Points for Fernandez after exciting MotoGP™ Aussie Sprint 

MotoGP 2024 - Round 17 of 20, Phillip Island – Quali and Sprint


Fernandez rides to a decent P9 after some hectic battles in the pack and after qualifying in 17th place at Phillip Island
Positive speed by 20-year-old Acosta on his first MotoGP outing at the renowned course that has staged 28 of Australia’s 34 Grands Prix stretching back to the end of the 1980s
Moto3™ distinction goes to Jacob Roulstone with the 13th fastest lap in Q2 at his maiden home GP attempt while teammate Daniel Holgado ends his first day of Quali with 14th on the grid

 
The curves and characteristics of Phillip Island provided Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 with one of the fastest challenges (braking specialist Brembo rate the track as one of the lightest of the season for stopping demands) but also one of the most anticipated Grands Prix of the season. The narrow course had been resurfaced for the 2024 meeting but was still bumpy in places, and had a large attendance hooked by the speeds and commitment from the riders for the 12 corners and 4.5km trajectory.  
 
‘PI’ also threw-up traditionally unstable weather due to the Spring climate. Friday morning was a wash-out and FP1 was cancelled with the amount of rain on track. The course was drier for Practice but Acosta and Fernandez missed valuable acclimatization and set-up laps. Both Spaniards were in Q1 for Saturday that again started damp but also typically windy and chilly. Acosta rode to the 5th best lap while Fernandez was 7th, meaning 15th and 17th on the grid respectively.


 
In the afternoon the temperatures climbed ever so slightly for the 13-lap Sprint: the first time for the format at the site after stormy weather forced the program to be scrapped in 2023. Fernandez waged his own war mid-pack and keep gaining ground and positions to capture a worthy 9th. Acosta had lunged into the dispute for the top ten and fought hard for space and prime overtaking opportunities. He crashed out while tipping into the Siberia corner and was taken to the Medical Center for a check on the right shoulder where he was given the all-clear.
 
MotoGP will circulate the popular circuit for 27-laps on Sunday, starting at 15.00 local time and 05.00 CET.
 
Augusto Fernandez, 17th in qualifying, 9th in the Sprint: “Good today. My start wasn’t the best and the track was tricky with the wind and the cold. It was difficult out there…but I felt good and my pace was strong: I was making moves and arrived to the next rider quite fast. I could ride in the 29-lows. If we can start a bit better tomorrow then I think we can go with the group in front.”
 
Pedro Acosta, 15th in qualifying, DNF in the Sprint: “A hard day on the Island and hard to say much. We didn’t have many dry laps to make steps and improve but this morning was not too bad. This afternoon was not easy but we’ll try to relax, think about the performance for tomorrow and how I wake up tomorrow morning!”
 
Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “A more difficult weekend so far than we were expecting and for Pedro, being a rookie, it was extra tough losing a session. Every time he went out he felt comfortable and fast but pushing to find a lap-time is another prospect. A small mistake in the final time attack meant 15th and we knew that would condition the race. He was building his confidence in the Sprint and the target was to work for Sunday. Unfortunately he had that crash and had a hit to the shoulder so we’ll have to see how he is in the morning. More positive feelings for Augusto. He felt comfortable during the race and passed at least five riders which is a good sign for tomorrow. His point was a small reward. We hope he can make another step.”
 
Results Qualifying MotoGP Australian Grand Prix
 
1. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati 1:27.296
2. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +0.594
3. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Aprilia +0.695
11. Brad Binder (RSA) KTM +2.994
15. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 1:29.817 (Q1)
16. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM 1:29.909 (Q1)
17. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 1:30.149 (Q1)
 
Results MotoGP Sprint Australian Grand Prix
 
1. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati 19:13.301
2. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +1.520
3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Ducati +4.368
9. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +21.126
DNF. Brad Binder (RSA) KTM
DNF. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3
DNF. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM
 
Moto3 
 
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 had two eager racers in the pitbox on Saturday: Daniel Holgado was keen for positive grid ‘real estate’ in order to pursue his seventh podium of the season in Australia while on the other side of the box Jacob Roulstone was being cheered by a large group of fans at his first ever home Grand Prix. Friday was complicated for the duo due to the rain and despite the wind prevalent on Saturday the Spaniard and Aussie at least had a drying track to negotiate for the Quali. After Q2 it was Roulstone who found the clearer lap and potential to set the 13th quickest time. He was 0.1 ahead of his teammate. Holgado was 14th and joins the Aussie on the fifth row.


 
Phillip Island has entertained some of the closest race finishes in the 75-year history of the championship and all signs point to another riveting multi-rider show for the 21-laps on Sunday morning.
 
Australian Grand Prix MotoGP photographs can be found HERE
 
Results Qualifying Moto3 Australian Grand Prix
 
1. Ivan Ortola (ESP), KTM 1:35.872
2. Collin Veijer (NED) Husqvarna +0.124
3. Adrian Fernandez (ESP) Honda +0.151
10. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO +0.730
13. Jacob Roulstone (AUS) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +1.102
14. Daniel Holgado (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +1.229
15. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP), KTM +1.421
17. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Husqvarna +1.579
21. Joel Esteban (ESP) CFMOTO +1:37.971 (Q1)
22. Xabi Zurutuza (ESP) KTM 1:38.531 (Q1)
 
PRESS CONTACT
 
EVANGELIA SISSIS
GASGAS BRAND & PR MANAGER ROAD RACING
 M: +43 676 6652 742
 E: Evangelia.sissis@gasgas.com