Jerez - Four riders, four missions for the fourth GP of the year
For the fourth race weekend of the 2023 season, the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team will return to Europe, where the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto will provide the setting for the next World Championship spectacle from the 28th - 30th of April.
The four riders of the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team will travel to the southern Spanish region of Andalusia with four different missions, where Revenge is set to take place on the 4.42 km long track, which is considered to be challenging and has only one straight of 607 m in total.
In Moto3, it is especially crucial for Ayumu Sasaki to finally underpin his dominance with appropriate results after the Japanese rider had gone completely empty-handed in the past two overseas Grand Prix due to costly mistakes, despite having the race in his hands, as was the case most recently in Austin. Fellow rookie Collin Veijer is now returning to well-known soil from his time in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Considering his recent development and keeping his experience in Jerez in mind, a lot is to be expected from the 18-year-old Dutchman, who has already scored in two out of three races this season.
In Moto2, a similar picture is emerging as German Lukas Tulovic also looks to make up for his mistake in Texas. For the 22-year-old, the US Grand Prix was supposed to be his comeback, but after failing to make it past the first lap, Tulovic is now looking forward to Jerez to finally start the season the way he dreamed of after successful pre-season testing and before his latest hand injury.
All eyes will be on the other side of the German racing team's pit box though, as the big question ahead of the weekend will be whether Moto2 rookie Darryn Binder will be back in the saddle just days after undergoing surgery on his double hand fracture. The South African was treated and successfully operated on immediately after the US Grand Prix on Tuesday by the medical team led by Dr. Mir, chief physician for hand and microsurgery at the Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona. The 25-year-old started physiotherapy without any delay and hopes to get the green light from the doctors for the Jerez Grand Prix after a final medical check.
For European fans, it's almost back to the usual schedule, as all sessions will be moved back an hour on Sunday to avoid the Formula 1 race, which is being held at the same time in Baku. The Moto3 race will therefore not start until 12:00, whereas Moto2 will start its 21-lap race at 13:15.
Schedule (according to CET)
Friday, 28th of April
09:00 - 09:35 Moto3 Practice 1
09:50 - 10:30 Moto2 Practice 1
10:45 - 11:30 MotoGP Practice 1
13:15 - 13:50 Moto3 Practice 2
14:05 - 14:45 Moto2 Practice 2
15:00 - 16:00 MotoGP Practice 2
Saturday, 29th of April
08:40 - 09:10 Moto3 Practice 3
09:25 - 09:55 Moto2 Practice 3
10:10 - 10:40 MotoGP Free Practice
10:50 - 11:05 MotoGP Q1
11:15 - 11:30 MotoGP Q2
12:50 - 13:05 Moto3 Q1
13:15 - 13:30 Moto3 Q2
13:45 - 14:00 Moto2 Q1
14:10 - 14:25 Moto2 Q2
15:00 MotoGP Sprint Race (12 laps)
Sunday, 30th of April
10:45 - 10:55 MotoGP Warm-Up
12:00 Moto3 race (19 laps)
13:15 Moto2 race (21 laps)
15:00 MotoGP Race (25 laps)