Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez won the Australian Grand Prix after a breathtaking battle with Jorge Martin who took the opportunity to slightly increase his championship lead over Francesco Bagnaia, third on Sunday.
The two Spaniards dominated the race, engaging in a fierce battle that turned to the advantage of the Ducati-Gresini rider, who crossed the finish line almost a second ahead of the Ducati-Pramac rider.
However, Marquez started the race badly. Just before the start, he removed one of the plastic protections from his visor which became lodged just under his rear wheel, causing it to skid spectacularly when the lights went out.
Martin started in pole position
He was suddenly overtaken by many other competitors and found himself seventh at the end of the first lap while Martin, who started in pole position, led followed by Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati VR46) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati).
The world championship leader quickly got rid of Bagnaia while Bezzecchi fell. But, like the day before during the sprint race won by Martin, Marquez began a relentless comeback, returning to third place after seven laps behind Bagnaia whom he attacked immediately, the two drivers closing in on Martin.
The three drivers then launched into a bitter battle, their pursuers quickly being relegated to almost four seconds. However, the Italian was gradually being taken away by the two Spaniards who were fighting alone in the lead.
“A big insect on my visor”
If Martin managed to resist Marquez’s pressure until four laps to the checkered flag, the six-time world champion overtook him without firing a shot, the Ducati-Pramac rider having to let Marquez slip away.
“I had a big insect on my visor and I removed the tear-off which ended up under my wheel. I tried to get it off, but it was impossible and I skidded at the start. I then thought it would be impossible to catch Martin but I quickly overtook several drivers while trying not to wear out my rear tire too much,” said an overjoyed Marquez after the finish.
Martin didn’t seem too disappointed. “It was a difficult race and it was very windy. But when I was overtaken by Pecco (Bagnaia) I increased the pace. I then fought with Marquez. He had nothing to lose and I didn’t want to take too many risks,” confided the Pramac rider who is keeping his eyes fixed on his first MotoGP title.
The French 9th and 12th
But Bagnaia doesn’t see it that way and stressed on Sunday that the next two races will take place on tracks he prefers (Thailand and Malaysia) before the final in Valencia, Spain, at Martin and… Marquez. “They did a better job than us,” he noted on Sunday after the Australian race, looking somewhat disappointed.
Arriving at Phillip Island with a ten-point lead over Bagnaia, Jorge Martin now has double that with three rounds remaining, with Marc Marquez following, behind, with 345 points.
On the French side, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) finished ninth, while Johann Zarco (Honda-LCR) came 12th.
