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Post by truenorth on Nov 12, 2023 9:15:27 GMT -8
Lusail International Circuit The fabulous Lusail International Circuit lies on the outskirts of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Built in little over a year, the track cost $58 million USD and required round-the-clock dedication from almost 1,000 workers in order to get it ready for the inaugural event - the Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar on the 2nd October 2004. The track itself is a flowing layout of 5.4 kilometres, surrounded by artificial grass designed to prevent sand from the neighbouring desert from blowing onto the circuit. The main straight is over a kilometre in length and there is a good mix of medium and high-speed corners, including a couple of quick left-handers which has proved particularly popular with the riders. In 2008 Qatar celebrated the first night time Grand Prix in history, following the construction of permanent outdoor lighting. The switch to night time racing was a success and has continued to be so, with the Qatar event now established as one of the most spectacular on the MotoGP calendar.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 12, 2023 9:17:39 GMT -8
David Emmett Also, if you think Sepang was bad for the problems tyres caused, wait until MotoGP gets to Qatar. That new surface is going to cause mayhem
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Post by truenorth on Nov 12, 2023 10:59:33 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 13, 2023 8:40:36 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 13, 2023 10:27:20 GMT -8
Luca Marini Set To Replace Marc Marquez At Repsol, Fermin Aldeguer To Mooney VR46 By David Emmett | Mon, 13/11/2023 - 08:06 After Marc Marquez' decision to join the Gresini Ducati squad for the 2024 season, speculation over who would replace him in the Repsol Honda team has run wild. The list of names is long: starting with Johann Zarco, the rumors ran though Iker Lecuona, Miguel Oliveira, Aleix Espargaro or Maverick Viñales, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Fermin Aldeguer, and Pol Espargaro.
None of those names worked out. In the end, it will be Luca Marini who takes the second Honda seat. Though we are still awaiting official confirmation, Marini is widely expected to be announced as the new Repsol Honda rider in the next few days.
Weekend talks
Rumors of Marini switching to Repsol emerged at the start of the weekend, with both Motorsport.com and Speedweek reporting a deal as being imminent on Saturday night. The situation appears to have moved on since then, with official confirmation imminent.
Marini's management met with Alberto Puig on Saturday night to discuss details of the deal, but the Repsol Honda team boss had to wait for approval from HRC to offer Marini a two-year deal. That had been a stumbling block in all previous negotiations, with Honda only willing to offer a single year to riders such as Miguel Oliveira.
Right conditions
That created the appearance of nobody wanting to ride for Repsol Honda. That was not quite right, however. There were plenty of riders willing to ride for Repsol Honda. But only Fabio Di Giannantonio was willing to sign for one season. That appears to have been instrumental to Puig persuading HRC to offer Marini a two-year deal.
A two-year deal offers Marini more certainty than normal. The Italian's contract would run for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, giving him two years in the factory team. But with all of the top riders likely to sign two-year deals next season, to cover the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Honda's options to replace Marini will be limited. This is a two-year deal which is likely to turn into a three-year one, almost by default.
That gives Marini further security. The Honda RC213V in its current guise appears to have hit rock bottom, with Honda almost certain to finish last in the constructors standings, and either last or second last in the team standings. The bike will improve almost irrespective of what Marini does, so he will emerge as a rider who helped Honda progress, whatever the truth of that.
Positive impact
There is real reason to believe that Marini will have a very positive impact on development of the bike, however. The Italian has a deeply analytical mind, and is one of the most intelligent riders on the grid.
His future stablemates are enthusiastic at the possibility of Marini's arrival in HRC. "Luca brings some experience," Repsol Honda's Joan Mir said on Sunday. "I think he's a smooth rider, so normally this type of rider who are very smooth are quite sensitive, also. Not one that brakes like an animal, and doesn't care about the bike. So he probably understands some things."
Johann Zarco, who is also leaving a Ducati squad for the LCR Honda team, spoke highly of Marini. "I respect him a lot," the Frenchman said. "He's a super-technical guy, so he has a lot of method, and I think even if he did less years on a Ducati than me, maybe he knows the Ducati better than me. So he can also always bring good information. And with the good method he has, I guess, it can be a great way for Honda to begin a new page, on the method side, try to get back this strong base that they are able to have. So if he's the one, for sure he's maybe the best option, and I'm really pleased if this happens."
