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‘Invincible’ Espargaro beats Bagnaia in last-lap Silverstone stunner

Aleix Espargaro 2023 british gp

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 6 August 2023

Aleix Espargaro stole a brilliant British MotoGP Grand Prix from Francesco Bagnaia with a last-lap move for the ages.

After holding off an early challenge from Marco Bezzecchi, Bagnaia looked set to record a fifth win of the season with a special ride, but Espargaro had other ideas.

Despite starting down in 12th, the Spaniard was the fastest bike on track and risked everything in the back half of the race as a small shower complicated things further.

The race was decided by a stunning final-lap showdown as Bagnaia and Espargaro went side by side into Maggotts and Becketts and it was the Aprilia that emerged out the other side in first place to secure an unforgettable win.

Brad Binder fended off Maverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira in an equally thrilling fight for third as Australia’s Jack Miller led early, but had to settle for eighth after getting forced off by the #12 Aprilia.

“It was crazy,” a buzzing Espargaro said after scoring his second MotoGP win in his 225th start.

“Even though I was starting 12th I felt super good with the bike. It was one of those days where you feel invincible.

“The bike had a lot of grip and brake stability and my plan was to pass him (Bagnaia) and try to go away

“But when it started to rain I stayed quiet and then on the last lap I had something more, so I tried to overtake him.

“It was quite scary in that last part.”

For the second day in a row Miller got the jump and went side by side with Bezzecchi into turn one.

Jack Miller

Jack Miller led off the start but dropped down the pack after an unlucky clash with Maverick Vinales. Image: Gold and Goose

But unlike Sprint Saturday there was no fight back by the VR46 rider with Miller blazing ahead on the KTM as Martin went off after contact with Brad Binder. 

After experiencing a close shave with Alex Marquez, Bagnaia sat an ominous third and by the final chicane he snatched second from Bezzecchi.

Alex Marquez and Maverick Vinales made up the rest of the top five, while Aleix Espargaro climbed six spots on the opening lap to sixth.

The battle for second was far from resolved with Bezzecchi getting by at Brooklands before the #1 left everyone jaw dropped.

Bagnaia got a good run out of Copse and flashed past the #72 on the kerbing before Copse corner.

In the short space of track between the fast right hander and Maggotts the championship leader was suddenly in the lead flying past Miller.

A lap later at the same piece of track Vinales forced Miller almost into the gravel and the detour sent the Australian from third to 14th. To complete the chaotic action at Copse Joan Mir crashed out.

Despite Bagnaia’s heroics, he could not shake off Bezzecchi as the pair sped away from the chasing pack led by Alex Marquez in third.

The only other rider who had pace comparable to the top two was Espargaro, who stole third from the Sprint winner at Village on lap five.

A lap later Alex Marquez was out of action with a gear linkage issue, but all eyes were on the fight at the front with Bezzecchi all over the back at Bagnaia until his challenge ended in a flash.

The young Italian VR46 rider was too greedy under brakes at Stowe and he lost it, tumbling through the gravel and into a costly retirement.

Although Bagnaia’s arch rival had just crashed out, he had little time to be relieved as Espargaro halved the gap in a heartbeat.

The Aprilia rider was the fastest on track as he caught the back wheel of Bagnaia while his teammate Vinales took third from Binder.

Miguel Oliveira, Johann Zarco and Luca Marini had a thrilling fight for fifth and once the former checked out, the two Ducatis continued throwing punches.

With eight laps to go a new challenge was on the cards as the rain fell down with Vinales and Binder joining the fight at the front.

Two laps later Vinales made the first move, sending it down the inside of Espargaro for second at Village before his teammate fought back, only to lose the position for a second time a heartbeat later.

As the Aprilias fought it out, this presented the perfect opportunity for Binder, who went past both the Spaniards at Stowe.

Espargaro soon hit back and their fight was not resolved for another lap with Binder prevailing, but this allowed Bagnaia to re-establish his lead.

Meanwhile the rain accounted for Marc Marquez who got tangled up with Enea Bastianini, while Fabio Quartararo had his own separate incident.

The factory Yamaha was particularly unlucky with contact with Marini ripping his front bodywork which got caught in his front wheel.

Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio were the first riders to change to wets with five laps to go, but the track stayed dry and the gamble did not work.

The man with the speed was Oliveira, who was suddenly into the mix and soared to third passing Binder and Vinales with a great exit from the final corner.

This reginited the battle for the minors as the South African eventually prevailed, while Espargaro hunted down Bagnaia.

Nothing separated the top four of Bagnaia, Espargaro, Binder and Oliveira by the time they started the final lap.

Despite appearing impregnable, Bagnaia was suddenly under threat as Espargaro got a great run out of Copse.

This saw the Aprilia and Ducati fly into Maggotts and Becketts shoulder to shoulder and Espargaro was the bravest, snatching the lead and a famous win.

Although Bagnaia put in an impressive ride to second, he still extended his significant championship advantage to 41 points ahead of Martin, who jumped Bezzecchi.

After a Silverstone to remember, MotoGP heads to Austria on August 18-20.

Image by Gold and Goose

2023 British Grand Prix results

POS RIDER NAT TEAM TIME/DIFF
1 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) 40m 40.367s
2 Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.215s
3 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.680s
4 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.750s
5 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +2.101s
6 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +7.903s
7 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +9.099s
8 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +9.298s
9 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +9.958s
10 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +19.947s
11 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +20.296s
12 Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +66.120s
13 Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +87.605s
14 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +88.913s
15 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +89.075s
16 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +98.573s
17 Iker Lecuona SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +109.674s
Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) DNF
Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) DNF
Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) DNF
Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) DNF
Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) DNF

MotoGP championship standings after round 9

1 Francesco Bagnaia 214 points

2 Jorge Martin 173

3 Marco Bezzecchi 167

4 Brad Binder 115

5 Johann Zarco 115

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