MotoGP Sprint Saturday Moto2 Moto3 Qualifying

Bagnaia masters Mandalika as Martin’s mistake cuts title lead in half

Another Dramatic Twist in the Tissot Sprint: Bagnaia, Bastianini, and Marquez Close In After Closest Finish of the Year

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) reclaimed his winning form in the Tissot Sprint at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. In a thrilling 13-lap race, Bagnaia remained calm under pressure, securing victory as Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) crashed out while leading. This latest twist in the title race cuts the points gap between Bagnaia and Martin in half, setting the stage for a thrilling Grand Prix on Sunday.

In addition to the race drama, the finish was the closest of the season. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) launched a fierce late attack, finishing just 0.107 seconds behind his teammate Bagnaia. Bastianini’s charge included overtaking Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who rounded out the podium. With all three riders making significant gains in the title race, the pressure is now on Martin to recover.

Race Recap:

At the start, Jorge Martin got off to a perfect launch, surging into the lead ahead of rival Bagnaia, who bravely took the outside line into Turn 1. Marc Marquez, starting 12th on the grid, carved his way through the pack with precision.

However, the race took a dramatic turn when Martin crashed at the tricky Turn 16, reminiscent of Bastianini’s qualifying crash. Though Martin remounted, his chances of points were slim, leaving Bagnaia in the lead to capitalize and secure 12 valuable points.

The battle for the podium intensified, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) both in the mix. Marquez overtook Acosta on Lap 3, moving into third place, while Bastianini soon followed, dropping Acosta to fifth.

Bezzecchi had a near-miss moment when he lost control while chasing Bagnaia, narrowly avoiding contact with the reigning champion. Meanwhile, Martin fought his way back through the field, breaking into the top 10 after a battle with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), but the points remained out of reach due to tough competition, including a clash with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

At the front, Bagnaia maintained his lead with just enough of a gap to stay ahead. Bastianini, however, was closing in on Marquez. With three laps to go, the Italian made his move, passing Marquez at Turn 10 to take second place, though Bagnaia was still eight-tenths of a second ahead.

Despite the gap, the final lap saw Bastianini closing in rapidly, finishing just 0.107 seconds behind his teammate. It marked a Ducati Lenovo Team 1-2, with Bagnaia cutting Martin’s Championship lead by 12 points. Bastianini also issued a clear warning for the upcoming Grand Prix, signaling his intent to fight hard on Sunday.

Marc Marquez completed the podium, unable to match Bastianini’s late-race pace. Bezzecchi finished just off the podium in fourth, recovering from his earlier mistake but unable to close the gap to the leaders. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) claimed fifth, moving ahead of rookie Acosta, who settled for sixth place.

Final Standings:

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) impressed with an eighth-place finish, crossing the line ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who secured the final point. Jorge Martin could only manage 10th place, leaving him 9.104 seconds off the lead and without any points.

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) struggled after a strong qualifying performance, dropping out of the points following a tough, elbows-out battle in the mid-pack. He’ll be looking for redemption on Sunday.

Championship Outlook:

With Bagnaia back on top, Martin’s lead has now shrunk to just 12 points. Marquez is staying competitive, and Bastianini looks poised to unleash his best performance yet. The Indonesian GP promises to be a race you won’t want to miss. Tune in on Sunday at 15:00 local time (UTC +8) to see who will head into Japan leading the Championship!

RESULTS

Moto2 Canet denies Dixon and Ogura as front row split by 0.070

Aron Canet Claims Pole in Indonesia, but Faces Tough Competition from Dixon and Ogura

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) delivered a stunning lap to secure pole position for the Moto2™ race at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The Spaniard edged out Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) by a mere 0.060 seconds, while Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) was just 0.001 seconds further back, rounding off a fiercely contested front row.

Key Highlights:

• Drama for Vietti: Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) endured a difficult start to Q2, crashing within the first five minutes. The Italian now faces a medical review to determine if he can compete on Sunday.
• Second Row Battle: Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) will lead the second row, followed by Fermin Aldeguer and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp). Both riders were within two-tenths of Canet’s lap time, promising a close battle in the race.
• Arbolino’s Redemption Quest: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), who missed out on victory in the previous race, starts from row three. He’ll be joined by Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia).
• Wildcard Entry: Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) will also be one to watch as Moto2™ continues to deliver unpredictable and thrilling racing.

Don’t Miss the Action!

The race promises another twist in the championship battle. Tune in at 13:15 (UTC +8) for what’s sure to be an exciting showdown!

Moto3 Ortola on top as rivals look to halt Alonso’s charge towards match point

Ivan Ortola Breaks Lap Record for Pole in Indonesia, but Faces Race Day Penalty

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) set a new lap record to take pole position for the Indonesian Grand Prix. However, the #48 will have to contend with a double Long Lap penalty during the race. Ortola will lead the grid, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) starting second after an incredible front-end save on his final lap. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) completes the front row despite a late crash in Q2.

Key Highlights:

• Adrian Fernandez Shines: Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) showed steady improvement throughout Q2, securing fourth on the grid. He will be joined by Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in fifth, with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) starting sixth after a strong qualifying performance.
• Third Row Lineup: Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) heads the third row in seventh, followed by Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), who managed to start ninth after an eventful Q2 filled with impressive saves.
• Further Down the Grid: Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts 10th but will need to serve a Long Lap penalty during the race. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) starts 14th, as rivals attempt to slow Alonso’s charge for the Championship.

Don’t Miss the Action!

Can Colombian sensation David Alonso match records on race day? Tune in at 12:00 (UTC +8) for lights out and another thrilling Moto3™ race!

Official MotoGP Press Release