MotoGP show in Australia: Zarco wins, Bagnaia 2nd, Martin 5th stops at the best moment

There was no shortage of excitement in MotoGP, even at the Australian Grand Prix. A week after Pecco Bagnai’s superb comeback from 13th place in his first MotoGP championship, there were new twists to be made. The race took place on Saturday following a bad weather warning, which also forced changes to the weekend programme. The sprint race will take place tomorrow, Sunday 22 October, at 4am Italian time, if conditions are right.

Frenchman Johann Zarco (Pramak) triumphed today, Saturday 21 October, at Phillip Island, taking his first career victory. The Frenchman was the first to take advantage of the tire crisis faced by Jorge Martin, who after dominating the race crashed on the final lap when his soft rear tire showed clear signs that it was no longer working. Pecco Bagnaia also jumped into the lead early on and with his second place finish he consolidated his lead at the World Championships, moving up to +27 over his Spanish rival.

Fabio Di Giannantonio took third place for his first career podium. In excellent form, he deserves to find a saddle that will allow him to remain in MotoGP, given that a certain Marc Marquez will join the Gresini Racing team in his place next year.

Fourth position goes to Binder (KTM), always fighting for positions that matter, author of a very good race, in which, however, in the end he remains at the foot of the podium. But the real disappointment of the day was once again Jorge Martin. After a crash last week when he was leading alone in Indonesia, today he was on track for further success but made a mistake with the resistance of his tyres. The choice of soft tires paid off at the start, but did not take the checkered flag.

Marco Bezzecchi is sixth, Enea Bastianini is tenth, Luca Marini is 12th. A bitter day for Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), 14th, and Marquez (Honda), 15th. There will be a sprint race tomorrow, Sunday 22 October at 4am, which may be canceled due to weather warnings. The Australian Grand Prix went ahead on Saturday taking into account the risks associated with possible bad weather. Other precious points will be up for grabs in this World Championship race, which is very close with 5 sprints and 4 races left until the end of the season.

1) Johann Zarco (Ducati)
2) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati)
3) Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati)
4) Brad Binder (KTM)
5) Jorge Martin (Ducati)
6) Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati)
7) Jack Miller (KTM)
8) Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia)
9) Alex Marquez (Ducati)
10) Enea Bastianini (Ducati)
11) Maverick Viñales (Aprilia)
12) Luca Marini (Ducati)
13) Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia)
14) Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha)
15) Marc Marquez (Honda)
16) Raul Fernandez (Aprilia)
17) Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha)
18) Pol Espargaro (GasGas)
19) Takaaki Nakagami (Honda)

Retreat

Joan Mir (Honda)
Augusto Fernandez (GasGas)