Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia He only needs two more points to become the best rider of the 2022 MotoGP season Fabio Quartaro (Yamaha) finished the Malaysian Grand Prix in third place after a bit of drama.
The defending champion is now 23 points behind the Italian, while maintaining his theoretical chances of winning a second consecutive world title. The Frenchman must now win the final 20 race of the season, but what if the Italian just needs to be in the top 10 for his first title in the Royal Class. Bagnaia, in this case, would bring Ducati its first MotoGP world title since 2007, when Australia’s Casey Stoner celebrated.
Between Bagnaio and Quartararo, another Ducati rider crashes Enea Bastianiniwho is fighting for third overall, only one point behind Alex Espargaro (Aprilia).
Great start: from 9th to 2nd
Bajnaya scored his seventh win of the season in Sepang after finishing ninth in the qualifiers. « It was definitely the best start of my life. It was perfect. I would also like to commend the team, because we did a really great job, » The 25-year-old was from Turin after the end of the race, who after a great start made his way to second place.
The racing dynamics changed on lap seven when qualifying winner Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) crashed, Bajnaya swung in front with Bastianini hot on his heels.
« I risked a bit ahead, » Bagnaia said: « Jorge was following too much for the rear tire and then unfortunately crashed. »
Quartararo to the podium with a broken finger
Bastianini managed to overtake his compatriot in the fourth corner of the tenth lap, but his lead was short-lived as Bagnaya took charge again.
« It’s been a long time since I got on the podium, » said Quartaro, who crashed in the previous race on Phillip Island, Australia. « I did my best, I couldn’t have done a better job, but I’m proud of myself because I felt it was one of my best runs this season, » The Frenchman, who was riding with a broken finger, added an injury he picked up in free practice on Saturday.
The final event of the season for Valencia motorcyclists in racing will take place on Sunday, November 6th.
Minute applause for Mitchitz
After the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, the great motorsport promoter was honored with a minute of applause before the Sepang race instead of a minute of silence. Red Bull is the KTM Factory Team Principal partner in the MotoGP World Championship.
Motorcycles – World Championship
Malaysia GP, Sepang
MotoGP, results
1. F. BAGNAIA ITA/ducati 40:14,332 2. E. BASTIANINI ITA/ducati +0,270 3. F. QUARTARARO FRA/yamaha 2,773 4. M. BEZZECCHI ITA/ducati 5,446 5. A. RINS ŠPA/suzuki 11,923 6. J. MILLER AVS/ducati 13,472 7. M. MARQUEZ ŠPA/honda 14,304
Sequence (19/20):
1. F. BAGNAIA ITA/ducati 258 2. F. QUARTARARO FRA/yamaha 235 3. A. ESPARGARO ŠPA/aprilia 212 4. E. BASTIANINI ITA/ducati 211 5. J. MILLER AVS/ducati 189 6. B. BINDER JAR/ktm 168
Moto 2, results:
1. T. ARBOLINO ITA/kalex 38:25,233 2. A. LOPEZ ŠPA/boscoscu. +11,411 3. J. DIXON VB/kalex 11,802
Sequence (19/20):
1. A. FERNANDEZ ŠPA/kalex 251,5 2. A. OGURA JAP/kalex 242 3. A. CANET ŠPA/kalex 200
Moto 3, results:
1. J. McPHEE VB/husqva. 38:04,589 2. A. SASAKI JAP/husqvarna +0,048 3. S. GARCIA ŠPA/gasgas 0,146
Sequence (19/20):
1. I. GUEVARA ŠPA/gasgas 294 2. S. GARCIA ŠPA/gasgas 241 3. D. FOGGIA ITA/honda 233
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