MotoGP Round 13 | Marquez produces Misano magic

MotoGP Round 13, Marquez produces Misano magic. The #93 claimed back-to-back victories on Sunday, finishing ahead of Bagnaia and Bastianini as Martin’s title lead shrunk to seven points. Moto2 and Moto3 were thrilling, while MotoE produced a World Champion. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

MotoGP™ brought fireworks at the end of Friday at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, but it was some familiar names who threw down the gauntlet ahead of super Saturday. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was able to bounce back from a tougher Aragon GP in style with a 1:30.685, the #1 leaving it late to set his time but ending the opening day 0.185s ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™).

Read our Round 12 report here…

The eight-time World Champion also left his best till last, improving on his 27th and final lap. The #93 ended the day in front of Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin, with the Spaniard rounding out the top three spots but by a single thousandth ahead of teammate Franco Morbidelli. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) then charged to an incredible pole position, with the #1 demolishing the lap record. Bagnaia had a 0.285s advantage over the field, heading an all-Italian front row ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who claimed his first front-row start since 2021, and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

Behind the Italian armada, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) started from fourth on the grid, ending Q2 0.341s adrift from his title rival on pole. Martin had Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta alongside, with Binder rounding out the second row of the grid after the South African stormed to P6 via Q1.

Moto2

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) topped the intermediate class standings after the #44’s 1:35.561 was good enough to beat Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by 0.131s. QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™’s Manuel Gonzalez led for most of Practice 1, but a late shuffle saw the Spaniard sit in P3 as Friday drew to a close at the San Marino GP. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) finally secured a Moto2™ pole position after the Italian pipped compatriot Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to Saturday’s honours in a tightly contested Q2. Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) joined the Italians on the front row in P3.

Moto3

A 1:40.909 new lap record in the closing stages of Practice 1 secured Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) top spot ahead of Saturday’s action at Misano. The Spaniard wasn’t sitting too comfortably at the summit, though, as Aragon GP race winner, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), claimed P2 – 0.076s adrift. World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) picked up P3, the Colombian just under two tenths away from Fernandez’s impressive pace on Friday afternoon.

A late 1:40.505 stunner from David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) handed the World Championship leader a commanding sixth pole position of the season, as Italy’s Luca Lunetta claimed his best Saturday result of the season in P2 at SIC58 Squadra Corse’s home race. Fourth tenths was the gap between the top two on the grid, as title hopeful Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) picked up a P3 starting slot for Sunday’s race.

Read the full practice and qualifying results here…

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Bagnaia got a good start but Martin got a better one, with the #89 in a position to go for it and attack straight into Turn 1. He got the job done and got the hammer down immediately, with Bagnaia on the chase ahead of Morbidelli in third. Behind, Bastianini made big gains from P8 to slot into fifth, shadowing Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and just ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

At the front, Martin pounded on but the gap was hovering around a handful of tenths, with Morbidelli still very much in touch too. Instead, the next move came from the second group as Bastianini went for an attack on Binder and took over in fourth, looking down the barrel of 1.7 seconds to the podium fight with nine laps to go. Drama then hit for Bezzecchi after his tough start, with the #72 sliding out of contention, rider perfectly ok but looking for a lot more on Sunday. His teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, also slid out of the Tissot Sprint early on.

Meanwhile, a Pierer Mobility duel was heating up in the fight for fifth, with Acosta homing in on and then slicing past Binder. Just ahead of them, Bastianini was carving down the gap to Morbidelli, who was dropping off the duel for the win as well. The “Beast” took half a second off the deficit to his compatriot in one lap. Simultaneously, Marquez was looking impatient behind Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and he struck with seven to go. Next targets: Binder and Acosta. The #93 made a lunge at Binder and made it stick not long after, setting up a final push to get past Acosta.

The other final push was coming in from Bastianini – and Morbidelli. As Martin was able to eke out an advantage at the top, Bagnaia was fading towards Morbidelli just as Bastianini was catching them both. The “Beast” struck against the Pramac early on the last lap, getting past but sailing wide as Morbidelli cut back inside. They surged on, gap between all three diminishing, with the #21 Pramac gaining on Bagnaia to set up a three-rider train in the final sector.

Behind Martin, who put in another stunning Tissot Sprint to extend his advantage to 26 points to ensure he would leave Misano as Championship leader, was Bagnaia and Morbidelli, with Bastianini taking fourth. Marc Marquez pickpocketed fifth with a last-lap move on Acosta, with Binder and Miller up next.

“Finally back winning so I am super happy. I think we did a good job from practice, where I was struggling, because we were trying to find perfection so it was quite difficult. For tomorrow it is another sprint but I feel confident. We are in a good way,” explained Martin.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+1.495s)
Franco Morbidelli Pramac Ducati (+1.832s)
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+2.041s)
Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati (+6.469s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Just one week after returning to the top step of the podium, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) reigned supreme once again. The #93’s prowess in tough-to-judge conditions was back with a bang as a flag-to-flag offered a chance to gamble – with a switch, or with a push towards the front. Marquez chose the latter and picked his way through to glory for his first back-to-back wins since 2021.

