Jorge Martin led fine in a dominant MotoGP sprint win in Indian GP ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.
After delays due to rain and wet patches at the Buddh International Circuit, the MotoGP sprint in Indian GP started with pole-sitter Mraco Bezzecchi having a slow start allowing Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin to take the lead from Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.
Bezzecchi tumbled down the order after V446 Ducati teammate Luca Marini hit the back of him at Turn 1 to crash out. The corner saw LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl also ram into the back of both the GASGAS Tech3 riders Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro.
Both Bradl and Espargaro ended up in the gravel as Martin led Bagnaia from the Honda pair of Joan Mir and Marc Marquez with KTM’s Brad Binder climbing up from 13th to fifth. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo gained places to be sixth from Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales.
KTM’s Jack Miller and Pramac’s Johann Zarco rounded the points places in the Top 9. Up front, Martin started to stretch out as Marquez cleared Mir where his teammate eventually had a soft crash after a small mistake on Lap 5 to end his points chances.
Binder was fourth from Quartararo with Miller in sixth from Zarco, Vinales and RNF Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez in the Top 9 where Bezzecchi climbed up to 10th. The Italian started to pump in fast lap times to seventh after clearing multiple riders.
Vinales was eighth from Fernandez after Bezzecchi was up to sixth after passing Miller, as Zarco had a crash. There was a late fall for Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro too from outside the points. At the front, it was dominance from Martin in a sold show.
He took the MotoGP sprint win in Indian GP from Bagnaia with Marquez holding off Binder for third. Bezzecchi ended up fifth from Quartararo, Miller, Vinales and Fernandez in the Top 9 points places, with lone Gresini Ducati’s Fabio di Gianantonio in 10th.
Results: https://x.com/MotoGP/status/1705554804993323280?s=20
UPDATE: Post the sprint, VR46’s Marini was handed a Long Gap Penalty for his collision with Bezzecchi for the next event he takes part in. It won’t be Sunday’s grand prix in India as he suffered a collarbone injury and has been ruled out along with Alex Marquez, who has broken ribs after his qualifying crash.
“The FIM MotoGP Stewards have handed Luca Marini a long lap penalty due to causing contact at Turn 1 It’s to be served at next Grand Prix race in which he participates, which won’t be tomorrow as unfortunately Luca has been declared unfit due to a broken left collarbone Get well soon, Luca,” a small statement from MotoGP said.
VR46’s team boss Pablo Nieto added: “We are very sorry because Luca suffered a fracture of his left collarbone and will have to undergo surgery in Italy. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him on the track asap possible to continue fighting with for the top positions.”
