MotoGP: Magical Marco Bezzecchi wins an intense IndianGP

Marco Bezzecchi makes history as the first-ever winner of the Grand Prix of India.

After setting a new lap record in qualifying, Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) would start the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. It was a Ducati front-row lockout with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in second and third.

Marco Bezzecchi led the field away after an incredibly strong start to the Grand Prix of India. At turn one multiple riders ran wide with Aleix Espargaro sitting up Brad Binder and creating a domino effect.

The Ducati riders battled at the front of the field with Martin and Bagnaia battling at every corner on the Buddh International Circuit. Martin made a late move at the end of the back straight, running them both wide and taking second.

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) lost the front at turn one, ending his battle for the podium positions. It left one Honda at the front with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) continuing to battle in fifth place. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) also had a great start to his race, battling inside the top five positions.

Tyre choices at the front of the field were mixed with everyone going for the medium rear apart from Jorge Martin.

Bagnaia down

Francesco Bagnaia tried to stretch a gap in second position, to extend his reduced Championship lead to 37 points. Bagnaia’s lead was down to 13 points after the front-end crash, with a lonely walk back.

Jorge Martin had drama of his own, with his Alpinestar leathers becoming undone during the race. The Spaniard zipped them up during the race, losing time to Quartararo but avoiding a penalty.

Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) made his way through the field after he ran wide into the first corner on the lap. Vinales was inside the top 10 positions and ahead of Marc Marquez who was doing his own recovery ride.

On the final lap of the race, the top three places seemed to be decided until Martin ran wide at the end of the back straight. Quartararo claimed second before Martin fought back and made a spectacular move around the outside at the chicane.

At the line, Marco Bezzecchi became the first ever Indian Grand Prix after a dominant ride and the fastest lap of the race. An exhausted Jorge Martin came across the line in second position and was checked by medics after the race. Fabio Quartararo rounded off the podium in the reduced 21-lap race.

Brad Binder finished in fourth after a great race-long battle against Joan Mir who had his best ride of the year in fifth. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Ducati) and Franco Morbidelli were behind with Maverick Vinales making his way to eighth. With a decision near Marc Marquez finished ninth with Raul Fernandez rounding out the top 10.

Image credit: motogp.com