The fact that Marini has less natural talent means he has had to work harder and be more analytical on the bike, Zarco said. "It seems sometimes that he has less gift than the other riders, so to be at the level, he has to work twice as hard. So I think that can be an advantage to develop a bike, to understand what happens."
Untangling the knots
Marini's signing brings with it a few complications, which are likely to hold up an official announcement for a few days. The first is that Marini arrives in the team of Marc Marquez, whose rivalry with his half brother, Valentino Rossi, is legendary for its bitterness.
Marquez does not believe this will be a problem, however. "With Luca I always had a very good relationship and this is the good thing," the eight-time world champion said. "We separate things, and this is good. It's not news, with Valentino, we don't have a relationship, but with Marini, yes." Rossi and Marini are two different people, Marquez pointed out. "We keep separate the things and I wish the best for for him if he does this move, and it’s a nice challenge."
One option for Honda would be to swap crews between Joan Mir and Luca Marini, with Mir taking over Santi Hernandez and the rest of Marquez' crew, while Marini would find himself in the hands of Giacomo Guidotti. But Hernandez and co. are just as conscious of the fact that Marini is not his brother, and are far too professional to let anything interfere.
Musical chairs
The other complication of signing Luca Marini is the gap he leaves at Mooney VR46, and more importantly, the gap left by the rider filling Marini's spot. It is widely expected that Fermin Aldeguer will move up from the SpeedUp squad to join Mooney VR46, though not the VR46 Riders Academy. But Aldeguer had a clause in his contract requiring payment of €400,000 to leave.
The financial side of that should get settled, but finding a replacement to fill the SpeedUp seat could be more complex. Paddock sources indicate that Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will get involved to move a very high profile rider into SpeedUp as compensation.
Caffeinated sugar water cash
Finally, there is also the question of energy drinks sponsorship. According to a report on Speedweek - the website set up and funded by Red Bull - the Austrian energy drink company will part ways with Honda and follow Marquez, who has been a Red Bull athlete all of his career, to Gresini Ducati.
That would provide a very useful funding boost for Gresini, and open the way for Monster to join Repsol Honda. As part of the VR46 Riders Academy Luca Marini has Monster Energy backing, Rossi being a long-time Monster athlete. If Monster were to take over from Red Bull at Repsol, that would also bring Joan Mir back into the Monster fold. Mir was backed by Monster as part of the US energy drinks brand's backing of the Suzuki MotoGP squad until their withdrawal.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 13, 2023 10:29:05 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 15, 2023 9:05:06 GMT -8
Both Bagnaia & Martin are on their last engines. Martin has 5 in use, Bagnaia 6. Mechanics doing loads of engine swaps, to keep the best for when they're really needed. Will this play a part?
