– Aprilia rider Jorge Martin set a new top speed record for MotoGP at the Italian Grand Prix. In the second free practice on Saturday morning, the Spaniard raced at the end of the 1.141-kilometer start-finish straight of the Mugello Circuit at 368.6 km/h over the measuring point.
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Never before in the history of the World Championship, which has been held since 1949, has a motorcycle been this fast. To reach this new record mark, Martin used the slipstream of two motorcycles, but other factors also played a role.
The former world champion describes: “I came out of the last corner super well and was behind Marini and Bastianini. There is a bump in the road that I hit perfectly, so I didn’t have a wheelie.”
“Then I started catching up to them and told myself: ‘Okay, I’ll brake at the very last moment.’ I knew I was fast because when I came out of the slipstream, I suddenly couldn’t see anything anymore.”
“When I then came back to the pits and saw the speed, I was impressed.” Even in the Aprilia box, they initially couldn’t believe the value shown on the speed measurement.
A few years ago, Aprilia was not known as a fast motorcycle on the straight. The switch in 2020 to a new V4 engine with a 90-degree bank angle (previously 72 degrees) marked the beginning of progress.
The engine was continuously improved. Added to this was aerodynamic development. “It is of course extremely exciting to achieve the highest value ever reached,” says Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini to MotoGP.com.
“This is clearly the result of the work of all employees in the company, regarding aerodynamic perfection, engine performance, and generally the interplay of all aspects of the motorcycle. It is a complete package with strong synergy effects.”
“Also, we repeatedly see that the top speed of a weekend is often reached in the race, due to the strong slipstream.” Sterlacchini was right, as Martin’s value was already matched in the sprint.
Bezzecchi matches Martin’s top speed value
Teammate Marco Bezzecchi rode in a battle group, had to overtake, and was also measured at 368.6 km/h thanks to the slipstream. The best value of the competition was 367.3 km/h, achieved by Enea Bastianini (KTM) in the sprint.
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According to Sterlacchini, reaching such values in MotoGP is a combination of various factors: “For example, we have reduced friction, such as in the chain, plus the engine performance.”
Photo gallery: The highest MotoGP top speeds
“Added to this is the reduction of air resistance through aerodynamics. All of this works together. At the same time, part of the top speed also depends on how you come out of the last corner.”
Could 370 km/h also be broken? “I don’t rule that out,” says Sterlacchini. “If the conditions are right, such as tailwind and additional slipstream, maybe two more km/h are possible.”
A record for several years?
Race Sunday in Mugello could be one of the last opportunities to set a new record. Afterwards, the long straight in Qatar might still be a chance for high values during the rest of the season.
Since in 2027 the engine displacement will be reduced to 850 cubic centimeters and the rear ride-height system will be banned, the top speed on the straight should decrease.
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Martin’s record could therefore stand for several years. Marc Marquez finds it reasonable to slightly slow down the motorcycles on the straight, as such top speed values were still utopia at the beginning of his MotoGP career.
“Fortunately, it will go down a bit next year because this top speed no longer really makes sense,” says Marquez. “Today we had a tailwind on the straight, plus the slipstream and all these factors.”
“But when you ride there, even a small change can make a big difference.” As an example, he cites the duel in the sprint with LCR Honda rider Diogo Moreira.
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“We both pushed hard, just because of a small difference in the slipstream, which then had a big impact. That’s why I’m glad the top speed will be reduced next year.”
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