#TheRematch: Bagnaia takes the fight to Martin with stunning wet weather win in Thailand
Bagnaia Triumphs Under Pressure in Thailand’s Rain-soaked MotoGP™ Grand Prix
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) showcased an exceptional performance in wet conditions, securing his first wet-weather victory at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand. Starting under intense pressure from Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Bagnaia held firm as Marquez crashed, ultimately allowing him to extend his lead and finish three seconds ahead of championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). With this victory, Bagnaia narrows Martin’s championship lead to just 17 points with two races left. The showdown for the title is set, and fans can expect an epic rematch!
Rainy Start and Early Drama
Before the race even began, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) fell victim to the wet track on the sighting lap. However, he made the start, and as the sky above Buriram grew darker, the Thai Grand Prix kicked off with Jorge Martin rocketing off the line into an early lead, with Bagnaia close behind and Marquez pushing into third. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was overtaken as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) went on the offensive, triggering an intense race among the frontrunners.
Championship Rivals Duel for the Lead
The battle between title contenders Martin and Bagnaia heated up in the opening laps, with Martin briefly extending his lead. However, a small mistake on Lap 5 saw Martin go wide, dropping to third and leaving Bagnaia in the lead with Marquez right on his tail. Quartararo also faced challenges, as contact with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) sent him to the back of the grid, while Morbidelli was penalized with a Long Lap.
Marquez and Bastianini Crash Out
As Bagnaia held the front, Marquez stayed close, attempting multiple moves on the reigning champion. On Lap 14, Marquez made a critical error, crashing at Turn 8 after nearly saving the slip on his knee. This ended his run and promoted Martin into P2, making the Bagnaia-Martin duel the decisive storyline of the race.
In the background, Bastianini’s race ended on Lap 9 after a crash at Turn 8, just after Morbidelli’s own race-ending fall, and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) also slid out, marking a difficult day for several top riders.
Final Lap Battles: Acosta Shines
Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was determined to secure a podium finish. After a rough start, Acosta charged back through the field, battling past Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and taking on Jack Miller in a thrilling side-by-side duel. In the end, Acosta won out, finishing in third.
Bagnaia pushed to seal his win, keeping a nearly three-second lead as the laps ticked down, securing his first wet-weather win and reducing Martin’s lead in the championship.
Top Ten Results and Final Standings
As Bagnaia celebrated his victory, Acosta’s late-race surge earned him third place, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in fourth. Jack Miller claimed fifth, ahead of teammate Binder, with Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales in seventh. CASTROL Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco took eighth, marking Honda’s best result of the season so far.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Marquez rounded out the top ten, while Marc Marquez, recovering after his fall, secured 11th and key points, ahead of Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team), Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR), Bastianini, and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), who claimed the final point.
The Championship Rematch Awaits
The Thai GP has set the stage for a climactic finish to the season. Bagnaia’s crucial win keeps him within striking distance of Martin as both riders head to the penultimate round of the championship at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. Only two races remain, and with 17 points between them, it’s anyone’s title to win. Stay tuned for an electrifying battle in Malaysia!
| Thai MotoGP Buriram – Race Results | ||||
| 1 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | 43m 38.108s | |
| 2 | Jorge Martin | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | +2.905s | |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16)* | +3.800s | |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | +4.636s | |
| 5 | Jack Miller | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +5.532s | |
| 6 | Brad Binder | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +5.898s | |
| 7 | Maverick Viñales | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | +8.498s | |
| 8 | Johann Zarco | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +17.672s | |
| 9 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | +18.588s | |
| 10 | Alex Marquez | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +21.163s | |
| 11 | Marc Marquez | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +22.251s | |
| 12 | Luca Marini | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +22.859s | |
| 13 | Takaaki Nakagami | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +24.531s | |
| 14 | Enea Bastianini | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | +27.090s | |
| 15 | Joan Mir | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +30.870s | |
| 16 | Fabio Quartararo | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +50.021s | |
| Augusto Fernandez | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) | DNF | ||
| Alex Rins | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | DNF | ||
| Lorenzo Savadori | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | DNF | ||
| Franco Morbidelli | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | DNF | ||
| Raul Fernandez | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) | DNF | ||
| Marco Bezzecchi | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | DNF | ||
#TheRematch begins: Martin vs Bagnaia will decide the 2024 Championship
And Then There Were Two: The Race for the 2024 MotoGP™ Crown Narrows to Martin and Bagnaia
After a thrilling PT Grand Prix of Thailand, the 2024 MotoGP™ World Championship title is down to just two riders: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Both riders delivered stellar performances, finishing 1-2 in Buriram, while their closest challengers, Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, crashed out, sealing the title race exclusively between Martin and Bagnaia.
Dubbed #TheRematch, this season has been a head-to-head showdown, and with two races remaining, fans are eagerly rallying behind their favorites with #VamosJorge and #ForzaPecco. With only a few laps left in the season, it’s Martin vs. Bagnaia for MotoGP™ glory—an electrifying finale awaits!
