The Trackhouse Racing introduction of its 2024 MotoGP team in Hollywood on Friday was a major event for American motorcycle road racing and for Aprilia. There were multiple World Champions and U.S. Champions on hand, as well as representatives from the top level of Aprilia’s motorcycle road racing efforts. 

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said that Trackhouse was important to the factory’s racing efforts. With four 2024-spec bikes on the track and in the hands of a team with close ties to the factory, Aprilia will gather more data, more feedback and thus follow Ducati’s example of using the maximum amount of information gathered on the track to hone its racebikes to their optimum on race weekends.

As is the case with most top-level motorsport launches, the machines displayed are not the actual vehicles the team will go racing with. Building a MotoGP machine is an incredibly complicated process, and Aprilia is still building the bikes for the upcoming season. Trackhouse Team Manager and former Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg said the 2024 machines that rider Miguel Oliveira will race already were in Malaysia for the first pre-season test. Interestingly, job one for the team from an on-track perspective is making sure that the 2024 machine is developed to a higher level of performance than the 2023 bike. Last year’s machine was good enough to win two races and nearly lock out the podium in Barcelona. Raul Fernandez, (who raced 2022 versions of the RS-GP in 2023), said when he got a chance to test the 2023 version of Aprilia’s RS-GP at the post-season test in Valencia, he had much, much more confidence tipping the bike toward the apex on the brakes, and his performance showed–he was fifth-fastest on the day, just behind eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez.

On hand were not only the current MotoGP riders and key personnel for the Aprilia project, but several U.S. racers who have competed at the sport’s highest level. Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz, 500cc Grand Prix World Champions; Superbike World Champion, 250cc World Champion, and three-time 500cc Grand Prix race winner John Kocinski; Joe Roberts, America’s most recent Grand Prix winner (in Moto2); four-time MotoGP podium finisher John Hopkins; and four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes; were all on hand. (Remember, in his first and only MotoGP event, Hayes filled in for the injured Colin Edwards on the Tech3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valencia in 2011, led the wet morning warm-up session, and finished seventh in the MotoGP race.) All spent time talking with young American racer Rossi Moor, who has won races and the 2022 Northern Talent Cup Championship (part of the Road to MotoGP program) in Europe.

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In addition to Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks, a former NASCAR racer and owner of a NASCAR team, riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez were on hand, as well as former and current Grand Prix racers. They were joined by Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, as well as Wilco Zeelenberg, the former 250cc Grand Prix racer who is the team manager for Trackhouse.

Wayne Rainey, a three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion and now President of MotoAmerica, and 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz were both on hand, representing the period of Grand Prix racing that was utterly dominated by American riders. From 1978 to 1993, Americans won 13 of 16 500cc Grand Prix titles.

Trackhouse is based in North Carolina, but the satellite team will operate out of Noale, Italy, in conjunction with the Aprilia racing department. Oliveira will start the season on a 2024 RS-GP, while Fernandez will start racing on the 2023 version of the machine and transition to a 2024 during the season. Oliveira is a multi-time MotoGP winner with KTM, and Fernandez is a multi-time winner in Moto2 and runner-up in the Moto2 World Championship in 2022.

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Brad Binder and Marco Bezzecchi were second and third, respectively, and fourth on his Ducati debut was Marc Marquez. Marquez’s 1:29.424 best lap on a 2023 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici was less than two-tenths slower than his qualifying lap on Saturday on his Repsol Honda RC213V. 

Two-time World Champion Francesco Bagnaia finished 11th on his Lenovo Ducati, and 2023 title challenger and runner-up Jorge Martin crashed early and could manage only 15th on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Bagnaia, Binder and Bezzecchi tied for the highest top speed at 337 kph (209.402 mph), with Binder’s KTM the only non-Ducati of the fastest six machines.

Among the other riders who switched to new motorcycles Tuesday:

Luca Marini, Marquez’s replacement at Repsol Honda, finished 10th with a 1:29.956 on his new RC213V.

Franco Morbidelli was 16th with a 1:30.206 on his new Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Johann Zarco ranked 17th with a 1:30.283 on his new LCR Honda.

2023 Moto2 World Champion Pedro Acosta was 18th with a 1:30.476 in his debut ride on his new GASGAS machine.

And Alex Rins ended the day 19th with a 1:30.564 on his ex-Morbidelli Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1, which was only half a second slower than his new teammate Fabio Quartararo’s 12th-quickest 1:30.022.

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The all-time lap record for a Moto2 machine was set on Saturday by Fermin Aldeguer at 1:33.264. Lopez topped Monday’s Moto2 timesheets with a 1:33.061 in the first session, just edging Aron Canet’s best of 1:33.074, also set in the first session.

