Moto GP: Enea Bastianini claim first victory of the season at Malaysian Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia extends lead

Enea Bastianini won the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday as Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia tussled for third and fourth in the MotoGP world championship race.

Alex Marquez, Saturday's Sprint Race winner, claimed second.

Bagnaia rounded off the podium by finishing third and extending his championship lead over Martin.

It was Bastianini's first win since Aragon last year and marks a return to form after he suffered an injury earlier in the season that has left his place at Ducati Lenovo in doubt, particularly given Pramac Racing’s Martin’s success in the overall standings.

However at the first turn he battled into the lead and with Marquez behind him, he was never really challenged. While most riders had complained about tyre management in the heat, Bastianini betrayed no problems with the setup and gradually pulled away from Marquez behind him.

Marquez had impressed over the course of the weekend after he had triumphed in Saturday’s sprint event, and this was his second podium of the season after he claimed third in Argentina earlier in the campaign.

It was a similar story for Marquez, who was under no pressure from current world champion Bagnaia or his rival Martin.

Ducati Lenovo’s Bagnaia has seen his advantage over Martin chipped away over the last two months and this was his first pole since Catalonia. Early in the race there was an extended tussle with the Spaniard for third spot but his bravery and doggedness let him stay ahead before he was also able to settle into a rhythm and draw clear.

The world championship is far from over though, as Qatar has always been kind to Martin, and that is the next race. After that there is another race that might offer Martin some help, as the tour moves back to Spain for the season finale in Valencia.

Bagnaia now stands 14 points ahead of Martin.

The Ducati Lenovo rider has missed several races this season through injury and with fine margins carrying huge implications in top-level racing, he can ill-afford to see other riders succeed now he is back and fit.

The 25-year-old was calm and in control from the moment he took the lead and if he is able to demonstrate similar poise in Qatar and Valencia then he may be able to convince his team that they should back him for at least one more campaign.

1/20 THEY'RE OFF - Martin is a touch aggressive and back to fifth. Bastianini and Alex Marquez are the front pair. Bagnaia in second.

2/20 MARTIN IN AT FOURTH - He's lurking behind Bagnaia now but he has an 11-point deficit to overcome.

3/20 BAGNAIA AND MARTIN CLASH - Martin goes down the inside and Bagnaia pushes back in to force him wide, with the pair brushing alongside one another.

5/20 BAGNAIA STRETCHES OUT - A 3/4 second lead over him now and as things stand, that means Martin will trail by 14 points at the end of the race.

17/20 MARQUEZ ON COURSE - It would be his second podium of the season and he will likely be prepared not to risk that in order to build some momentum.

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