Pecco Bagnaia wins the Malaysian GP after folding Jorge Martin in an extraordinary duel of thrilling overtaking in the first laps, the most exciting and spectacular of the last few years of the world championship. For the Piedmontese it is the tenth success of the season, more than half compared to the 19 races on the calendar: he still keeps the championship open. But the Spaniard, second at the finish line today, maintains a reassuring lead of 24 points in the standings on the eve of the last event, in two weeks’ time in Barcelona, where the test initially scheduled in Valencia will take place.
Sepang, accident at the start: Miller remains down on the track. What happened
by Massimo Calandri
Upon arrival, the two greet each other with respect and friendship: champions! “They both deserve to win the title,” he says Gigi Dall’Igna, the CEO of Ducati, who monopolizes the podium even today because Enea Bastianini climbs to the bottom step of Sepang and moves within a point of the ranking Marc Marquezthird in the standings but only twelfth in Malaysia after a crash.
MotoGP World Championship: the ranking
Martin to Bagnaia: «You braked like an animal!»
Bagnaia he is the sixth driver in history to win 10 races in a season (after Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Marquez, Doohan and Stoner). «I knew that at the beginning you would try because you wanted to keep up with me, but I immediately braked hard», Pecco says to Jorge, after crossing the finish line. “Yes, you braked like an animal,” the Spaniard replies. Rivals, friends. The two look at the images of their overtaking challenge, accompanied by “ooohh!” of amazement. What a show it was. Bagnaia: «But why don’t I go so fast on Saturdays? What a rush, what an effort!”, smiles Pecco. «Managing the heat was the easiest part, today with Martin it was tough but we had fun. On Sunday I know I can go fast, I always manage to be aggressive. We have to understand why we can’t do the same on Saturday”, asks the reigning champion.
Martin: «Incredible challenge, see you in Barcelona»
A more than positive weekend for Martin, in the end he gained another 7 points on his rival. The flag of the Valencian Community flies on the podium. «Thanks to Pecco, because he makes this challenge increasingly difficult. Today I wanted to win, to stay in front, but he was terribly aggressive: I tried, we battled but in the end I couldn’t do it and I was afraid of falling. Incredible challenge, we will give our best in Barcelona.”
Bastianini gets closer to Marc Marquez
Per Bastianini all in all a not bad podium: «Another podium, but like yesterday I wasn’t competitive when entering the corners so I’m satisfied: there are still 2 races in Barcelona and we hope to be able to win one. A thought for the people of Valencia.”
Bastianini, the interview: “I love Bagnaia but I won’t help him against Martin. I would have still deserved the Ducati”
by Massimo Calandri
Ten overtakings, thrills at the start
After the impressive carambola at the second corner of the first lap – with a red flag, Jack Miller for a long time on the asphalt surrounded by rescuers, then the Australian who leaves the medical center on his own legs accompanied by his wife Ruby – the race restarted and there was immediately a riot of overtaking between Bagnaia and Martin. One, two, at least ten times in the first three laps, the two rivals crossed paths, touching each other by centimeters at three hundred an hour: an absurd spectacle and for this reason even more beautiful – the Spaniard had no interest in risking a fall, but the pride was stronger – which left everyone breathless. In the end, Pecco prevailed and at the start of the sixth lap, a third of the way through the race, he extended his lead over Jorge to over a second. Behind them Bastianini, with Marc Marquez who slipped into the gravel at turn 15.
In Catalonia the last act of the challenge
Bagnaia’s advantage holds, even if the Piedmontese uses a soft tire up front and Martin’s “hard” should on paper be more effective: instead the Spaniard goes wide on a couple of occasions and seems to prudently accept defeat. Upon arrival, Jorge will make a sign that he has used his head. In two weeks, the final act in Barcelona: Dorna Sports has chosen the Catalan circuit to replace the one in Valencia, after the disaster of recent days. It will still be a race to watch, because Pecco doesn’t give up. But this Martin deserves the world championship.
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