Holgado took a little longer to get down to his best time, waiting until the second session to set a 1:37.300 to set the benchmark for the 23 riders who set a time. The all-time Moto3 lap record was a 1:38.286 set by Darryn Binder in 2020.

Pirelli will serve as the control tire supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 series from 2024 through 2026.

More, from a press release issued by Pirelli:

Pirelli’s era in Moto2 and Moto3 begins with all time lap records

In the first 2024 official test, on Pirelli tyres, Lopez in Moto2 and Holgado in Moto3 were the fastest riders, setting the all time lap record for the Valencia circuit in their respective classes

Today the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia hosted the first official 2024 test for the Moto2 and Moto3 riders which also marked the beginning of the Pirelli era in these championships.

Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp – BOSCOSCURO) was the fastest rider of the day in Moto2 with a time of 1’33.061, setting a new all time lap record for this circuit and class.
Likewise, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the fastest in Moto3 in 1’37.300, actually improving the lap record for this class by a second.

Lopez set the new all-time lap record in the first session on his 24th out of 26 laps completed, improving the record set by Aldeguer this year in FP3 by two tenths. Holgado did the same in the second session on the 13th out of 17 laps, shattering Binder’s previous record (1’38.286) from 2020.
 
All riders used DIABLO Superbike slick tyres in soft and medium compounds for both the front and rear. In Moto2 in size 125/70 R17 front and 200/65 R17 rear, in Moto3 100/70 R17 front and 120/70 R17 rear.

These are standard tyres and not prototypes, meaning they can be purchased by any motorcyclist because they are regularly on sale.

Giorgio Barbier, Motorcycle Racing Director

All time lap records: the best way to start the Pirelli era
 

“We are very satisfied with the results obtained in this first official 2024 test with the Moto2 and Moto3 riders and teams. For us the goal was to confirm the good impressions seen at the beginning of September on the Montmelò circuit. On that occasion, as it was a private test, no official times were provided, whereas today it was possible to make a direct comparison with the times of the weekend just gone, in similar weather conditions and temperatures. Achieving the all-time lap records ever for this track in the respective championships, in the case of Moto3 even improving it by a second, is certainly clear and easily quantifiable proof of the excellent performance that our tyres are able to guarantee. Some riders ran more laps than the race distance using the same set of tyres, even if not consecutive, with limited drop and good wear. All the compounds performed well, clearly the softer ones are generally those that allowed the riders to achieve their best times. We know that the tests, although representative, are never like a race weekend and that each track makes history in its own right but we can say that the conditions for doing a good job next season are all there.”

More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team:

Elf Marc VDS Racing Team kick off 2024 Moto2 preparations in Valencia
 

Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the 2023 Moto2 World Championship in Valencia, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team made a rapid return to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit to commence important preparations for next season’s title challenge.
 

On a vital test day that saw the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team welcome Filip Salac as Tony Arbolino’s teammate for 2024, the focal point of today’s action was to allow the duo time to assess the performance of tyres from new exclusive supplier Pirelli.
 

In warm and sunny conditions, Arbolino and Salac completed over 140 laps of the 4km Ricardo Tormo Circuit before heading off on a well-deserved winter break.
 
 

Tony Arbolino 
 

/// 7th, 1:33.383, 79 laps

Runner-up in the 2023 Moto2 World Championship campaign, Arbolino’s bid to go one better next year got off to a busy but positive start, as the Italian completed nearly 80 laps in three sessions.
 

Immediately finding confidence with the new Pirelli rubber, Arbolino ended with a best lap of 1:33.383 to finish just one-hundredth-of-a-second outside of the top six.
 

Arbolino’s best lap was nearly a second faster than his qualifying pace during last weekend’s season finale in Valencia, with the 23-year-old excited at the prospect of racing the new Pirelli tyres for the first time in Qatar’s season opener next March.
 

“The Pirelli tyres suit my riding style”
 

“Today has been an important test to try and recover a good feeling on the bike because it was a difficult race weekend for us here in Valencia. I have to say we did a great job because I felt confident again on the bike and that was the main objective. The first touch with the Pirelli tyres was very positive and they suit my riding style. You get a lot of feedback, and you feel so comfortable, and I think it is going to be an interesting season next year. I’m happy also to see Filip in the garage because I think we can help each other improve next season. Now I will spend the winter training hard and studying data to understand where we can be even more competitive in 2024.”
 
 
 

Filip Salac
 

/// 17th, 1:33.723, 62 laps

Today’s test was very much a familiarisation exercise for the Czech rider, who was getting acquainted to his new crew at Elf Marc VDS Racing while also assessing the new range of Pirelli rubber.
 

Salac immediately felt comfortable in his new surroundings and his hard braking style was instantly a positive match with the new Pirelli tyres.
 

He was able to make constant progress throughout the day to improve his lap time by 0.6s to finish within touching distance of the top 10.
 
