MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser tried his hardest to keep his podium-streak alive at the MXGP of Galicia (Spain), but just narrowly missed out after putting in an extremely impressive second moto charge, keeping himself right in this 2024 MXGP Championship hunt.

The Slovenian rider had second gate-pick after his second-place in yesterday’s qualification race, but he got closed out in both first turns and instead had to battle hard in the opening few corners. In race one, he made a couple of great moves and quickly got himself into third place but a mistake a bit later dropped him right down the field to 12th. From there, he had his work cut-out to get near the podium positions on a track that wasn’t very easy to pass on, but he put his head down and got all the way up to sixth place.

In race two, he was just outside the top 10 around the first bend, but in a series of impressive moves on a number of his championship rivals, he once again moved himself into third place as the top two tried to escape into the distance. Not deterred, the #243 once again put his head-down, posting the fastest lap of the race and quickly closed up on second place. A lap later he had made the move and set his sights firmly on the number one position. As the laps ticked down, so Gajser closed the gap down to just one second and just as he was ready to pounce for the lead, he had an unfortunate little mistake which instead cost him a position.

Riding across the line in third, the five-time world champion was disappointed with how it ended, but he can be proud of the speed and the passing ability he showed on a difficult Lugo circuit. And the good thing is, he doesn’t have long to dwell on this result as the series heads to France next weekend and the hillside track of St Jean D’Angely, where Gajser won in 2022 – the last time the series headed there for a GP.

MX2
Ferruccio Zanchi made his return to the MX2 class this weekend and put in a really good set of results, given his time away from the action. The Italian followed-up from his impressive fourth place in the qualification race with an 11th in race one and then a 10th in race two, giving him 10th overall and a good points total for his weekend of racing.

Missing GPs is never easy, especially in your rookie season but the youngster looked right at home, and showed that in the qualification race that he hasn’t lost any speed. The longer two motos today proved a tougher challenge but he still acquitted himself well and kept things consistent on what was a tricky track and now heads to France excited for more races.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser took over the lead in the 2024 MXGP World Championship after one-ten results in treacherous conditions at the Agueda track in Portugal sees him leave this weekend with a 14-point advantage over his nearest competitor.

After taking the qualification race victory yesterday, Gajser used the first gate-pick with maximum effect by taking his first holeshot of the season on the extremely muddy circuit. With the rain falling heavily throughout the moto, Gajser fought hard for every inch, balancing attack and defence, whilst also fighting the mud. In the end he was able to pull out a comfortable win as the track took a number of victims, moving him into a virtual red-plate situation as the points-tally was totalled after the first moto.

Once again, he got a great start in the second moto but as he neared the holeshot line, he slid out in the slippery mud and narrowly avoided getting hit by the rest of the field as they went through. He remounted in last place and then set about trying to dice his way through the field in what were still treacherous conditions. By the end of the first full lap, he had made his way up to 13^th, but the risk factor is always high when making passes in the deep mud and unfortunately an off-track excursion cost him a few of spots on lap three. He wasn’t deterred though, gradually moving through the field to get all the way up to 10^th by the time he crossed for the chequered flag.

This gave him 36 points from the two motos, which was enough for third spot on the podium – continuing his 100% podium record – and also completed a 27-point swing over the course of the weekend to move the Slovenian 14 points clear at the head of this extremely competitive MXGP title battle. The #243 doesn’t have long to recover from the ordeals of this gruelling event though, because up next is a new round at the Lugo circuit in Spain this coming weekend on May 11-12.

Team Honda HRC achieved a near-perfect performance in Denver, at the penultimate round of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship. Jett and Hunter Lawrence made Supercross history as the first brothers to stand on the premier-class podium together, after they finished first and second, respectively. Jett’s win enabled him to pad his lead in the 450SX standings ahead of the season finale. In the 250SX West division, Jo Shimoda led wire-to-wire, earning his first win of the season, the second of his career and his first with Team Honda HRC.

The factory Honda CRF450RWE machines were quick out of the gate in the 450SX main event, with Hunter Lawrence grabbing the holeshot and Jett close in tow. Hunter led the first half of the race, showing impressive speed and poise. At about the midway point, Jett made the pass for the lead, and from there, the Australian duo logged consistent laps and crossed the finish line just under two seconds apart. It was Jett’s eighth win of the season, putting himself in a strong position in the title fight. Hunter’s career-best second-place finish comes on the heels of several strong showings in recent weeks, including a heat-race win and pole-position qualifying result.

