- Bastianini wins Malaysian Grand Prix.
- Bagnaia finishes third.
- Martín lags behind.
On Sunday, Ducati’s Enea Bastianini secured his first race triumph of the year by surpassing Gresini’s Álex Márquez to win the Malaysian Grand Prix. In contrast, Jorge Martín was unable to narrow the gap to the reigning champion of the championship, Francesco Bagnaia.
Bagnaia, who started the race in pole position, finished in third place. Pramac Racing’s Martin, who qualified second-fastest and finished a distant fourth, lagged behind Bagnaia by 14 points in the overall standings.
Bastianini, who fractured his shoulder in the season-opening sprint in Portugal and missed additional races following surgery in September to mend fractures in his left hand and ankle, found redemption in his victory.
After joining the factory Ducati team, the 25-year-old Italian was under pressure to perform well. And he became the seventh different rider to win a race this season.
“I am beyond exhausted. Today, I gave my absolute best. I’ve earned this victory after a lengthy absence from the podium,” an exhausted Bastianini said in a post-race interview.
“My friends and family are aware of the struggles I’ve endured to reach this point; it’s incredible.”
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Bastianini and Márquez, who won the sprint on Saturday, both jumped quickly off the line and passed the two title contenders on the opening lap with considerable acceleration. Following this, the pursuing party was left in the dust as Bastianini gained the upper hand over Márquez and Martín had two chances to pass Bagnaia.
Martín’s Challenge
During the race, Martín had to slow down to protect his tyres from the severe heat at Sepang International Circuit. Similarly, Bagnaia seemed content to remain in third place.
“Although I attempted to narrow the distance to Alex and Bastianini, my braking was extremely difficult… but I’m content to maintain a lead in the championship,” Bagnaia said.
Martín trailed Bagnaia by approximately six seconds with two circuits remaining. The Spaniard trembled after failing to close the championship advantage again.
Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha thwarted Marco Bezzecchi’s 25th birthday and prevented an all-Ducati top five by passing the VR46 Racing rider in the closing stages and lowering him to sixth.
This season, the MotoGP championship will conclude with two more races in Valencia and Qatar.
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