Home > Motorsport > MotoGP, Malaysia: Bagnaia‘s crash leaves Martin with one hand on the title By Ricardo Ferreira on November 2, 2024 11:36
Jorge Martin puts one hand on the 2024 MotoGP title after Malaysian Sprint victory combined with a crash for Francesco Bagnaia. Match-point scheduled for Sunday, in the biggest race of the Malaysia GP.
Bagnaia, who beat Martin to pole in an epic qualifying battle, left with his head in his hands after falling from second place – between Martin and Marc Marquez – on the third lap of 10. The reigning double world champion suffered his eighth retirement of the season when he lost the front in the slow left-hand turn 9.
Gigi Dall’Igna and Davide Tardozzi came out of the Ducati garage to comfort Bagnaia as the Turin native walked through the pitlane. Bagnaia is now 29 points behind Martin, who will be crowned champion tomorrow if he can increase his lead to 38 points.
Marc Marquez maintained second place, finishing one second behind Martin, while Bagnaia’s exit gave the final podium place to his factory teammate Enea Bastianini. Last year’s Sprint winner Alex Marquez, who started alongside Bagnaia and Martin on the front row, was fourth.
Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) was fifth in another good result for the Frenchman, one place ahead of Franco Morbidelli, Martin’s teammate. The KTMs of Brad Binder, Jack Miller and Pedro Acosta completed the top nine, with Marco Bezzecchi rounding out the top 10 in the sprint race
Andrea Iannone finished his first MotoGP race since 2019, and his first Sprint, in 19th place. All drivers used the soft front and medium rear tire options.
A minute’s silence was held before the Sprint for flood victims in Spain.
The devastation caused by the floods in Valencia also forced the cancellation of the planned final season of the MotoGP. The replacement location has not yet been announced.
Ricardo Ferreira
Imagens: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool
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