Fabio di Giannantonio, MotoGP rider, was forced to withdraw from the remainder of the Austrian Grand Prix after suffering a significant shoulder injury during Friday’s practice session at the Red Bull Ring. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when di Giannantonio’s Ducati GP23 became unsettled at one of the circuit’s fastest points, Turn 8. The accident happened when di Giannantonio lost the front end of his bike while crossing a kerb, leading to a violent fall into the gravel trap. The 25-year-old, who was recently confirmed as a factory-supported VR46 rider for the next two seasons, fell heavily and was immediately attended to by the track’s medical team. Following an initial assessment, it was confirmed that di Giannantonio suffered a dislocated left shoulder. For further evaluation and treatment, he was taken to Judenberg Hospital. Subsequent examinations confirmed that di Giannantonio was unfit to continue competing this weekend. Team manager Pablo Nieto expressed his frustration and concern over the accident. “It was a real shame and a heavy crash,” Nieto said. “Unfortunately, the impact was at very high speed, and Fabio couldn’t avoid the gravel. We were immediately informed about the dislocated left shoulder, and later the medical staff decided to take him to the hospital for a second check.” With di Giannantonio sidelined for the Austrian GP, the focus now is on his full recovery. Nieto emphasized the need for rest and treatment so the rider can return to competition as soon as possible. “He needs to rest, recover energy, and undergo all necessary treatments to get back to work as soon as possible. Get well soon, Fabio!” Nieto added, showing support for the rider. Di Giannantonio has until the end of the month to recover before the next round in Aragon. Meanwhile, his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who also had a fall during Friday’s session, emerged unscathed and secured a direct spot in Q2 by finishing in ninth place. This injury marks a significant setback for di Giannantonio, but with the support of his team and his determination, there is hope that he will return in full form for upcoming races. The VR46 team and fans are eagerly awaiting his recovery and return to the track.
Marc Marquez Struggles to Keep Pace with GP24s at Austrian GP
Marc Marquez, the six-time MotoGP champion, faces a significant challenge at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he is struggling to keep up with the pace of the Ducati GP24s, ridden by his teammates Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. Although Marquez has secured four podiums so far in the 2024 season, including three consecutive top-three finishes between Jerez and Barcelona, he has yet to reach the top step of the podium with Ducati. After Friday’s sessions at the Red Bull Ring, Marquez admitted that, despite having one of his best days of the season, he is still not at the same level as the leaders. “It was a very positive day for us, but we are still a step behind Bagnaia and Martin, who are the top guys,” commented the Spaniard. When asked about his chances of winning the Austrian GP, a race he never won during his time with Honda, Marquez was realistic: “No. I would like to say yes, but unfortunately [not]. We are closer, but I still feel like I’m a step behind. We are in the second group, along with Morbidelli and Bastianini. Let’s see if tomorrow I can work on the small details and be a bit more consistent.” Ducati has historically performed well in Austria, with seven of its eight riders finishing in the top ten during Friday’s sessions. However, Marquez highlighted that tires have also played an important role in his improved performance at the Spielberg circuit. Spielberg is one of three tracks where Michelin has introduced a different tire profile, which has helped riders who have not fully adapted to the standard 2024 tires. Marquez noted that the new tire suits his riding style better: “For me, with this tire, I feel more natural. With the new rear tire they introduced this year [for most of the season, but not for Spielberg], the new technology, I don’t feel it naturally, from the lean to the traction.” He added: “I feel like there is a big difference in grip between one tire type and the other, it’s like they’re two different tires. But with this one, it feels much more natural, and for me, the bike’s movement is more predictable.” Although Marquez is optimistic about improving his performance throughout the weekend, he also recognizes that the gap to Bagnaia and Martin may be too large to close in time for Sunday’s race. Even so, the Spaniard is determined to refine his approach and extract the maximum potential from his Ducati at the Red Bull Ring. The Austrian GP will be another test for Marquez, who continues to seek his first victory with Ducati in a season full of challenges and ups and downs. Meanwhile, his rivals remain strong, and the Spaniard knows that he will need an extra effort to stay competitive and aim for a strong result in the race.
