Like was the case in 2022, Francesco Bagnaia triumphed at the 2023 MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix, but it was far from an easy win for the factory Ducati rider. Sprint race winner Marco Bezzecchi of the VR46 Ducati crossed the chequered flag in second place with Aleix Espargaro scoring his first podium of the season for Aprilia in third position.
How things transpired
While Bezzecchi won the sprint race, the main race had the factory KTM of Brad Binder rocket into the lead on the opening lap. However, second-placed Bagnaia made quick work of the KTM rider to take the race lead. That didn’t stop Binder from applying constant pressure for most of the race.
But since Binder started on the softer and less durable rear tyre, he started falling back and Bezzecchi took second place. That said, the Italian couldn’t really make massive inroads on Bagnia and had to settle for second place. Behind him, there was an intense scrap between Binder and Aleix Espargaro for third place with Prima Pramac Racing Ducati’s Jorge Martin a close fifth.
While the top two crossed the chequered flag without much trouble, Binder, Espargaro and Martin were separated by merer tenths. The story doesn’t end there as Binder, like in the sprint race, was demoted to fourth position after violating track limits on the same corner which handed Espargaro the final podium position.
This race win puts Bagnaia a healthy 35 points ahead of Jorge Martin in the riders’ standings heading into the summer break. Marco Bezzecchi is just a point behind in third position. After a five-week gap, MotoGP will return to action at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, scheduled for August 06.
