Marquez takes a slight lead
Finally, Marc Marquez has improved his pace. He is less than a second behind Bastianini and now has a one-second lead over Martin.
Acosta makes his move
Acosta is pushing hard without making any mistakes. He is seven-tenths ahead of Pecco Bagnaia.
Martin closes in on Marquez
Jorge Martin is expected to catch up with Marc Marquez by the end of the race, with a gap of five-tenths between the two riders.
Drivers maintain their distances
Acosta keeps his distance from Bagnaia and Bastianini. Behind Marquez, there is a gap of 1.3 seconds, and Martin is trailing Marquez by seven-tenths. Morbidelli is closely following Martin. Currently, there are no battles on track, which is quite surprising for a sprint race.
Long lap for Zarco
Johann Zarco is forced to take a long lap. This will not significantly affect his race as he is currently in 17th place, and points are awarded only to the top 9 finishers.
Nakagami falls
Nakagami has fallen after being pushed by Zarco in the first sector. Things are not going well for Johann today, as he is also under investigation.
Marquez fails to close the gap
Marc Marquez is unable to close the gap on Bastianini.
Quartararo struggles
Fabio Quartararo is having a difficult race, currently in 14th place after starting from 12th. In contrast, Martin is performing well and is currently in 5th place.
Brad Binder retires
Brad Binder is experiencing a technical issue and is no longer able to advance. He raises his hand to signal the problem to his fellow competitors.
Acosta takes the lead
Pedro Acosta has successfully followed Bagnaia and overtook him at turn 6.
Marquez passes Martin
At turn 10, Marc Marquez overtakes Jorge Martin to secure 5th place.
Joan Mir involved in an incident
Joan Mir crashed in the last sector. He managed to get back on track but will be in last place. Johann Zarco collided with him after a battle and is currently in 20th place.
14min ago
start of the race
Excellent start for the Ducatis
Here we go! Pecco Bagnaia had the best start and took the lead in the race, followed by Enea Bastianini. Acosta, who started on pole, is in 3rd place. Jorge Martin had an excellent start and is already in 5th place, ahead of Marc Marquez. Vinales, who started in 3rd, has dropped to 11th. He completely missed his opportunity.
Start of the warm-up lap
The riders have set off for the warm-up lap. The sprint race will consist of 12 laps. If he gets a good start, Marc Marquez, known for his speed at Motegi, may have an advantage on this slippery track.
Quartararo and Zarco: relevant sunlight?
On their Japanese motorcycles, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Honda) find reasons for optimism, though they remain cautious…
The fall of Martinator in qualifying on video
Rain and a slippery track
Rain has started to fall at the Motegi circuit. The second Moto2 qualifying session was interrupted. Currently, no tire changes are expected, and the race will likely be held on slick tires. Updates to follow…
Thrilling Moments from the MotoGP at Motegi
Podium Contenders Showcase Their Skills
Marquez Takes the Lead
Finally, Marc Marquez improves his pace. He is less than a second behind Bastianini and is now 1 second ahead of Martin, positioning himself strongly as the laps progress.
Acosta’s Stellar Performance
Acosta pushes without making mistakes. He is now 7 tenths ahead of Pecco Bagnaia, showcasing his determination to lead the pack.
Strategies and Tactics During the Race
Martin Closes the Gap
Jorge Martin is closing in on Marc Marquez, with just 5 tenths separating the two riders. This strategic move could prove crucial as the race edges closer to its end.
Drivers Struggle to Make Progress
Despite their efforts, Acosta maintains his gap over Bagnaia and Bastianini. Meanwhile, Marquez stands 1.3 seconds ahead of Martin, with Morbidelli trailing closely behind.
Key Incidents and Challenges on Track
Zarco’s Long Lap Penalty
Johann Zarco is forced to take a long lap, impacting his race as he currently sits in 17th place, far from point-scoring positions.
Nakagami’s Fall
Nakagami faces a setback after being pushed by Zarco and falling in the first sector. His struggle compounds the misfortunes on the track.
Marc Marquez’s Challenge
Marquez fails to catch up with Bastianini, demonstrating the fierce competition among the top riders.
The Race Dynamics: Who’s Winning and Who’s Losing?
Quartararo’s Dismal Start
Fabio Quartararo experiences a tough start, now sitting in 14th after beginning in 12th position, contrasting sharply with Jorge Martin, who is holding strong in 5th.
Technical Issues for Binder
Brad Binder’s race comes to an unfortunate halt due to technical problems, highlighting the unpredictable nature of MotoGP races.
Exciting Overtakes and Tactical Moves
Acosta Takes the Lead
Pedro Acosta impressively overtakes Bagnaia at turn 6, placing him firmly at the front.
Marquez Overtakes Martin
At turn 10, Marquez makes a decisive move against Jorge Martin, seizing 5th place and raising the excitement among fans.
Joan Mir’s Dilemma
Joan Mir faces adversity after falling in the last sector, exacerbated by contact with Johann Zarco, who is under investigation for the incident.
Track Conditions and Technical Strategies
Weather Impact on Race
The rain that started falling had the potential to change tire strategies, challenging the riders as they navigated the slick track conditions.
Starting Circuit Overview
| Position | Rider | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pecco Bagnaia | Ducati | – |
| 2 | Enea Bastianini | Ducati | 0.5 sec |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | KTM | 0.7 sec |
| 5 | Marc Marquez | Honda | 1.0 sec |
| 14 | Fabio Quartararo | Yamaha | 1.5 sec |
Rider Comments and Insights
Post-Race Rider Reflections
Many riders shared their thoughts on the race’s challenges, reflecting on the difficulty of maintaining speed on a drier line over increasingly greasy patches of the track.
