Francesco Bagnaia managed to keep the MotoGP title fight alive until the final day of the season. His victory in the Sprint Race at the Solidarity GP of Barcelona reduced the points gap to championship leader Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati), ensuring the Ducati rider still has a shot at the crown.
Reflecting on his Sprint Race, Bagnaia shared: ‘I just missed a bit the first braking, because I had too much margin. But as soon as I saw it, I was trying to cross their lines to be leading, and my pace was good enough to open the gap and just enjoying the moment because then without pushing that much, I was opening the gap the same. So, everything was fine’.
After dominating qualifying and the Sprint Race, Bagnaia feels he fulfilled his task: ‘I did what I needed to do: pole position, then I won the Sprint. I just hoped that more riders were in the mix, but we know that our potential now and all the season, was that every time we’ve been second – not worse – even with troubles. Because we are in another level. I think Enea [Bastianini] did a very good job, but for tomorrow I need something extra again’.
The reigning 2022 and 2023 champion acknowledged that he anticipates limited interference from Aprilia and Aleix Espargaró in Martín’s campaign, while suggesting his rival might play it safe: ‘He’s friends with Jorge’s – they are more than friends, because their relationship is incredible. And also because Jorge will go to Aprilia next year, and they would like to have the number 1 in the box. So, it’s a mix; they will never attack or overtake Jorge in any case, and I need to know it. So, for tomorrow let’s see. Whatever happens, happens. But I expect a race like today: Jorge cruising without taking risks. He has a lot of margin, because if I win, he can finish ninth, so I’m in a quite difficult situation’.
Finally, Bagnaia said: ‘For tomorrow it will be different, because I think we will have to change the rear tyre – the soft is too soft and we could have some problems in the last laps’.