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Post by truenorth on Nov 16, 2023 9:03:55 GMT -8
Which Championships can be won at the Qatar GP? There are seven different titles that could be won during the penultimate round of the year All eyes are firmly fixed on the gripping title fight between Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) ahead of the Qatar GP, but the MotoGP™ Riders’ Championship isn’t the only prize that could be decided at Lusail International Circuit. Across the MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes, there are seven different awards up for grabs in the Doha desert, and you can see the full list and how they can be won below! MotoGP™ MotoGP™ World Championship: Francesco Bagnaia Pecco Bagnaia could have a chance to clinch his second MotoGP™ World Championship, depending on the Tissot Sprint results. If he has 12 points (or more) of an advantage over Jorge Martin after the Sprint, it’s match point on Sunday. He would need to be 37 points (or more) clear of Martin to take the title. Teams’ Championship: Prima Pramac Racing Prima Pramac Racing need to finish the GP more than 66 points ahead of their closest rivals. They’re currently 100 ahead of Ducati Lenovo Team and 104 clear of Mooney VR46 Racing Team. Best Independent Team: Prima Pramac Racing Prima Pramac Racing need to finish the GP more than 66 points ahead of Mooney VR46 Racing Team. Rookie of the Year: Augusto Fernandez Somewhat a formality as the only full-time rookie on the Entry List, Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) will become the Rookie of the Year after the Sprint in Qatar, officially and mathematically. There are currently a maximum of 74 points in play in 2023, which will become 62 after the Sprint. Fernandez currently has 69 points. Moto2™ Teams’ Championship: Red Bull KTM Ajo Red Bull KTM Ajo need to finish the GP more than 45 points ahead of Elf Marc VDS Racing Team. They currently hold a 65 point advantage. Moto3™ Moto3™ World Championship: Jaume Masia Masia (Leopard Racing) could wrap up the crown on Sunday. His rivals are Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), David Alonso (GASGAS Aspar Team), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM AJo). However, Alonso and Holgado are 41 points back, and Öncü 50. So Masia is Champion in Qatar if: He wins and Sasaki doesn’t finish better than P4 He finishes P2 and Sasaki doesn’t finish better than P8 He finishes P3 and Sasaki doesn’t finish better than P12 He finishes P4 and Sasaki doesn’t finish better than P15 Teams’ Championship: Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP need to finish the GP more than 45 points clear at the top. They’re currently 44 points ahead of Leopard Racing, 56 ahead of Red Bull KTM Ajo and 80 ahead of Gaviota GASGAS Aspar.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 16, 2023 9:04:44 GMT -8
Mat Oxley And... it's new engines all round this weekend in Qatar! Riders are allowed to use their eighth engines from this weekend. Probably a wee bit more power for Bagnaia, Martin & everyone. That's to frankweeink for alerting me & IRTA tech director Danny Aldridge for confirming
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Post by truenorth on Nov 16, 2023 9:29:37 GMT -8
Jorge Martín Almoguera The fact that I am here fighting for this trophy means a lot to me. I am very proud of what together with my family and team we have achieved this year, we will dream until the end no matter what happens! Thanks to the people who continue to support me and thanks MotogGP for the show.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 4:26:11 GMT -8