Team Honda HRC’s Jo Shimoda executed a flawless start in the 250SX West main event and never looked back. The Japanese rider pulled away from his competition in the early stages of the race, establishing a comfortable gap ahead of second place. Despite a last-lap charge from Levi Kitchen, Shimoda maintained his composure and brought home the second 250SX win of his career.

450SX Results

1. Jett Lawrence (Hon)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Hon)
3. Jason Anderson (Kaw)
4. Justin Barcia (Gas)
5. Cooper Webb (Yam)
6. Justin Cooper (Yam)
7. Malcolm Stewart (Hus)
8. Chase Sexton (KTM)
9. Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)
10. Eli Tomac (Yam)

Jett Lawrence  ¹⁸

“It’s an awesome accomplishment to get my eighth win in my rookie season, but the bigger story of tonight is Hunter and I going first and second, for the first brothers to ever do that! Hunter was holding a really good pace all race, but I knew I had to get those extra of couple points for next weekend. But it did feel like we were home at the Dog Pound [practice facility] all race, just Hunter and me following each other.”

Hunter Lawrence  ⁹⁶

“Tonight would’ve been awesome to get a win, but the championship isn’t about me right now; I’ll have my time next year, and maybe even next weekend. It felt amazing to get the holeshot I’d been waiting on, and to lead some laps. It’s crazy to think back to earlier this season, when I got three seventh-place finishes in a row, and now to see where I’m at. I just have to learn more, gain more confidence on the bike, and keep working.”

Jo Shimoda  ³⁰

“I’m super pumped to get a win for me and my new team; it feels like I’m rewarding the whole team for all of their work. I’ve been putting in a lot of work on the starts, and I think my recent finishes have shown that it’s paying off. I’m hoping to keep building off of this.”

With the AMA Supercross series winding down, Team Honda HRC rider Jett Lawrence continues to perform under pressure. At the Philadelphia stop, which was round 15 of 17, the 20-year-old led the 450SX main event from start to finish, notching his second-consecutive victory and stretching his title-fight advantage to 12. Hunter Lawrence finished seventh in the same class, while Chance Hymas turned in the best result of his career, overcoming a poor start to finish fifth in the 250SX East main event.

Starting the 450SX main event just outside the starter’s box, Jett pulled a high-pressure holeshot and simply never looked back, ultimately winning by over five seconds. Title-rival Cooper Webb sat second for most of the race but was passed late by Chase Sexton and Jason Anderson. Meanwhile, Hunter rode almost the entire race in seventh place. He put a pass on Justin Barcia for sixth with just over a lap remaining, but Barcia got back by shortly after.

The tricky first turn was unkind to Hymas on the 250SX East main-event start, with the Idaho native sitting back in 17th at the end of lap 1. From there, however, Hymas turned in a strong performance, advancing to the top 10 before the midway point and hitting seventh with two laps remaining. He passed two more riders on the final lap to notch his first-ever top-five result. Meanwhile, Fire Power Honda rider Max Anstie put in an impressive ride to tally the second 250SX win of his career.

Jett Lawrence 18

“My start in the heat wasn’t ideal. I had to charge from behind, but I was able to find some pretty good passing spots. We didn’t want to start the same in the main, so we made sure we executed off the start. My Honda hooked up and made my life a lot easier at the end.”

Lars Lindstrom: Team Manager

“What a great weekend, all around. Hunter’s qualifying was so cool to see; the progress has been awesome, and he’s doing exactly what I hoped and thought he would do, which is build consistently through the season. Chance also progressed in the main, finishing strong and getting his best result of the series so far. All I can say about Jett is that he is a legend. That main-event performance just drove another nail into the fact that he is the best rider in world, which I feel confident in saying—especially when someone like Jeffrey Herlings admits it! For these next two races, it’s business as usual, and we all know it’s not over until it’s over.”

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Chase Sexton and Tom Vialle both delivered important second-place finishes in Philadelphia's 15th round of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship. For Vialle, his result enabled him to extend his advantage in the 250SX East standings with a single round remaining in the eastern region.

Sexton was back on track aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION this weekend, fifth on the time sheets at the conclusion of Qualifying and then racing through the pack to claim sixth in Heat 2. The defending 450SX Champion also put on a charge in the Main Event from fifth after lap one for an eventual P2 result, currently positioned fourth in the point standings.

Chase Sexton: "Philadelphia was a good round for me, we're happy with second and I felt like it was a strong ride in the end. I didn't get a good start, but was able to make my way through the pack and had some really good laps. Tonight, I had a little bit more of my normal speed, and I haven't really had that all year, so I feel like I'm coming into form in these final races of the series. There's been a lot of learning this year, I feel like I've grown a lot and it's made me better – we'll keep clicking these things off and keep getting better with the team."

