2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | August 18, 2024

Sunday MotoGP Race

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) put in a stunning performance at the Motorrand Grand Prix von Österreich to take to the top step and complete the double in style. The reigning Champion went toe-to-toe with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) before taking charge in the lead and building a gap, securing his status as Championship leader by five points and taking his 25th MotoGP™ win to equal Kevin Schwantz in 10th on the list of riders with most premier class wins. Martin’s second place is still a valuable 20-point haul to keep him in touch at the top, ahead of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) in third for his fourth podium in five races.

There was some drama even before the start as Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a holeshot device shuffle, unable to get both engaged, getting a slightly slower launch and then getting a nudge from Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) as the two headed wide out of Turn 1. Marquez ended up outside the top ten and Morbidelli further behind him.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results — **Bagnaia made it look easy with the Austrian double win.**

Meanwhile, Martin had taken the holeshot to edge out Bagnaia at the front, but the reigning Champion attacked next time round at Turn 1 and took the lead. Another move came from Martin at the penultimate corner on the same lap, but Bagnaia hit back straight away at the final corner. It remained as you were in the high-speed chess match – meanwhile, Bastianini was holding third, within touch.

A small KTM civil war just behind then saw Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) stalk and eventually get past teammate Jack Miller, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) then pouncing too. Bagnaia led Martin with a gap back to Bastianini, ahead of the Binder-Bez-Miller train that Marc Marquez was, by now, fast tagging onto the back of. He was also literally tagging Miller with 19 to go as his elbow made contact with the #43’s rear tyre, but no harm done as the #93 reset and reloaded. He didn’t need to make the move, however, as Miller slid out soon after – able to rejoin but out of the fight at the front.

And so Bagnaia led Martin, with Bastianini a couple of seconds back. And then came what was now a Binder-Bezzecchi-Marquez squabble, with the first fireworks coming from Marquez as he carved through the VR46 rider. Next stop: Binder. At Turn 6 with ten to go the #93 sliced up the inside to take over in fourth, but by now the distance to Bastianini was unlikely to be gulfed.

More fireworks then set off in the next gaggle behind as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) had a second shot at getting past teammate Aleix Espargaro after an earlier attempt went awry, and the #12 got it done, leaving Espargaro to fend off Morbidelli, who was on a charge.

At the front, the gap would go up a tenth or two and then back down, but Bagnaia remained in control. The reigning Champion completed the double in style, stamping some authority on a Championship lead of 0 points, position courtesy of win count, and bumping it up to five points ahead of Martin, who came home second for a nevertheless very valuable 20 points. Bastianini, despite his quick progress up from a tougher qualifying, came home third and wasn’t able to work his used tyre magic to bridge that gap. He did have enough in hand over Marc Marquez, however, with the #93’s pace – on paper enough to put him in serious contention – going begging after his early dramas. He finished P4.

Behind, Binder held off Bezzecchi to complete the top five, with the South African and the Italian who followed him home both able to find some key positives in the solid results in Austria. Viñales managed to pull away from his teammate to take P7, and on the very last lap Morbidelli sliced past Aleix Espargaro too, stealing eighth from the #41 Aprilia.

Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) completed the top ten after duelling and holding off KTM test rider and wildcard Pol Espargaro, who completed an impressive weekend taking some points as well as data. Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) homed in to within two tenths of that battle too, ahead of a tougher weekend for rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) had a notable Austrian GP finish – taking P14 and two points, and as top Honda by some distance. He also made a late attack to get past Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and hold him off by a couple of tenths.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—Sunday MotoGP Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+3.232
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+7.357
4	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+13.836
5	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+18.620
6	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+21.206
7	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+24.322
8	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+27.677
9	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+28.829
10	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+30.268

Moto2 Race

An eighth different Moto2 winner has emerged in 2024 as for the second year in a row, Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) bags a 25-point haul at the Red Bull Ring. The Italian was unmatched on Sunday as he converted pole into victory, as Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) earned podium finishes as the latter passes Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) on the final lap for P3.

