MotoGP Malaysia 2024: Martin gets closer to title thanks to sprint victory after Bagnaia crash

Jorge Martin claimed a huge sprint win at the 2024 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix following the crash of title rival Francesco Bagnai.

After both players traded blows in a thrilling qualifying session, with Bagnaia taking pole position, Martin tipped the scales in his favor in a 10-lap sprint.

Martin, who was pitted from second on the grid, led Bagnaia for the first two laps before the reigning champion crashed in turn nine during the third round.

After her eighth DNF race victory this year and Martin’s victory in the Sepang sprint, Bagnaia dropped 29 points in the standings.

Five minutes before the lights went out, a very short rain fell, but in the end it had no effect and the race took place on a dry surface.

To become world champion, Martin now needs to overtake Bagnaia by nine points on Sunday.

Marc Marquez recovered from a difficult weekend to take second place in the Gresini-organized GP23, while Enea Bastianini inherited the final podium spot after Ducati teammate Bagnai’s crash.

Off the line, Bagnaia and Martin entered Turn 1 side-by-side, with the latter holding tight on the inside of Turn 1.

Bagnaia tried to push hard on the outside into turn two, but Martin held on to the lead and Marquez jumped from fifth to third.

Coming out of Turn 9 on the first lap, Bagnaia lightly pressed the throttle, giving Martin a few bike lengths advantage while Marquez towered over the factory Ducati.

There were no changes on the second lap, while on the third lap Bagnaia failed to come across Turn 9 as he pushed the front end along the way.

This gave Martin an advantage of 0.9 seconds over Marquez, and as a result, Bastianini climbed to the podium.

This order never changed, with Martin at the end having an advantage of 0.913 seconds over Marquez, with Bastianini a further 1.097 seconds behind.

Alex Marquez was fourth on the sister Gresini GP23 and Fabio Quartararo was fifth on the factory Yamaha.

Franco Morbidelli was sixth on the Pramac Ducati, with Brad Binder leading the KTM in seventh, ahead of teammate Jack Miller.

Tech3 GASGAS newcomer Pedro Acosta put enormous pressure on Miller in the final laps, but he failed to advance to ninth.

Marco Bezzecchi lost the points in 10th on the VR46 Ducati, while Aleix Espargaro was the leading Aprilia in 12th.

Luca Marini finished the leading Honda race in 15th position, while LCR’s Johann Zarco retired from the race on lap eight with a mechanical problem.