VOLUME 63 ISSUE 25 JUNE 23, 2026 P89
at turn seven on lap one, the
Italian took the lead early in lap
two, with Marquez following at
turn 13. The Japanese rider was
eight-tenths of a second back in
third at the start of lap three.
Knowing his own weakness
was speed on used tires, Bag
-
naia tried to break his pursuers.
But
despite a run of fastest laps,
he couldn't take his lead above
half a second. All the while
Marquez and Ogura were lying
in wait. Soon they were posting
ments aimed at him after, Martin
urged, "It's time to be more united
than ever, because if we are one
against the other one, it's like we
are shooting ourselves. No sense.
I spoke to Marco [Bezzecchi] after
the race, twice. For sure it was
difficult in that moment. I spoke
with Massimo [here]. Now it's
different compared to two weeks
ago, and everything is in the same
direction."
Briefly...
personal bests, with the factory
Ducatis together by lap 10 with
Ogura eight-tenths back.
Then Marquez made the break.
A cool move at turn four with five
to go gave him the lead for the
first time. But surely he'd tire by
the finale? That was Ogura's best
hope as he lost time passing Bag
-
naia (turn 10) on lap 17.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) won
Saturday's Sprint race.