There was drama before the start, with spots of rain and tension in the air. The white flags waved, allowing riders to swap bikes, and the stage was set for an enthralling San Marino GP. As the lights went out, Bagnaia secured the holeshot, this time holding off Martin as the #89 got a good start as well.

The two were locked together in the lead and Martin half went for a divebomb move at Turn 2, forced to cede while just avoiding contact with Bagnaia. There was some contact further back in the aftermath, however, as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) tried a move on Morbidelli but clashed with the Italian. The #31 lost a wing but did eventually find his way through at Turn 8 before ceding it again as he went wide at Turn 10.

Sadly the rookie’s race then took a twist as he crashed out not long after, with the rain starting to pick up, as Morbidelli was then next to slide out. Riders ok. As the rain started to have a visible effect on the pace, there were decisions to be made. And at the front, Martin was now right back on the exhaust of Bagnaia in the lead, with Marc Marquez making serious progress into the group and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) too. Heading towards pit entry next time round, there was one rider who decided to pit from the group: Martin.

As he peeled in, Bagnaia led Marquez at the front, but not for long. By the end of Lap 8, the #93 was into the lead and Miller was hot on Bagnaia’s heels too, with Martin down in P15 after rejoining. But the rain didn’t get any worse, allowing Marquez and Bagnaia to stretch away just as Martin realised he was going to have to pit, again.

Re-emerging a lap down but right behind the leaders, the goal for Bagnaia to make Championship gains was now wide open. Those who gambled – Martin, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), Acosta after rejoining, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) and Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales all pitted again, all but out of the fight for points.

Meanwhile, the rain had stopped but the gap at the front was only getting bigger. After holding it steady with Bagnaia on his tail, the #93 began to pull away in the lead. Bastianini rapidly motored into podium contention, slicing past Miller to take over in third. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was next on the scene as he charged through into fourth as conditions improved, but as Bagnaia couldn’t make inroads on Marquez, neither could Bastianini nor Binder bridge their respective gaps.

Marquez kept it upright in some style to take first first back-to-back wins in 2021, throwing his name more firmly back into the Championship hat and on Gresini home turf. Bagnaia’s second place, however, saw a stunning 19-point swing in the Championship as Martin’s gamble backfired – and the reigning Champion was happy enough with that for a tough day’s work under pressure. Bastianini and Binder clinched third and fourth, while a tense duel to the finish for fifth was ultimately won by Bezzecchi.

“For me, the most important was the speed after that rain, it gave me the possibility to lead the race. Then when I was leading I said: ‘Now I will try to find the same pace as in practice,’” Marquez said. “The emotions were super high when we crossed the line, I was super happy.”

MotoGP Race Results

Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+3.102s)
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+5.428s)
Brad Binder Red Bull KTM (+14.185s)
Marco Bezzecchi VR46 Ducati (+16.725s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati – 312
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 305
Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati – 259
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo – 250
Brad Binder Red Bull KTM – 161

Moto2

A third win of 2024 for Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) saw the Moto2™ World Championship lead change hands as the Japanese star beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.6s to climb to the summit of the overall standings. From pole, Arbolino launched well to grab the holeshot as Ogura stuck his Boscoscuro up the inside of Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to move up one place to P2. The opening lap saw title-hunting Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) crash out at the final corner before we saw a move come in from Canet to grab P3 from Vietti.

The top three were getting into a competitive groove, with Arbolino leading Canet, who had just passed Ogura. At this stage – Lap 5 of 22 – Vietti was 0.9s away from the podium places in P4, with Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) keeping tabs on the Italian in P5. With 13 laps left, the lead changed hands for the first time. Canet pounced on Arbolino, and on the same lap, the Italian ran wide at Turn 14 to allow Ogura to swing by.

On Lap 18 of 22, Ogura was now climbing all over the tail of Canet’s Kalex-Triumph. Arbolino was still in touch but was operating 0.6s behind, as the leading duo engaged in battle at Turn 14. Ogura was up the inside but ran in deep, which allowed Canet to swoop back through and keep the P1 baton.

That was snatched from him at Turn 10 with four laps left, though. Ogura slid up the inside and made the move stick, as Arbolino and Vietti etched their names into the victory fight. However, Ogura was stretching the pack and trying to keep hold of the podium trio, as Vietti crashed (unhurt) at the penultimate corner. Four became three with two to go. Ogura was leading Canet by 0.2s, with Arbolino now just under a second from the win.

Heading onto the last lap, it was just two riders in the victory hunt – Ogura and Canet. Could the latter get close enough to make a move? The answer was no. Ogura strung an inch-perfect final lap together to claim a massive win that sends him to the Championship summit. Canet finished a close P2 as Arbolino completed the podium, eventually finishing four seconds away from P1. Gonzalez picked up a solid P4 finish, while Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) came from P14 on the grid to pick up an important P5.

