Jorge Martin revealed that his speed was very good at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday without changing the settings significantly. Brad Binder also watched his speed in the sprint in amazement, while Francesco Bagnaia settled for third place despite another defeat.
Jorge Martin took a confident sprint win at the Japanese Grand Prix after leading from the start to the finish line from pole position. Brad Bender finished the race in second place, but was unable to put pressure on the Pramac rider, although he was not threatened from behind either. Behind them, Francesco Bagnaia, whose overall lead was further reduced, was waved off.
Martin won his fifth race overall and third in a row, and his last by leading every lap. The day did not seem to start well for the Spanish driver, as he finished the second free practice in seventh place, 526 thousandths behind Marco Betsicchi, who set the fastest lap. However, he was aware of the context and ended up being right.
“I felt very strong during the race,” he said during interviews after the victory. “the morning.” [szabadedzésen] I wasn’t among the best, but I was riding on used tires, so I figured that was the reason. During the time trial, I saw that I was right and I made a great lap. We’re trying to work out the details, trying to understand [a motort]Because we didn’t change the settings much. We have found a very good foundation, and we are happy that the pace is very good. Tomorrow there will be more laps, we have to be a bit calmer, we have to control the tyres. I am happy and tomorrow we will strive to achieve another victory.”
Binder started the sprint race from fifth position, but thanks to his excellent start, he overtook Bezzecchi and Bagnaia, and even on the first lap pushed his teammate Jack Miller behind him. Since then, there has been no doubt about his second place, thus confirming his fourth place in the individual rankings.
Martin won the sprint race for the third time in a row, and Bagnaia finished third in Japan after a poor start.
“I got off to a great start and beat a few guys in the first round,” he began. – Then just behind, I approached Jack on the inside curve. Jorge’s speed was amazing, and I couldn’t believe the laps he was doing. It was a very good race, and I’m happy to stand on the podium again. The boys did a very impressive job, and the engine ran well. “We will try again tomorrow.”
Bagnaia lost position to both KTMs after the start, and for a while Marc Marquez got dangerously close to him. He then caught up with Miller, and although his first attempt was unsuccessful, he took advantage of his former teammate’s simple mistake to pass him. However, his advantage over Martin was only 8 points, and yet he considered himself satisfied.
“We should be happy, because frankly I didn’t expect more,” he said. “I had some problems with the back handle, but it was the limit anyway.” We have to be satisfied with what we achieved, so third place is good. Jorge is at his best, giving an excellent performance, but we have to be calm. Tomorrow will be different.”
In addition to the individual table, it is worth noting the World Manufacturers’ Championship, which is not very close. After Ducati’s win, KTM came in second, while Aprilia scored just one point with Maverick Vinales in ninth, and the Bologna manufacturer must score at least 19 points more than the Austrians in the race to mathematically secure first place. This can be achieved by one of their drivers winning, no KTMs finishing in the top nine, or the best rider finishing second, and the KTM riders finishing a maximum of fifteenth.
