#JAPANESEGP KYT Race Report

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has powered to an impressive Tissot Sprint victory at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, initially claiming the lead before keeping his cool and charging to victory on Saturday. Bagnaia has brought the title gap down to just 15 points ahead of Sunday after Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) could only manage fourth - fighting from P11 on the grid. Bagnaia would defeat Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) after the pair had their own breathtaking battle.

Tension was high on the grid, with variable conditions throughout the day and spots of rain in the air, it was building to be an unforgettable Tissot Sprint. Bagnaia bagged the perfect launch, storming into the lead on the run to Turn 1. The #1 put the hammer down immediately, with polesitter Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) dropping to third.

However, Acosta began to gain back some of the ground lost, passing Bastianini for second and beginning to set sights on the reigning World Champion. The move came on Lap 3, with Acosta charging into the Sprint lead for the first time and began to push on.

Meanwhile, Martin pieced together a strong opening lap, carving through from the fourth row to P5, with Marc Marquez now glued onto his tailpipe. The #93 soon found his way through on the current Championship leader, demoting Martin to sixth.

There was early disappointment for Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), crashing in the early stages at Turn 11. Soon, drama would strike for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, with the #33 retiring to the pitlane. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also suffered a crash, colliding with his teammate on Lap 5 – Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was handed a Long Lap for this incident.

Meanwhile, at the front, Acosta eked out a marginal fourth-tenth gap over Bagnaia, with the top three remaining locked together on the circuit. The gap soon increased on Lap 8, with the rookie edging his lead to over half a second for the first time. However, disaster would strike for Acosta, crashing out of the Sprint lead on Lap 9 – rider OK.

Crucially, Bagnaia was promoted into P1, extending a seven-tenth margin to teammate Bastianini, who was now under pressure from Marc Marquez in third. The #93 pounced on Bastianini on Lap 11, with ‘The Beast’ not waiting to respond, launching an attack at Turn 11 with inches separating the pair - to the delight of the Japanese fans.

Heading onto the final lap, Bagnaia had a one-second advantage, which was closed to less than two-tenths. However, Pecco remained unstoppable, claiming an incredible Tissot Sprint victory from Bastianini, who denied the recovering Marc Marquez second, who claimed an incredible result - battling from the third row.

Martin was able to bag a strong fourth on Saturday, taking solid Championship points after beating teammate Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #21 completing yet another confidence-boosting ride. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) grabbed sixth, placing 0.120s ahead of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Behind, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales took the final point-scoring positions after another Saturday thriller.

MOTOGP - RACE
10 points in it: Bagnaia holds off Martin as Acosta suffers Sunday slip-up

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivers win number eight of the season at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, adding his name to an illustrious list after the #1 claimed the perfect launch off the line before setting a relentless pace from start to finish. The reigning World Champion defeated Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who charged from P11 on the grid and now has his advantage reduced to just 10 points. It is heating up to be an unmissable end to the season, with everything remaining up for grabs.

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) came home on a strong third after an incredible ride from the #93, who defended hard in the closing laps. Meanwhile, there was further disappointment for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with the rookie crashing out from the Grand Prix and ending the weekend with zero points scored.

At the start, Bagnaia made a great initial start, with the reigning World Champion levelled by Acosta on the brakes. The reigning World Champion was fierce, pouncing into the lead, forcing Acosta to slot into second. Meanwhile, a huge fight for third began to break out, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) holding firm.

Martin and Marc Marquez were on the move in the opening stages, launching their machines inside the top five. Marc Marquez would complete an incredible overtake on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller to enter the all-important top five.

Meanwhile, there was drama further back with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) suffering an early end to his day after a collision with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) - riders OK. The FIM MotoGP™ Stewards investigated the incident and handed Alex Marquez a Long Lap for the Australian GP.

At the end of Lap 3, everything came to an end for Acosta, who crashed out of Grand Prix at the final corner – promoting Martin to P2. Acosta’s blunder allowed the reigning World Champion to stretch his lead to over one second from his closest rival, Martin. The fastest laps would begin to trade hands in the opening stages as Martin began to edge closer in an enthralling twist.

Marc Marquez continued to make ground, bravely passing Binder for the final spot on the podium. The South African was soon under pressure from Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who continued to find time after a busy start. Bastianini made the move stick on Lap 10, with ‘The Beast’ now in a strong fourth.

Further back, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) had a tough start after launching from the front row. The #12 soon began to battle with his teammate Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) for the final spot inside the top 10 before crashing on Lap 12 – rider OK.

