MotoGP Bharat GP: Jorge Martin Wins First Ever Indian GP Sprint; Bagnaia, Marquez Complete Podium

Jorge Martin easily won the Indian MotoGP sprint, but a surprising comeback from Marco Bezzecchi made the first-ever MotoGP Bharat GP sprint race even more interesting. Marco Bezzecchi's race took a dramatic turn after he got off to a bad start from the pole position and teammate Luca Marini crashed with the back of his Ducati. Pol Espargaro and Stefan Brald had an accident further back when they clashed with each other. After a perfect start, Jorge Martin, a two-time race winner at Misano, was in the lead. After a great Indian MotoGP weekend, Joan Mir dropped to fifth after making a mistake on lap three, as Martin extended his lead over Bagnaia. Mir, who was eighth at the time, crashed in lap 4's turn 3. On lap six, Johann Zarco dropped to sixth after an additional crash. Bezzecchi, however, had regained a point position after stealing one from Raul Fernandez. The Italian was still the fastest rider on the course, setting fast lap times.

MotoGP Bharat GP: Indian GP Sprint Result

Bezzecchi passed Vinales for seventh on the next lap and then closed the gap to Jack Miller for sixth a lap later. Aleix Espargaro's gruelling sprint finished in the gravel, outside the points, as he crashed on the penultimate corner of the Buddh International Circuit. With a daring late-braking move into turn four, Bezzecchi overtook Fabio Quartararo for fifth position, completing an incredible recovery.

History makers

The first-ever #TissotSprint podium finishers in India:

@88jorgemartin
@PeccoBagnaia
@marcmarquez93 #IndianGP pic.twitter.com/xIxEhbjn3p

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) September 23, 2023

Also Read: MotoGP: 2024 Indian GP Race to Take Place in India on October 6 at the Buddh International Circuit

Due to the previous rain, the afternoon's plans were altered, and a 'wet' practice was added right before the Sprint. Although the track was nearly dry by the end of the 15-minute session and improved further before the Sprint start, riders nonetheless voiced worries about wet spots in areas with important run-off and parts of the starting grid.

Also Read: MotoGP Bharat GP: Riders Praise Buddh International Circuit’s Technical Layout After Friday’s Indian GP

MotoGP Bharat GP: Indian GP Sprint Race Crash Result

Alex Marquez's qualifying crash left the field with only 21 riders, and after a few more brief delays to let the track dry, Martin took the lead out of Turn 1 from his second-place starting position. The pole-sitter was hit from behind by Marini, who was desperately trying to slow down his VR46 Ducati. While Marini was out of action, Bezzecchi finally rejoined the track.

LIGHTS OUT IN INDIA!

INSTANT DISASTER FOR BEZZECCHI AND @VR46RacingTeam #TissotSprint | #IndianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/nrQ6uzm2h2

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) September 23, 2023

Following in the footsteps of the Italian, Stefan Bradl made the same mistake, rear-ending both Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro, leaving only the rookie to continue the race on two wheels.  After Mir's solo crash in the middle stages, Johann Zarco of Martin's squad went down, and then Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia crashed out of the points. All the riders used medium-hard front slicks and soft-hard rear slicks for the first-ever MotoGP Bharat GP sprint race.