Bagnaia Breaks Lap Record in Austrian MotoGP Practice, Confident for Race
Francesco Bagnaia, the current MotoGP champion, demonstrated his dominance at the Red Bull Ring during the Austrian Grand Prix practice sessions by breaking the lap record and establishing himself as the rider to beat this weekend. The Ducati rider displayed impressive pace, bolstering his confidence for Sunday’s race. Bagnaia was absolutely relentless during Friday’s sessions, setting times that left his rivals far behind. “It was a very positive day for us. We were able to work on our pace and the bike’s setup, and everything seems to be in the right place for the race,” said the Italian, visibly pleased with his performance. The lap record that Bagnaia broke is a testament to his skill and the power of the Ducati, a combination that has proven formidable throughout the season. “The bike is fantastic; we managed to find a good balance between speed and control, which is crucial on this track,” Bagnaia added. While Bagnaia dominated, other riders faced significant challenges. Marco Bezzecchi of VR46 secured ninth place, while Enea Bastianini earned a direct spot in Q2 despite a late crash at the tricky Turn 2 chicane. For Bastianini, the focus will be on recovering and improving his performance in the upcoming sessions. Pedro Acosta, of Tech3 GasGas, had a tough Friday with three crashes during practice, the last of which occurred at Turn 9, leaving him out of automatic entry into the second part of qualifying. Jack Miller, his teammate at KTM, also struggled, finishing just behind Acosta in 12th place, despite having been in the top five for much of the session. Fabio Quartararo, of Yamaha, was the highest-placed rider for his team, finishing in 13th, just ahead of Johann Zarco of Honda, who was riding the LCR-entered RC213V. Both riders hope to improve their grid positions during qualifying but know they face a tough challenge ahead. The practice sessions were also marked by several incidents, including multiple crashes at Turn 2 and a high-speed off-track excursion by Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 at the exit of Turn 7. Di Giannantonio was diagnosed with a dislocated left shoulder and was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. Additionally, Pol Espargaró, who was competing as a wildcard for KTM, had his session cut short by a mechanical problem. Espargaró was testing new parts on the RC16 but had to end his participation earlier than expected. With Bagnaia in excellent form and confident after breaking the lap record, the Austrian Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with the Italian clearly determined to extend his lead in the championship.
Pol Espargaró Responds to KTM’s New Aero and Mechanical Setbacks
Pol Espargaró, KTM’s test rider, had a Friday full of ups and downs at the Austrian MotoGP, held at the iconic Red Bull Ring. Competing as a wildcard in this round, Espargaró was tasked with testing a series of new updates on his RC16, including revised aerodynamics with swingarm-mounted wings and a new exhaust system. The day started promisingly for the Spaniard, who clocked the third-fastest time in the morning session, showcasing the potential of the new parts. “The morning started very well, we did a lot of laps,” Espargaró reported, expressing optimism about the possibilities for a good weekend. However, he also acknowledged the experimental nature of his role: “That’s why we are here with a prototype bike, to put it under stress and see if something goes wrong.” And it did. In the afternoon session, Espargaró’s day took a different turn when mechanical problems began to arise. “We had several problems. We needed to stop both bikes. The bike stopped,” he explained, clearly frustrated with the difficulties that prevented him from continuing to improve his times. As a result, he finished only 21st, far from the expectations generated by the morning’s performance. Despite the difficulties, Espargaró highlighted the aerodynamic improvements brought by KTM: “We felt a difference. That’s why we brought [the new parts]. In the tests, we were very fast, both in one lap and in the overall pace.” The confidence shown by Espargaró during the initial tests was one of the reasons KTM decided to use these updates in this weekend’s race. However, he also emphasized the unpredictable nature of his job as a test rider: “Things can go wrong quickly and easily. We’ll try to be luckier tomorrow.” For Saturday, Espargaró is focused on qualifying for Q2 but admits that the situation is not ideal, especially with two other KTM riders, including teammate Brad Binder, outside the top 10 on Friday. “It’s not an ideal situation for tomorrow,” he said, anticipating a tough fight to secure a good spot on the grid. While Brad Binder managed to finish fifth, Espargaró and the rest of the KTM riders still have a long way to go to achieve the expected results. Despite the setbacks, Pol Espargaró’s determination to maximize the potential of KTM’s new updates is evident, and he is ready to face the challenges that Saturday and the rest of the weekend may bring.