It was building to be a rematch of Saturday’s Sprint battle, with Bastianini making inroads on Marc Marquez after a mistake on the entry to Turn 1. The gap was less than a second as a podium fight brewed, to the delight of the Japanese fans.

The leading duo continued to run an astonishing pace, with Bagnaia maintaining an eight-tenth gap to Martin with just a handful of laps remaining. The #1 responded, stretching the margin to over one second – pushing Martin to the limit.

On the final lap, Bagnaia looked unstoppable, stealing the spotlight on Sunday and reducing Martin’s Championship advantage with four rounds remaining. It is building to be a classic end to 2024, with Martin crossing the line in second, ahead of Marc Marquez. The #93 worked hard in the closing stages, bagging a podium after starting from ninth.

Bastianini crossed the line in fourth, securing a strong points tally on Sunday and beating Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #21 rounding out the top five. Morbidelli’s Sunday consistency continues, finishing ahead of Binder after an intense finish with just 0.562s separating the pair. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top eight spots, completing a strong day for the Bologna brand.

Espargaro and Miller took the final spots inside the top 10, with the Australian unable to find late race pace after a string start. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) placed 11th, pipping Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at the line after the #20 ran out of fuel. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) finished an emotional Grand Prix, beating Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez, who took the final points on Sunday.

Enea Bastianini P4

“The race didn’t go as I’d hoped. After the overtake by Brad (Binder) I lost a few more positions as he made me go wide at turn 10 and others took advantage. After that, I tried to do the best, but it was too late already; the two at the front had pulled away already and Marc (Márquez) managed to overtake Binder much quicker than I did. It took me a lot longer and stressed the rear tyre in the many attempts – and this impacted my performance in the second half of the race. I tried to bridge the gap to Marc, and I got really close to him, but not close enough to give it a try.”

Augusto Fernández NC

“A shame to crash that early. We had changed a lot on the bike to gain more feeling and for what we’ve been missing a bit this season. I’m keen to get to Australia and to continue to work with this base. I want to finish the year in a stronger way.”

MOTO2
Gonzalez clinches maiden win as Ogura lands home podium after tyre gamble

Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) is a Grand Prix winner after a showstopping race at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with the #18 remaining on slick tyres in tricky conditions. It was an intense Grand Prix, which saw Gonzalez grab victory from home hero Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who battled through the field in what could be a pivotal day for the Moto2™ World Championship. Meanwhile, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed an unbelievable recovery ride in third after carving through the field from 18th on the grid.

At the start, it was an incredible launch from polesitter Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), launching into the lead at Turn 1. The #96 led on the opening lap from Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Ogura as the rain began to fall in Japan. The red flag was brought out with the race to be restarted with original grid positions.

The race was restarted for 12 laps, with mixed choices in terms of tyres and a handful of riders opting for slicks, including Championship leader Ogura. Once the Grand Prix restarted, it was another phenomenal launch from Dixon, leading ahead of his teammate Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) on wet tyres.

Meanwhile, Championship leader Ogura plummeted down the order in the opening laps, dropping to 14th on Lap 1. However, the home hero began to make ground, building temperature in his Pirelli tyres – storming into seventh on Lap 2. It was sensational to watch, with Ogura using the most out of his Triumph engine to enter the podium places one lap later.

One of the key moves came at the start of Lap 4, with Ogura snatching the lead and setting the fastest lap. Gonzalez also began to find incredible speed on slicks, battling into second with Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), soon entering the podium positions.

At the front, Gonzalez began to edge closer to Ogura, reducing the Japanese star’s lead to two seconds. Salac also entered the podium, overtaking Alcoba after starting from 18th on the grid. It was an intense three-way fight, with Alcoba and RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP’s Zonta Van den Goorbergh in chase.

The decisive move came on Lap 9, with Gonzalez pouncing on Ogura – dropping the #79 to second position. Once Gonzalez hit the front, it was an impressive pace from the Spaniard – stretching a one-second advantage.

On the final lap, Gonzalez continued his sensational pace, remaining unstoppable and cruising across the line to take his maiden Moto2™ victory. It was a dramatic day, which saw Ogura take second and, crucially, a 60-point advantage in the Championship. The Japanese hero stood on the podium at home, beating Salac, who claimed the final spot on the podium after an incredible recovery.

Alcoba was able to take the flag in fourth, finishing just 0.137s adrift from the podium rostrum in Japan. The #52 was able to stretch the gap to Van den Goorbergh in fifth as Xavier Artigas (KLINT Forward Factory Team) claimed a remarkable sixth place finish. Artigas had an incredible day, finishing ahead of Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with the Italian only able to finish as high as seventh. Italtrans Racing Team’s Diogo Moreira was eighth at the flag, a further 0.512s behind.

