Bagnaia Targets Championship Leader Martin in Milestone 100th MotoGP at Misano

Posted : 20 September 2024

Francesco Bagnaia is gearing up for his 100th MotoGP race this weekend at Misano Adriatico, as he targets championship leader Jorge Martin. With only a seven-point gap between the two riders, Bagnaia is determined to capitalize on his home advantage at the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP, which replaced the cancelled Kazakhstan race. The defending champion is eager to close the gap after a strong performance at the San Marino GP two weeks ago, where he gained 19 points on Martin. The Pramac rider made a critical error by pitting early, anticipating rain that never came, allowing Bagnaia to reduce the deficit despite finishing behind Marc Marquez.

Bagnaia reflected on the San Marino race, noting that Martin's decision to pit gave him an opportunity to gain points. Although he pushed hard for the win, he eventually focused on securing the maximum points available. Meanwhile, Martin acknowledged the pressure Bagnaia's proximity brings, but emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes. As the season reaches its final stages, Martin faces not only Bagnaia but also a resurgent Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini. Marquez, after two consecutive wins, sits third in the standings, 53 points behind Martin, and is in contention for his seventh world title.

Marquez's recent success, particularly his victory from ninth on the grid, has made him a serious contender once again. His confidence has grown with each race, and a third consecutive win at Misano, where he’s had past success, is within reach. Bagnaia, on the other hand, is benefiting from improved physical condition following an earlier injury at the Aragon GP. Misano is a familiar track for him, where he trains regularly, but he hasn't won there since 2022. Marquez’s impressive form in the last two races has added an extra layer of competition.

Adding to the tension is the upcoming dynamic between Bagnaia and Marquez, as Marquez is set to join Ducati’s factory team next year. The prospect is intriguing, particularly in light of the rocky history between Marquez and Bagnaia's mentor, Valentino Rossi. Rossi recently referred to Marquez as a "dirty" rider, recalling their heated rivalry in 2015. Bagnaia has chosen not to comment on Rossi’s remarks, focusing instead on Ducati’s potential to clinch their fifth consecutive constructor's title this weekend. With five GPs remaining, Ducati leads KTM by 229 points and could seal the title if their advantage extends beyond 222 points by the end of the race.

Bagnaia Targets Championship Leader Martin in Milestone 100th MotoGP at Misano

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