News 12 Jun 2023

Reigning MotoGP champion Bagnaia completes Mugello sweep

Acosta and Holgado capture victory in Moto2, Moto3 respectively.

Image: Supplied.

It was a perfect weekend for reigning MotoGP World champion Francesco Bagnaia at Mugello, qualifying fastest before converting pole position to sprint and grand prix victories in Italy. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta took the win in Moto2 and Daniel Holgado extended his lead with the victory in Moto3.

Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) led across the line every lap and withstood Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) to capture victory in Sunday’s grand prix, his winning margin 1.067s ahead of the Spaniard.

Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) battled his way through to P3, completing an all-Ducati podium, as Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completed the top five.

Despite battling the effects of a cycling incident on Thursday, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) finished in P6, narrowly ahead of Australia’s Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who notably grabbed the holeshot during the encounter.

In P8 was title-contender Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), as Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed his return in P9 and Franco Morbidelli rounded out the top 10 ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha teammate Fabio Quartararo in 11th.

Notably, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crashed out of P4 in the opening half of the race, while teammate Joan Mir was ruled out of the Italian GP with a hand injury sustained Friday afternoon. Additionally, Alex Rins was forced to the sidelines after a crash in the sprint race, suffering a broken leg in the incident.

Bagnaia now leads the 2023 MotoGP World Championship by 21 points ahead of Bezzecchi, as Martin is third and a further three points back. The next round of the series takes place at the Sachsenring, Germany, next weekend.

Image: Supplied.

There was no stopping Red Bull KTM Ajo sensation Acosta in Moto2, and the teenage talent stormed to a commanding 6.194s victory to close in on the championship lead in the intermediate class.

Second was title-rival Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing), with speculation continuing that he could make the step up to MotoGP next season with Gresini Racing.

Autosolar GasGas Aspar rider Jake Dixon completed the podium, ahead of pole-setter Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) and Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) inside the top five.

Arbolino’s advantage at the head of the field is now 20 points, with Acosta P2 and Alonso Lopez – who finished P6 in Mugello – third and 48 points from the lead.

Image: Supplied.

It was a tactical masterclass by Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) in the Moto3 class, slipstreaming his way to victory in the closing moments of what was a thrilling race.

Pole-setter Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was clearly the fastest in the category in Italy but was unable to break the draft despite multiple attempts at the front during the race.

He ultimately finished second, 0.051s from victory as Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) completed the podium, just 0.056s from the lead.

Holgado now leads the Moto3 standings by a comfortable 35 points ahead of Jaume Masia. The Leopard Racing rider was fifth in Mugello, 0.487s behind the number 96 at the chequered flag.

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup also competed at Mugello, with Australia Jacob Roulstone notching a 7-9 scorecard. Carter Thompson attempted to ride in practice but made the decision to let his recovering collarbone further heal to compete competitively and safely.

Detailed results


Recent