Francesco Bagnaia is the fifth race winner of the 2022 MotoGP season at the Spanish GP on Sunday, 1 May 2022.
• The Yamaha versus Ducati MotoGP battle resumed at the Jerez circuit.
• 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo is leading the 2022 World Championship standings.
• SA’s Brad Binder managed tenth position after starting in 15th place.
The MotoGP World Championship traveled to the Spanish Jerez Circuit and saw riders contend for victory in front of a crowd of 58,000 spectators.
The front row of the MotoGP starting grid consisted of Francesco Bagnaia aboard the Factory Ducati ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo and Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro.
Bagnaia and Quartararo conducted proceedings and were able to pull a gap on the chasing pack demonstrating exceptional race pace as they broke lap records along the way. The duo eeked out a lead of 4.0 seconds by lap 11 and a massive 6.0 seconds with ten laps to go. By the time the checked flag came out, Bagnaia had done enough to hold onto the lead ahead of second-placed Quartararo.
Espargaro dropped to fifth place while Jack Miller, who started in fourth, managed to gain a position and was in third place at the end of the first lap. Miller soon came under pressure from Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro, the trio involved in a multiple lap battle for third position. With five laps to go, Marquez got through on Miller but then almost crashed, saving it with his elbow, which allowed Espargaro to sneak through into third position.
Espargaro held on to cross the line finish line almost 11 seconds adrift but in third place, with Marquez following in fourth ahead of Miller in fifth.
“It was a really a tough race; Peco rode an amazing race, I tried everything, but he was really, really fast. Fortunately, I managed to run a similar pace to him, and we pulled a massive gap on the chasing pack, ” said second-placed Quartararo.
South Africa’s Brad Binder finished 10th at the 2022 Spanish MotoGP on Sunday, 1 May, 2022.
“It is a beautiful day. We struggled with the bike at the beginning of the season, and I struggled with my shoulder. Finally, this weekend everything came together, and I can ride at my full potential or even better,” said race winner Bagnaia.
SA’s Brad Binder was once again the fastest KTM rider but only qualified in the 15th position. When the lights went out, Binder gained five positions on the first lap to tenth place and had an eventful race that saw him retain and finish in the gained position.
Darryn Binder on the WithU Yamaha was running in 17th place before unfortunately crashing out.
Fabio Quartararo now leads the 2022 MotoGP World Championship ahead of Aleix Espargaro.