It was a good start from the front row trio as Canet led the opening lap, but Vietti pounced back on Lap 2 as Lopez sat right behind the top two in P3. Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) was P4, a second up the road from Dixon.

Lopez then passed Canet for P2, with Garcia just over a second back from the top three on Lap 4 of 23, with Dixon, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) tucked up behind the title chase leader. Not for long though, as both Dixon and Arbolino passed Garcia on Lap 5.

Seven laps in, Vietti stretched his lead to 1.1s over Lopez and Canet. Dixon was 1.6s behind the latter duo, with the Briton having Arbolino in tow. On Lap 9, Vietti then made a mistake into Turn 3, which slashed his advantage from 1.4s to 0.4s as the top three were now split by 0.8s.

The fight for P2 began with nine to go, with Canet and Alonso trading places at the final corner. The small amount of squabbling allowed Vietti to extend his lead back to a second, as Dixon started to ramp up his case for a podium finish. With five laps to go, Vietti was 1.7s clear, as Dixon locked himself onto the back of Canet to make it a three-rider fight for P2, as Garcia was handed a Long Lap penalty for exceeding track limits, and that dropped the Spaniard to P13 from P6.

Heading onto the last lap, Vietti boasted a 2.7s penalty. Dixon dived up the inside of Canet at Turn 1 but exceeded track limits on the exit. Could the #96 then pass Lopez? Not quite. The latter held onto P2 as Vietti bagged his first win in Red Bull KTM Ajo colours, with Canet crossing the line behind Dixon in P4 and because both riders exceeded track limits on the final lap, the results stood – Canet crossing onto the green at the final corner cost him a rostrum.

Arbolino was a lonely fifth, with Ramirez taking sixth ahead of Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia). Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) squeezed inside the top 10 in P9 to claw some crucial points back on Garcia, as Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) rounded out the top 10.

The returning Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took a superb P11 in his first race back since the Italian GP, as Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) bagged P12 and P13. Then came Garcia as the Championship leader was unable to fully capitalise on teammate Ai Ogura’s injury absence, as that LLP cost the Spaniard a decent chunk of points. Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) was the final point scorer in P15. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer’s (Sync SpeedUp) lacklustre weekend ended with the Spaniard finishing P20.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—Moto2 Race

1	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2	Alonso Lopez	(Sync SpeedUp)	+1.850
3	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+1.974
4	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+2.075
5	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+6.814
6	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+12.392
7	Darryn Binder	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+12.514
8	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+12.604
9	Joe Roberts	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+13.398
10	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+13.429

Moto3 Race

It’s seventh heaven for David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) at the Red Bull Ring as the World Championship leader wins again – but this time he did so after taking a Long Lap penalty. The Colombian beats David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) by 0.121s as the Spaniard, in turn, edges out Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) as the trio climb onto the Moto3™ rostrum in Austria.

There was drama from the off as polesitter Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) had a problem pulling up to the start line, with the Spaniard having to start the race from pitlane. A disaster for the #48, with Alonso’s chief Championship rival 12 seconds off the lead at the end of Lap 1.

The early race leader was Joel Kelso and the Australian had BOE Motorsports teammate Muñoz, Alonso and Holgado close for company, with the Colombian diving into the Long Lap penalty loop on Lap 2 – as did Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) right behind the #80.

This left Alonso in P10, 3.7s off the lead with 17 laps to go. Meanwhile, Ortola was setting fastest lap after fastest lap as he picked his way through the pack to get up to P18 by Lap 6. On the same lap, Alonso was now P6 and closing in on the lead group that consisted of Kelso, Muñoz, Holgado, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – the latter duo hovering half a second behind the top trio.

With 11 laps left, Alonso – with Piqueras in tow – had bridged the gap. We had a front group of seven now, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) a second adrift in P8 as the Spaniard threatened to make it a 16-wheeler. On Ortola watch, the polesitter was P16, eight seconds behind the leaders and had points-scoring places well within his reach.

