Francesco Bagnaia alone in the world in Assen. The Italian won the sprint race of the Dutch MotoGP Grand Prix on Saturday ahead of Spaniard Jorge Martin, on whom he is closing the gap separating them in the MotoGP world championship. On his official Ducati, Bagnaia, who started in pole position, did not give details, finishing more than two seconds ahead of Martin, riding the Ducati of the semi-official Pramac team.
“It’s always incredible to win here in Assen“, underlined “Pecco” Bagnaia who has already won on the legendary Dutch circuit in 2022 and 2023. “It’s only Saturday but we are very happy with this victory and we are confident for tomorrow“Sunday and the Grand Prix.”After yesterday’s (Friday) difficulties, I didn’t expect to be on the podium today. We worked a lot but Pecco was on another planet and I couldn’t follow him“, admits Jorge Martin.
Third place went to Spaniard Maverick Vinales (Aprilia). Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) finished seventh and scored three points in the championship. As for Marc Marquez, third in the championship, he fell heavily on the second lap of the race on his Ducati-Gresini, without any damage to him. In the world championship, Martin now has only a 15-point lead over Bagnaia, compared to 18 before this race. The double 2022/2023 world champion will have another opportunity to reduce the gap, or even take command, during the Grand Prix on Sunday, which will see the winner gain 25 points to 20 for his second.
 wins the sprint race and closes his gap on Martin (Pramac)){kind=link}