- 2023-10-02
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Japanese GP: Jorge Martin Wins Shortened Race in Wet Conditions at Motegi
Motul Grand Prix of Japan watched Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) claimed victory at the Mobility Resort Motegi after heavy rain saw red flags deployed twice on October 1, 2023.
The race was completed just 12 of the scheduled 24 laps.
The Sprint Race winner took his third victory of the season, following German GP and San Marino GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) finished 2nd. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) completed 3rd, which is his first podium since the 2022 Australian GP.
Marco Bezzecch (Mooney VR46 Ducati), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) finished 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively.
Despite rain beginning to fall moments before the start of the race, riders stuck to dry tyres.
But most of riders pitted for a bike swap on lap one. Then, all riders changed to their wet bikes.
However, conditions deteriorated as the rain intensified, the red flags were waved at the end of lap 13.
After sending riders back out on circuit following a 20 minute delay, the race was cut short again as the rain became heavier on the warm-up lap, and the race was declared over.
Jorge Martin said, “It was complicated, difficult to maintain the calm. But it was the same for everybody. It was risky, the first lap, because we were on the slicks. I was in first position and, normally, this is the first to crash. At that point, at Turn 11, I led Miller then Pecco overtook me. I could see what they were doing. I changed my bike, it was a good change, I was the first of the wet guys. I almost crashed at corner 3, then again at 6 or 7, but I was able to recover the positions and keep pushing. My first victory in the wet, I’m super happy, I’m competitive in all conditions. I used to be quite competitive in wet conditions then I struggled in MotoGP. I'm happy that I’ve finally found a feeling with the bike that allows me to be competitive in all conditions. I have a lot of confidence. For the rest of the season there is not a track where I struggle. Let’s go for a good result, to be consistent, and let’s see what they bring.”
Motul Grand Prix of Japan Race Results- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / 24m 6.314s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / +1.413s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +2.013s
- Marco Bezzecch / Mooney VR46 Ducati / +2.943s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +3.181s
- Jack Miller / Red Bull KTM / +6.837s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / +7.587s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / +8.602s
- Raul Fernandez / RNF Aprilia / +11.229s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +12.244s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +14.714s
- Joan Mir / Repsol Honda / +14.924s
- Cal Crutchlow / Yamalube RS4GP / +16.057s
- Stefan Bradl / LCR Honda / +17.253s
- Pol Espargaro / Tech3 GASGAS / +24.921s
- Michele Pirro / Ducati Lenovo / +33.962s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha / +74.934s
- Miguel Oliveira / RNF Aprilia / +1 lap
- Maverick Viñales / Aprilia Racing / +1 lap
Photo by MotoGP- source : MotoGP
