Francesco Bagnaia wins from 13th and retakes championship lead as Jorge Martin crashes out in dramatic race
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Updated 15/10/2023 at 08:02 GMT
An astonishing day in the 2023 MotoGP championship saw huge drama as pre-race leader Jorge Martin crashed out when it looked as if he was in complete control of the race. That opened the door for Francesco Bagnaia to not only take the championship lead but also the race win. Behind him Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo finished second and third respectively in a tense battle.
LOMBOK, INDONESIA - OCTOBER 15: Francesco Bagnaia of Italy and Ducati Lenovo Team wins the race during the Race of the MotoGP Pertamina Grand Prix on October 15, 2023 in Lombok, Indonesia. (Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Francesco Bagnaia came back from 13th on the grid to win the Indonesian Grand Prix and reclaim the title lead from Jorge Martin who crashed out of the race.
Martin was the early front runner after a rocket start and the race looked his for the taking, but, leading by three seconds, the Spaniard crashed out on Lap 13.
Maverick Vinales inherited the position initially, but Bagnaia was on the move and hit the front seven laps later.
He could not pull away from Vinales and both riders came under increasing pressure from Fabio Quatararo, who was the fastest rider on track in the late stages. Some tense and dramatic laps followed, but Bagnaia managed to hold on for the win, returning to the top of the title standings by 18 points over Martin.
Vinales fought off an attacking Quartararo for runner-up position.
More to follow...
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