Bagnaia holds off charging Martin

Francesco Bagnaia completed a sweep in Motegi winning the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix, but Jorge Martin produced a mighty damage limitation effort, flying from 11th to second.

Bagnaia dominated, leading all 24 laps as Martin flew through the field and even gave fans the hope of an unlikely fight for victory.

The PRAMAC Ducati rider slashed the deficit to below a second but had “some moments” as Bagnaia’s tyre management was perfect.

It was a timely reminder of the reigning champion’s class as Marc Marquez had a “boring race” to third, while Australia’s Jack Miller started 14th and climbed to as high as fourth, but drifted to 10th.

Rookie Pedro Acosta looked dangerous in second, but crashed out once again.

“I am super happy and managed to gain 11 points across the weekend,” Bagnaia said.

“Today was much stronger so I was just trying to manage the gap.

“The pace was incredible and it was not easy on the tyres. 

“We have to move onto the next one with the same ambition and strategy to continue like this.”

The difference between Martin and Bagnaia is now just 10 points.

Bagnaia got a grand launch, but he was cut off by an aggressive Acosta on the outside of Turn 1.

However, as they arrived at the second part of the double opening right hander the #1 hit back with the switchback to snatch the lead.

Bagnaia controlled the remainder of the opening lap ahead of Acosta and Binder as others behind stole the show.

Championship leader Martin made important ground, rising from 11th to fourth, while Miller flew on the KTM climbing from 14th to fifth as Maverick Vinales had another shocker dropping from the front row to out of the top 10.

Neither Alex Marquez and Joan Mir did not make it after a strange accident at the penultimate Turn 13.

Marquez ran into the rear of Mir and fell, but his Gresini Ducati got caught in the Repsol Honda, forcing Mir finish in the gravel.

On Lap 3 Miller found himself on the defensive, losing a top five place to Marc Marquez and surviving an Enea Bastianini assault.

Both Bagnaia and Acosta were setting a hot pace at the front, charging away from the pack.

But rookie Acosta could not survive, crashing out again, this time from second on the third tour through Victory Corner.

The costly mistake completed Martin’s incredible climb to second and the Spaniard was able to pull away from Binder and Marquez with a 2.8s covering the top three.

A second attempt at stealing the position from Miller was successful for Bastianini on Lap 4 and the reward was a top five berth.

The other KTM of Binder was also under attack, with Binder losing third to Marc Marquez, who executed a smart block pass on the South African at Turn 4 on Lap 5.

In a further blow for Tech3 Augusto Fernandez crashed out on Lap 7.

With 18 laps to go Martin was able to reduce Bagnaia’s advantage to below a second for the first time, building anticipation for a fight between the title contenders.

The PRAMAC rider slowly chipped away, but the factory Ducati rider was smartly ensuring the gap remained above half a second.

With Marquez 1.8s up the road, the other big battle was for fourth between Binder and Bastianini.

The Ducati rider made a lunge at Turn 9, but could not stop himself from running wide and allowing Binder retake the position.

A second crack at the tight left hander on the following lap saw the Italian finally make his way past.

Miller was also struggling for pace against his rivals as Morbedelli and Bezzecchi also picked off the Australian, seeing him drift deeper down to the depths of the top 10.

To add another element, rain started to be reported around the circuit, but it was not enough for teams to consider swapping bikes.

A tough race finally ended for Vinales when he crashed out at Turn 5.

As the race entered the second half, Bagnaia turned up the wick and rebuilt his lead over Martin to beyond a second and a half.

Inside the final six laps Martin was able to start regaining ground with the difference dipping down to nine tenths by the end of Lap 21 when the #89 recorded an impressive 1m45.091.

However, all hopes of a battle were extinguished on Lap 22 as Bagnaia pulled three tenths back to remind everyone who was in control.

Bagnaia completed a near-perfect race, winning by 1.189s over Martin with Marquez a further 2s adrift.

Bastianini had to settle for fourth ahead of Morbidelli in another Ducati top five with Brad Binder sixth.

All eyes head to Phillip Island as the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix dawns on October 18-20.

2024 Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix results

Image: Gold and Goose

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