Martin steals stunning Sprint win as drama takes the reins in Texas
Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) is again on the prime step! The #89 put in a stunning efficiency in the Tissot Sprint in Texas, looking down early chief Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), making a brutal transfer for the lead on the final lap after which crossing the line with seven tenths in hand to take his first Sprint win since 2024 – and first with Aprilia. In a Sprint that had already been dramatic, the #89 then added to it much more as he binned it after a celebratory wheelie, rider okay. That wasn’t the solely drama in an eventful Sprint both.
Bagnaia took second after grabbing the early lead and solely shedding out on the final lap, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finishing the Sprint rostrum – however underneath investigation for tire stress.
There was early drama for Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he crashed out attempting to make a transfer on Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), gathering the Italian in the incident too, after which Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) crashed by himself with solely three to go – from forward of Martin. Finally, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) crashed on the final lap attempting to assault Acosta for third.
It was a great begin from Acosta from P3 however at Turn 1 he had Marc Marquez to cope with, and each the #37 and Di Giannantonio misplaced out to Bagnaia, who judged the tight T1 apex completely. He led the manner forward of Acosta, with Diggia then dueling Marc Marquez over third – the #49 forward. Points chief Bezzecchi dropped all the way down to P7 early doorways.
Suddenly, the first drama hit – and proper close to the entrance. Marc Marquez was going for a transfer on Diggia, the #49 picked it up after which the #93 slid off – gathering the unlucky Di Giannantonio on the manner out. Two riders had been out of the podium combat.
Back at the entrance, Bagnaia pounded on. He had a couple of tenths in hand over an enormous squabble for second, with Acosta main Mir main Martin main Bezzecchi. The group was nonetheless shut sufficient to the result in make it anybody’s to take at that stage, however by six to go, Bagnaia was stretching his legs at the entrance.
Martin, nonetheless, was now the rider on the chase – and Bezzecchi had picked his manner by way of into third, with each Aprilias dispatching Acosta. Mir was shuffled all the way down to fifth, with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) the rider on his tail.
Bezzecchi was on the again wheel of his teammate with 4 to go, and after stalking him he acquired by way of at Turn 11 in a clear transfer for second – however did not shake the #89. With three to go although, all of it got here aside in the second sudden splash of drama, and at precisely the identical nook. Bezzecchi was off form in the braking zone after which immediately slid out, his second Sprint crash of the season to this point. Martin was up right into a second and the hole simply over a second to Bagnaia.
As the final lap arrived, it was all heating up at the entrance. What had been a snug cushion for Bagnaia was immediately nearly nothing, with Martin on the hunt. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had stalked his manner as much as battle after which handed Alex Marquez, after which Mir crashed out at Turn 1 attempting to combat Acosta for third.
The #89 homed in on Bagnaia as the tenths disappeared into a whole bunch, and Martin went for his transfer at Turn 12 – sitting the #63 up with a clear sufficient however brutal final lap assault. He saved it regular from there on out to cross the line for an emotional first Sprint win of the season, and first since 2024. It additionally places him atop the rider standings.
Bagnaia retained second and Acosta retained third as Mir slid out, with Bastianini getting previous Alex Marquez to take fourth. The #73 takes P5, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) taking sixth in a bit respiration house.
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) moved as much as seventh on Saturday simply forward of teammate Raul Fernandez, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) finishing the Sprint factors.
How’s that for a dramatic afternoon in the Lone Star State? Martin takes the reins regardless of his post-flag hiccup, and a grid penalty on Sunday drops Bezzecchi to P4 on the grid as he seems to be to bounce again. Join us for extra in the Grand Prix as the mud settles after a stunning eventual afternoon of Sprint motion!
FULL RESULTS – Red Bull US Grand Prix Tissot Sprint
