larly cautious in turn 11, where
I crashed last year, and turn 16,
where I compromised my Sprint
yesterday. I managed to stay
calm and focused, maintaining
the distance from my rivals."
This was Ducati's 12th win in
succession, a new record for the
brand, and a first for a MotoGP
manufacturer since Honda's
run in 2014. Acosta could not
celebrate second as he was
investigated for incorrect front-
tire pressure. Eventually, it was
deemed irrelevant as a leaking
wheel rim was the cause.
"Yesterday we were able to
solve some problems and then
maximize what we had today,"
task with vigor, taking three-
tenths of a second out of the
leader on lap 18 and a full half
second the next time around.
A fastest lap on lap 20 had him
within 1.4 seconds of Acosta.
Yet the fact he was on the limit
told, as he tucked the front brak
-
ing for turn one moments later.
From
there, the contest was
run, as Martin stretched out 1.4
seconds for a much-needed if
nervy win.
"I gave my hundred percent,"
Martin said. "I was particu
-
second of the leader. A lap 17
mistake for Martin
reduced the
gap further. Suddenly it was
a half second, and a maiden
victory for the rookie was sud-
denly a very real possibility. But
Martin
was reliving Saturday
and 2023's nightmare over in his
head.
And the reality was that by
lap 17, Acosta was no longer his
main threat. Bastianini finally
got going after struggling to
get his rear tire up to working
performance. Yet moves on
Bezzecchi (turn 14, lap 13) and
Morbidelli (turn 12, lap 17) gave
him 2.8 seconds of clear tarmac
to attack. He soon set about his
ROUND 15 / SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2024
PERTAMINA MANDALIKA CIRCUIT / INDONESIA
ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P92
Pedro Acosta finished out the
weekend on a high note with
second in the GP.