Claiming the final spots inside the top 10 on Sunday were Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), with the Spaniards both opting for wet tyres. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) scored 11th, while Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) took 12th. Polesitter Dixon crossed the flag in 13th, with Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Darryn Binder securing the final points.

Diogo Moreira P8

"A difficult race in which we opted for the wet tyre and it was the wrong choice. We still managed to save Sunday by finishing with a good P8. I am happy to be back on track and to have brought home a good top ten."

Jaume Masia P24

Dennis Foggia P26

"Unfortunately the choice of wet tyres compromised the race, because shortly after the second start the track was practically dry. Too bad."

MOTO3 
Alonso seals the World Championship with a stunning victory in Japan

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made history at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, earning his moment in the sun as the #80 was crowned the first-ever Colombian World Champion. It was an unforgettable day for the entire Aspar Team after an incredible season for Alonso, who took his 10th Grand Prix win of the season so far - taking glory by 0.524s. Alonso took victory from Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with the Dutchman beating Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), who completed a talented podium rostrum. 

There was drama on the sighting lap for Alonso, nearly crashing and breaking the screen of his bike. The team kept calm, fixing the machine in time and allowing Alonso to claim a great start, slotting into P2 behind Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets - MSI), who stormed into the lead at Turn 1. Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) began to work hard from the start, carving through the field from ninth on the grid to inside the top five – soon setting sights on the podium. 

Holgado took the lead for the first time on Lap 3 before Fernandez pulled off an incredible double overtake at Turn 5. Alonso began to lose positions in the early laps, dropping to seventh behind David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) – with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) now glued to the #80’s tail.

A huge train formed at the front, with Fernandez setting a red-hot pace, allowing the #31 to eke out a slight margin from Holgado, who was under pressure from Ortola and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing). Ortola soon charged into P2, edging closer at every sector as Joel Kelso’s (BOE Motorsports) day came to an end with a crash at Turn 10 – rider OK.

The gloves were off at half-race distance, with Alonso soon entering the top five before overtaking Piqueras on Lap 10 for fourth. The #80 made his first attempt on a move on Holgado at Turn 10 before making it crucially stick on Lap 11. The Colombian did not stop there, sliding into second before grabbing the lead on Lap 14 – demoting Fernandez to second.

Veijer was beginning to make moves, battling through the field after a tough start. The Dutchman was soon in the podium battle, with Veijer in an intense fight with Holgado before he began to edge closer to Fernandez.

In the closing stages, Alonso stretched out a fourth-tenth margin, with Ortola dramatically losing the front at Turn 10. It was an intense final lap, with the Colombian moving one step closer to the World Championship at every corner. At the flag, it was a magical day that was all about Alonso, who made history and became Moto3™ World Championship.

Holgado could only manage fourth after a passionate ride from the #96, who pushed hard throughout the 17 lap showdown. Rueda rounded out the top five spots, while Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) bagged a strong sixth place finish at home. Yamanaka crossed the line ahead of compatriot Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), while BOE Motorsports’ David Muñoz took eighth.

Meanwhile, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and LEVELUP – MTA’s Stefano Nepa grabbed the final spot inside the top 10. Further back, Kopron Rivacold Sniper Team’s Matteo Bertelle and David Almansa took solid points in 11th and 12th as Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) claimed 13th. Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) was 14th as the final point was scored by Joel Kelso on a magical day for the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team.

Adrian Fernandez P3

“We really needed the confidence boost that the podium in Indonesia gave us. I am very happy with today's podium, because it is again a proof of our hard work, of all the hours and passion we are putting in to improve a little bit every day. It's a pity I lost the lead in the last laps, because I had tried to open a gap, but I couldn’t. In any case, we’re working in the right direction, and I couldn’t be happier to have achieved back-to-back podiums!”

Riccardo Rossi P14

"It was a special weekend. We got off to a good start on Friday, but the afternoon session didn't go so well. Things went better on Saturday morning and I was able to make up for that by qualifying in Q2. However, I didn't manage to get a good grid position. I missed my start today and found myself 19th on the first lap. I had a very good pace, so I tried to make up for it during the race. 14th isn't ideal, but it's still very positive after a difficult weekend overall."

Tatchakorn Buasri NC

"Today was tough for me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish the race after an early crash at Turn 3. I didn’t have the best start, but I pushed hard until the crash happened. It’s disappointing, especially after all the hard work we put in to achieve a good result. I hope to be fully recovered for the race in Australia in two weeks."