2022 MotoGP: Bagnaia wins in Malaysia, 7 in a season

Taking issues all the way down to the wire is Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Staff profitable the 2022 Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia at Sepang Worldwide Circuit. Coming to Sepang with a lead over Fabio Quartararo of Monster Power Yamaha within the riders’ championship, Bagnaia had a ding-dong battle with compatriot Enea Bastianini of Gresini Racing MotoGP.

Firstly, it was Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Ducati on pole, coming off his scorching 1’57.790 qualifying time on Saturday. Nonetheless, issues didn’t go his means as Martin got here off in flip 5. This left Bastianini and Bagnaia, who went from ninth to second initially, as the 2 lead Ducati Desmosedicis.

In the meantime, Quartararo, having began in in twelfth place on the grid, shortly slipped previous the riders in entrance to take fifth within the first few laps. Finally making his option to third, Quartararo slotted in third behind race leaders Bagnaia and Bastianini.

With most anticipating a problem from the Frenchman, it was to not be because the main Ducati pair merely by no means let off the tempo. With no crew orders in play, each Bastianini and Bagnaia have been gunning for the win.

On the chequered flag, Bagnaia got here throughout the road first – his seventh win of the 2022 MotoGP season – adopted by Bastianini whereas Quaratararo went simple on the throttle a bit to protect his third place and resume the battle at a later date. With the ultimate race in Valencia, Spain taking place November 6, the riders’ championship desk has Bagnaia on prime with 258 factors whereas Quartararo completed with 235.

Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing is third with 212 factors and Bastianini, after his efforts and second place at Sepang, has 211. Proper now, barring the unexpected, it comes all the way down to the Motel Grand Prix of Valencia to see who’s crown 2022 MotoGP World Champion.