MotoGP Italy Sprint: Redemption at Mugello for Bagnaia

Francesco Bagnaia achieved redemption by winning the Sprint at Ducati’s home circuit in Mugello, finishing ahead of Marc Marquez and Tech 3’s Pedro Acosta. After nearly securing a win at the Catalunya Grand Prix before crashing out, the local favourite clinched his first Sprint victory of the season. Unfortunately for pole sitter Jorge Martin, he crashed out of the Sprint with just six laps remaining.

MotoGP Italy Sprint: The stuff champions are made of

If there was ever a chink in Pecco Bagnaia’s armour then it’s the Sprint race. The Ducati man has been unlucky or never really got the flying start. Bagnaia decided to silence the critics on his home turf with a dream start. In fact, both the factory Ducati riders launched into the top two positions before the first turn.

While Bagnaia was extended his lead, there was a fierce battle between teammate Enea Bastianini and Pramac’s Martin. Bastianini, initially, got the better of Martin, but the latter clawed back to take P2. The battle intensified, and in an attempt to dodge the gravel, the Ducati rider swerved back onto the track, colliding with Martin. Bastianini was out of the race, and the stewards declared it a racing incident and issued no penalties. Unaffected by the turmoil, the reigning champion remained comfortably ahead and finished 1.4 seconds ahead of Marquez, narrowing Martin’s championship lead.

MotoGP Italy Sprint: Marquez on a mission

Marc Marquez was on the hunt for a podium finish, if not win the Sprint. After having a lacklustre start to the race, the Gresini man was breathing down KTM’s Brad Binder’s neck to take back the fourth position. The KTM may be one of the quickest motorcycles on the grid, but on the straights, nothing rivals the blistering pace of the Ducati, and Marquez’s Gresini bike was no exception. He passed the South African and set his sights on Martin.

The crash involving Bastianini and Martin only advanced Marquez’s position, as he quickly caught up with and passed the Pramac rider. The Gresini racer secured P2 as Martin’s front wheel lost grip, sending him into the gravel at the San Donato turn. In the race’s final moments, Marquez attempted to pressure Bagnaia, but the Ducati rider remained composed and clinched the Sprint victory.

MotoGP Italy Sprint: Acosta shows his mettle

Shortly after officially announcing his transfer to the KTM factory team for 2025, Pedro Acosta had a swift start and maintained a consistent presence in the top five. He engaged in some light jostling with his future teammate Binder, yet the rookie overtook him and closed in on Martin. Following the Parmac rider’s crash, Acosta secured a relatively unchallenged podium finish, while Franco Morbidelli trailed at a distant fourth.

Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales and Binder both experienced a disappointing day, with the former unable to capitalize on his front-row start and the latter losing speed after a strong start. The Spaniard finished in fifth place, just ahead of the KTM rider. The top ten was rounded out by Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46, Alex Marquez, Aleix Espargaro, and Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse.