Francesco Bagnaia won the penultimate race of the motorcycle season at Sepang ahead of fellow Ducati rider Enea Bastianini and championship rival Fabio Quartararo. However, the decision about the World Championship crown has been postponed: before the last race on November 6, the lead of the Italians over the French has increased to 23 points – there are 25 points for a win.
“We took a big step towards the world title,” Bagnaia knew what hit it. The 25-year-old is set to win the MotoGP title for the first time.
With his only remaining World Cup competitor, the disappointment about the almost lost World Cup chance was limited, after a string of bad luck and breakdowns, the joy about the first top three place since Spielberg outweighed it. “It’s good, it’s been a long time since I was on the podium. I got the maximum out of it,” said Quartararo, who was already looking at the season finale with one eye. “Even if the chance is very small, we brought the decision to Valencia.”
A preliminary decision was made in Sepang in dry conditions right after the start. Bagnaia, who had only started the race from ninth place, found himself in second place after just two corners. “I’ve had the best start of my life. It was just perfect,” said Bagnaia. When pole position man Jorge Martin in front of him crashed on lap seven, the Italian’s way to victory was clear.
“Can only say thank you”
Before the race, the deceased Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz was commemorated with one minute of applause instead of a minute’s silence. Red Bull is represented in the motorcycle world championship, among other things, as the main partner of the KTM works team. “All we can say is thank you. This man has made the dreams of more athletes come true than anyone else. His legacy will live forever,” said eighth-placed KTM rider Brad Binder. His works team-mate Miguel Oliveira ended up in 13th place.
Source: Nachrichten
