- 2023-09-24
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Indian GP: Jorge Martin Wins Sprint Race, Marco Bezzecchi Takes Pole Position in India
The Round 13 of MotoGP 2023, IndianOil Grand Prix of India took place at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, India on September 23, 2023.
In Qualifying, Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Ducati) took his third pole position of the season, following British GP.
Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) was 2nd behind Marco Bezzecchi by 0.043s. Followed by, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) finished 3rd and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Ducati) was 4th. This result Ducati leads 1-2-3-4 in Qualifying.
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) advanced to Q2 from Q1 for the fist time this season and were 5th and 6th, respectively.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) will provisionally line up 12th, but did not take part in Q2 having crashed at the end of Q1.
Marco Bezzecchi said, “It was really tough. We struggled a bit yesterday. This morning I felt better on the bike ... I am very happy for this pole position. I want to dedicate this pole to a friend of mine that unfortunately left us a couple of days ago.”
The Sprint Race started at 5pm local time after a long delay to help dry up the starting grid.
Jorge Martin claimed back-to-back victories following San Marino GP and marks his fourth wins of 2023. He dominated the race, leading from start to finish.
Francesco Bagnaia finished 2nd ahead of Marc Marquez, who took his second podium this year, following Portuguese GP.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) was 4th. Pole sitter Marco Bezzecchi dropped to the rear of the pack after being hit by team-mate Luca Marini beginning of the race, but was getting back into the points on lap 6, finally finished 5th.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM),
Luca Marini, Pol Espargaro (Tech3 GASGAS), and Stefan Bradl (CR Honda) crashed out at turn 1 on the first lap.
Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) also couldn't finish the race after a slow crash at Turn 3.
Jorge Martin said, “It was tricky and stressful because of the conditions. The last practice before the race was quite complicated, but I understood why. Straight away I started well and put a good pace in the track and then I tried to control the gap between me and Pecco [Bagnaia], to try to get more information for tomorrow. The moments before the race were difficult because there was a lot of time in the box, and it was difficult to concentrate. But finally, everything went well. I had a great start, and that was my plan. I gained half a second in the first lap, and then I tried to push more to increase the gap. With the low temperature, it was nice to ride. I am the best so far in my career but hope to keep improving.”
IndianOil Grand Prix of India Qualifying Results- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / 1'43.947s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +0.043s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +0.256s
- Luca Marini / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +0.268s
- Joan Mir / Repsol Honda / +0.507s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +0.522s
- Johann Zarco / Pramac Ducati / +0.568s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +0.777s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +0.794s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +0.803s
- Raul Fernandez / RNF Aprilia / +1.247s
- Alex Marquez / Gresini Ducati / No Time
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / 1'44.529s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / 1'44.651s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / 1'44.735s
- Jack Miller / Red Bull KTM / 1'45.03s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha / 1'45.037s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / 1'45.066s
- Miguel Oliveira / RNF Aprilia / 1'45.375s
- Pol Espargaro / Tech3 GASGAS / 1'45.452s
- Stefan Bradl / LCR Honda / 1'45.517s
- Michele Pirro / Ducati Lenovo / 1'46.147s
IndianOil Grand Prix of India Sprint Race Results- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / 19m 18.836s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +1.389s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +2.405s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +2.904s
- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +3.266s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +4.327s
- Jack Miller / Red Bull KTM / +7.172s
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +8.798s
- Raul Fernandez / RNF Aprilia / +10.530s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / +10.826s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / +11.456s
- Miguel Oliveira / RNF Aprilia / +15.415s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +17.437s
- Michele Pirro / Ducati Lenovo / +23.714s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha
Photo by MotoGP- source : MotoGP