On Lap 14 of 20, Alonso led for the first time. Ortola was now up to P9 but the group ahead of him was the leading eight, who were locked together in the fight for the win – 5.4s up the road. Three laps later, Alonso still held the lead, but it was far from a comfortable one as Muñoz, Holgado, Veijer and Piqueras were prowling.

But it was as you were heading onto the final lap. Alonso led the chasing quartet, as Muñoz ran wide at Turn 1 to go from P2 to P4. Turns 2A and B passed by, and so did Turn 4. Time was running out as Holgado fended off Piqueras before Muñoz shoved it up the inside of the Leopard rider at Turn 7. Would a move come in the final two corners? No. Alonso defended expertly to claim a stunning win in Styria, as Muñoz pipped Holgado to P2 by the barest of margins – 0.005s.

The impressive Piqueras claimed P4 ahead of Veijer in P5, with Fernandez, Rueda and Kelso completing the top eight. Ortola produced a fine effort to climb his way to P9, but it’s crucial ground lost in the title chase on a Sunday that promised much more.

Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power), Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) pocketed the final points-paying places in Austria.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—Moto3 Race

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)
2	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.121
3	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.126
4	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.211
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.303
6	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+2.726
7	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+2.790
8	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+2.886
9	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+7.542
10	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+7.842

2024 Austrian MotoGP News: Saturday

Martin’s shower incident

Jorge Martin overcame a bizarre injury sustained in the shower on Friday evening to take a stunning pole position on Saturday, and a second place in the Sprint race.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News: Saturday — **Martin was injured in Austria, but not how you’d expect.**

The Spaniard’s left thumb was heavily bandaged after he awoke in severe pain on Saturday morning, and the freak injury was causing him some discomfort through the day.

“I’m struggling. It’s not a super big problem that I can’t ride, but I’m struggling,” he said. “I have all the maps, I have the device, I have to put the device, take it off, rear brake (to activate with the left thumb). So I am making a bit of a mess, even sometimes I have to put it and I have to take it off. So I need to be a bit more focused tomorrow, because today I was making some mistakes. For sure it’s not a big disaster, but I feel confident for tomorrow. Let’s see, I hope tomorrow it will improve.”

Morbidelli signs with VR46

Franco Morbidelli has signed to ride with the VR46 Ducati team for 2025 alongside Fabio Di Giannantonio on a one-year deal.

The news came through on Friday, when the Italian finished second in the first two sessions of the weekend. “It’s a great story that we were able to announce it today and it’s a great story. Continuing with Ducati is a great thing.”

It was assumed Morbidelli will continue riding a GP24 next year, while his team-mate will be given a full factory GP25. But, “That’s not certain yet,” according to the 29-year old. “But continuing with the same bike is great.” GP25? “I’m not strong with contracts,” he said.

Di Giannantonio was ruled out of the Grand Prix due to a shoulder which he dislocated in Friday’s Practice session.

Espargaro running KTM’s future project

Pol Espargaro is making his second wildcard appearance of the season for KTM and is testing a new engine for the Austrian factory which could well be used in 2025. The test rider was disappointed to only score ninth in the Sprint, and believed the potential was there to qualify and finish higher.

Team-mate Brad Binder was certainly impressed with the performance of Espargaro’s test machine. “I think Pol’s spec is more something for further future than right now,” said the South African. “It seems to come off the corners a lot better, which is where we’re losing a lot of time, so that’s really positive for sure.”

MotoGP Sprint Race

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) took a stunning victory in the Tissot Sprint at the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, going gloves off against Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in the early stages before the #89 went wide through a shortcut, didn’t lose enough time, and then got handed a Long Lap penalty. The reigning Champion’s win makes it equal points at the top, and Bagnaia is the official Championship leader thanks to his higher number of Grand Prix wins so far in 2024. The stage is certainly set for a showdown on Sunday.

