The eight-time world champion was likely the fastest in sectors one and three, while there is still work to be done in the other two in order to battle for top positions. 

   3^rd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
   “We worked on the base set-up from the previous GP and things went well straight away. I struggled a bit more with the wind in the afternoon but I can say we’re in a good place, even though so many riders are fast, too. We’re losing a bit at turn five and in the final sector but one thing is for sure: the adaptation process with the Ducati machine is over, now it is time to do some fine tuning in order to race with the best. We keep working session after session and qualifying is next.”
    
   10^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
   “Too bad for the afternoon crash and especially for the traffic encountered during the time attack, otherwise we would have been much higher in the practice timesheets. We needed to recover the feeling and the confidence, and we did it. To be racing in front of the home crowd obviously helps in being fast straight away from the morning. We need to be as close as we can to the front of the grid because it’s not easy to overtake here, so our full focus is now on tomorrow’s qualifying.”

2. A drama-filled 24 Heures Motos for F.C.C. TSR Honda France but a Honda 1-2 in the Superstock category

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 23rd Apr 2024

   A drama-filled 24 Heures Motos for F.C.C. TSR Honda France but a Honda 1-2 in the Superstock category

   - Last year's winner at Le Mans, F.C.C TSR Honda France makes an incredible comeback from two early crashes, but challenge comes to an end in the final hour - Double delight for Honda Superstock teams with victory for National Motos Honda and second place for Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda F.C.C. TSR Honda France started the 24-hour race from the third place on the starting grid with the Australian Josh Hook, based on the combined results achieved during good qualifying sessions aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. With F.C.C. TSR Honda France firmly in the fight for victory and repeat last year’s result, two early crashes put an end to the team's plans. After 6 laps, Hook had a minor crash and managed to rejoin the race in 26th place and thanks to a series of consistent and solid laps, he managed to place the Fireblade #5 to 8th place after 26 laps. When Hook returned to the pits, he informed Mike Di Meglio about a strange sensation with the front tyre. The Frenchman took a couple of laps, but unfortunately, he crashed due to a lack of feeling with the front braking. Di Meglio had to push the bike all along into the pits, where the team made an impressive job repairing the bike. However, the bike fixing cost the team approximately 45 minutes, rejoining the race in 45th position overall and 15th in the EWC category. Since Di Meglio's return, a new race begun for Honda’s endurance specialist who delivered a series of fast and flawless stints, maintaining consistent lap times throughout the race.  Following the characteristic fighting spirit of the Honda family, the team began an incredible comeback, placing the Fireblade #5 in 8th position in the EWC class in the last quarter of the race. Unfortunately, when the team was back in the top 10 in the overall standings, just one hour and a half to end the race, the Fireblade #5 suffered a problem when the chain broke, and Hook had to take the bike to the pits, bringing their 24-hour race to an end. F.C.C. TSR Honda France leaves Le Mans with 5 points and is determined to come back stronger and fight for a victory at the 8 Hours of Spa Motos. National Motos Honda clinched another superb victory in the Superstock category, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to triumph after securing the runner-up spot in the 2023 FIM EWC World Cup and claiming earlier a victory at Le Mans in 2021. The Honda #55, that got the pole position during the qualifying sessions, made a strong start in the first quarter of the race, leading the race after the first eight hours.  The French team showcased a formidable performance thanks to the efforts of Suchet brothers and Guillaume Raymond during all the race and crossed the chequered flag in first place in Superstock and fifth overall. Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda started in third place from the grid in his category with Chris Leesch aboard the Honda CBR1000 RR-R Fireblade SP. However, early issues with a rear tire and the handlebar forced an extended pit stop, relegating the #41 team to 11th place. Despite this setback, consistent performances from the riders brought the team back up the ranks, securing a second place by the end of the first quarter of the race.  From that moment onward, the Fireblade #41 maintained their position until the finish line, ultimately securing the runner-up spot on the podium. The new Honda-powered team in EWC category, Tati Team Beringer Racing, with the squad formed by Hugo Clere, Randy Krummenacher and Coren Perolari got the 5th place in EWC category after the 24-hour race, getting a lot of information to improve the package and be stronger for the next race. The Honda #4 battled in podium positions throughout the race, but the Honda CBR1000 RR-R Fireblade SP had to stop at the pits to change a rear shock absorber, which caused the team to rejoin in sixth and final position. Honda Viltaïs Racing started with Florian Alt from the 4th position on the grid after delivering an impressive performance and consistent results throughout the week. Florian Alt made a good start and quickly found his pace and placed the Fireblade #333 in third place. Following his stint, it was Steven Odendaal’s turn to take over, but the South African couldn’t complete his stint as an issue obliged him to return the bike to the pits. Despite the best efforts of all the technical crew to fix the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to get it back on track as quickly as possible, Honda Viltaïs Racing was forced to retire.  Honda #333 gets two points in the championship thanks to the qualifying result, and it is ready to battle at the front in the next race. The next round of the 2024 FIM EWC Championship will take place at the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, which will host the 8 Heures of Spa Motos on June 8.

3. F.C.C. TSR Honda France ready to reclaim the FIM EWC title

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 18th Apr 2024

   Fourteen teams powered by Honda took part at the Pre-Mans test ahead of the start of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship
   
   F.C.C. TSR Honda France ready to reclaim the FIM EWC title
   A significant increase in Honda teams, surpassing last year's entry list by more than double, was observed at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans during the official testing, which lasted two days (April 2-3) ahead of the 24 Heures Motos, which marks the beginning of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship from April 18-21.

   This considerable increase in Endurance teams selecting the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, highlights the excellent work of the Japanese brand in delivering an extremely competitive and reliable bike tailored for the demand of this endurance championship. Proven on track during the test, with seven of the top 14 times all set on Honda machinery.

