- 2024-05-27
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Catalan GP: Francesco Bagnaia Wins in Catalunya Ahead of Championship Leader Jorge Martin
Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya watched Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) took his third victory of the season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Montmeló, Spain on May 26, 2024.
Francesco Bagnaia caught Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati), was running in the lead, on lap 19 of 24, then streaked away by 1.740 seconds to win.
Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) started from 7th and passed Francesco Bagnaia at Turn 10 on lap five to take the lead. But he was overtaken again by Francesco Bagnaia on lap 19, finally finished 2nd.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) charged from 14th started, and moved up to 3rd, taking the third podium in a row, following Spanish GP and French GP.
Poleman Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was running 3rd, but was passed by Marc Marquez at Turn 1 on lap 21 and finished 4th.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) was 5th, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) 6th ahead of Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) 7th.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) rounded out the top 10.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was running 2nd but crashed at Turn 10 on lap 11 and finally finished 13th.- Francesco Bagnaia said, “Honestly, I was very angry about yesterday, but I knew that the potential was there and I tried to do everything to win the race At the start it wasn't easy because other riders were pushing a lot, but when I saw they were struggling a bit with the front I started to push more and the pace was fantastic, the bike was fantastic. My team did an incredible job to set up the bike again and now I'm looking forward to my home GP.”
Jorge Martin said, “I'm super happy, super proud of my race - today was a tough one! Starting from seventh, it was a difficult one, but I executed the first corner perfectly, going up into fourth. Then I felt great, I felt I was saving some tyre even though I was overtaking other riders. At some point I felt Pecco [Bagnaia] had something else. I tried to keep the pace, always, and in the end, I had nothing left in my pocket. I just tried to finish; I saw we had a big gap [to third], I tried to put some pressure on Pecco [Bagnaia], but it was difficult.” - Marc Marquez said, “I chose the soft rear tyre which I knew was more risky, but it was the only solution to be able to attack from the beginning. Because, usually, with the medium, you're stuck there behind the others in the beginning and then you cannot possibly overtake. So the grid position of 14th place forced me to choose the soft. Unfortunately, I started poorly; I didn't make a good start, but then, step by step ... I knew that the race was long, I didn't want to stress the tyres and then when I caught and overtook Aleix [Espargaro], I wanted to push, but the tyre was already finished. But I was able to defend the position, so I'm super happy. I'm sorry for Aleix [Espargaro] because it was his last race here in Catalunya, but happy that at a difficult circuit we are with these top guys again.”
Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya Race Results- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / 40m 11.726s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +1.740s
- Marc Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +10.491s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +10.543s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / VR46 Ducati / +15.441s
- Raul Fernandez / Trackhouse Aprilia / +15.916s
- Alex Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +16.882s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +18.578s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +20.477s
- Miguel Oliveira / Trackhouse Aprilia / +20.889s
- Marco Bezzecchi / VR46 Ducati / +21.023s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +22.137s
- Pedro Acosta / Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 / +31.967s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +32.987s
- Joan Mir / Repsol Honda / +33.132s
- Johann Zarco / LCR Honda / +34.554s
- Luca Marini / Repsol Honda / +36.689s
- Enea Bastianini / Ducati Lenovo / +50.615s
- Stefan Bradl / HRC Test Team / +55.295s
- Alex Rins / Monster Yamaha / +63.428s
Photo by MotoGP - source : MotoGP
