10 points in it: Bagnaia holds off Martin as Acosta suffers Sunday slip-up

The Italian stormed to glory at Motegi, securing an eighth win of the season ahead of Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivers win number eight of the season at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, adding his name to an illustrious list after the #1 claimed the perfect launch off the line before setting a relentless pace from start to finish. The reigning World Champion defeated Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who charged from P11 on the grid and now has his advantage reduced to just 10 points. It is heating up to be an unmissable end to the season, with everything remaining up for grabs.

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) came home on a strong third after an incredible ride from the #93, who defended hard in the closing laps. Meanwhile, there was further disappointment for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with the rookie crashing out from the Grand Prix and ending the weekend with zero points scored.

At the start, Bagnaia made a great initial start, with the reigning World Champion levelled by Acosta on the brakes. The reigning World Champion was fierce, pouncing into the lead, forcing Acosta to slot into second. Meanwhile, a huge fight for third began to break out, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) holding firm.

Martin and Marc Marquez were on the move in the opening stages, launching their machines inside the top five. Marc Marquez would complete an incredible overtake on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller to enter the all-important top five.

Meanwhile, there was drama further back with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) suffering an early end to his day after a collision with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) – riders OK. The FIM MotoGP™ Stewards investigated the incident and handed Alex Marquez a Long Lap for the Australian GP.

At the end of Lap 3, everything came to an end for Acosta, who crashed out of Grand Prix at the final corner – promoting Martin to P2. Acosta’s blunder allowed the reigning World Champion to stretch his lead to over one second from his closest rival, Martin. The fastest laps would begin to trade hands in the opening stages as Martin began to edge closer in an enthralling twist.

Marc Marquez continued to make ground, bravely passing Binder for the final spot on the podium. The South African was soon under pressure from Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who continued to find time after a busy start. Bastianini made the move stick on Lap 10, with ‘The Beast’ now in a strong fourth.

Further back, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) had a tough start after launching from the front row. The #12 soon began to battle with his teammate Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) for the final spot inside the top 10 before crashing on Lap 12 – rider OK.

It was building to be a rematch of Saturday’s Sprint battle, with Bastianini making inroads on Marc Marquez after a mistake on the entry to Turn 1. The gap was less than a second as a podium fight brewed, to the delight of the Japanese fans.

The leading duo continued to run an astonishing pace, with Bagnaia maintaining an eight-tenth gap to Martin with just a handful of laps remaining. The #1 responded, stretching the margin to over one second – pushing Martin to the limit.

On the final lap, Bagnaia looked unstoppable, stealing the spotlight on Sunday and reducing Martin’s Championship advantage with four rounds remaining. It is building to be a classic end to 2024, with Martin crossing the line in second, ahead of Marc Marquez. The #93 worked hard in the closing stages, bagging a podium after starting from ninth.

Bastianini crossed the line in fourth, securing a strong points tally on Sunday and beating Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #21 rounding out the top five. Morbidelli’s Sunday consistency continues, finishing ahead of Binder after an intense finish with just 0.562s separating the pair. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top eight spots, completing a strong day for the Bologna brand.

Espargaro and Miller took the final spots inside the top 10, with the Australian unable to find late race pace after a string start. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) placed 11^th, pipping Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at the line after the #20 ran out of fuel. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) finished an emotional Grand Prix, beating Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez, who took the final points on Sunday.

After an incredible weekend in Japan, the world’s most exciting sport returns in two weeks for the long-awaited Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix as we return to the iconic twists and turns of Phillip Island, with the title lead down to just 10 points. Can Bagnaia reclaim the Championship advantage in Australia? Make sure you join us to find out!

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FULL RESULTS!

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