MotoGP has a new control

Francesco Bagnaia needed 42 races to take his first moto win in Aragon last weekend. There in Spain, the Italian had to finally open the button: yesterday the Ducati driver in Misano immediately followed up with his second success – and again the Italian was always on top from start to finish. “It took me a while to get my first win because something else kept coming up,” the 24-year-old said yesterday with a wide smile on his face. “Two wins in a row, that’s unbelievable to me.”

The longer the race continued in Misano, the more Bagnaia could feel Fabio Quartararo’s breath on his neck. On the soft rear tire, the Bagnaia was initially able to pull bullets, which collapsed with the tapering tire. “Fabio was in a slightly better position at the finish with the mid-frame, but it was still enough,” said Bagnaia, who saved 0.36sec.

Quartararo can live well with a runner-up. A look at the World Drivers’ Championship shows why. “I’m still 48 points ahead, so I have to keep my cool,” said the general leader. The Frenchman was also impressed by Bagnaia’s sudden dominance: “I loved fighting for victory, but Pecco (nickname Bagnaias; note) was in a league of his own. I don’t know how he does that with worn-out tires.”

Bastianini’s first podium

Right behind Quartararo, fellow Bagnaia and fellow brand Enea Bastianini landed on the World Championship podium for the first time in his debut season in MotoGP. “And in Misano of all places, it’s a magical place to me,” said the 23-year-old.

Former Spanish World Champion Marc Marquez finished fourth on his Honda, the Iberi trailing by more than ten seconds. The weekend didn’t go according to KTM’s plan. South African Brad Bender finished 10th in 9th after qualifying which was below average for Invertel.

For Italian superstar Valentino Rossi in his farewell season in his home race on Yamaha, that was just enough to finish 17th. Within a month, the 42-year-old favorite will have another chance, as Misano jumps on October 24. For the race that was canceled due to the Texas A.

Similar to MotoGP, the Moto2 race is over, with the second in the championship also winning the first. Spaniard Raul Fernandez led Calix with a double victory over Australian Remy Gardner and is only 34 points behind in the World Cup.

In Moto3, Denis Foggia (ITA/Honda) won by half a second over compatriot Niccol Antonelli (KTM). His fellow brand Pedro Acosta (ESP) finished seventh, but continues to clearly lead the championship standings. Maximilian Kofler of Attnang finished the race in 22nd place.