MotoGP Round 15 Report | Martin makes Sunday statement at Mandalika

MotoGP Round 15 Report | Martin makes Sunday statement at MandalikaThe #89 stormed to victory on Sunday as Acosta returned to the podium, Bagnaia clinched third, Bastianini crashed out and Marquez suffered a technical issue in Indonesia. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

A new Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit all-time lap record belonged to Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the #23 topped the Practice timesheets on a scorching afternoon in Indonesia.

The Emilia-Romagna GP winner surfed his way to a stunning 1:29.630 to lead Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by just 0.040s, as the World Championship leader’s teammate Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounded out a top four split by less than a tenth.

Read our Round 14 report here…

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) bagged a stunning new lap record pole, with the Championship leader able to navigate a dramatic session to his advantage and end it with more than half a second off the top. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) quite literally picked himself up from his own drama for a last-gasp second on the grid, with the front row completed by rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini were relegated to the second row in P4 and P5, the latter after a crash.

Moto2

World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) hit the ground running in Indonesia to lead the pack heading into Saturday’s action thanks to a new lap record around. The Japanese rider’s 1:33.690 saw him beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.057s, as Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed the top three, 0.163s away from the summit.

Fermin Aldeuger (Beta Tools SpeedUp) showed some strong pace to claim P4 on Day 1 and sit under two tenths shy of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Ogura. 2022 Indonesian GP race winner, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), enjoyed a solid start to his Friday with a P5 finish in Practice 1.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) stormed to pole after a breathtaking lap in Indonesia, but the Spaniard had some serious competition right on his tail as Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) was denied by just 0.060. Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) ended Saturday just 0.001s further back to complete a close front row.

Moto3

Moto3 landed at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) topping the standings after an impressive Friday. The Dutchman destroyed the lap record, giving him a 0.154s advantage over the field as the only rider in the 1:37s. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) continued his impressive recent form in second, ahead of David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), who claimed a strong P3 after nearly 20 laps in Practice 1.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) set a new lap record to take pole in Indonesia, although the #48 had a double Long Lap to contend with on race day. He headed Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) after the Dutchman pulled off an incredible front end save on his final flying lap, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) alongside as the Japanese rider notched third despite a crash in the closing minutes.

Read the full MotoGP Round 15 practice day results here…

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) returned to glory in the Tissot Sprint, remaining unflappable in the 13 lap shootout as Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had a shock crash out of the lead to create yet another title fight twist. The 12 points for Bagnaia’s win cut the gap between the top two in half ahead of a tantalising Grand Prix race.

As the lights went out, Martin made a dream launch, charging to the front ahead of title rival Bagnaia, who braved the outside line on the run to Turn 1. The #89 pulled the pin on the opening lap, while Marc Marquez made ground at the start after qualifying from 12th on the grid – slicing up the inside with razorlike precision. The drama hit early, however, with Martin suddenly crashing out of the lead at the tricky Turn 16 in a near carbon copy of Bastianini’s spill in qualifying. The Championship leader remounted, eager to recover some points, but Bagnaia was left in the lead to make his play for that maximum score of 12.

The battle for the podium then began in earnest, with Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) getting the gloves off. The #93 soon made a move stick on Acosta on Lap 3, entering the top three as Acosta was next under threat from Bastianini. That made the rookie drop back to fifth. There was then a huge heart-in-mouth moment for Bezzecchi as he chased down Bagnaia, with the #72 getting all crossed up and heading wide, avoiding contact with the reigning World Champion ahead by millimetres.

Meanwhile, Martin continued his recovery, launching into the top 15 and then the top 12, soon entering the top 10 after a move on Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). But after getting mired behind plenty of other riders looking to make progress, and getting some elbows from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), the points were out of reach.

At the front, Bagnaia pounded on with just enough breathing space as Bastianini started to home in on Marc Marquez in the closing laps. Keen to make his move with three laps remaining, the Beast looked for an opportunity on Lap 12 and made the move stick at Turn 10 – job done. The Italian was up into second, with Bagnaia a further eight tenths up the road.

It seemed like that would be more than enough but it got close. On the final lap, Bagnaia kept his cool but Bastianini was on a roll, closing on his teammate to cross the line just a tenth further back. A Ducati Lenovo Team 1-2, a 12-point gain for Bagnaia as well as a boost with that winning feeling and a warning shot from Bastianini for his rivals on Sunday. Marc Marquez completed the podium, not quite able to hang with the #23’s pace.

Behind the leading trio was Bezzecchi, who had good pace but was just unable to claw back that ground lost after his mistake. The #72 had a comfortable advantage over Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), however, with the #21 able to leapfrog Acosta, who finished down in sixth.

“The conditions today were extreme, maybe the worst we’ve faced all year. It wasn’t easy to perform, but when I saw the crash, I knew I had to be faster in the other three sectors and just manage the last one carefully. It worked for today, but I know it won’t work tomorrow. Still, I’m happy with how things turned out today,” Bagnaia reflected.

MotoGP Round 15 Tissot Sprint Race Results

Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+0.107s)
Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati (+1.701s)
Marco Bezzecchi VR46 Ducati (+3.072s)
Franco Morbidelli Pramac Ducati (+5.967s)

Sunday
MotoGP MotoGP Round 15

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) stormed to glory at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, with the #89 taking his first Sunday win since the French GP. The Martinator looked unstoppable, claiming his first victory after crashing out of the GP in both 2022 and 2023, as well as in the Tissot Sprint this season. Martin took a valuable 25 points in his Championship charge, extending his advantage from 12 to 21 as key rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) came home third after a late charge.

At the start, Martin made the dream launch, earning himself clear track ahead with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) in chase. Meanwhile, Bagnaia struggled on the opening lap, dropping to fourth before Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) found their way through – dropping the Italian to sixth.

