The titanic scrap in the title fight of the 2023 MotoGP season has taken yet another twist at the Indonesian Grand Prix as Francesco Bagnaia took a sensational win for the factory Ducati squad after starting 13th on the grid and some drama for title rival, Jorge Martin in the Prima Pramac Racing Ducati. Maverick Vinales finished a close second on the Aprilia with 2021 champion, Fabio Quartararo finishing third for Yamaha.
As the race happened
It looked like a dream weekend for Jorge Martin. A sprint win and then a spectacular from sixth on the grid to take the lead. The Spaniard was in full control, with a comfortable lead of three seconds over Vinales. But disaster struck as Martin crashed out of the race, causing huge complications in the title race for the man who had taken the championship lead for the first time this season after the sprint race.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia, starting 13th was on the attack, slicing his way through the field and was running second when Martin crashed out. That wasn’t enough for the reigning champion as he hunted down Vinales and grabbed the race lead. But it wasn’t all over as Vinales was keeping him honest and Fabio Quartararo showed ominous late race pace to be right in the mix for the win. Once the chequered flag dropped however, it was Bagnaia who came out on top as a stern reminder to the grid on why he’s world champion and that No.1 is on his Desmosedici.
With this race win, Bagnaia retakes the lead of the riders’ standings, now extending his lead to 18 points over Jorge Martin with five rounds to go. Racing action will resume in less than seven days at Phillip Island for the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled to run between October 20-22.
