World Motogp Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team during the press confrance at Sepang circuit yesterday. _09/11/2023/ S.S.KANESAN/THE STAR
SEPANG: Gresini Racing rider Alex Marquez timed his overtake for the race lead to perfection to win the first MotoGP sprint race at Petronas Sepang International Circuit on Saturday.
The Spaniard Ducati rider was clearly the most comfortable in the lead group and was able to recover from an intense battle with Spaniard Jorge Martin to close down Francesco Bagnaia with ease.
Marquez took the flag in 19:58.713s, crossing the line comfortably ahead of Prima Pramac Racing's Martin (+1.589s) who came in second.
Championship Leader Bagnaia (3.034s) and his Ducati Lenovo teammate from Italy Enea Bastianini (3.242s) crossed the line third and fourth respectively.
Bagnaia had his championship lead cut from 13 to 11 after the sprint race. He leads with 396 points with Martin closing in fast with 385.
However, defending world champion Bagnaia will start from pole ahead of Martin in the main GP race starting at 3.00pm (Malaysia time) today.
The factory Ducati rider clocked a new Sepang lap record of 1:57.4910s to pip Martin, who posted 1:57.5490s, to pole position in this year's Malaysia GP qualifying session.
"Pole position is always a fantastic place to be and is very positive. We have to be happy and doing the all-time lap record is something to be proud of but it’s more important to finish the race at the front. We need to take some points from Jorge," said Bagnaia after the sprint race," said Bagnaia after the sprint race.
MOTOGP QUALIFYING RESULTS (TOP 10)
MotoGP: 1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ita) Ducati Lenovo 1:57.4910, 2. Jorge Martin (Spa) Pramac Ducati 1:57.5490, 3.
Enea Bastianini (Ita) Ducati Lenovo 1:57.5900, 4. Alex Marquez (Spa) Gresini Racing MotoGP 1:57.6610, 5.
Luca Marini (Ita) Mooney VR46 Racing Team 1:57.7870, 6. Marco Bezzecchi (Ita) Mooney VR46 Racing Team 1:57.8050, 7. Brad Binder (Rsa) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:58.0500, 8. Fabio Quartararo (Fra) Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1:58.0800, 9. Maverick Vinales (Spa) Aprilia Racing 1:58.2530, 10. Jack Miller (Aus)
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:58.4680.
