Aleix Espargaro passed Francesco Bagnaia to win the MotoGP sprint in Catalan GP as Maverick Vinales was up to third.
The home crowd were in the highest of spirits as their local hero Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) sealed victory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya Tissot Sprint. The Catalan got the better of the Ducati top dog Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the World Champion had no answer for the flying Aprilia. The number one plated Ducati was the meat in the Aprilia sandwich as he was also coming under pressure from another local. The Italian had his hands full in defending 2nd place from Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) on the final lap.
The Captain vs The Champion
Tensions were rocketing as the grid got off onto their warm lap with spots of rain beginning to threaten the Catalan GP Tissot Sprint. Wet bikes were being prepared but the time had come for lights out and there was no looking back now. It was a clean start for the two Ducatis of Bagnaia and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). Bagnaia defended the lead from pole as the two Aprilias fended off the fast-starting Pramac machine.
Bagnaia, Viñales, Espargaro was the order as they crossed the line for the first time. Espargaro then took over from his teammate at Turn 1 as spots of rain softly fell on the rider’s visors. Bagnaia then proceeded to power on with spits of rain not affecting the track conditions. The local man Espargaro wasn’t letting Bagnaia out of his sights, however, as the duo began to pull away from the rest of the field.
Viñales was left to defend 3rd place as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™) were snapping at the Spaniard’s heels. Espargaro hit the front with six laps to go and it was game on in Barcelona between the Catalan and the Italian. The Aprilia Captain immediately put the hammer down in an attempt to break away from the Ducati golden boy.
Baganaia had no answer for Espargaro however as the Aprilia stretched out half a second in one lap. Espargaro proved to be untouchable at the front as he went on to take the Sprint victory by just under two seconds, putting down a pace that not even the World Champion could match.
Bagnaia left with his hands full…
Viñales had found himself catching the Championship leader as the laps ticked away, and he was bringing Brad Binder with him. Bagnaia fell into the clutches of the chasing Viñales with two laps remaining as it became a Ducati vs Aprillia scrap for 2nd place.
The last lap came and Maverick was riding pillion to Bagnaia as he desperately looked for a way through. Bagnaia put in an incredible defensive performance and was simply too strong on the brakes to allow Viñales a chance. Binder did all he could to stay in the fight but found himself eight-tenths back from the top three by the time the chequered flag dropped.
Battles all the way through the field!
Further back, Jorge Martin bagged P5 after an eventful Sprint. The Spaniard pushed his way past Miguel Oliveira after dropping down the field early on. The Spaniard’s teammate Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was almost two seconds back from Oliveira in P7, as he fended off an eager Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up the final Sprint point in P9, as the Italian made small steps back towards his brilliant best.
First part of the job done to perfection for Aleix👏
Aprilia secure their first-ever double podium in the #MotoGP era! 🥇🥉#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/IKdMcNT7bX
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 2, 2023
The Spaniard’s teammate Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was almost two seconds back from Oliveira in P7, as he fended off an eager Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up the final Sprint point in P9, as the Italian made small steps back towards his brilliant best.
More to come
[Note: The story is as per press release]