In an exciting turn of events at the 2024 San Marino MotoGP in Misano, all eyes were not only on the bikes but also on the unique and eye-catching helmet of Fabio Di Giannantonio. The Italian rider paid tribute to Riccione, the famous beach town known for its vibrant nightlife, by donning a dazzling disco ball-inspired helmet.
The helmet, complete with reflective surfaces, captured the essence of Riccione's party scene, blending perfectly with the high-energy atmosphere of the race weekend. Di Giannantonio's helmet wasn’t just a fashion statement; it symbolized the fusion of culture and sport, a nod to the local heritage that resonates with the Misano circuit's lively history.
Here is the video:
A disco ball helmet for @FabioDiggia49! 🪩
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 7, 2024
A tribute to Riccione and its night life 🎶🎧#SanMarinoGP 🇸🇲 pic.twitter.com/4Dza1Sq2hu
Meanwhile, On the track, it was Marco Bezzecchi who stole the show during the final practice session. The VR46 rider, who has had a challenging season sitting 12th in the world championship standings, surprised everyone by topping the charts. Bezzecchi clocked a time that was 0.095 seconds faster than the previous day’s leader, Francesco Bagnaia.
Joan Mir retires!
His impressive performance was made even more noteworthy as he managed to edge ahead while trailing behind Maverick Viñales, the very rider whose seat he will be taking over next season at Aprilia. Bezzecchi's time was a testament to his determination and skill, especially considering the stiff competition from title leader Jorge Martin, who finished the session in third.
Enea Bastianini had a mixed session, facing an early technical issue with his factory Ducati. However, he managed to recover and secured the fourth-fastest time, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, the day’s drama was not without its share of setbacks. Repsol Honda’s Joan Mir was forced to withdraw from the event due to severe gastroenteritis, although he aims to participate in the crucial Monday test, where Honda has significant updates planned.
Here are Saturday's Practice results:
Pos |
Rider |
Nat |
Team |
1 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
2 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
3 |
SPA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
|
4 |
Enea Bastianini |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
5 |
Franco Morbidelli |
ITA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
6 |
Pol Espargaro |
SPA |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
7 |
Marc Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
8 |
Pedro Acosta |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
9 |
Alex Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
10 |
Aleix Espargaro |
SPA |
Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
11 |
Fabio Quartararo |
FRA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
12 |
Brad Binder |
RSA |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
13 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
14 |
Miguel Oliveira |
POR |
Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) |
15 |
Jack Miller |
AUS |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
16 |
Maverick Viñales |
SPA |
Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
17 |
Alex Rins |
SPA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
18 |
Augusto Fernandez |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
19 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
JPN |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
20 |
Johann Zarco |
FRA |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
21 |
Luca Marini |
ITA |
Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
22 |
Raul Fernandez |
SPA |
Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) |
23 |
Stefan Bradl |
GER |
HRC Test Team (RC213V) |