MotoGP Spanish GP: Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia Wins Last-Lap Scrap to Take Jerez Grand Prix

The Sunday race of the Spanish GP, like the sprint race on Saturday, was red-flagged on the first lap. After championship leader Marco Bezzecchi crashed out, the Ducati rider held off a relentless Binder to win his second grand prix of the year and reclaim the top spot in the standings. Jack Miller got off to a fast start on the factory KTM as Aleix Espargaro dropped from first to second. Red flags were waived after a collision involving Fabio Quartarao, Marco Bezzecchi, and Miguel Oliveira at Turn 2. Fabio and Oliviera were knocked out as Bezzecchi continued, and Oliviera ended up with a dislocated shoulder. Bagnaia battled KTM's Brad Binder and Jack Miller for the whole of the 24-lap Spanish GP before finally taking the lead on lap 21. This is Oliveira's second severe accident of the season, the first occurred a few races ago in Portimao.

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MotoGP Spanish GP: Race After Red Flag

Fabio was declared fit to continue racing after the red flag, and the race restarted with the original grid order. The Frenchman, though, was given a lengthy lap penalty that he erroneously served. Franco Morbidelli, another Yamaha rider, crashed during Saturday's race and was also given a lengthy penalty lap.

As soon as the race was restarted, Brad Binder took the lead, with teammate Jack Miller close behind. For the fourth time this weekend, Aleix Espargaro started first but fell down in the standings thereafter. In contrast to the sprint, when he suffered an injury due to a fall, the Spaniard finished in a solid fifth place. His teammate Maverick Vinales was also not doing well and finished outside the top 10. Unfortunately, on the final lap, the chain came off his bike and he was forced to drop out.

MotoGP Spanish GP: Race Result

The battle between the two KTMs at the head of the pack was exciting to witness. However, Brad kept his lead intact. Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin rode their Ducatis close behind them. Miller collided with Bagnaia and Martin but still managed to place third. Despite his best efforts, he was eventually passed by Bagnaia on Lap 15 due to a series of errors on his part. 

However, KTM's improvements to their machines were on display this weekend in Jerez, as they took podium spots in both the sprint and main race. They could also compete in battle with the Ducatis, and their tyres held up well. Brad Binder and Jack Miller have moved up to third and fourth place, respectively, in the Riders' Championship thanks to their performances this weekend.

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Bagnaia returned to the top of the podium after failing to cross the finish line in his previous two events. After a tense final few laps of racing with Binder, he was able to pull away and finish first. Jorge Martin, another Ducati rider, came in fourth. The two Gresini riders, Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, also scored well, placing eighth and twelfth overall. Luca Marini was in ninth place at the start but sixth place at the finish.

After the restart, several riders crashed, with Alex Rins being the first to return to the track before eventually retiring. Joan Mir crashed again on the second lap after the restart, continuing his terrible 2023. On Lap 17, both Johann Zarco and Marco Bezzecchi crashed into the gravel. Bezzecchi, who was leading the Riders' Championship before the race, dropped to second place since he did not accumulate any points.