Philadelphia saw Vialle reunited with the 250SX East red plate as the series leader and he was instantly on the pace this morning, setting the benchmark in Qualifying 1 on his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. The Frenchman ended up third on combined times and then scored second in Heat 2, setting him up strongly for the Main Event.

Two-time MX2 World Champion Vialle was buried in 10th position at the end of the opening lap, but was spectacular on his way to second position as the checkered flag flew – climbing to within 1.111s at race's end. As a result of his seventh-consecutive podium, he will carry a 15-point lead into the Supercross Finals at Salt Lake City in two weeks' time.

Tom Vialle: "It was a good race tonight. I saw Haiden [Deegan] right behind me and trying to push – together we actually came back from pretty far and to the front. The track was pretty gnarly again, we passed a lot of guys in that Main Event, and it was stressful at times, but I pushed to the very end and it was a good result to finish second here in Philadelphia. Now we will look ahead to Salt Lake City and I am excited to get to the final round of the season."

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing posted a 6th place thanks to Brad Binder at a sun-kissed and packed Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto and the fourth round of 2024 MotoGP. Jack Miller and Dani Pedrosa could not reach the finish line but Binder was the first KTM RC16 rider to the flag.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing entered the 25-lap Spanish Grand Prix fresh with the aroma of podium Prosecco courtesy of Dani Pedrosa’s 3rd position in the Sprint on Saturday at Jerez and with the vibrant atmosphere of a new circuit attendance hitting almost 300,000 people for the weekend.

As the race started Brad Binder powered into the leading sect from the first corners while Pedrosa and Jake Miller, who was 2nd fastest in morning Warm-Up, had more work to do from the second half of the grid. Dani fell after three laps entering Turn 8 while Jack powered into the top ten after decent early work. The Australian’s race ended with eight laps to go when he was hit by another rider into Turn 5. Brad engaged in a three-way tussle for 4th that was decided by half a second between the trio at the flag and the South African rested 6th.

Brad is 7th in the world championship standings and ahead of Jack in 14th. The Grand Prix de France means another busy and prominent date on the MotoGP calendar. Round five will dip into the speed and curves of Le Mans in a fortnight.

Brad Binder, 6th: “Today’s race was a little bit tricky. I did not get the same start as yesterday and just didn’t have the same pace as the boys upfront. I tried my best but it wasn’t quite our day. I had a lot of chatter from the first lap and it made it difficult to carry corner speed. We need to sit down and work out what was going on because that was the first time we had the issue this weekend.”

Jack Miller, DNF: “I had some pace and was trying to go with Pedro when I copped a bike to the side in Turn 5. There was nothing I could do about it. Not ideal. When it rains it pours! We are struggling to turn the luck in our direction…but we’ll keep plugging away and the test tomorrow will be important to iron out a few things and understand what’s going on.”

Dani Pedrosa, DNF: “I made a good start and recovered some positions. I was hopeful of a good race and a good rhythm. For some reason I lost the front wheel in Turn 8. I was not pushing to the maximum there. Maybe it was because if you don’t take the perfect line then you hit a slippery spot. My aim was to make the top ten. Anyway we took some experience with the new bike, what it is capable of doing and ideas for the future direction of the development. We will also take away the atmosphere and the Sprint podium from yesterday!”

The rider of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team takes third place. Positive Sunday also for Fabio Di Giannantonio, seventh

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), April 28th 2024 - Marco Bezzecchi is back! The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider returns to the podium by taking the third place at the Spanish GP which took place today in Jerez de la Frontera. It is the first podium of the 2024 season for him and the whole Team. Positive day also for Fabio Di Giannantonio, seventh under the checkered flag.

Starting from the second box on the grid and capable of an excellent start, Marco immediately has the pace of the front group. Fighting for the podium throughout the race, he leaves the leading duo only at the end and crosses the finishing line in P3. For Marco it is the ninth podium in the Top class and he rises to 36 points in the general standings (P9).

Not an easy start and P10 after the first five laps for Fabio, who manages to stay focused and move up the rankings. Fourth consecutive Top10 and overall positive sensations on the Ducati Desmosedici GP with 34 points (P10 in the general standings).

The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team’s Pol Tarrés overcame a treacherous sandstorm to continue his 100% podium record at the Morocco Desert Challenge and build on his lead in the general classification with a mature ride on the fourth stage.

Having shown imperious form and speed to claim victory on the opening three stages of the 2024 Morocco Desert Challenge (MDC) and open up an overall lead of over an hour, Tarrés displayed his mature side during the fourth stage to secure second despite perilous conditions.

