- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 23 Sep 2023 08:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jorge Martin put up a stellar performance and took the top honors in the Sprint as it turned out to be a teaser for Sunday’s Grand Prix of India.
Martin, however, had predicted the scenario after Saturday’s practice sessions. “First lap at the sprint will be interesting,” he had commented, further adding, “Turn one is a really tight corner. It looks a bit wider. The first gear corner we arrive is not easy. It’s difficult to find the reference, maybe I found mine so I’m quite confident,” he had said.
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His predictions were on point. Starting number one on the grid, Bezzecchi teammate Luca Marini’s erroneous braking on Turn 1, pushed the Italian off the track, and five others out of the race. While Bezzecchi was pushed down to the 17th position, Martin sped away maintaining the lead throughout the sprint.
“I didn’t need to put my 100% today. Just trying to concentrate on the turn. My main target was to increase the gap and understand the conditions. We have some margin to fight back with Marco tomorrow,” Martin said after winning the Tissot Sprint.
The torrential showers had changed the conditions of the track.
Martin had finished at the Sprint podium and 12 points Meanwhile, championship leader Francesco Bagnaia finished second with 9 points and eight-time world champion Marc Marquez rode to the third spot on the podium. This was the former champion’s second podium of the season.
However, it was Marco Bezzecchi who defined the exhilarating speed associated with the sport. Bezzecchi rode like there was never tomorrow. From being pushed to 17th in the opening lap, he was fighting for fifth place in the 10th lap. He successfully pipped Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo for the position.
The Indian Grand Prix race is scheduled for 15:30 IST on Sunday and will see Marco Bezzecchi start on pole again, ahead of Martin and Bagnaia.