Moto2 Race Results

Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI
Aron Canet Fantic Racing (+0.609s
Tony Arbolino Elf Marc VDS Racing (+4.639s
Manuel Gonzalez QJMOTOR Gresini (+6.948s
Jake Dixon CFMoto Inde Aspar Team (+10.863s

Moto2 Championship Points

Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI – 175
Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI – 166
Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team – 133
Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up – 133
Jake Dixon CFMoto Inde Aspar Team – 130

Moto3

Double Long Lap penalties normally rule you out of winning races – but it didn’t for Angel Piqueras at the San Marino GP! The Leopard Racing rookie is a Grand Prix winner after producing an unbelievable comeback ride. There was drama from the off as Turn 2 saw Aragon winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) crash, while Piqueras took an early lead. Ortola and Holgado were up to P2 and P3, with polesitter Alonso dropping to P4.

Having claimed a career-best grid spot, Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was handed a double Long Lap penalty for jumping the start. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was in the same boat. Another rider facing a double Long Lap was Piqueras, and he took the first of those on Lap 3 to go from the top three to P12, which became P17 after the second was completed a lap later. Meanwhile, Ortola and Holgado were making a break for it at the front. On Lap 5, the Spaniards were 1.5s up the road from Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who had Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) and Alonso for very close company.

With six laps to go, Furusato hit the front for the first time after picking Ortola’s pocket at Turn 1. That lead didn’t last long though as the #48 and Holgado shuffled the Japanese star back down to P3, as Alonso then pounced too. The Colombian then sent it up the inside of Holgado at Tramonto, before the #80 led with four laps left. With three to go, the gloves were off. Holgado was back in P1, with Alonso, Furusato and Ortola right on his tail, as Kelso was 0.8s back. Suddenly, the recovering Piqueras was P4, then P3, as a four-way fight quickly became a seven rider scrap for the podium.

Last lap time! A belter had played out until now and we were treated to a stunning final 4.23kms. Holgado led into Turn 1 as Piqueras shoved his way past Alonso into P2, before the #36 then carved his way into the lead at Turn 8. At Turn 10, contact was made as Ortola launched up the inside of Alonso to move into P3, with the bumping and barging costing Alonso valuable ground.

It was now a question of whether Piqueras could hold off Holgado for the win. The latter was swarming, but Piqueras didn’t put a foot wrong to clinch his first Grand Prix win by 0.035s. Holgado was back on the box for the second time in three races, as Ortola bagged the final rostrum spot in P3 – 0.2s shy from the win. Furusato had to settle for P4 after a great effort from the #72, as Veijer managed to grab P5 on the final lap.

Moto3 Race Results

Angel Piqueras Leopard Racing
Daniel Holgado Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (+0.035s)
Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI (+0.226s)
Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia (+0.259s)
Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (+0.491s)

Moto3 Championship Points

David Alonso CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 246
Daniel Holgado Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 176
Ivan Ortola MT Helmets – MSI – 173
Collin Veijer Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP – 173
David Munoz BOE Motorsports – 117

MotoE
Race 1

Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) was crowned the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Champion at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, after an intense Race 1, which saw Garzo pull off an incredible performance, after qualifying on the third row of the grid. The #4 carved through the field and delivered an incredible fourth after a hard-fought battle. Finishing P4 was enough for Garzo to wrap up the Championship with one race remaining as the Spaniard headed into Race 2 with a 26-point advantage over closest rival Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) and with no pressure.

In Race 1, Casadei pushed to the limit, taking an impressive victory, and crucially the maximum 25 points available, which would prove to still not be enough to stop Garzo. The Italian was promoted into the lead on the penultimate lap after a late crash from Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team). Meanwhile, Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) finished behind the #40 to register a strong second in Race 1 after an unmissable battle, which resulted in Zaccone missing out on victory by a mere 0.168s. The #61 had a solid ride, finishing ahead of Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), who completed the podium after a thrilling final lap battle with the newly crowned Champion, Garzo. Consistency was key for Garzo this season, grabbing four wins across the year.

MotoE Race 1 Results

Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team)
Alessandro Zaccone Tech3 E-Racing (+0.168)
Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+1.125)
Hector Garzo Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™ (+1.401)
Jordi Torres Openbank Aspar Team (+1.551)

Race 2

It was the perfect way to end the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, with a three-way fight to end the season, with Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) coming out victorious. The #99 battled until the final sector, with Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team), finishing Race 2 in second position, as well as claiming second place in the MotoE™ World Championship. Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) took the final spot on the podium after another classy ride from the Brazilian. Meanwhile, newly crowned Champion Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) was seventh at the flag, finishing just two seconds adrift from the win. Points wise for the end of the season, Garzo took the title with a 15-point advantage from Casadei as Gutierrez took the final win of the year and third place in the World Championship. The celebrations rightfully began in Misano, as another incredible MotoE™ season came to an end with a new Champion.