“I’ve enjoyed this first experience in the box and immediately I have a positive feeling”

 
“It has been an amazing day for me today and I want to thank the Team for giving me such a warm welcome. I’ve enjoyed this first experience in the box and immediately I have a positive feeling. The communication is already very good with my crew, and we have been able to get positive sensations from the new Pirelli tyres. I have to say my feeling with Pirelli is amazing and we also tried some set-up changes on the bike that all helped us make steps forward. The difference between Pirelli and what we have used previously in Moto2 was bigger than I expected. The front tyre I think is going to be really good for my riding style and we haven’t come anywhere near to finding the limit of their potential and I’m already quite fast. It feels like it will be slightly more difficult to manage the tyres in the race, but I think this is a great step for Moto2. Now I’m hoping that the next three months go really quick because I can’t wait to be back on the bike again.”

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:

FIRST TASTE OF 2024: HOLGADO SETS NEW ALL TIME LAP RECORD IN VALENCIA, ROULSTONE MAKES DEBUTS IN MOTO3

We got a small taste of what 2024 will look like for Red Bull KTM Tech3 on Monday in Valencia as the lightweight class participated in the Valencia Moto3 Official Test. Daniel Holgado tried the 2024 KTM bike as he will stay with the team for a second season, and he was joined by new recrue Jacob Roulstone, from Australia, who made his debuts in the Moto3 class with his new team. The lightweight class had three different sessions to get on with their testing plan, as they shared the track with the Moto2 class.

Twenty-rounds all over the world were completed in 2023, but the Red Bull KTM Tech3 crew still needed what was left of Daniel Holgado’s energy on Monday as the Moto3 class began its 2024 campaign. The number 96 was able to try the 2024 bike provided by KTM, in addition to the new Pirelli tyres, and it is fair to say that everything seemed to go well as the Spaniard set a new all time lap record at the circuit Ricardo Tormo with a 1’37.300, 0.986 seconds faster than the 1’38.286 of Darryn Binder from 2021. Dani rode two of the three sessions, completed a total of thirty-six laps with his new package, and headed to the off season fastest of the final official day on track of 2023.

The Red Bull KTM Tech3 welcomed eighteen year-old Australian Jacob Roulstone coming from the FIM Junior Grand Prix with the Aspar Team, in addition to having participated in the 2023 edition of the Red Bull Rookies Cup. The goal of the day was to take this first day to discover his new bike and get his first feeling of the Moto3 class. The young boy rode a total of 58 laps across the three sessions with a best lap 1’38.511 from Session 3. 

The next time Red Bull KTM Tech3 will hit the track with Daniel Holgado and Jacob Roulstone will be in February 2024, at the Portimao Moto3 Test on February 22nd and 23rd.

Daniel Holgado
 

Position: 1st

Time: 1’37.300

Laps: 36
 

“I am really happy with our test day because we had both the new KTM bike and Pirelli tyres, and I was really fast.  The grip was also very good. Everyone worked really well, so I want to thank both KTM and the Tech3 team for this amazing day, because we head to the off season on a really positive note. It is now time to rest and recover from this intense year.”

Jacob Roulestone
 

Position: 12th

Time: 1’38.511

Laps: 58
 

“I am very happy with my first day in the team. Everyone has given me a warm welcome, and all the team is very nice! My first runs were a bit challenging, but then the feeling started to come as the day went by. Lap after lap I got more used to the tyres and it became easier. In the last session, we tried the new 2024 bike and it felt amazing! Happy going to the winter break with a nice feeling!”

Hervé Poncharal

Team Manager
 
 

“What a better way to start our 2024 season with the Moto3 team than taking the new all time lap record in Valencia! Today was a really interesting day, because we were able to test the new 2024 bike prepared by KTM, but it was also our first official day with Pirelli, who will be the official tyres supplier for the Moto3 class in 2024. Right out of the box, Daniel Holgado felt really confident, everything was almost perfect, even if he was still suffering from his left foot injury sustained in qualifying Saturday. He did a few laps and broke the all time lap record by nearly a second, which is amazing. He can now go to rest and spend the winter break with a positive frame of mind. On the other side, we were pleased to welcome Jacob Roulstone who will do his rookie season in Moto3 with us next year. He worked really hard, in a very constructive way with his new team and finished twelfth in the combined standing, which is really good for a first day. He already feels very comfortable with the new crew, and that is a key thing for a rookie, so we are happy to have been able to get a first day on track before the winter. I am positive, and I believe that we are set to have a great 2024 season! Thank you to everyone, and I wish the whole staff a good winter!”

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MotoGP introduces new manufacturer concession system

The new system, along with a number of other proposals, has been approved by the Grand Prix Commission

MotoGP is introducing a new system of concessions for manufacturers, effective immediately as the test day allocation for the 2024 season begins on Tuesday the 28th of November.

