KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- MotoGP Bharat 2023 debuts at Buddh International Circuit, India's biggest racing event since Formula 1
- Luca Marini leads MotoGP practice, followed by Jorge Martin and Aleix Espargaro
- Tony Arbolino dominates Moto2 practice, with Pedro Acosta in close pursuit
- Collin Veijer tops Moto3 practice, Jaume Masia breaks the sub-2 minute mark
Exciting news for all the motorsport fans out there! The long-awaited moment has finally arrived, and India's very first MotoGP event, dubbed 'MotoGP Bharat,' kicked off on September 22nd. This thrilling event is being held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida and spans three action-packed days, concluding on September 24. The Grand Prix of India is the main attraction, with a whopping 82 riders from 41 different teams competing fiercely across MotoGP, Moto 2, and Moto 3 categories.
Now, for those who missed out on the first-day action or are just curious to know more about what went down, we've got you covered with some exciting highlights. So, keep reading to get all the details!
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MotoGP Bharat 2023 Day 1: Schedule, Victories, and Highlights
India's biggest motor racing extravaganza since the Formula 1 era has roared to life in a thrilling three-day spectacle! Kicking off at the early bird hour of 9 am, this event not only caters to the on-ground enthusiasts but also extends a warm welcome to armchair racers, thanks to the live streaming option on the JioCinema app.
Now, let's talk schedule! Here's what yesterday's planning session yielded for us:
- Bright and early at 9:00 a.m., the engines roared for Moto 3 - Practice Session 1.
- Zooming into the next gear, from 10:05 to 11:00 a.m., Moto 2 took the track for Practice Session 1.
- The pinnacle of two-wheel racing, Moto GP, revved up from 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. in Free Practice Session 1.
- After a lunch break, Moto 3 returned from 1:15 p.m. to 2:05 pm for Practice Session 2.
- Following that, at 2:20 p.m., it was Moto 2's turn again for Practice Session 2.
- And finally, at 3:30 p.m., the MotoGP giants hit the track for their own Practice Session.
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2023 MotoGP Bharat: MotoGP Highlights
| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luca Marini | Mooney VR46 Racing Team | 1:44.782 |
| 2 | Jorge Martin | Primac Ducati | 1:44.790 |
| 3 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia Racing | 1:44.833 |
| 4 | Marc Marquez | Repsol Honda | 1:45.117 |
In the MotoGP practice session, Luca Marini clinched the top spot with a time of 1:44:782, narrowly beating Jorge Martin, who finished second at 1:44:790. Martin had a strong performance throughout the day and led the timesheet for most of the session, but Marini overtook him in the final practice session.
Aleix Espargaro took third place with a time of 1:44:833. Marc Marquez, a six-time World Champion, finished fourth at 1:45:117. Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46 Racing Team claimed fifth, followed by Maverick Vinales from Aprilia in sixth. Pecco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team and Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha grabbed the seventh and eighth spots. Johann Zarco from Primac Ducati and Joan Mir from Repsol Honda rounded out the top ten in ninth and tenth positions, respectively.
2023 MotoGP Bharat: Moto2 Highlights
| Position | Rider | Team | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Arbolino | Elf Marc VDS Racing Team | 1:52.105 |
| 2 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Ajo | 1:52.170 |
| 3 | Ai Ogura | IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia | - |
| 4 | Celestino Vietti | Fantic Racing | - |
The Moto 2 class event saw Tony Arbolino put on an impressive performance, topping the timesheets with a blistering lap time of 1:52.105. Right on his heels was Pedro Acosta, who came incredibly close to claiming the top spot, falling short by just 0.065 seconds as he secured the second position. Ai Ogura also displayed a strong showing, finishing the day in third place.
Celestino Vietti from Fantic Racing secured 4th place, with Somkiat Chantra of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia following closely in 5th. Manuel Gonzalez, racing for Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp, claimed the 6th position.
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2023 MotoGP Bharat: Moto3 Highlights
| Position | Rider | Team | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collin Veijer | Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP | 1:59.566 |
| 2 | Jaume Masia | Leopard Racing | 1:59.752 |
| 3 | Stefano Nepa | Angeluss MTA Team | - |
| 4 | (Fourth Place Rider) | (Fourth Place Team) | - |
In the Moto 3 class, the second practice session witnessed intense competition as racers aimed for a coveted top-10 finish. Dutch rookie Collin Veijer delivered a masterful performance, seizing the top spot with an impressive lap time of 1:59.566. He showcased exceptional skill and determination on the track. Jaume Masia was the sole other rider in the Moto 3 class to break the elusive sub-2 minute barrier, clocking in at 1:59.752, securing the second position. Stefano Nepa claimed the third position, completing the trio of top-performing riders in practice 2. The competition promises more thrilling moments as these talented racers continue to vie for victory in the Moto 3 class.
Day 2 of the race weekend will mark the start of the main race qualifiers. Keep following BikeWale for the freshest MotoGP Bharat 2023 updates
Verdict
The inaugural MotoGP Bharat event in India roared to life with thrilling action across MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. With impressive performances from riders across the board, motorsport enthusiasts are in for an exciting three-day spectacle. Also, you can join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Group for all such latest updates from the automotive industry.
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