2023-09-10 13:40:59
Spaniard Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac), second in the MotoGP championship, won the San Marino Grand Prix, the 12th round (out of 20) of the season, ahead of Italians Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati-VR46) and the leader to General Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), 3rd on the Misano circuit.
Author of pole position and winner of the sprint race on Saturday, Martin brilliantly resisted the attacks of the other Ducati – starting with that of Bagnaia.
Starting 3rd on the grid, the reigning world champion quickly settled into the Spaniard’s wheel before being caught by his compatriot – and friend – Bezzecchi, in the last third of the race. In front, Martin flew to his second victory of the season.
Like the day before at the end of the sprint, Martin won in front of Bezzecchi. Riding an unusually yellow livery – Ducati’s other emblematic color alongside red – Bagnaia finished 3rd in pain after his terrible crash last weekend at the Catalan GP.
“It really wasn’t easy,” he responded. Remaining prostrate on his Ducati for a few moments at the finish, the reigning champion had to get help to get off.
In the championship, Martin – second in the general classification and already winner the day before the sprint race – grabbed a few more points in Bagnaia. The reigning world champion still maintains a lead of 36 points at the end of the weekend (283 points against 247 for Martin).
Under a blazing sun, “Pecco” Bagnaia once again had to – as during the sprint on Saturday – resist veteran Daniel Pedrosa to the end.
Reserve rider for KTM, Pedrosa took part in his second GP of the season this weekend. On the track, the Spaniard notably benefited from the fall of his teammate at KTM, the South African Brad Binder, then 4th after eight laps, to settle at the foot of the podium.
The 37-year-old driver is the only representative of the Austrian team to finish in the Top 10. Binder, who restarted after his fall, failed in 14th place while the Australian Jack Miller had to retire.
Behind the strong men of the weekend, six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez finished 7th on his Honda.
The French Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) finished 10 and 13th respectively.
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