The 2024 MotoGP pre-season comes to a close in Qatar this (Tuesday) evening, with the second and final day of testing at Lusail.
Day one saw Ducati’s reigning champion and Sepang test leader Francesco Bagnaia repeat his grip on the top of the timesheets ahead of last year’s title runner-up Jorge Martin (Pramac).
But the combined efforts of Maverick Vinales, Raul Fernandez and Aleix Espargaro put Aprilia quickest for much of the day, with Espargaro eventually classified best of the RS-GPs in third.
Late progress saw the lead KTM of Brad Binder rise to fourth, in front of defending Qatar winner Fabio di Giannantonio on the satellite VR46 Ducati. LCR’s Johann Zarco broke into the top ten to be the fastest Honda, just ahead of countryman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).
Testing takes place from 2-9pm but only gets ‘serious’ once dusk arrives at around 6pm. Wind was also an issue on day one.
The most important testing hours are from 7-9pm, covering the start of the Sprint race on March 9 and the end of the season-opening MotoGP race on March 10.
Raul Fernandez is back in action after his Sepang highside but new Pramac Ducati rider Franco Morbidelli remains sidelined by last month’s Superbike training accident…
| 2024 Official Qatar MotoGP Test – Day 2 (4pm) | |||||
| Rider | Nat | Team | Time | Lap | |
| 1 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1:54.122s | 3/4 |
| 2 | Augusto Fernandez | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) | +0.421s | 9/20 |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16)* | +0.430s | 5/10 |
| 4 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) | +0.665s | 7/13 |
| 5 | Alex Rins | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.738s | 6/14 |
| 6 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.856s | 4/5 |
| 7 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) | +0.969s | 9/11 |
| 8 | Joan Mir | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.361s | 2/5 |
| 9 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP23) | +1.751s | 2/2 |
| 10 | Michele Pirro | ITA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | +1.817s | 13/15 |
| 11 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +4.750s | 2/2 |
| 2024 Official Qatar MotoGP Test – Day 2 (3pm) | |||||
| Rider | Nat | Team | Time | Lap | |
| 1 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1:54.978s | 4/5 |
| 2 | Augusto Fernandez | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) | +0.679s | 3/6 |
Fastest Day 1 Time:
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) 1m 52.040s
Official Qatar MotoGP records
Best lap: Luca Marini (VR46 Ducati) 1m 51.762s (2023)
Fastest race lap: Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) 1m 52.978s (2023)
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