Behind, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) shadowed the duel in the early stages before losing a little ground, and he then crashed out from second as Martin served his Long Lap. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) avoided any of that drama, coming home third to complete the Sprint podium as Martin recovered to second place.

It was a sensational launch from Bagnaia in an intense start to the Tissot Sprint, with the reigning champion taking the holeshot and Martin then attacking for the lead on the entry to Turn 3 on the opening lap. The #1 soon tried to respond at the end of Lap 1, getting past at the penultimate corner before Martin sliced through to regain the lead at the final corner as the title rivals went elbow to elbow.

Bagnaia didn’t attack again at the first corner, but by Turn 2, Martin was in hot and headed wide into the runoff – taking the shortcut through the chicane. He rejoined behind Bagnaia, but didn’t lose enough time with the mistake. The #89 was investigated by the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards for the incident, and a Long Lap handed down.

He didn’t take it straight away but didn’t wait too long, by which time he and Bagnaia had pulled out some gap on the chasing Marc Marquez. When Martin did head into the Long Lap loop, Bagnaia was left with a solid lead ahead of the #93 and Martin emerged just ahead of Aleix Espargaro.

Then on Lap 10, there was yet another twist. In some space and on for a solid second, Marc Marquez lost the front on the entry to Turn 3. The #93 dropped to 23rd, outside of the point-scoring positions, and would soon retire to the pitlane, bringing a disappointing end to his Saturday.

On the final lap, nobody could match Bagnaia’s pace, with the Italian able to hold a four-second margin to Martin in second – putting them exactly equal on points. Meanwhile, the final spot inside the top three went the way of Aleix Espargaro, who claimed a somewhat unexpected third after a drama-free Saturday.

Meanwhile, there was an intense fight for the final spot inside the top five, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) losing a spot late on to a classic charging Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli also battling behind.

Bastianini crossed the line in fourth, with Miller rounding out the top five after the Australian defended from Morbidelli to the line. Just 0.102s separated the duo after the 14-lap dash, with Binder lurking in seventh.

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) moved up to P8, with wildcard Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) putting in a very solid day at the office to take the final Sprint point in P9 – just ahead of rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—MotoGP Sprint Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+4.673
3	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+7.584
4	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+9.685
5	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+10.421
6	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+10.523
7	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+10.941
8	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+11.932
9	Pol Espargaro	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+15.101
10	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+16.611

Moto2 Qualifying

Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will launch from Moto2™ pole position at the Red Bull Ring after the Italian’s 1:33.855 was good enough to beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by just 0.058s. World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed an important P3 in Q2 as the Spaniard looks to try and strengthen his grasp on the title chase lead on Sunday.

Following a crash in Practice 2 on the exit of Turn 2B, title-hunting Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has unfortunately been declared unfit for the remainder of the Austrian GP after sustaining a fractured right hand.

Two more Championship hopefuls in the form of Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) will launch from outside the top 10 in P11 and P17 respectively after enduring tough weekends so far in Austria.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	1:33.855
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.058
3	Sergio Garcia	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.137
4	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.238
5	Alonso Lopez	(Sync SpeedUp)	+0.255
6	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.300
7	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.330
8	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+0.340
9	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.380
10	Izan Guevara	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.410

Moto3 Qualifying

A 1:40.057 handed Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) a third pole position of 2024 as a fascinating fight for Q2 bragging rights played out on Saturday afternoon at the Red Bull Ring. The Spaniard beat Practice pacesetter Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) by 0.143s as Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) claimed a front row start in P3.

World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) qualified in P6, but the Colombian has to contend with a Long Lap penalty on Sunday to add a little extra spice into the lightweight class encounter.

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) will propel himself from P4 on the start line as Alonso’s three chief title rivals – the #96, Ortola and Veijer – look to take profit from the #80’s tricker-than-wanted Sunday.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—Moto3 Qualifying

1	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	1:40.057
2	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.143
3	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.159
4	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.202
5	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.230
6	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.281
7	Matteo Bertelle	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+0.425
8	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.477
9	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.567
10	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.621

MotoE Race One

For the first time since Barcelona, Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) is a MotoE™ race winner as the #99 emerges victorious from a breathtaking Race 1 battle at the Red Bull Ring. Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) picked up crucial Championship points with a P2 finish while Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) was promoted to the podium after Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) was demoted one position from P3 after exceeding track limits on the final lap.

