Jorge Martin delivered a commanding performance in the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP sprint race, securing a crucial victory that extended his lead over reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia. Martin, riding for Pramac, surged from fourth on the grid to overtake Bagnaia by the first corner and maintained his lead throughout the 13-lap race, finishing 1.495 seconds ahead. The victory marked his second sprint win of the season, giving him a 26-point cushion over Bagnaia heading into Sunday's Grand Prix.
Bagnaia, who had set a record-breaking lap to claim pole position, struggled with his start and couldn't regain his lead. Riding with injuries sustained in a crash the previous week, the two-time champion expressed frustration with his performance, acknowledging that his poor start left him playing catch-up. Despite finishing second, Bagnaia remains in a tough position as Martin's consistency has kept him ahead in the title race.
Martin, who last won a Grand Prix in May, has been a model of consistency, frequently finishing on the podium, and his sprint win further solidified his position as a strong contender for the MotoGP title. Reflecting on his performance, Martin said he felt confident for Sunday's race and credited his lightning-fast start for the sprint victory. His strong performance at Misano, where he won last year, reinforces his bid for a maiden title.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, who had been a double winner in the previous race at Aragon, struggled in Italy, finishing sixth in the sprint and falling further behind Martin in the standings. Marquez now finds himself 77 points off the lead, sharing third place in the championship with Enea Bastianini. Bagnaia will have another shot at closing the gap when the Misano circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna GP later this month.
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