It’s safe to say the pace across all four classes at the Gran Premio TISSOT dell'Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini has been cranked up from last weekend’s antics at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Lap records have been smashed in MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ and MotoE™ this weekend, as we get set for another Sunday bonanza on the Riviera di Rimini coast.
In MotoGP™, Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) went over three tenths quicker than he did seven days prior to earn another Misano pole. His 1:31.077 was beaten by Pramac Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia in Q2, but the Italian’s 1:30.973 getting chalked off for exceeding track limits. Either way, the MotoGP™ riders have found some serious pace. The top six in qualifying all beat Viñales’ old lap record, but the race is where it really matters.
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VIÑALES SEALS BACK-TO-BACK LAP RECORD POLES AT MISANO
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MARINI HEADS TEAMMATE BEZZECCHI FOR MAGNIFICENT MISANO POLE
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FREE! THE MOMENT THAT COST BAGNAIA POLE
It’s a similar story in the intermediate class. Luca Marini’s (SKY Racing Team VR46) scintillating pole lap (1:35.271) was nearly four tenths quicker than Enea Bastianini’s (Italtrans Racing Team) FP3 benchmark, with Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) also smashing the old lap record to qualify second.
And sticking with SKY Racing Team VR46, Moto3™ star Celestino Vietti absolutely creamed Jauma Masia’s (Leopard Racing) Emilia Romagna GP FP2 lap record on Saturday morning. The Italian was 0.398 clear of his competitors as the Styrian GP winner whipped in a 1:41.155 ahead of qualifying, half a second faster than Masia’s Friday effort.
Avintia Esponsorama Racing’s Eric Granado made sure MotoE™ joined in the lap record-breaking act. The Brazilian’s 1:42.910 is the fastest-ever Energica Ego Corsa lap around Misano, over two tenths quicker than World Cup leader Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) went in the San Marino GP race.
The reason for the lap records being beaten? Well, there’s a number of factors. The newly resurfaced Misano is offering the riders from every class plenty of grip, and the cooler temperatures we’re seeing this weekend gives the riders prime conditions to go as fast as possible. For the premier class, fine-tuning in Tuesday’s test and another weekend at the same circuit obviously allows the riders to get as comfortable as possible, hence six riders beating Viñales’ old lap record a week on.
In Moto2™, the same applies. They – of course – didn’t test on Tuesday but are taking advantage of the new surface. However, one big change in the intermediate class is the new, softer Dunlop rear tyre at their disposal. It’s given the riders more fire power in qualifying sessions, with Marini demonstrating its potential to full effect.
Record-breaking pace sets us up for four breathtaking races on Sunday. Don’t miss any of the action which kicks off with MotoE™ Race 2 at 10:05 local time (GMT+2).