Gutierrez started from his first pole position but it was second place Garzo who pocketed the holeshot into Turn 1, as Zannoni from the front row did well to not collect the front two after his Ducati V21L was out of shape into Turn 1.

On Lap 2, contact was made between Garzo and Gutierrez on the exit of Turn 1. This coming together saw Garzo lose his left knee slider, with Gutierrez just about holding on as a fierce fight for the win unfolded. Miquel Pons (Axxis-MSI) benefited from the aforementioned contact and was up to P2 before he crashed out at the final corner – rider ok.

From P9 on the grid, Casadei climbed to P2 with four laps left before Gutierrez began his charge back to the summit. The Spaniard was back into second place with three and a half laps to go and the eventual race winner move came at Turn 1 with two to go. This time, Gutierrez made it stick.

No fightback came from Garzo who held onto P2 for a healthy 20 points, as late podium-deciding drama played out. Zannoni, on the run down to Turn 2A – on the final lap – narrowly exceeded track limits, so despite claiming P3 at the chequered flag, the Italian was demoted to P4 after the race had ended. That handed Casadei three more Championship points.

Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) was in the thick of the rostrum fight and came home in P5, just 1.5s away from the win. Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) was a lonely P6 with Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team), Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Maria Herrera (KLINT Forward Factory Team) rounding out the top 10.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—MotoE Race One

1	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-MSI)
2	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.246
3	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.901
4	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+1.430
5	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+1.506
6	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+2.878
7	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+6.571
8	Andrea Mantovani	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+6.619
9	Massimo Roccoli	(Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+7.482
10	Maria Herrera	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+7.575

MotoE Race Two

Talk about drama! A last lap, penultimate corner crash for race leader Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) handed Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) a huge 25 points as the title chase leader heads to Misano with a commanding 38-point lead, as Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) and Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) complete the Race 2 rostrum at the Red Bull Ring.

Just like Race 1, the second electric class battle of the day was another barnstormer as Garzo grabbed an early race lead. This time, Zannoni didn’t make a Turn 1 error and slotted into P3 behind Gutierrez, with Casadei again getting away well from P9 on the grid to jump up to P5.

Gutierrez made a move for the lead stick at Turn 1 on Lap 2, but with four to go, Garzo returned the favour at the same corner. Gutierrez was then demoted to P3 as Zannoni stuck his Ducati up the inside at Turn 4 with three laps left, as the duo then battled away before Gutierrez was finally back through with one and a half left.

The final lap saw Gutierrez pass Garzo. Again it was Turn 1, with Garzo unable to fight back this time. The Axxis-MSI star held the lead superbly before heartbreak unfolded at the penultimate corner. Gutierrez’s front tyre gave way and the rookie slid out of the lead, handing Garzo a golden ticket worth 25 points.

Zannoni and Casadei finished P2 and P3, with the latter Garzo’s chief Championship rival heading into the final round at Misano. Zannoni and Gutierrez remain in contention, but it’s going to take a monumental turnaround from here.

Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) picked up a P4 in Race 2, 0.6s away from the win, to cap off a solid weekend for the double Champion. Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) rounded out the top five as Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) bounced back from a crash in Race 1 to P6 a little later in the afternoon. Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing), Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team) and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) were the riders to finish in the top 10.

2024 Austrian MotoGP News and Results—MotoE Race Two

1	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)
2	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.069
3	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+0.094
4	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.609
5	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+1.371
6	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+1.991
7	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+2.249
8	Nicholas Spinelli	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+3.497
9	Andrea Mantovani	(KLINT Forward Factory Team)	+3.540
10	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+3.689

2024 Austrian MotoGP News—Friday

Ogura signs for Trackhouse

Thursday brought confirmation Ai Ogura has signed for Trackhouse Aprilia in 2025 on a two-year deal. The 23-year-old had an option to replace Takaaki Nakagami at LCR Honda but instead opted for Aprilia’s satellite squad.