Moto3 Practice 1 1 53 Deniz ÖNCÜ TUR Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 2'09.404 13 14 232.7 2 5 Jaume MASIA SPA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'09.817 10 12 0.413 0.413 234.2 3 10 Diogo MOREIRA BRA MT Helmets - MSI KTM 2'10.227 11 12 0.823 0.410 238.9 4 27 Kaito TOBA JPN SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 2'10.561 10 12 1.157 0.334 237.3 5 63 Syarifuddin AZMAN MAL MT Helmets - MSI KTM 2'10.751 13 14 1.347 0.190 236.8 6 18 Matteo BERTELLE ITA Rivacold Snipers Team HONDA 2'10.756 14 15 1.352 0.005 233.2 7 70 Joshua WHATLEY GBR VisionTrack Racing Team HONDA 2'10.891 12 13 1.487 0.135 233.2 8 80 David ALONSO COL Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team GASGAS 2'10.971 13 14 1.567 0.080 237.8 9 43 Xavier ARTIGAS SPA CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP CFMOTO 2'11.000 14 14 1.596 0.029 235.2 10 55 Romano FENATI ITA Rivacold Snipers Team HONDA 2'11.046 14 15 1.642 0.046 234.2 11 7 Filippo FARIOLI ITA Red Bull KTM Tech3 KTM 2'11.047 13 13 1.643 0.001 238.4 12 31 Adrian FERNANDEZ SPA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'11.257 14 14 1.853 0.210 234.7 13 96 Daniel HOLGADO SPA Red Bull KTM Tech3 KTM 2'11.293 10 13 1.889 0.036 236.8 14 6 Ryusei YAMANAKA JPN Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team GASGAS 2'11.423 11 13 2.019 0.130 231.2 15 21 Vicente PEREZ SPA BOE Motorsports KTM 2'11.483 10 12 2.079 0.060 227.8 16 99 José Antonio RUEDA SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 2'11.775 12 13 2.371 0.292 235.2 17 54 Riccardo ROSSI ITA SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 2'11.901 13 13 2.497 0.126 237.8 18 66 Joel KELSO AUS CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP CFMOTO 2'11.987 14 14 2.583 0.086 236.3 19 48 Ivan ORTOLÁ SPA Angeluss MTA Team KTM 2'12.237 5 13 2.833 0.250 229.7 20 38 David SALVADOR SPA CIP Green Power KTM 2'12.247 11 13 2.843 0.010 237.3 21 82 Stefano NEPA ITA Angeluss MTA Team KTM 2'12.290 13 13 2.886 0.043 239.4 22 19 Scott OGDEN GBR VisionTrack Racing Team HONDA 2'12.308 14 14 2.904 0.018 235.2 23 44 David MUÑOZ SPA BOE Motorsports KTM 2'12.468 12 12 3.064 0.160 239.4 24 72 Taiyo FURUSATO JPN Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'12.620 12 12 3.216 0.152 236.3 25 64 Mario AJI INA Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'12.774 12 13 3.370 0.154 232.2 26 71 Ayumu SASAKI JPN Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP HUSQVARNA 2'12.815 4 10 3.411 0.041 233.2 27 95 Collin VEIJER NED Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP HUSQVARNA 2'12.848 13 13 3.444 0.033 233.2 28 20 Lorenzo FELLON FRA CIP Green Power KTM 2'14.285 12 12 4.881 1.437 233.7
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 5:03:16 GMT -8
Moto2 Practice 1 1 54 Fermín ALDEGUER SPA Beta Tools SpeedUp BOSCOSCURO 2'01.097 16 16 284.2 2 18 Manuel GONZALEZ SPA Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 T KALEX 2'01.440 14 14 0.343 0.343 282.7 3 96 Jake DIXON GBR Inde GASGAS Aspar Team KALEX 2'01.768 15 15 0.671 0.328 287.2 4 37 Pedro ACOSTA SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KALEX 2'01.814 14 15 0.717 0.046 286.4 5 17 Alex ESCRIG SPA Forward Team FORWARD 2'01.933 14 14 0.836 0.119 279.0 6 40 Aron CANET SPA Pons Wegow Los40 KALEX 2'02.532 14 14 1.435 0.599 287.2 7 71 Dennis FOGGIA ITA Italtrans Racing Team KALEX 2'02.629 13 15 1.532 0.097 284.9 8 75 Albert ARENAS SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KALEX 2'02.712 14 14 1.615 0.083 286.4 9 24 Marcos RAMIREZ SPA OnlyFans American Racing KALEX 2'02.764 15 16 1.667 0.052 286.4 10 15 Darryn BINDER RSA Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP KALEX 2'02.809 15 15 1.712 0.045 287.2 11 12 Filip SALAC CZE QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 KALEX 2'02.857 13 13 1.760 0.048 283.4 12 79 Ai OGURA JPN IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia KALEX 2'03.011 17 17 1.914 0.154 284.9 13 7 Barry BALTUS BEL Fieten Olie Racing GP KALEX 2'03.355 16 17 2.258 0.344 284.9 14 16 Joe ROBERTS USA Italtrans Racing Team KALEX 2'03.418 