If you haven’t seen it, look for the images (right here in this chronicle): the end of the French GP race was tremendous, heart-stopping, one of those movie endings that force you to hold your breath, and it’s over. leading by strength and conviction a Jorge Martín who this year smells like a champion.
The Pramac Ducati rider from Madrid won over the two best riders on the grid, multiple champion Marc Márquez, who offered another brutal comeback, again from 13th to 2nd like on Saturday, with a trademark last overtake about Bagnaia; and the two-time champion, who was the most defeated in the three-way duel.
“These two had something more in the last laps, I tried,” Pecco Bagnaia bowed to the strength of Martín and Márquez.
“It was another very good comeback,” admitted Marc. “I tried to overtake Pecco for five laps, I couldn’t, and in the last chicane I said to myself ‘Oh, I’m going to try,’” smiled the man from Cervera, who with His third second place in a row now pushes him up to third place in the World Cup, 40 points behind Martín, the leader. Bagnaia is second at 38.
On this occasion, Bagnaia came out in a flash. Nothing to do with Saturday’s erratic start in the Sprint. The champion surprised Martín, who lost the privilege of pole and had to content himself with chasing the red Ducati. Behind, Marc Márquez jumped again, but not as much: from 13th to 8th.
Aleix Espargaró’s good start was surprising, as he placed third, ahead of Di Giannantonio and Viñales. Pedro Acosta, eager to make amends, was capable of the best and the worst: he reached fifth place by overtaking Viñales, but crashed a lap later (v. 3) while trying to overtake Di Giannantonio.
Marc Márquez took it more calmly this time, but with consistency to overtake. On the fourth lap he was already 6th after overtaking Bastianini and was on the heels of Viñales’ Aprilia, which he launched a first attack on lap 7/27. The man from Roses repelled him, closing the gap and recovering his position.
In front, Bagnaia and Martín, close together, matched times and movements, and were 6-7 tenths away from Aleix Espargaró (v. 10/27), who was losing pace and was overtaken by Di Giannantonio, Viñales and Márquez (v. . eleven).
Meanwhile, Bagnaia increasingly printed a stronger rhythm that Martín could not follow. The Italian opened a gap of 5 tenths in just two laps (v. 12). In turn, the man from Madrid was 1.1 seconds away from Di Giannatonio (v. 15).
The animation came from behind. Marc Márquez went on the attack and overtook Maverick Viñales (v. 15) with a slight touch included in turn 8, to conquer fourth position.
The Catalan was encouraged, and two laps later he sank his teeth into Di Giannantonio to take third position, but Fabio defended himself well, Marc had to lift the wheel and return to the charge. It didn’t take long: a few corners later he launched another attack, Di Giannantonio went wide due to the pressure and Marc conquered third place (v. 18/27).
There were 9 laps left and Marc had the two escapees within 2 seconds. Would it reach Martín and Bagnaia? Just in case, Jorge Martín took the initiative and began attacking Pecco in search of victory. The Madrid native (v. 20) put his Ducati into the champion, but the Italian scrambled well and prepared the exit of the corner better. In lap 21 he tried again at the 3-4 chicane and consolidated the overtake to take first place. Behind, Márquez was only 4 tenths closer (v. 21).
With five laps remaining, Márquez had already caught up with them, stepping on Bagnaia’s wheel. There was a three-way duel for victory, the promised spectacle, the three Ducati looking for victory.
Hostilities broke out with three rounds remaining. Bagnaia launched the attack, Martín defended himself, and Márquez was on the lookout in case there was a fall ahead.
With two laps to go, Bagnaia was considering the attack, Marc was dropping a few meters.
Last lap: the three musketeers were close together, folding the three motorcycles in just 10 meters. Marc dared to attack in the last chicane, went inside and overtook Bagnaia, taking second place from him, while Martín opened a gap and finished off his victory.
A beautiful MotoGP outcome. Three great pilots giving away a fight to the limit for victory.
