The 11-lap race kicked off with a spectacular display of skill and strategy as the factory Ducatis roared to the front. Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia took the lead from teammate Enea Bastianini, showcasing the dominance of the Ducati team from the outset.
A Strong Start for Factory Ducatis
From the start, it was clear that the factory Ducatis were in top form. Polesitter Jorge Martin initially led the pack, but it didn’t take long for Bagnaia and Bastianini to overtake him. This early lead set the stage for an intense battle as the race progressed.
KTM’s Brad Binder Makes a Bold Move
KTM’s Brad Binder made an impressive leap from 14th on the grid to 4th position. His aggressive start paid off, positioning him just behind Martin. This significant jump was a testament to Binder’s skill and the capabilities of his KTM bike.
Marc Marquez’s Tactical Play
Marc Marquez, starting strong but quickly losing a place, found himself in 5th position. As the race continued, Marquez’s tactical approach began to play out, showing his experience and strategic mindset.
Lap 3: The Turning Point
Heading into lap three, the competition heated up. Bastianini was on a mission to reclaim the second position he had lost to Martin. However, his aggressive maneuver at the exit of Turn 1 saw him go too deep. As he tried to return to the racing line, he collided with Martin’s Pramac Ducati. This contact sent Bastianini’s factory-run GP24 sliding into the gravel, marking a significant turning point in the race.
Race Incident Investigation
The collision between Bastianini and Martin was quickly investigated. Despite the dramatic crash, both riders were cleared of any wrongdoing. This decision kept the focus on the intense battle unfolding on the track rather than off-track controversies.
Martin Gains Breathing Space
With Bastianini out of the race, Martin found some breathing space. However, this respite was short-lived. Marc Marquez, riding his year-old GP23, was closing in fast, adding pressure on Martin.
Marquez Closes the Gap
By lap five, Marquez made his move. After an initial unsuccessful attempt, he managed to overtake Martin going into the opening right-hander on the next lap. This move secured Marquez’s second position, setting his sights on the leader, Bagnaia.
Bagnaia’s Commanding Lead
By this stage, Bagnaia had established a 1.3-second lead. With half the sprint race over, this seemed like a comfortable advantage. However, Marquez’s relentless pursuit brought the gap down by half a second with four laps to go, injecting fresh excitement into the race.
The Final Showdown
Despite Marquez’s efforts, Bagnaia managed to break away in the closing stages. His skillful riding and strategic management of the race allowed him to secure his first sprint win since the previous year’s Austrian GP. This victory ended his streak of poor Saturday results in 2024, reaffirming his status as a top contender.
Pedro Acosta’s Impressive Performance
The final podium spot went to GasGas Tech3 rookie Pedro Acosta. Earlier on Saturday, Acosta was announced as a factory KTM rider for 2025, and he proved his worth by moving up to third place. This was facilitated by Martin’s fall at the start of lap eight, marking Martin’s second major mistake of 2024.
Franco Morbidelli’s Best Result of 2024
Franco Morbidelli enjoyed his best result of the season on the sole-remaining Pramac Ducati. His performance was a highlight, demonstrating resilience and skill. Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales finished fifth on the top Aprilia, recovering from a slow start.
Brad Binder’s Strong Finish
Despite his impressive start, Brad Binder finished sixth, four seconds behind KTM stablemate Acosta. Fabio Di Giannantonio guided his VR46 Aprilia to seventh place, showcasing consistent performance.
Top Ten Finishes
- Alex Marquez (Gresini) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia): Eighth and ninth respectively.
- Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse): Completed the top ten.
Mid-Field Battles
Jack Miller (KTM) and Marco Bezzecchi (VR46) took 11th and 12th positions, respectively. Yamaha’s Alex Rins, recovering from a poor start, climbed from 17th to finish 13th.
Pol Espargaro’s Wildcard Outing
Pol Espargaro, in a wildcard outing for KTM, secured 14th place. Johann Zarco was the only finisher inside the top 15 for Honda after factory rider Joan Mir crashed out.
Fabio Quartararo’s Early Exit
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, another former champion, retired early after an incident with Miguel Oliveira. Oliveira lost control of his Trackhouse Aprilia at Turn 10, ending Quartararo’s race on lap two.
Martin’s Championship Lead Narrows
After his crash, Martin’s lead in the championship standings is now down to just 27 points over Bagnaia. This sets the stage for an even more thrilling battle in the upcoming grand prix.
Key Takeaways
- Ducati’s Dominance: Bagnaia and Bastianini’s strong start highlighted Ducati’s dominance in the race.
- Marquez’s Tactical Mastery: Despite an initial setback, Marquez showcased his strategic prowess by securing second place.
- Acosta’s Rising Star: Pedro Acosta’s performance underscored his potential as a future factory KTM rider.
- Critical Mistakes: Martin’s crash marked his second major error of the season, impacting his championship lead.
- Resilient Performances: Riders like Franco Morbidelli and Maverick Vinales demonstrated resilience, securing top positions despite challenges.
This 11-lap race was a showcase of skill, strategy, and thrilling competition, setting the stage for an exciting grand prix ahead.
