bigrus

2024 Malaysian MotoGP: Martin moves closer to title with sprint win as Bagnaia crashes | MotoGP

Harry November 2, 2024

Jorge Martin claimed a major sprint victory at the 2024 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix after championship rival Francesco Bagnaia crashed out.

After the pair traded blows in a thrilling qualifying session and Bagnaia took pole, Martin tipped the balance in his favor in the 10-lap sprint.

Martin, second on the grid, led Bagnaia for the first two laps before the reigning champion crashed at Turn 9 on the third lap.

Bagnaia, who suffered his eighth DNF of the year and Martin comfortably won the Sepang sprint, fell 29 points adrift in the standings.

There was a brief spell of rain five minutes before lights out, but ultimately nothing happened and the race was run in dry conditions.

Martin needs to clear Bagnaia by nine points on Sunday to become world champion.

Marc Marquez survived a difficult weekend and finished second in the Gresini GP23, while Enea Bastianini took the final podium position after the accident of his Ducati teammate Bagnaia.

Off the line, Bagnaia and Martin ran side by side into the first corner, with Martin holding a solid stop on the inside of Turn 1.

Bagnaia tried to fight from the outside to get into Turn 2, but Martin retained the lead while Marquez jumped from fifth to third.

Coming out of Turn 9 on the first lap, Bagnaia’s slight twitch on the throttle gave Martin a few motorcycle lengths of advantage, while Marquez came to the fore with a big gap behind the factory Ducati.

There was no change on the second lap, and on the third lap, Bagnaia entered from the front but could not exit the other side of Turn 9.

This gave Martin a 0.9 second lead over Marquez, and as a result Bastianini took the podium.

This ranking never led to a checkered flag; Martin was 0.913 seconds behind Marquez, while Bastianini was 1.097 seconds behind.

Alex Marquez was fourth on the sister Gresini GP23, while Fabio Quartararo was fifth on the factory Yamaha.

Franco Morbidelli finished sixth on the Pramac Ducati, while Brad Binder finished seventh on the KTM, ahead of teammate Jack Miller.

Tech3 GASGAS rookie Pedro Acosta put Miller under great pressure in the final laps but could not advance to ninth.

Marco Bezzecchi took the 10th place with his VR46 Ducati, while Aleix Espargaro was at the top of the Aprilia in 12th place.

Luca Marini took the Honda trophy in 15th, while LCR’s Johann Zarco retired on lap eight with a mechanical issue.

Semainede4jours

Semainede4jours

2024 Malaysian MotoGP: Martin moves closer to title with sprint win as Bagnaia crashes | MotoGP

Harry

Pinterest-Direktor Rajaram Gokul Moves in with $34,189 Investing.com

18-Year-Old Killed in Crash on Way to Kansas City Chiefs Game

Hillsboro Frisch’s position among several people facing eviction in southern Ohio

Significant games in the playoffs are on the horizon – Boston Herald

2024 Malaysian MotoGP: Martin moves closer to title with sprint win as Bagnaia crashes | MotoGP

Harry

You Might Also Like

Pinterest-Direktor Rajaram Gokul Moves in with $34,189 Investing.com

18-Year-Old Killed in Crash on Way to Kansas City Chiefs Game

Hillsboro Frisch’s position among several people facing eviction in southern Ohio

Significant games in the playoffs are on the horizon – Boston Herald