Approved by the Grand Prix Commission ahead of the Valencia GP, the new system covers test days and riders, wildcard appearances, the number of engines, engine specifications and freezes, aero updates and the number of tyres supplied for testing. Factories will be classified into four groups – A, B, C or D – depending on the percentage of the possible maximum constructor points they have accrued in each window.

There are now two windows in which each factory’s performance is assessed: from the first event to the last event of the season AND from the first event after the summer test ban to the last event before the summer test ban of the following season. This allows factories to more quickly gain, or lose, their concessions based on their most recent form – ensuring competition in the world’s most exciting sport can stay as close as possible.

All manufacturers, via the MSMA, approved the proposal for the same reason. Find below the full details of the new system.

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Repeated infractions and breaches of the Participation Agreement affecting the public image of MotoGP have obliged this decision.

The Selection Committee will be reviewing applications for a new Independent Team, using Aprilia machinery, to join the MotoGP class grid for 2024.

More information on this matter will follow in due course.

More, from a press release issued by CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Racing Team:

Press Statement: CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team

There are many speculations in the press about the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team and because of this we want to provide clarifications through this official press release.
 

One thing is clear – CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team has a contract for participation in the MotoGP Championships that is valid until 2026 which was assigned from Sepang Racing Team. This contract has very clear terms and conditions and until now we have not even been notified about a breach of a contractual obligation. Even more, we did not receive a termination notice of this contract.
 

Moreover, RNF has a valid contract with Aprilia and we did not receive a notice to terminate this contract as well. The speculations with respect to the quality of the parts for motorcycles provided by Aprilia due to “alleged” debts are false. There are no debts towards Aprilia and all amounts are settled since earlier this year. Also, in addition to what was in the contract, we have agreed to additional mechanics and carried out with fulfilling the extra costs.
 

It’s true that RNF had received an offer for the place on the grid, in Madrid at DORNA Office, however this offer was rejected officially more than 2 weeks ago and since then no other negotiation was initiated. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team does not have any debts or disputes with its suppliers and all the activity is carried out according to the business plan and according to the contractual terms with the suppliers.
 

The RNF Team is still owned 60% by CDT SPORTS AND MEDIA SRL and 40% by Razlan Razali. The company RNF Racing Ltd. is subject to an internal audit by the majority shareholder (CDT) to review the internal processes and the activity of the employees. The changes in the management of the team will come with certainty as this was a transition year and after the audit we will put into place optimization processes of the human resources in order to implement the strategy with tactics to obtain performance in the team.
 

The decision for Razlan Razali not to be part of the RNF Team management was not only from yesterday, but was taken more than 1 month ago, due the pressure made by the shareholders following poor performance and financial decisions.

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The #49 will wear the colours of the Tavullia team on the Ducati Desmosedici and will debut on track for the first testing session of the new season in Valencia.

Fabio Di Giannantonio will complete the line up of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team for the 2024 season. The young rider, born in 1998, will share the garage with Marco Bezzecchi riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP.

A member of the prestigious club of MotoGP race winners after his success at the Qatar Grand Prix, Fabio will wear the neon yellow of the Tavullia Team for his third season in the premeir class. In addition to his MotoGP win, Diggia has also earned a podium at the 2023 Australian GP, a Tissot Sprint podium at the 2023 Qatar GP and a pole position at Mugello in 2022. For one of the most promising riders in the Italian nursery, thanks to a second place in the Moto3 Championship in 2018 and eight podiums in the intermediate class, including a victory at the 2021 Spanish GP, the goal is to continue to grow in this category and be among the chief contenders.

For Fabio, the first appointment with the new team is on Tuesday, when he will be on track for the first day of testing in 2024.

Alessio Salucci, Team Director Mooney VR46 Racing Team: “I am really happy to announce that Fabio will join our Team. It was an unexpected arrival, at the last minute but I am satisfied that we have chosen him. He had a great end of the season, he didn’t lose himself when things didn’t go well and I’m sure he’ll be able to feel at home here. On a motorsport level, he has proven to be among the fastest young Italians, he will continue to work with Ducati and the objective is to help him be not only competitive but also consistent in his results. It is an ambitious project, it marks a turning point in the history of our Team, but I am sure that we will all give our best to go in the same direction.”

Fabio Di Giannantonio: “I’m happy to join such a strong Team as the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, I can learn a lot and I can’t wait to start working together on this project, we can do really good things. In the last two seasons in MotoGP, I have grown a lot and in this team I will certainly be able to mature further and achieve great results. I’m excited, I can’t wait to meet all my new staff and crew and start working on the track. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.”

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Honda Racing Corporation are pleased to announce the signing of Luca Marini for the 2024 and 2025 MotoGP World Championship seasons.

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