Enea Bastianini wins the MotoGP Sprint in Thailand! Jorge Martin gains two points on Bagnaia.
The Thai festivities continue at the Buriram circuit: following last night’s qualifying, where Pecco Bagnaia took pole position, MotoGP returns to the track for the third-to-last Sprint of 2024. And the Saturday race victory goes to a brilliant Enea Bastianini, who dominated from the start, seizing the lead in Turn 1 and holding it all the way to the checkered flag.
Joining him on the podium are Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia: the two title contenders stayed close on track, but Bagnaia conceded another two points, widening his deficit in the standings to -22.
Marc Marquez finished fourth, followed by his brother Alex, Morbidelli, and the VR46 duo of Bezzecchi and Di Giannantonio in seventh and eighth positions.
Race Highlights
THE START – Bagnaia got off to a strong start, but Martin braked late into Turn 1, dropping to 5th place and allowing Bastianini and Pecco to take the lead. Marquez and Acosta also did well, taking 3rd and 4th. At the beginning of the second lap, Martin began his comeback, overtaking Acosta.
Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini extended his lead, pulling 1.1 seconds ahead of the rest of the grid by Lap 5. Behind him, Martin was the fastest, passing Marquez and then Bagnaia, which gave him a provisional +22 lead in the championship.
There was, however, a big risk for Martin: he appeared to have touched the green track limits a second time, which would have meant a long lap penalty. However, no sensors detected it, so no penalty was issued despite visuals suggesting otherwise. No further surprises followed: Bastianini won, followed by Martin and Bagnaia.
Photo: Ducati Corse