13 14 2.321 0.063 282.7 15 21 Alonso LOPEZ SPA Beta Tools SpeedUp BOSCOSCURO 2'03.442 16 17 2.345 0.024 284.2 16 52 Jeremy ALCOBA SPA QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 KALEX 2'03.554 16 16 2.457 0.112 287.2 17 35 Somkiat CHANTRA THA IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia KALEX 2'03.555 16 16 2.458 0.001 289.5 18 22 Sam LOWES GBR Elf Marc VDS Racing Team KALEX 2'03.919 17 19 2.822 0.364 284.2 19 33 Rory SKINNER GBR OnlyFans American Racing KALEX 2'03.945 17 17 2.848 0.026 285.7 20 13 Celestino VIETTI ITA Fantic Racing KALEX 2'04.036 16 16 2.939 0.091 286.4 21 4 Sean Dylan KELLY USA Forward Team FORWARD 2'04.269 15 16 3.172 0.233 281.2 22 11 Sergio GARCIA SPA Pons Wegow Los40 KALEX 2'04.730 14 16 3.633 0.461 281.9 23 14 Tony ARBOLINO ITA Elf Marc VDS Racing Team KALEX 2'04.814 17 19 3.717 0.084 287.2 24 28 Izan GUEVARA SPA Inde GASGAS Aspar Team KALEX 2'04.925 11 12 3.828 0.111 286.4 25 5 Kohta NOZANE JPN Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 T KALEX 2'05.001 13 14 3.904 0.076 284.9 26 84 Zonta VD GOORBERGH NED Fieten Olie Racing GP KALEX 2'05.024 14 15 3.927 0.023 281.9 27 9 Mattia CASADEI ITA Fantic Racing KALEX 2'05.050 19 19 3.953 0.026 284.2 28 64 Bo BENDSNEYDER NED Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team KALEX 2'06.052 11 15 4.955 1.002 281.9 29 3 Lukas TULOVIC GER Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP KALEX 2'06.246 15 17 5.149 0.194 286.4 Not qualified (Out 105%) 2'07.151 23 Taiga HADA JPN Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team KALEX 2'08.603 8 14 7.506 2.357 283.4
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 7:31:40 GMT -8
David Emmett Track conditions in Qatar are, to use a bit of technical jargon, shit. Moto3 bikes currently 4.5 seconds a lap off the 2022 FP1 times.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 7:32:27 GMT -8
MotoGP Free Practice 1 1 89 Jorge MARTIN SPA Prima Pramac Racing DUCATI 1'56.393 14 17 345.0 2 5 Johann ZARCO FRA Prima Pramac Racing DUCATI 1'56.565 14 15 0.172 0.172 342.8 3 1 Francesco BAGNAIA ITA Ducati Lenovo Team DUCATI 1'56.622 17 17 0.229 0.057 347.2 4 25 Raul FERNANDEZ SPA CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team APRILIA 1'56.685 16 16 0.292 0.063 340.6 5 21 Franco MORBIDELLI ITA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 1'56.804 14 17 0.411 0.119 342.8 6 10 Luca MARINI ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team DUCATI 1'56.819 14 14 0.426 0.015 343.9 7 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Aprilia Racing APRILIA 1'56.820 14 14 0.427 0.001 346.1 8 49 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO ITA Gresini Racing MotoGP DUCATI 1'56.830 13 16 0.437 0.010 342.8 9 44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 KTM 1'56.885 16 16 0.492 0.055 342.8 10 33 Brad BINDER RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 1'56.894 16 18 0.501 0.009 343.9 11 20 Fabio QUARTARARO FRA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 1'56.961 17 17 0.568 0.067 342.8 12 12 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Aprilia Racing APRILIA 1'56.975 10 13 0.582 0.014 340.6 13 43 Jack MILLER AUS Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 1'57.060 17 18 0.667 0.085 340.6 14 37 Augusto FERNANDEZ SPA GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 KTM 1'57.096 12 12 0.703 0.036 340.6 15 88 Miguel OLIVEIRA POR CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team APRILIA 1'57.606 14 19 1.213 0.510 341.7 16 73 Alex MARQUEZ SPA Gresini Racing MotoGP DUCATI 1'57.835 9 13 1.442 0.229 340.6 17 23 Enea BASTIANINI ITA Ducati Lenovo Team DUCATI 1'57.982 6 16 1.589 0.147 343.9 18 72 Marco BEZZECCHI ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team DUCATI 1'58.071 16 16 1.678 0.089 347.2 19 36 Joan MIR SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1'58.177 15 15 1.784 0.106 342.8 20 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1'58.193 17 17 1.800 0.016 338.5 21 27 Iker LECUONA SPA LCR Honda CASTROL HONDA 1'58.344 16 18 1.951 0.151 340.6 22 30 Takaaki NAKAGAMI JPN LCR Honda IDEMITSU HONDA 2'00.429 4 13 4.036 2.085 337.5
