MotoGP 2024

[E.B]

More rain overnight but blue skies for qualifying, albeit a few moist bits at the start. It was however a bit gusty windwise. The wind caused riders problems but it helped to clear the remaining moisture.

Q1 saw a few odd names like Acosta Bastianini Miller Marini Quartararo in the mix. With just two to go forward into Q2 the last minutes of Q1 were frantic as the track evolved and improved at an alarming rate. Right place at the right time was the key. As the flag dropped Acosta was top and Miller was up there..... quickly Bastianini took over at the top, Acosta had mistimed his last lap and he crossed the line to go top as the flag flew. Those still on laps had the advantage with the track evolution.

A minute later Acosta had dropped to 5th and out in Q1. Miller hit a rabbit and that messed his time up so in the end through to Q2 went Raul Fernandez and Bastianini.

Acosta will be starting the races from his lowest grid position of the year, 15th.... with local hero Miller 16th.

Q2 saw Jorge Martin run a hard front tyre and absolutely demolish the opposition and take pole by a massive 6 tenths! A 1:27.2 right at the end of a qualy that had seen Vinales lead most of. The on form in practice MM93 was the nearest challenger, as mentioned 6/10ths shy.He also did his best right at the end. Martin had almost lost the front end through the Hayshed corner though on an early lap, but his final lap was very special.. Anyway it was his 3rd consecutive PI pole so he likes the place! Vinales got 3rd after MMs late improvement, with Bezzechi 4th and Bagnaia down in 5th.

The hard tyre choice of Jorge was a masterstroke of genius. No one else matched his choice and it was spot on.

Anyway the weather looks like we should have a dry Sprint race. No rain in the forecast but hey, its PI and it can all change in a heartbeat.

[E.B]

In Moto 2 local lad and PI rookie Senna Agius broke the outright Moto2 record in Q1 with a 1:31.586

In Q2 he couldnt match it, only a 31.661.... but pole setter Fermin Aldeguar blitzed it by 0.7 with a 1:30.876 to set a new record, ahead of Canet and Lopez.

Ramirez was 4th to make it a 1-2-3-4 for Spain. Barry Baltus stopped the Spanish Armada with 5th, with Gonzalez in 6th making it 5 Spaniards on the first two rows.

Anyway, the Big Bikes in the Sprint Race is coming up next. The blue skies have disappeared and its a bit grey. Troy Corser (remember him) reckons the rain is an hour away and the race will be dry! Thats the local word with all the tech toys.

[E.B]

OUCH. A huge crash for Vinales and Bezzechi who clashed going into T1. They are hitting 350kph there before they brake. Bezzechi didnt get up and was taken away by stretcher although he was sat up and conscious. Early reports suggest nothing broken with either rider, but man they will be bruised and battered after barrel rolling for proably 200 metres into the kittly litter. Very scary and hope both are passed fit for tomorrow when they finish in the medical centre. The incident is under investigation and was no fault of Vinales who had just drafted past Bezzechi.

Miller also crashed and early reports suggest it was another wildlife issue.

The only moisture was the champagne sprayed after the race. But who sprayed it? Thats for me to know and you to find out. I wont spoil it.

[Gerard C]

Fantastic report, vielen danke mein Herr! I like the sprint race podium and wont spoil the detail either. Miller and the wildlife is it serious? Better a rabbit than an elephant or a 'roo! Watch for squirrels!
https://motorcyclesports.net/fr/vide...hi-et-vinales/