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Francesco Bagnaia claims Austrian MotoGP Sprint Race victory as chaos behind him costs rivals
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Published 19/08/2023 at 16:23 GMT+1
Francesco Bagnaia moved 46 points clear of his nearest rival, Jorge Martin, in the MotoGP championship as he won the Austrian GP Sprint Race on Saturday afternoon. Second place was claimed by KTM's rider Brad Binder, who was two seconds behind the winner and current world champion, with the full race still to come at the Red Bull circuit on Sunday.
Bagnaia wins MotoGP Sprint race from Binder in Austria
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco Bagnaia won the Austrian MotoGP Sprint Race on Saturday ahead of KTM rider Brad Binder in second.
The win was the Italian’s fourth Sprint Race victory, and extends his lead the top of the standings as he attempts to retain his status as world champion.
From the launch, Bagnaia pulled away, but in the first attempt of Turn 1, Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco - reportedly close to sealing a move to LCR Honda for 2024 - Miguel Oliveira and Marco Bezzecchi all tumbled.
Later, Takaaki Nakagami crashed out for good and required a medical check-up, before Luca Marini crashed out after Jorge Martin attacked down the inside, with the stewards happy not to take any further action.
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'That was always coming' - Martin made contact with Marini in MotoGP Sprint race in Austria
Video credit: TNT Sports
In second place came KTM’s Binder at his team’s home GP, and the last podium place went to Martin, who had started the race in 12th.
Gresini's Alex Marquez secured fourth spot.
Bagnaia pulled away through the race and ended over two seconds clear of his nearest rival. The win moves him 46 points clear of Martin, and 59 from Bezzecchi.
Jsut behind was Jack Miller; Pol Espargaro took sixth in his second race back in the competition after a four-month absence due to a huge crash in Portimao, Portugal, in the season's opening race. His brother Aleix took seventh.
Starting in 13th, he produced one of the performances of the day to make up seven spots. Maverick Vinales started in second but after being caught up in the Turn 1 debacle, recovered to eighth, one place ahead of Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli.
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'He completely got it wrong' - Vinales makes horror start in MotoGP Sprint race in Austria
Video credit: TNT Sports
The full race will go ahead on Sunday, with Bagnaia looking to extend his lead once more.
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