“It’s really special and I am happy that finally, I can make this step,” he said. “It looks like the team and the bike are really competitive, so I think I am in the next place for next year and I can’t thank the team enough.”

Team Principal Davide Brivio was later repeatedly pressed on why the American team opted against signing Joe Roberts, the USA’s lone entrant across all GP classes. “We considered him, and then we made some evaluations, more from potential sporting performance point of view,” said the Italian. “We made our evaluation, our analysis, and we decided that Ai was a better choice for our project. Regardless of the passport.”

Miller in line for Pramac Yamaha deal

From despair to hope; Jack Miller has enjoyed quite the turnaround in fortunes in the space of a fortnight. On the eve of the British GP a fortnight ago the Aussie couldn’t hide his devastation at a lack of offers that had come his way over the summer break. Yet all signs in Austria point to him having a seat at Pramac Yamaha next year alongside Miguel Oliveira.

“Mood’s definitely better,” he said on Thursday comparing his emotions to Silvertsone. “It doesn’t seem that the world’s crumbling around, but we’ll see. I mean, there’s truth to the rumours, obviously we’re in contact and trying to sort something out. I feel like my time is not done yet and I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give, so I would love the opportunity to try and show more, but wait and see.”

It’s believed Dorna were desperate to not lose the grid’s lone Australian, especially when the main alternative was Sergio Garcia, another Spaniard. “I don’t want it to be on my passport,” said Miller. “I want it to be here on my speed.”

Yamaha to strengthen test team

Not content with adding Pramac to its ranks and increasing its MotoGP presence to four bikes for 2025, Yamaha is keen to expanding its test team to two riders. And Augusto Fernandez is in line to become the Iwata factory’s second test rider, alongside Cal Crutchlow, for 2025.

“Fabio (Quartararo) came to me some races ago to tell me that Yamaha is doing a new test team and they need a good rider, and he thought about me,” explained the Spaniard. “And the first thing that came into my mind was like ‘Retirement,’ no? But then (I was) thinking, ‘It’s the best opportunity to get back into this paddock, more than going to World Superbike.’ I could be on a factory bike, doing a lot of tests, fighting for a lot of wildcards as well. And if I perform as is my plan, to perform to get back on the grid, to get back here.”

Friday MotoGP

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) ended Friday on top of the premier class timesheets after the #1 set a sensational new lap record at the Red Bull Ring. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) shadowed teammate Jorge Martin to take P2 as the Pramac duo completed the top three, but the deficit was 0.2s and 0.3s to Bagnaia’s 1:28.508 stunner. The reigning Champion has laid down an early gauntlet at the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich.

Plenty of talking points arose throughout the session including some drama for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, as the Italians both crashed in the opening stages of the session. That crash at Turn 8 sadly saw Di Giannantonio dislocate his left shoulder, ruling him out of the weekend as he sits it out to focus on recovering for the next round.

Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) crashed three times on Friday, the final tumble coming after the rookie sensation lost the front at Turn 9. The #31 was unhurt and was back out in no time, but the issues for the home factory heroes didn’t halt there as wildcard Pol Espargaro was forced to pull off the circuit with a bike problem just before the time attacks began. And unfortunately for the #44, that was session over.

Once the time attacks had come and gone, however, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – who led the session briefly – bagged P4 to safely earn a Q2 spot, as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) left it late to jump into the top 10 on KTM’s home turf, taking fifth. However, it was also a lap that shoved Acosta out and into Q1.

Binder finished Friday ahead of Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) recovered to seventh at the end of play following a tough FP1 that saw the #41 crash twice at the same place.

Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Viñales secured eighth as both factory Aprilias grabbed Q2 places despite a tougher start, with Bezzecchi and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) – despite a late crash for the Silverstone double victor – pinching P9 and P10.

Q1 on Saturday now awaits with Acosta aiming for redemption after three crashes on Friday and missing out on a Q2 place by just 0.027s, with plenty of fast faces looking to beat him to it.

2024 Austrian MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:28.508
2	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.281
3	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.319
4	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.350
5	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+0.461
6	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.548
7	Aleix Espargaro	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.599
8	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.609
9	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+0.725
10	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.773

Friday Moto2

P1 in Free Practice and P1 in Practice 1. Friday’s don’t get better than that as Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) proved untouchable at a happy hunting ground for the Japanese star, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) providing the closest challenge – the Spaniard sits 0.152s down on the #79 heading into Saturday. Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) rounded out the top three, the #18 was just over two and a half tenths away from Ogura’s pace.

World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed P8 on Day 1, as we learned the Spaniard would continue with his current squad in Moto2™ in 2025.
Title hopeful Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) squeezed into the provisional automatic Q2 spots in P14 on Day 1, with fellow Championship chaser Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) enduring a tricky opening day at the Red Bull Ring – the American is P21 going into Saturday.

2024 Austrian MotoGP Results—Friday Moto2

1	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	1:33.943
2	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+0.152
3	Manuel Gonzalez	(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)	+0.273
4	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.329
5	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.351
6	Alonso Lopez	(Sync SpeedUp)	+0.421
7	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+0.430
8	Sergio Garcia	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.520
9	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.579
10	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team)	+0.670

Friday Moto3

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda grabbed Moto3™ P1 at the Red Bull Ring as the Spaniard’s 1:40.171 was good enough to edge out Championship leader David Alonso by 0.051s, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) a close P3 with the Dutch star only 0.069s adrift.

Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) backed up his Free Practice P3 finish with a fourth best time in the afternoon stint to signal a solid day at the office for the Australian.

British GP winner and the rider second in the title chase, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), ended Day 1 in P6 as we learned the Spaniard would be moving up to Moto2™ in 2025 to partner Sergio Garcia at MT Helmets – MSI.

2024 Austrian MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3

1	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull Ktm Ajo)	1:40.171
2	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.051
3	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.069
4	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.118
5	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+0.258
6	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.354
7	David Muñoz	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.397
8	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.469
9	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.501
10	Joel Esteban	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.570

Friday MotoE

In a closely fought FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship Q2 at the Red Bull Ring, Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) grabbed his debut electric class pole position with a 1:37.970, as the #99 edged out title rival Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) by just 0.066s. For the second time in 2024, Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) pocketed a front row start, with the Italian 0.093s shy of pole in P3.

Garzo, the Championship leader, left it late to pounce up to the front row, but it wasn’t quite enough to beat Gutierrez. Less than two tenths split the top four on the grid after Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) landed an impressive P4, with Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) and Miquel Pons (Axxis-MSI) rounding out the second row.

Garzo’s chief Championship chaser, Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team), has work to do on Saturday after the Italian – who won both races at the Red Bull Ring in 2023 – had to settle for P9.

There was some drama after the session too, with Alessio Finello (Felo Gresini MotoE™) given a Long Lap penalty for a slow sector and Massimo Roccoli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) given a thee-position grid penalty for being slow on the line.

2024 Austrian MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3

1	Oscar Gutierrez	(Axxis-Msi)	1:37.970
2	Hector Garzo	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.066
3	Kevin Zannoni	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.093
4	Lukas Tulovic	(Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™)	+0.167
5	Jordi Torres	(Openbank Aspar Team)	+0.333
6	Miquel Pons	(Axxis-MSI)	+0.397
7	Eric Granado	(LCR E-Team)	+0.412
8	Alessandro Zaccone	(Tech3 E-Racing)	+0.460
9	Mattia Casadei	(LCR E-Team)	+0.561
10	Matteo Ferrari	(Felo Gresini MotoE™)	+1.043

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