Espargaro gets Catalan redemption, Bagnaia has frightening fall

Twelve months on from an infamous last lap mishap, Aleix Espargaro has finally won the Catalan Grand Prix, while Francesco Bagnaia was taken out in horrific circumstances.

After surviving an all Aprilia duel for the lead, Espargaro wrote the wrongs of last year when he celebrated too early by leading home teammate Maverick Vinales in a formation finish, but the race will also be remembered for the shocking first-lap drama.

The race hardly got underway before the red flag was required following a sickening opening sequence of corners.

Bagnaia got the jump from pole and led the field into turn one where the first of two major incidents occurred.

Ducati’s Enea Bastianini struggled to slow down in the braking area and collided with the Pramac of Johann Zarco.

This then triggered a domino effect where Fabio Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi were all wiped out.

All those riders appeared to walk away unscathed, but sadly Bagnaia was not so lucky one corner later.

The reigning champion appeared to be in control before he suffered a huge high side on the exit of turn two.

Bagnaia was thrown off his #1 Ducati and landed in the middle of the pack where shockingly a helpless Brad Binder could not avoid hitting the Italian’s leg.

The race was stopped immediately, while Marshalls and medics were instantly on the scene assisting Bagnaia, who was reported as conscious and was taken to the medical centre before going to hospital.

The Grand Prix restarted without a factory Ducati with Bastianini also not taking the start due to also being at the medical centre.

Espargaro got the initial jump but the power of the Pramac Ducati helped Jorge Martin hit the lead.

This left the Aprilias to fight side by side for second and Vinales won the battle before then charging to the lead as early as turn four.

Miller got a great start climbing from 11th to sixth, but lost that place to KTM teammate Brad Binder at the start of lap two.

However, a handful of laps later Miller recalled the position as Binder hit technical dramas.

Miguel Oliveira made a bold move at turn four on Martin to make the provisional podium locked out by Aprilias.

But Martin spoiled the party by going down the inside of Oliveira at turn one on lap 10 for third spot.

Once this settled down, attention turned to the front where Espargaro was reeling in his teammate Vinales.

But the #12 enjoyed a reprieve as a mistake early on lap 11 saw the gap double to well over a second.

Despite the blow Espargaro resumed his charge and seven laps later he had cut the gap down to well under half a second.

Soon the #41 was on Vinales’ back wheel and made his move at the start of lap 20.

Espargaro got a run down the pit straight and made a lunge at the opening corner.

The teammates took to the apex shoulder to shoulder and Espargaro emerged in front as Vinales went wide and had to settle for second.

Further back Miller had dropped to eighth after losing out in a battle with Fabio Quartararo, while Zarco easily picked off Oliveira for fourth.

The Australian would eventually come home eighth with Martin an easy third.

The ending was an Aprilia procession as Espargaro led home Vinales by just 0.4s in a formation finish in a race the Italian manufacturer and the #41 rider will remember forever.

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