MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia wins the Malaysian Grand Prix

Francesco Bagnaia takes victory in Sepang in the penultimate Grand Prix of the season

After Jorge Martin smashed the lap record yesterday he started from pole position. Joining the Spaniard on the front row was Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez. The three Championship contenders Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro started ninth, 10th and 12th.

As the lights went out for the penultimate time for the MotoGP riders in 2022 Martin took the lead into turn one. Bagnaia found his way from ninth into second into turn one as he sliced his way through the field. Quartararo also jumped forward as he went from 12th to fifth.

Franco Morbidelli really came alive at the start of the race as he set himself up in sixth to protect Quartararo. However, he did have a double long lap penalty to take which will dramatically drop him down the order.

Luca Marini had his first ever retirement in MotoGP as he came down pit lane on lap three.

Four laps into the race and Ducati are comfortable at the front with Martin leading from Bagnaia and Bastianini. Quartararo passed Marquez at the start of lap five as he make his way into fourth.

Marquez appeared to be struggling on lap six as he had four riders lined up behind him plotting their passes.

Lap seven of 20 and Martin is out of the race and out of the lead! Bagnaia now leads with Bastianini and Quartararo joining him on the podium. Another Ducati was coming to join the leaders as Marco Bezzecchi passed Marquez and will be targeting Quartararo.

11 laps gone and Bastianini takes the lead from Bagnaia. A crucial move for the Championship as Bagnaia is looking for a way back to the front.

Six laps to go and Bagnaia is back into the lead. After sitting behind Bastianini for multiple laps Bastianini is finally put back into second.

With three laps to go Mirs terrible season continues as he crashes out of the race.

Bagnaia wins the Malaysian Grand Prix and his seventh race win of the season! The Championship rolls on to Valencia as Quartararo finished third. Bastianini tried to take the win from Bagnaia but had to settle for second.

Images from MotoGP.com