   The F.C.C. TSR Honda France team, defending winners of last year’s 24 Heures Motos, enters the 2024 EWC season with renewed confidence, thanks to the meticulous winter preparation.

   Honda’s endurance specialists Alan Techer, Mike Di Meglio and Josh Hook concluded the two-day test in sixth position overall, amidst cold and wet track conditions. Riding the #5 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, they posted a best lap time of 1:36.636 out of the 42 teams participating in the event, less than one second shy of the quickest team.

   On the first day, F.C.C. TSR Honda France were on track only for the initial two hours, when conditions remained dry. With the return of the rain later in the day, the team opted to remain in the pit box during the afternoon session.

   On the second day, as the morning session was in damp conditions left by overnight rain, the Honda #5 team chose to wait until the track dried and conducted their tests during the afternoon session and improved their lap-time.

   F.C.C. TSR Honda France is very confident and eager to start the new season and fight for its 3rd world title.

   Honda Viltaïs Racing conclude two highly successful days of testing demonstrating their dominance as last season's leading independent team by consistently topping the timing sheets on both days and a best lap time of 1:35.679.

   The #333 Honda squad comprising Florian Alt, Steven Odendaal, Tati Mercado, and James Westmoreland, confirmed that the team is ready following several winter tests aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, with a clear objective set for each race to secure a podium finish and maintain a position in the top three by the season's end.

   In the Superstock category, National Motos Honda also demonstrated good performance. With an unchanged line up from previous seasons, Guillaume Raymond and the Suchet brothers, Sébastien and Valentin, the #55 Fireblade set the second fasted lap time in the SST category.

   The Honda teams will now look forward to the opening round of the 2024 EWC season with the prestigious 24 Heures Motos which starts at 3pm local time on Saturday 20 April and finishes at 3pm local time on Sunday 21 April.
   
   Josh Hook 5
   F.C.C. TSR Honda France
   
   ‘’We're a little disappointed with the weather conditions, as we weren't able to achieve the desired lap time when the track dried. Additional dry laps would have been beneficial for us.
   However, we know now that we have a base setting that works here and we always find something better during the race day. We always perform when we need to and the team has done an excellent job, we just need to find the setting that all three riders are comfortable and we can be consistent’’
   
   Mike Di Meglio 5
   F.C.C. TSR Honda France
   
   ‘’We tried many things despite this challenging weather forecast so we will have to test a bit more in the race week. At the end we were not so far with the pace but still things to try during the race week.’’
   
   Alan Techer 5
   F.C.C. TSR Honda France
   
   ‘’During the two days of testing at Le Mans, we have tested many things trying to find setup for the race weekend. Thanks to the team's great job, we are highly confident in starting the season with strong results.’’

4. A DRAMA WAS SCREENED IN AUSTIN TODAY

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 15th Apr 2024

   It was a spectacular Sunday the one witnessed by Team Gresini MotoGP at Austin, especially with Marc Marquez. Together with Acosta and Martin, he starred in one of the most exciting Grand Prix of the season – and beyond. Not all movies have a happy ending, however, and surely not this one: after ten laps, while leading the race, the #93 crashed under braking, losing the lead and the (virtual) second place in the standings. It was still an incredible performance for the Spaniard at his favourite track, as he secured a front-row start before finishing on the podium in the sprint race, with a big regret on the full distance. 
    
   The bad luck does not end here, however, as Alex Marquez was forced to an early retirement following a crash moments before his brother’s tumble. The #73 showed great speed at CoTA and rode well up to eighth place. But that was one of those days for him, too. The MotoGP action will resume in Europe with the hope that the local venue will bring something better. 

   DNF – MARC MARQUEZ #93 “I’m satisfied because we were among the protagonists, we were fast and gave it all. Unfortunately we had a front-end problem under braking, I wasn’t comfortable and I struggled. The crash came because of that and there was nothing I could do. We’re working well and I’m sure we’ll fix this issue as we did for the others that came up before, and we’ll try again in Jerez.”   DNF – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 “We started well and avoid any drama at turn one. I was managing the rear tyre well, as planned, but then I made a small mistake at turn one. We’re back riding as we know and we’re leaving Austin with a positive feeling: with a good qualifying, we would be talking on completely different terms today.”

5. A SATURDAY ON TOP FORM: FRONT ROW AND PODIUM FOR MARC

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 14th Apr 2024

   Another podium under the belt for Team Gresini MotoGP, who scored a second-place finish in Texas courtesy of an excellent Marc Márquez. Just like in Portimão three weekends ago, another rostrum finish in the sprint race, behind an uncatchable Viñales. For the second time this year, the first Ducati at the finish line is the #93, light-blue liveried one.   It was a day to forget for Alex Márquez. The #73 only shone in Q1 as he managed to make into the final qualifying session, but then he was forced to a defensive sprint race in a battle for the last top14. The 20-lap race awaits the two standard bearers of Team Gresini MotoGP, with Marc Márquez who will line up on the third spot of the grid.

    

   2^nd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
   “This is a podium that means a lot, especially as it wasn’t an easy one. The first race was very challenging: I wasn’t feeling comfortable on the bike, and it was difficult. I made a couple of important mistakes, but then I was able to keep Acosta and Martin behind and I also found a good rhythm – and from there I improved. I was feeling a lot better in the second part of the race and now we need to keep working in order to be competitive also tomorrow. I would sign for a third place, as there are so many fast riders.”
    
   14^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
   “A coming together with another rider at turn two has made things even more complicated, after a Q2 that already wasn’t very fortunate. It was hard to turn things around from there. Now heads down and work hard, we have a long race tomorrow and we have the pace to play our part.”