Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1482492
rear grip issues late in the race while Quartararo got a second wind and began to close on the two Ducatis in front. at the wall at turn five on lap seven, the crumbling mess of his machine making it obvious there was no way he would rejoin. Bastianini and Bagnaia then crossed swords for the first time but there was more interest in the form of Fabio Quartararo (Mon- ster Energy Yamaha), who had charged from 12th on the grid up to third. By mid-race distance, however, his charge started to run out of steam and he had his own problems in Marco Bezzec- chi (Mooney VR46 Ducati) who was eyeing a podium and the added bonus of helping his great friend Bagnaia seal the title in this race. If Bezzecchi could get past Quartararo for third and Bagnaia won, that would be it and Bag- naia would be champion. As it stood, it was Bezzecchi who couldn't close down Quar- tararo, the Italian running into MYOWNRACE 63 FRANCESCO BAGNAIA 1ST MOTOGP "This was the best race start of my career," said Francesco Bagnaia. "When I saw that the reflex on the lights was perfect and the release of the brakes was perfect, I just thought that I was overtaking a row. But then also the first braking zone was a bit risky, but useful. When I passed the first two corners, I was more calm. I said, 'Okay, now I can start to adapt my pace.' Jorge in front of me was pushing a lot and, a er two laps trying to follow him, I said, 'This pace is too much for me.' I calmed down and was just constant with my pace, and that's it. Jorge unfortunately crashed but I think this pace was also meaning more consump on of the rear re. In any case, he was doing a really good job. But the most difficult part of the race was the part when Enea overtook me because I knew that Fabio was third, and today it was important to get as many points possible to arrive in Valencia and be more careful. So, I just tried to understand his pace and then when I saw that my pace was be er than his, I just tried to be in front again and braked as hard as possible to prevent any possibility of an overtake. So, it was tough, really tough, but one of the best moments of the season." For the first half of the race the two Italians were playing second fiddle to the flying Jorge Martin. The Spaniard smashed his second lap record in a row in qualifying following his heroics in Phillip Island and was on his merry way to the victory until he threw the Alma Pramac Ducati ROUND 19 / OCTOBER 21-23, 2022 SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT / SEPANG, MALAYSIA P68 MOTOGP I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP A hug between riders but there's serious tension brewing between Bastianini and Bagnaia (right). Jorge Martin (89) was on another level in qualifying and early in the race. He couldn't stay there, however, and a big crash was the result.