Francesco Bagnaia with revenge win in Barcelona: Turn 5 deliberately chosen

In the Barcelona Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia managed to get his MotoGP revenge against his competitors. He made the decisive maneuver in the fateful fifth corner.

Marc Sinkewitz

Marc Sinkewitz

Motorcycle Department

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Francesco Bagnaia achieved his first GP victory in Barcelona on Sunday, Photo: LAT Images
Francesco Bagnaia achieved his first GP victory in Barcelona on Sunday, Photo: LAT Images

Once again, Francesco Bagnaia once again exceeded his own expectations in Barcelona. After sinking what he thought was a sure sprint victory into the gravel trap on Saturday, he successfully countered today. He pulled off the overtaking maneuver that took him to the win in turn five. An important signal, as Bagnaia made clear after the race.

Francesco Bagnaia: Turn five deliberately chosen for the overtaking manoeuvre

It could have been the perfect weekend for Francesco Bagnaia. In the sprint on Saturday he could only beat himself – and did so when he threw his Ducati into the Catalan gravel in the fifth corner of the last lap of the race. The world champion did not say anything more than that he had been too gentle with the poor grip conditions in Montmelo. He did not want to hear about a real mistake.

MotoGP strange: cautious crashes by Bagnaia and Binder (08:44 min.)

Accordingly, the 27-year-old was brimming with confidence on Sunday and beat his World Championship rival Jorge Martin in the 24-lap Grand Prix. After saving his tires in the first part of the race, he pulled off the overtaking maneuver for victory on the 19th of 24 laps – exactly in turn five, where he had been on his backside less than 24 hours earlier. “That was intentional, after what happened yesterday, I had to forget it. But it was also the best place because I was very strong in turn four,” Bagnaia revealed in an interview with motogp.com after the race.

In the world championship fight, Bagnaia was able to make an important statement against Jorge Martin, Photo: LAT Images
In the world championship fight, Bagnaia was able to make an important statement against Jorge Martin, Photo: LAT Images

Francesco Bagnaia: Prayed not to lose the front

“I crashed there yesterday in a strange way. I took it slow and crashed, I couldn’t accept that. I had to put it behind me. When I overtook, I just prayed that I wouldn’t lose the front again,” he said, pleased with the successful plan. “I was even slower there today and still didn’t crash. This turn five is very tricky.”

However, the failure in the sprint and the resulting loss of world championship points have not been forgotten. “It’s a real shame because it could have been the perfect weekend with 37 points. But that’s just how it is, we have to keep going,” said Bagnaia. With this feeling of success, the Italian will now head to his home race in Mugello next week. Last year he won both the sprint and the Grand Prix there. After the sixth race weekend of the season, he is now in second place in the drivers’ championship, 39 points behind Jorge Martin.

© Motorsport Magazine

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