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 8:05:33 GMT -8
Moto3 Practice 2 1 5 Jaume MASIA SPA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'06.794 10 12 233.7 2 55 Romano FENATI ITA Rivacold Snipers Team HONDA 2'07.340 10 14 0.546 0.546 236.8 3 95 Collin VEIJER NED Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP HUSQVARNA 2'07.416 9 10 0.622 0.076 232.2 4 48 Ivan ORTOLÁ SPA Angeluss MTA Team KTM 2'07.425 12 12 0.631 0.009 236.3 5 18 Matteo BERTELLE ITA Rivacold Snipers Team HONDA 2'07.602 11 14 0.808 0.177 235.8 6 43 Xavier ARTIGAS SPA CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP CFMOTO 2'07.664 12 12 0.870 0.062 229.2 7 80 David ALONSO COL Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team GASGAS 2'07.795 10 12 1.001 0.131 240.5 8 71 Ayumu SASAKI JPN Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP HUSQVARNA 2'07.868 8 12 1.074 0.073 236.8 9 96 Daniel HOLGADO SPA Red Bull KTM Tech3 KTM 2'08.063 10 12 1.269 0.195 236.3 10 82 Stefano NEPA ITA Angeluss MTA Team KTM 2'08.147 12 12 1.353 0.084 237.3 11 21 Vicente PEREZ SPA BOE Motorsports KTM 2'08.151 9 13 1.357 0.004 229.2 12 27 Kaito TOBA JPN SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 2'08.177 12 12 1.383 0.026 237.8 13 44 David MUÑOZ SPA BOE Motorsports KTM 2'08.374 11 11 1.580 0.197 237.8 14 53 Deniz ÖNCÜ TUR Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 2'08.421 3 13 1.627 0.047 235.2 15 7 Filippo FARIOLI ITA Red Bull KTM Tech3 KTM 2'08.480 3 12 1.686 0.059 234.2 16 99 José Antonio RUEDA SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 2'08.515 11 14 1.721 0.035 236.3 17 10 Diogo MOREIRA BRA MT Helmets - MSI KTM 2'08.636 10 13 1.842 0.121 236.3 18 70 Joshua WHATLEY GBR VisionTrack Racing Team HONDA 2'08.692 7 12 1.898 0.056 231.2 19 66 Joel KELSO AUS CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP CFMOTO 2'08.777 11 11 1.983 0.085 235.8 20 54 Riccardo ROSSI ITA SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 2'08.778 12 12 1.984 0.001 238.9 21 31 Adrian FERNANDEZ SPA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'08.813 8 12 2.019 0.035 237.8 22 72 Taiyo FURUSATO JPN Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'09.038 10 12 2.244 0.225 232.7 23 63 Syarifuddin AZMAN MAL MT Helmets - MSI KTM 2'09.244 12 13 2.450 0.206 233.2 24 38 David SALVADOR SPA CIP Green Power KTM 2'09.281 10 10 2.487 0.037 237.3 25 6 Ryusei YAMANAKA JPN Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team GASGAS 2'09.344 8 10 2.550 0.063 238.4 26 64 Mario AJI INA Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'09.354 3 12 2.560 0.010 233.2 27 20 Lorenzo FELLON FRA CIP Green Power KTM 2'09.707 4 11 2.913 0.353 232.7 28 19 Scott OGDEN GBR VisionTrack Racing Team HONDA 2'10.848 7 9 4.054 1.141 237.3
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 9:03:21 GMT -8
KTM's latest 'stego-tubbie' (R). Extension of Gigi's 'deployable' aero concept: Does fuck-all with RH dropped & pilot centered. Loads the rear and aids rotation when the pilot hangs off on corner entry (L)
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 9:08:09 GMT -8
David Emmett Fermín Aldeguer's new lap record in Moto2 nearly a second faster than the best MotoGP time the first time the class visited in 2004
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 9:11:13 GMT -8
Mat Oxley Miller's mechanic Mark doesn't look too keen on KTM's latest rear aero, which looks a bit F1. As far as I know you can have as many rear aero designs as you like during a season, ie it's not a homologated part like the fairing. (But I could wrong - rule wording is confusing).
