- 2024-05-13
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SPORTS
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MotoGP French GP: Jorge Martin Takes Second Victory of 2024 After Intense Battle with Francesco Bagnaia
Michelin® Grand Prix de France saw Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) took the second victory of the 2024 season at Bugatti Circuit Le Mans, France on May 12, 2024.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) was runner-up in a row, following Spanish GP. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) finished 3rd.
In the race, Francesco Bagnaia got a good start and led until lap 21. Followed by Jorge Martin, who ran in 2nd place, but passed Francesco Bagnaia with 7 laps to go to take the lead. After that, he extended his lead over the second rider when Marc Marquez passed Francesco Bagnaia and claimed his 2nd win of the season.
Marc Marquez started from 13th on the grid, and moved up to 3rd with his incredible sprint performance. In the final lap, he passed Francesco Bagnaia, who ran in 2nd place, ending the race second on the podium.
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) was handed a long lap penalty for cutting the Turn 9/10 chicane when passing Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) on lap 12. Finally he recovered and finish 4th.
Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) was 5th and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) was 6th.
Franco Morbidelli (Pramac Ducati) finished 7th, marking his best grand prix result in 2024.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) started last and was 8th. Aleix Espargaro and Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) rounded out the top 10.
Home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) crashed out at Turn 9 on lap 17.- Jorge Martin said, “It's the fourth time I did a [lap] record, sprint and win on Sunday. It is not easy and you have to be in great shape. I'm really happy about this. Arriving here, we were seated here four days ago on Thursday and I didn't expect to do these results. I'm really happy about this. I didn't do the best start but going behind Pecco was a nice strategy because I was studying him and let the laps through and to try to be with a good tyre pressure, because in these conditions with these cold conditions maybe it was dropping a bit. I was confident behind him and with seven or eight to go I said it was time to make the move. I tried the first time but couldn't make it stick. I was a bit wide so he could attack back but the second time I did it perfectly. I took the risk to brake a bit more. The last five laps were so long. I tried to push and I was a bit tired because it was a really long race. The wind was changing a bit from yesterday so it was difficult. But I was able to make this small gap. To do a record in qualifying, the sprint and Sunday race is difficult. I was telling myself who is the number one, who is the number one! This weekend I was the number one, absolutely. I'm happy about this and to beat Marc and Pecco is amazing. They are incredible champions and I'm not a MotoGP champion. I'm really happy to be in this position today. I don't think so. I think Misano last season was huge but winning is winning and today was good. We didn't fight each other until the last lap I think because I had this small gap so I don't think it was my biggest race, but it was one of the best.”
- Marc Marquez said, “Pecco had very good acceleration - I expected Pecco to attack Jorge because he is leading the championship, but he didn't attack, so I attacked him. In racing you have to be careful, If you don't attack they will attack you. Today was a good start, but not amazing. I recovered some positions and the it was difficult to overtake. When the tyres dropped I knew it was my strong point. When I took third place I thought that's enough. But I kept pushing and again it was difficult but on the last lap I managed to take Pecco. From 13th to finish one second behind Jorge is amazing, but we've learned a lot. Friday is super important to get in the top ten.”
Michelin® Grand Prix de France Race Results- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / 41m 23.709s
- Marc Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +0.446s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +0.585s
- Enea Bastianini / Ducati Lenovo / +2.206s
- Maverick Vinales / Aprilia Racing / +4.053s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / VR46 Ducati / +9.480s
- Franco Morbidelli / Pramac Ducati / +9.868s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +10.353s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +11.392s
- Alex Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +13.442s
- Raul Fernandez / Trackhouse Aprilia / +24.201s
- Johann Zarco / LCR Honda / +26.809s
- Augusto Fernandez / Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 / +27.426s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +30.026s
- Alex Rins / Monster Yamaha / +30.936s
- Luca Marini / Repsol Honda / +40.000s
Photo by MotoGP - source : MotoGP
