The MotoGP race at Misano at the weekend was a mixed bag for rising star Pedro Acosta and the small matter of a crash will not weaken his spirit.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 said it will focus on a decent forthcoming overseas section of the 2024 world championship calendar after promising speed and potential at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
Acosta’s pace for podium contention was stopped by an early crash at the Emilia Romagna event as Augusto Fernandez weathered a vibration issue to 18th.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix brought the series back to the flat, curving venue for the second fixture in a fortnight and before the calendar moves overseas during the month of October.
Acosta recorded two 5th positions on Saturday and upon the championship’s return to Misano: one for qualifying and another in the Sprint. Augusto Fernandez started the race from 18th on the grid.
Acosta’s slot on the second row enabled him to lunge into the front-running group in the opening stages and look for more top five potential.
He probed for ways to pass world champion Francesco Bagnaia but lost control tipping into turn 15 and was out of the race.
Fernandez had to make some bold moves to recover ground in the initial stages but then had to cope with the same vibration setback he had in the Saturday Sprint and crossed the finish line in 18th.
Acosta is 6th in the world championship standings.
MotoGP now gets jetset. The paddock heads immediately to the island of Lombok and to the Mandalika Street Circuit for the Indonesia Grand Prix next weekend.
“We had a problem with front tire temperature but I was doing my best to keep the pace with everyone until the crash,” said Acosta.
“Difficult to say much more. The bike was good and we were competitive and fast. It’s painful to have another crash. So, we have to analyse what happened and improve.”
Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “Obviously not the Sunday we were hoping for. We thought Pedro would be in the top five at least.
“He started well and was following the plan but unfortunately crashed by losing the front. The positive was that he was even faster than the first trip to Misano and we also improved the bike.”
Photo courtesy GASGAS
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MotoGP World Championship standings after round 14:
| Pos. | Entrant | Points |
| 1 | Jorge Martin
Prima Pramac Racing (GP24) |
341.00 |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati Lenovo Team (GP24) |
317.00 |
| 3 | Enea Bastianini
Ducati Lenovo Team (GP24) |
282.00 |
| 4 | Marc Marquez
Gresini Racing MotoGP (GP23) |
281.00 |
| 5 | Brad Binder
Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) |
165.00 |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
157.00 |
| 7 | Maverick Vinales
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
149.00 |
| 8 | Aleix Espargaro
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
127.00 |
| 9 | Fabio di Giannantonio
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing (GP23) |
121.00 |
| 10 | Alex Marquez
Gresini Racing MotoGP (GP23) |
121.00 |
| 11 | Marco Bezzecchi
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing (GP23) |
108.00 |
| 12 | Franco Morbidelli
Prima Pramac Racing (GP24) |
102.00 |
| 13 | Fabio Quartararo
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) |
73.00 |
| 14 | Miguel Oliveira
Trackhouse Racing (RS-GP24) |
71.00 |
| 15 | Jack Miller
Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) |
58.00 |
| 16 | Raul Fernandez
Trackhouse Racing (RS-GP23/24) |
49.00 |
| 17 | Johann Zarco
CASTROL Honda LCR (RC213V) |
22.00 |
| 18 | Takaaki Nakagami
IDEMITSU Honda LCR (RC213V) |
21.00 |
| 19 | Joan Mir
Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) |
20.00 |
| 20 | Augusto Fernandez
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
20.00 |
| 21 | Alex Rins
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) |
15.00 |
| 22 | Pol Espargaro
Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) |
12.00 |
| 23 | Dani Pedrosa
Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) |
7.00 |
| 24 | Luca Marini
Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) |
5.00 |
| 25 | Stefan Bradl
HRC Team (RC213V) |
2.00 |
| 26 | Lorenzo Savadori
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
0.00 |
| 27 | Cal Crutchlow
Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
0.00 |
| 28 | Remy Gardner
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) |
0.00 |