Exciting final MotoGP laps in Mugello! After the four Ducati riders rode one behind the other like a string of pearls for the entire race distance, overtaking maneuvers only occurred in the final laps. Factory rider Bastianini first overtook Marc Marquez, then on the last lap he caught Jorge Martin cold in the last corner and snatched second place. Martin was later annoyed with himself.
Jorge Martin: Big disappointment to lose P2 so late
“I’m frustrated with myself because I didn’t close the inside lane in the last corner,” explained Jorge Martin after the race. “That gave Enea the chance to overtake me.” In the penultimate lap, it initially looked as if Martin could launch an attack to the front and attack Bagnaia. But that wasn’t the case. The world champion drove a perfect last lap and gave Martin no chance.
“I think that’s my fault,” Martin later said self-critically. “I saw 0.8 seconds on the pit board beforehand and so I was a bit relaxed. I pushed, but not to the limit because I didn’t want to risk crashing. I thought I had it under control in the last corner too. But when I heard his bike, I just thought ‘No, that’s not seriously going to happen to me now’,” Martin grinned after the race.
Jorge Martin: The last time I make such a mistake
“It was really a big disappointment to lose a position so late, but I have to congratulate Enea, he did a great job today. In general, I have to say that I am still happy with the race, after all, we are back on the podium. Compared to yesterday, we have also improved a lot. Before the race, I would have signed up for the podium straight away.” Martin then sent a little challenge to the competition. “Believe me, a mistake like that on the last lap will not happen to me again. Great drivers learn from bad moments. I had one of those moments today and I will learn from it. Next year I will close the inside lane here.”
Enea Bastianini was obviously having a good laugh after the race. For the first time, the Italian is on the MotoGP podium at his home Grand Prix in Tuscany. He had to go ‘all-in’ on the last lap of the race. “The maneuver on the last lap was really at the limit with high risk. I saw that he braked very late but was in the middle of the corner. When I then stepped on the gas, it wasn’t so easy, but it worked, so everything is good. I’m very happy to be on the podium here.”