MotoGP Malaysia, after the Sprint Race the drivers’ title is a little more Spanish

The Saturday of Sepang Pecco Bagnaia seemed to have started off on the right foot, author of a formidable pole position complete with a lap record. An exploit served to put himself ahead of everyone on the starting grid, especially Jorge Martin with whom he is competing for the drivers’ world championship. However, the Spaniard burns the Italian at the start of the race Sprint Race and puts him under pressure with a furious pace. Mission accomplished, because this was enough to make Bagnaia fall on the third lap and put a huge threat on the drivers’ title. Now the gap between the two leans in favor of the Iberian by 29 points.

Record pole position in Malaysia

Pole position from record of Bagnaia in Malaysia: in 1.56”337. The Ducati champion sets the new record on the Sepang track, lowered by 1,154. This is also enough for him to beat Jorge Martin on the Ducati Pramac by 0.216. Completing the front row is Alex Marquez with the Ducati Gresini, while in the second row there are Franco Morbidelli, Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini. Ducati dominates in the first six places on the starting grid.

Bagnaia falls: a twist

We start on slick tires despite the light drizzle that surrounds the Sepang track. When the traffic lights went out, Bagnaia got off to a good start pole positionbut his rival Jorge Martin does even better, taking the lead with a clean braking into turn 1. Third position for Marc Marquezwho begins to follow Pecco like a shadow. In the first laps the pace of the leading group is irresistible, in fact to find Enea Bastianini we need to dig into the great furrow left by the little train commanded by Martin, Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. However, when there are eight laps to go the key event of the day occurs: Bagnaia slips and falls. The Italian landslide to the ground at turn 9perhaps he cuts the curve too much, and finds himself with his Ducati lying on the asphalt. Despair for the one who wears the number one on the top fairing, because the dream of confirming the third world title becomes almost a chimera. Martin, with his ferocious pace, completes the mission of the day and takes the lead, thinking precisely of that world championship which becomes ever closer lap after lap.

Martin wins effortlessly

The Spanish of Ducati Pramac now he flies solo in front of everyone, while from the wall Pramac invites him to maintain concentration, because staying in the saddle becomes vital. The number 89 doesn’t have to be asked and dances with class on the Sepang curves, without taking too many risks, escorted by Marquez at a safe distance. In third place was Enea Bastianini, too late to have his say on the victory.

The Sprint race ends without shocks, in fact the pathos immediately ends with Bagnaia’s early exit from the scene. Celebrate under the checkered flag Martinwhile they go up to the podium Marquez e Bastianini. Below is the final ranking of the top 9:

1. Martin 19’49.230
2. Marc Marquez +0.913
3. Bastianini +2,010
4. Alex Marquez +6.575
5. Quarterly +7,917
6. Morbidelli +8,957
7. Binder +11.015
8. Miller +11.834
9. Acosta +12.091