Enea Bastianini (Gresini) won the Aragon Grand Prix by overtaking Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) on the last lap, who nevertheless did the right operation of the day by taking advantage of the fall of championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) from the first round.
The Aragon Grand Prix may have marked a turning point in this 2022 season! Francesco Bagnaia continued his magnificent summer with his fifth podium in a row, while his rival for the world title Fabio Quartararo crashed on the first lap and had to retire! The suspense is therefore revived, with these 20 points taken by the Italian from the Frenchman, to now count ten points behind with five Grands Prix to go! Starting sixth on the grid, the world champion knew he was not the favorite against the Ducati rider, who was much faster on the long straight. But he didn’t even have time to join the fight. From the first lap, Quartararo hit Marc Marquez from behind, the victim of a slip, and he fell very heavily, his own motorcycle landing on his chest. The Niçois managed to get up, but he lost very big this Sunday.
Fourth victory for Bastianini
Because in front, Francesco Bagnaia led for 22 of the 23 laps, before being overtaken by his future Ducati teammate, Enea Bastianini. After several unsuccessful attempts during the race, the Gresini driver waited for the last moment to get the better of his compatriot, and lead him by only 42 thousandths on the line. Bagnaia didn’t take any rash risks to regain the lead either, as the 20 points for second place was already a great performance. This is Bastianini’s fourth victory this season, after Qatar, the Americas and France. Behind, the battle was fierce between Brad Binder (author of a superb start), Aleix Espargaro and Jack Miller, who pulled the plug throughout the Grand Prix, and it is the Spaniard from Aprilia who climbs on the third step of the podium, ahead of the South African from KTM and the Australian from Ducati. Johann Zarco, who started fifth, as often encountered difficulties at the start, and finished eighth after a flat race. As for Marc Marquez (Honda), for his big comeback after three months of absence, he had to give up, since after being hit by Fabio Quartararo, part of the fairing of the Frenchman’s motorcycle got into his tire, then it was Takaaki Nakagami who hit him before falling, and Marquez’s bike started to smoke. He hopes to know a little more luck next Sunday in Japan, just like Quartararo elsewhere.
Acosta and Guevara win in Moto 2 and Moto3
In Moto2, Spain won a hat-trick, with the victory of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ahead of Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) and Augusto Fernandez (RED Bull KTM Ajo). This is the 18-year-old’s second victory (after Italy), and since Marc Marquez, no driver so young has won two races in this category. Fernandez is now seven points ahead of Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) in the overall standings. Spanish victory also in Moto3 with the fourth success of the season for 18-year-old driver Izan Guevara (Autosolar Gasgas Aspar), which increases his lead at the top of the championship, with 33 points more than Sergio Garcia. Frenchman Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) retired.