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 9:14:53 GMT -8
David Emmett The amount the rear is spinning up on the practice starts at Qatar means the circuit will have to do something to clean the starting grid area overnight. Could be quite dangerous otherwise.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2023 10:08:33 GMT -8
Moto2 Practice 2 1 54 Fermín ALDEGUER SPA Beta Tools SpeedUp BOSCOSCURO 1'58.059 15 17 283.4 2 40 Aron CANET SPA Pons Wegow Los40 KALEX 1'58.163 15 15 0.104 0.104 288.0 3 22 Sam LOWES GBR Elf Marc VDS Racing Team KALEX 1'58.313 13 16 0.254 0.150 281.2 4 35 Somkiat CHANTRA THA IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia KALEX 1'58.367 15 15 0.308 0.054 289.5 5 96 Jake DIXON GBR Inde GASGAS Aspar Team KALEX 1'58.434 14 14 0.375 0.067 286.4 6 18 Manuel GONZALEZ SPA Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 T KALEX 1'58.673 15 17 0.614 0.239 283.4 7 79 Ai OGURA JPN IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia KALEX 1'58.832 16 17 0.773 0.159 285.7 8 37 Pedro ACOSTA SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KALEX 1'58.854 15 15 0.795 0.022 288.0 9 21 Alonso LOPEZ SPA Beta Tools SpeedUp BOSCOSCURO 1'58.927 16 16 0.868 0.073 286.4 10 14 Tony ARBOLINO ITA Elf Marc VDS Racing Team KALEX 1'59.112 15 16 1.053 0.185 288.0 11 16 Joe ROBERTS USA Italtrans Racing Team KALEX 1'59.231 13 15 1.172 0.119 284.2 12 24 Marcos RAMIREZ SPA OnlyFans American Racing KALEX 1'59.308 16 17 1.249 0.077 286.4 13 13 Celestino VIETTI ITA Fantic Racing KALEX 1'59.474 14 16 1.415 0.166 286.4 14 71 Dennis FOGGIA ITA Italtrans Racing Team KALEX 1'59.481 12 13 1.422 0.007 287.2 15 17 Alex ESCRIG SPA Forward Team FORWARD 1'59.506 13 14 1.447 0.025 285.7 16 12 Filip SALAC CZE QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 KALEX 1'59.595 15 15 1.536 0.089 288.0 17 4 Sean Dylan KELLY USA Forward Team FORWARD 1'59.666 13 16 1.607 0.071 281.9 18 75 Albert ARENAS SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KALEX 1'59.710 16 16 1.651 0.044 284.9 19 7 Barry BALTUS BEL Fieten Olie Racing GP KALEX 1'59.757 6 18 1.698 0.047 283.4 20 15 Darryn BINDER RSA Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP KALEX 1'59.930 15 16 1.871 0.173 285.7 21 84 Zonta VD GOORBERGH NED Fieten Olie Racing GP KALEX 1'59.955 16 16 1.896 0.025 282.7 22 52 Jeremy ALCOBA SPA QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 KALEX 1'59.991 14 15 1.932 0.036 284.2 23 33 Rory SKINNER GBR OnlyFans American Racing KALEX 2'00.098 17 17 2.039 0.107 283.4 24 11 Sergio GARCIA SPA Pons Wegow Los40 KALEX 2'00.151 13 14 2.092 0.053 284.2 25 3 Lukas TULOVIC GER Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP KALEX 2'00.299 12 16 2.240 0.148 285.7 26 64 Bo BENDSNEYDER NED Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team KALEX 2'00.501 16 16 2.442 0.202 287.2 27 28 Izan GUEVARA SPA Inde GASGAS Aspar Team KALEX 2'00.579 6 10 2.520 0.078 287.2 28 9 Mattia CASADEI ITA Fantic Racing KALEX 2'00.742 17 17 2.683 0.163 282.7 29 5 Kohta NOZANE JPN Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 T KALEX 2'00.917 10 14 2.858 0.175 282.7 30 23 Taiga HADA JPN Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team KALEX 2'03.141 13 15 5.082 2.224 284.2
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