Bezzecchi hits MotoGP field for six in India as Bagnaia falls
No one could catch Marco Bezzecchi from dominating the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which could have a major say on the 2023 MotoGP championship after Francesco Bagnaia’s latest fall.
Despite dropping from first to third at the first corner, Bezzecchi was in a league of his own in New Delhi, dashing to a huge 9s win over the exhausted Jorge Martin, who prevailed in a last lap duel with the impressive Fabio Quartararo.
But the big news once again surrounded Bagnaia, who crashed out just after appearing to have won a battle with rival Martin for second.
The crash meant Bagnaia now only sits 13 points ahead of Martin in the latest blow to his title defence.
It was another tough time for Jack Miller, who had an uneventful ride to 14th after being nudged wide at turn one.
A big crowd starved of top-level motorsport for a decade stacked the stands at the Buddh International Circuit.
It was an even start initially between Bezzecchi and Martin before the latter powered down to turn one on the Pramac Ducati where Maverick Vinales and Miller ran wide which saw the Aussie plummet down to 19th.
Bezzecchi then found himself down in third as Bagnaia also went past the VR46 rider and then snuck into the slipstream of Martin.
The pair were nose to tail down the long straight and by turn four Bagnaia charged into the lead as Martin slipped from first to third with Bezzecchi also getting by.
With Martin out of the way Bezzecchi was all over the back of Bagnaia through the final sector.
The VR46 rider made a big lunge on his compatriot at the final corner and snatched the lead to complete a memorable first Grand Prix lap in India.
Behind the three Ducatis was Marc Marquez who had settled into a solid fourth ahead of Fabio Quartararo and Joan Mir.
By lap four Bezzecchi had gapped a full second on Bagnaia and Martin started to become impatient behind the #1 Ducati.
The championship contenders had a close call at turn four where Martin’s late lunge forced Bagnaia to sit up and lift the throttle.
Despite the aggressive move, Martin held onto third which put Bagnaia under threat to the hard-charging Marquez.
However, the #93 Repsol Honda rider had yet another crash, this time a low speed fall at turn one having wrestled with the front throughout the right hander.
Marquez was able to resume racing albeit down in 16 with his podium hopes dashed.
On lap eight it was Bagnaia who was looking to make a move for second at the heavy braking turn four, but the reigning champion struggled to pull up his Ducati and almost speared into the back of the Pramac Ducati.
Both pressed on, but neither could do anything about Bezzecchi, who was in a league of his own now three and half seconds up the road.
Sitting in seventh was Aleix Espargaro, but he dropped out of the picture on lap 11 with mechanical issues.
After spending a long time shadowing the Pramac Ducati, Bagnaia took aim at his championship rival on lap 13.
The factory Ducati rider nailed a well calculated move down the inside on the fast double right at turns eight and nine.
Martin had no response to the statement-sending move, but Bagnaia presented him with an open goal.
Later that lap the #1 Ducati was flying through the gravel as the Italian got it badly wrong at the left-handed turn five.
Bagnaia’s crash vaulted Martin back into second and Quartararo onto the podium, while Marquez returned into the top 10.
Although Bagnaia was gone, Martin was not comfortable on his Pramac Ducati, with his leathers coming undone.
He was able to zip up his suit once again, but only after losing a second to Quartararo bringing the factory Yamaha into play.
Binder was also a rider on the move, getting fourth place thanks to a Mir mistake.
Their battle was not decided until the final lap as a mistake from the KTM rider kept the Repsol Honda rival interested.
But all eyes were on the fight for second as a sudden off at turn four from Martin brought Quartararo into play.
The #89 Pramac Ducati and #20 Yamaha then squabbled across the final two sectors all the way until the chequered flag with the former prevailing, but only after a scary move.
Post race it became clear Martin was not in a good way, lying on the ground in parcferme and requiring medical attention, delaying podium proceedings.
While there was plenty of action behind, Bezzecchi was peerless and smashed the field for six in india.
The MotoGP field heads to Japan next weekend with the championship blown wide open.
2023 MotoGP world championship
1 Francesco Bagnaia 292 points
2 Jorge Martin 279
3 Marco Bezzecchi 248
4 Brad Binder 192
2023 Indian Grand Prix results
Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images
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