MotoGP: Martin secures crucial sprint win at San Marino, extends championship lead

Jorge Martin delivered a standout performance in Saturday’s sprint race at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP, taking a decisive victory and extending his lead over reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia. Starting from fourth on the grid, the Pramac rider executed a brilliant start, overtaking pole-sitter Bagnaia at the very first turn and maintaining his advantage throughout the 13-lap race.

Martin, who won at Misano Adriatico last year, finished 1.495 seconds ahead of Bagnaia, who was expected to capitalize on his pole position and close the points gap. Instead, the Spaniard’s win, his second sprint victory of the season, solidified his position at the top of the standings, putting him 26 points ahead of Bagnaia going into Sunday’s main event.

“Today I expected maybe to be fighting with Pecco (Bagnaia) but I didn’t expect to do that start,” said Martin.

“I even had a gap to keep for the last two laps so super happy. For tomorrow it’s another story but I feel confident that we are in a good way, super good and super fast.”

Bagnaia, battling injuries from his crash in Aragon, acknowledged the poor start.

“I’m absolutely not happy… The start was a disaster, I lost first position and from that moment it was very difficult,” he said.

“In any case, second position after what happened last week is OK. We will work to improve the start because it was a disaster and try to be in a better shape tomorrow.”

(Source: AFP)