Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia, aboard a Ducati, sealed his fourth win of the MotoGP season with a dominant performance at the San Marino Grand Prix. The race, the fourteenth round of the World Motorcycle Championship, saw Maverick Viñales on an Aprilia take a podium position in third, while Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha extended his lead in the premier class.
Bagnaia’s victory follows triumphs at Assen, Silverstone, and the Red Bull Ring, adding another milestone to a season that has already showcased his speed and consistency. He now ranks second in the standings behind Quartararo, with Enea Bastianini and Viñales close in pursuit, and the gap to the leader narrowing to 30 points as the season progresses.
In the same race, Aleix Espargaró on an Aprilia finished sixth, leaving him 33 points behind Quartararo in the championship table.
As the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli lights flashed, unfolding drama greeted the riders. The start was rough with crashes involving Australian Jack Miller, Pol Espargaró, Johann Zarco, and Michele Pirro, all Ducati machinery or closely connected teams hampered early proceedings. The race quickly evolved as Miller crashed from the lead, reshaping the order and opening the door for others to press forward.
Marco Bezzecchi, Franco Morbidelli, and Fabio Di Giannantonio also encountered gravel in the early laps, yet the race’s dynamics shifted as Miller recovered from the incident, making the contest wide open from the outset.
Starting from fifth, Bagnaia surged to the front and briefly tangled with Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini, who were tracking his every move from slightly behind. The Italian challenger engaged in several heated exchanges with the Gresini Racing crew after reclaiming the Misano lap record previously set by Bagnaia in 2021, a testament to the competitiveness on display.
With the pace set by Bagnaia, Bastianini pursued the Spaniard and began to close in, while Ducati’s own teammate at Lenovo Ducati remained in pursuit. Bagnaia showed both patience and strategic speed, defending his position in the closing stages as Bastianini pressed for a decisive slipstream opportunity on the final straight to overtake him, without success.
Among the other Spaniards, Viñales secured third place, and Aleix Espargaró finished sixth. Alex Rins finished seventh for Suzuki, Jorge Martín placed ninth on a Ducati, just ahead of Alex Márquez on a Honda, and Raúl Fernández of KTM finished thirteenth.
MotoGP standings after San Marino GP:
-
Fabio Quartararo – Yamaha – 211
-
Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati – 181
-
Aleix Espargaró – Aprilia – 178
-
Enea Bastianini – Ducati – 138
-
Johann Zarco – Ducati – 125
-
Jack Miller – Ducati – 123
-
Brad Binder – KTM – 115
-
Maverick Viñales – Yamaha – 101
-
Alex Rins – Suzuki – 101
-
Jorge Martín – Ducati – 94
Related posts:
Pecco Bagnaia wins again at Red Bull Ring as Ducati asserts control © Bagnaia Dominates San Marino Grand Prix as Ducati Seizes Stage MotoGP at Le Mans: Bastianini seals win as Quartararo extends lead Bagnaia wins British GP as Viñales pushes for first Aprilia win San Marino MotoGP Pole Gives Miller Season-Opening Momentum Qualifying drama at the Austrian Grand Prix and the Ducati surge Bagnaia takes fifth pole of the MotoGP season at Aragón as Mir withdraws Bagnaia Clinches Malaysia Win Ahead of Valencia Title Duel Quartararo Wins Catalan GP, Tightens MotoGP Title Lead MotoGP British Grand Prix: Day 1 Practice Highlights and Key Times Aragon GP MotoGP: Bastianini Triumphs as Quartararo Crashes Muddy the Championship MotoGP at Assen: Quartararo’s Lead and the Dutch Grand Prix Showdowns