Stage 4 featured a 32km liaison from the bivouac in Tissint to the start of the 261km special stage. Fast tracks and some off-road sections led into the infamous dunes of Erg Chegaga before another 93km liaison to Tazzarine. While the open terrain of Lake Iriki and Oued Draa made navigation tough enough, when added to the sandstorm, the day took an even more demanding turn.

Undeterred, Tarrés took his time, occasionally stopping during the worst of the storm, before getting the hammer down on his Ténéré World Rally with the three-stage GYTR Kits fitted towards the end of the stage to secure second with a time of four hours, 11 minutes, and 41 seconds. In the process, he extended his advantage in the general classification to one hour, five minutes, and 54 seconds.

Wednesday’s fifth stage features continuously changing scenery, as the competitors start from the bivouac in Tazzarine before taking on the dunes of Erg Chebbi during a 261km timed special ahead of arriving at their destination in Merzouga.

“The conditions were extremely tricky for 200km of the stage, as there was a sandstorm. It made navigation nearly impossible, and visibility was almost zero. It meant I had to pull over at times and stop, so although I did not make any navigational mistakes, I lost a little bit of time but still managed to secure second on the stage. I wanted to push more, but safety has to come first in this situation. After the storm passed and I had refuelled, I covered the next 60km in seven or eight minutes, which showed how much speed we had, but with such a big advantage in the general classification, there was no point in taking risks. Although I did not win the stage, I extended my lead even more. Now, we need to stay focused. Tomorrow is a new day, and I will once again go on the attack.”

— Pol Tarrés - Stage 2nd/Overall 1st, Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team

The rider of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team crosses the finishing line in the slip stream of the leading group. Top10 also for Marco Bezzecchi, eighth

Austin (USA), April 14th 2024 – Double Top10 in a row with both riders for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team at the Americas GP which took place today at COTA. Fabio Di Giannantonio finishes with a solid placing in P6 after a good comeback. Marco Bezzecchi is eighth instead. 

Starting from the P8 on the Ducati Desmosedici GP, Fabio achieved his best result of the season so far. Tenth at the end of the first lap, he closes the gap and regains contact with the group of the strongest guys at the end of the race (P9 in the Championship with 25 points). 

Best result of the 2024 also for Marco, who started from the fourth box on the grid. Forced into P13 after the first laps, he imposes a good pace and climbs up the rankings to enter the Top Ten (P11 in the Championship with 20 points).

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing steadied, rallied and attacked the critical point of the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas to score valuable MotoGP World Championship points in the third round of 21 on the schedule. Brad Binder sits 6th in the series standings after scoring 9th at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, while Jack Miller steered his KTM RC16 to 13th.

Hot and breezy weather coated a decent crowd at the large COTA race facility and as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing faced-up to 20 long laps of the winding 5.5km course with 20 turns of varying speed, entry and technical demand. Brad Binder and Jack Miller accelerated from the sixth and fourth rows of the grid respectively.

Miller, as usual, was rapid away from the line thanks to the configuration of his #43 KTM RC16 and slotted into the chase for fifth position in the formative stages. Binder had to be even more proactive to win time and places during the opening circulations. The South African diligently moved up the order to invade the top ten and then made sure of 9th. Jack suffered with rear grip in the final laps and the circumstances affected his lap-times. He eventually made the line in 13th.

After three rounds Brad has accumulated 49 points to lie 6th in the table. Jack has 22 and sits 10th. The team are 4th in the standings. Spain next. The Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto boasts almost forty years of history as an atmospheric and staple part of the Grand Prix calendar. Round four comes to life from April 26-28.

Brad Binder, 9th: “A tricky race for us even though I got the best launch of my life! I think that was the highlight. In Turn 1 I tried to rail the outside to gain as many positions as I could and with the mess between riders there I unfortunately broke my rear wing and front left wing. 20 laps around COTA with that missing wasn’t much fun. I could finally find a rhythm between that situation and my tire and make some pace. A difficult weekend and one to forget although I think our GP here looks a lot worse than it was!”

Jack Miller, 13th: “I felt good in the group for the first six laps and very comfortable. The bike was working better than yesterday but then from lap seven I ran into some grip issues immediately and it just got worse. I couldn’t carry corner speed. It was a bit confusing after we’d done ten laps and pushed so hard in the Sprint. I’d been managing the tire and building it up, so it’s very strange. I just tried to ride as defensively as I could for the rest of the race. We’ll have a look at the data. I felt I could have done a good job here.”