Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing dominated a crash-filled Indonesia Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his third win of the season and lengthening his championship lead over Francesco Bagnaia by 21 factors.
Pole-sitter Martin rocketed off the road in scorching and humid circumstances on the Mandalika International Street Circuit to take the lead going into flip one and stayed there all through the race, regardless of having Pedro Acosta respiratory down his neck.
The jubilant 26-year-old punched the air after his win, which comes a 12 months after he crashed on the 2023 Indonesia GP to throw away his lead within the championship earlier than in the end ending runner-up to Bagnaia.
“I am very happy. This is not just any victory because I think after all that happened last season, after yesterday’s crash, to perform this way was quite difficult,” stated Martin, who additionally crashed in Saturday’s dash.
“I had a variety of – not doubts – as a result of I belief in myself, however, you understand, I thought of crashing each nook. Being capable of finding that feeling throughout the race and to win right now with this hole was unimaginable.
“A lot of pressure from Pedro, so really happy. I think we are ready for the next.”
The Spaniard leads the championship with 366 factors, 21 forward of Bagnaia (345) in second place.
Bagnaia, seeking to win eight races in a season for the primary time in his MotoGP profession, certified fourth on the grid and gained the dash on Saturday to chop his hole with Martin to 12 factors.
The Italian Ducati rider had a horrible begin, staying caught in fourth after a gradual launch, earlier than drifting large and being overtaken by Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi to drop down into sixth within the second lap.
Bagnaia moved as much as fifth after teammate Enea Bastianini crashed out late within the race after which took benefit of errors by Bezzecchi and Morbidelli to clinch a spot on the rostrum and restrict the injury dealt to him by Martin’s win.
“A very, very tough race. I struggled a lot at the start because, again, in the start I lost position,” Bagnaia stated.
“We must verify as a result of it is the fifth begin in a row that we’re struggling. So we now have to enhance in that space as a result of with the beginning you may win a race.
“I struggled a bit at the start and then when I was behind (Bezzecchi and Morbidelli), I struggled to overtake them. As soon as I got in front, I was able to push again, but I was too late.”
Bastianini’s crash has all however ended the Italian’s desires of an outdoor victory, placing him 54 factors behind Bagnaia within the driver’s standings.
The woe continued for six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing), who started within the fourth row after crashing twice throughout qualifying, as he suffered technical points halfway via the race and was pressured to leap off his flaming bike.
The race was yellow-flagged within the first lap after Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM group) locked up and slipped, additionally taking Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), Luca Marini (Repsol Honda) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing).
Source: www.dailysabah.com