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Follow the Grand Prix Catalunya live. This MotoGP race starts at 15:00 on 25 May 2024. Find race results, calendar, standings, scores and all of this season’s MotoGP races.
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ESPARGARO WINS DRAMATIC SPRINT OF SURVIVAL IN BARCELONA
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) won a dramatic Sprint at his home event in Catalunya as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Racing) crashed out of the lead on the final lap.
The Sprint turned into a race of survival as first Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), then Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and finally Bagnaia went down while leading comfortably in the scorching Barcelona conditions.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) came back from 14th on the grid and triumphed in a battle with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) to secure runner-up spot while championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was fourth.
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
That's it for the Catalunya GP Sprint - thank you for your company through today's action. MotoGP will be back tomorrow for the Grand Prix race with lights out at 1pm UK time - see you then!
ESPARGARO POST-RACE
"Incredible! The last two days have been amazing, like a fairytale. The race was very tough; the track was super slippery and I lost the front a couple of times. When I saw the lap times, I was sure it would be impossible to finish the race with that pace.
"When people started to crash, I tried to maintain the pace, tried to maintain my rear tyre for the last laps. Pecco [Bagnaia] was doing great as well, but he was risking it. So my goal was to push him until the last corner and it worked. I'm super happy."
MARQUEZ POST-RACE
"Unbelievable! In Le Mans, the rhythm and the pace were there, but today, the pace wasn't there. But it looks like I broke the aero at Turn 2 and then the bike was better - I'm joking!
"The track was so different; it was super slippery and the pace was there. In the last laps I was able to be faster, faster, faster, my rear tyre was in a very good shape. Many riders crashed, the situation out there was super critical.
"Congratulations to Aleix [Espargaro] - today and maybe tomorrow is his day because it's his last races in Catalunya."
ACOSTA POST-RACE
"It was a super difficult race. Maybe in the beginning with Pecco [Bagnaia] and Brad [Binder] we overheated the tyres a bit and then it was a discussion how the grip was.
"But I'm super happy to win another podium, I'm super happy to make the podium with my team, and I'm super happy with the progress being made in Mattighofen and in the GASGAS team."
ESPARGARO WINS IN BARCELONA
Espargaro inherits the lead and brings it home. M Marquez is second from Acosta in third.
BAGNAIA OUT
Bagnaia becomes the third rider to crash out of a comfortable lead.
MARQUEZ ATTACKS FOR THIRD
Marquez goes for an overtake through Turn 1 and makes it stick.
BATTLE FOR THIRD
While first and second look settled, things are wide open for third between Acosta and M Marquez.
BAGNAIA PULLS THE PIN
Now Bagnaia is looking to make a break for it at the front; the gap is up to around seven tenths.
Another eight tenths behind, Acosta ferociously defends from M Marquez while Martin looks to have settled for fifth for the moment.
FOUR TENTHS AT THE FRONT
Bagnaia and Espargaro are currently matching each other and the gap between the two stays consistent at around four tenths.
BAGNAIA IN THE LEAD
Bagnaia has inherited the lead while Espargaro has worked his way into second. Behind, Acosta is defending from M Marquez and Martin.
WHICH MOTOGP RACES ARE ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
TNT Sports will broadcast every MotoGP race, from the season opener in Qatar to the final race in Valencia on November 17.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
BINDER OUT
Having edged away from the field, Binder crashes out of the race.
FIGHT FOR SECOND
Acosta and Bagnaia are battling it out for runner-up. Espargaro is sitting just behind them.
BINDER CLAIMS LEAD
With Fernandez out, two KTMs are fighting at the head of the race and Binder takes the lead off Acosta.
FERNANDEZ OUT
With more than eight tenths of a second in his favour, Fernandez crashes out of the lead and out of the race.
FERNANDEZ ON THE BREAK
Having taken the lead, Fernandez is keen to hold on to it and is putting some space between himself and his chasers.
FERNANDEZ CLAIMS LEAD
Fernandez sees a chance to attack for the lead, takes it, and makes it stick.
ACOSTA REGAINS LEAD
Carbon copy of the lap before as Acosta takes the lead through Turn 1. This time thought, Fernandez too sees a chance to capitalise and goes past the Ducati; so does Binder.
BAGNAIA BACK IN THE LEAD
Bagnaia wastes no time to retaliate and reclaims the lead. Acosta's pressure is relentless though.
ACOSTA TAKES THE LEAD
Acosta sees a chance to claim Bagnaia at Turn 1 and makes it stick.
BAGNAIA STEALS HOLESHOT
Blistering start from the defending champion who shoots into the lead from Acosta and Fernandez.
Martin made some contact early on and is currently in sixth.
WARM UP LAP
The riders are out on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and we're just about ready to go racing.
WEATHER REPORT AND TYRE NEWS
It's classic Barcelona weather: the sun is out and temperatures are up.
Tyre-wise, it's a medium/soft combination all around.
BAGNAIA KEEN TO TURN BARCELONA FORTUNES AROUND
Championship runner-up Francesco Bagnaia is currently looking at a massive 38-points deficit to Jorge Martin at the top. Despite a mixed record in Barcelona - having never scored a Grand Prix podium here - the Italian is hoping to get his title defence back on track:
"I hope to complete at least three corners this season! Last year was great; we were so competitive but then on Sunday we had some issues that meant we couldn't complete the race - but I was feeling great, I was able to compete with Aprilia and on Sunday with the medium rear tyre our potential could be very high. But let's see what happens this season; I think the new bike could maybe has a bit less grip but more turning, so it could be a good compromise."
HIGH-FLYING MARTIN SEEKS NEXT SUCCESS
Heading to Barcelona on the back of a double win last time out in Le Mans, Jorge Martin's spirits could not be higher. The championship leader is looking to keep the momentum going:
"It will be an interesting and challenging weekend. I'm really happy about the last results, but that's in the past and now we have to focus on this track. The past two seasons we struggled quite a lot with grip, but I think that's all of us. Let's see how the new bike performs here; I think I can be a bit better than the past seasons and we also have some ideas how to be faster. Last season Aprilia were on another level, so the target now is to close that gap. I'm confident that I'm feeling well with my bike and that I can do a great job."
WHICH MOTOGP RACES ARE ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
TNT Sports will broadcast every MotoGP race, from the season opener in Qatar to the final race in Valencia on November 17.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING
Aleix Espargaro has been in formidable form so far today and broke the lap record in qualifying to take pole position at his home event. He will share the front row with Francesco Bagnaia and Raul Fernandez.
Meanwhile, championship leader Jorge Martin crashed at the tail end of Q2 and could not exceed seventh place.
HELLO AND WELCOME
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the Catalunya GP Sprint. The paddock has arrived at one of its most iconic homes at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and everything is served for an exciting weekend.
Having just announced his retirement at the end of the season, Aleix Espargaro bagged an emotional pole position at his home Grand Prix while championship leader Jorge Martin has work to do from seventh on the grid. Who will reign supreme in Barcelona? We're about to find out!
Catalunya GP Sprint Live - Espargaro starts from pole at home