Jorge Martin dominated the San Marino MotoGP Sprint race on Saturday, securing a crucial victory that extended his championship lead over Francesco Bagnaia to 26 points. Starting from fourth position on the grid, Martin showcased his exceptional skill with a lightning-fast start, overtaking pole-sitter Bagnaia and the rest of the field in the first turn.’I didn’t expect such a good start,’ Martin said after the race. ‘I was in qualifying mode (…) before making a difference with two laps to go’. The Spanish rider, nicknamed ‘Martinator,’ maintained his lead throughout the 13-lap sprint, crossing the finish line 1.495 seconds ahead of Bagnaia.Bagnaia, who had set a new track record during Friday’s practice sessions, struggled to keep pace with Martin and eventually had to settle for second place. ‘The start was a disaster, I lost first position and from that moment it was very difficult,’ Bagnaia lamented after the race.Franco Morbidelli completed the podium in third place, marking a successful return to the top three after a long drought. The top five was rounded out by Enea Bastianini in fourth and Marc Marquez in fifth.With this victory, Martin has accumulated 311 championship points, while Bagnaia now trails with 285 points. The win marks Martin’s fifth Sprint Race victory of the season, solidifying his position as a strong contender for his first MotoGP title.The riders will return to the track on Sunday for the main race, with Martin looking to further extend his championship lead. The race is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM Brasília time.
Key points
- Jorge Martin won the San Marino MotoGP Sprint race, extending his championship lead to 26 points.
- Martin started from fourth but took the lead in the first turn, showcasing an impressive start.
- Bagnaia, starting from pole, finished second and expressed disappointment with his performance.
- The main race is scheduled for Sunday, with Martin aiming to further extend his lead.