Meanwhile, it was a dramatic first lap, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) crashing at Turn 3. The FIM MotoGP™ Stewards investigated the incident, with no further action taken. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was unable to repeat his magical Sprint launch, but the #93 still made ground in the opening stages. Marc Marquez started in 12th and was soon in seventh – next on his list was Bagnaia.

At the front, Martin set a red-hot pace, grabbing the fastest lap of the Grand Prix and extending his gap to 1.333s. Meanwhile, Acosta was on the attack, leaping into second position ahead of a charging Morbidelli in an impressive move for the rookie.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had an intense fight with Marc Marquez in the first nine laps. However, everything unfolded for the Italian, losing the front at the technical Turn 10 – dropping Di Giannantonio to 17th. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez’s Championship chances then suffered a huge blow, with technical issues dropping the #93 out of contention on Lap 12 as he pulled off, bike on fire.

Behind Martin and Acosta, the battle for the podium then really began with Morbidelli, Bastianini, Bezzecchi and Bagnaia locked together on the circuit. Bastianini tried to overtake on Lap 16 before the key move came on Lap 17 – promoting the Beast to third. It was then some incredible pace unleashed from Bastianini, edging closer at every sector to the leaders.

Bastianini’s rhythm was sensational, but then it all came apart with a crash on the entry to Turn 1 on Lap 21 – rider OK. It was a massive blow for the #23, dropping over 70 points behind Martin in the Championship as just 12 riders remained in the Indonesian Grand Prix, only two of whom were top title contenders. Bagnaia’s momentum built from there on out, picking off Bezzecchi on Lap 22 before the move came for third place on Lap 23 – demoting Morbidelli to fourth. Acosta was a further three seconds up the road, a tough task for even a two-time MotoGP™ World Champion.

In the closing stages, Martin had a two second advantage, controlling the pace and the race at the front. The #89 was unstoppable on the final lap, leading the charge and surging to victory by 1.404s over rookie Acosta. Meanwhile, Bagnaia took a valuable third, bagging some points which could prove to be crucial.

Fourth place was taken by Morbidelli, as the Italian continued his impressive form. The #21 claimed the bragging rights over Bezzecchi, who rounded out the top five spots as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) crossed the line a further 4.558s behind in sixth.

I am very happy. This is not just any victory because I think after all that happened last season, after yesterday’s crash, to perform this way was quite difficult,” explained Martin.

MotoGP Round 15 Race Results

Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati
Pedro Acosta Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (+1.404s)
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+5.595s)
Franco Morbidelli Pramac Ducati (+6.507s)
Marco Bezzecchi VR46 Ducati (+6.772s)

Check out the full MotoGP Round 15 race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati – 366
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 345
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo – 291
Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati – 288
Pedro Acosta Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 181

Moto2

Victories don’t get much more dominant than the one Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) rolled out at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit as the Spaniard pulled clear to win by over six seconds. Thanks to a P2 finish, Ai Ogura’s (MT Helmets – MSI) advantage in the Championship was extended to 42 points, while third place went the way of Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) after a fascinating fight for the final podium spot.

Ogura earned the holeshot into Turn 1 but Canet didn’t take long to retake the lead on Lap 1. There was drama into Turn 10 on Lap 1 as Somkiat Chantra’s (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) race ended early after his right leg was clipped by Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), with Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) having a separate incident at the same corner as the Australian’s race came to a halt too.

On Lap 4, Canet was racing off into the distance in P1 as Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), battling with Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), crashed at Turn 10 from P6. The race then settled with Canet boasting a three second lead ahead of a trio of Boscoscuros. Lopez led Aldeguer and Ogura, with Gonzalez not too far adrift in P5. Then, Turn 10 saw Aldeguer run wide as the Spaniard slipped from P3 to P9 on Lap 8 – a podium place now a long way up the road.

On Lap 11 of 22, Canet’s advantage was hovering around the five second mark. It was a commanding display from the polesitter, but the fight for the rostrum was raging, and joining in the fun was South Africa’s Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). With seven laps left, Canet was 6.5s clear of the chasing pack, one which was led by Ogura. And speaking of, the Japanese rider’s teammate, Sergio Garcia, suffered another DNF. The #3 was slightly wide on the exit of Turn 5 and that saw the Spaniard crash out of the top 10 at a crucial stage in the title race.

Ogura, meanwhile, was starting to break clear of Lopez, Gonzalez and Binder in the race for P2. With three laps to go, Ogura was 1.3s ahead of the trio, as Lopez continued to cling onto P3 despite the constant threat of Gonzalez swarming all of his rear wheel. That briefly changed at Turn 16 on Lap 20 of 22, but Alonso bit straight back. Gonzalez tried another move that only stuck for one corner, this time the Spaniards interchanged at Turn 12 and 13, as Aldeguer entered the podium fight chat on the last lap with a final corner move on Binder on the penultimate lap.

Four riders, one place on the podium. Canet and Ogura were gone as the focus shifted to this hungry group, with Aldeguer shoving his way past Gonzalez at Turn 10. That saw Binder come through too, but Lopez managed to hold into P3 despite the late charge. However, the 25 points belonged to Canet. What a ride the #44 produced in Mandalika, and kudos too to second place Ogura as the #79 picked up 20 valuable points in the Championship.

Aldeguer’s late race pace was superb but the #54 couldn’t quite grab a podium place, as it was P4 for the SpeedUp star, as Binder bagged a season-best result in P5.

Moto2 Race Results

Aron Canet Fantic Racing
Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI (+6.218s)
Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up (+7.613)
Fermin Aldeguer Beta Tools Speed Up (+7.797s)
Darryn Binder Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (+8.097s)

Moto2 Championship Points

Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI – 208
Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI – 166
Aron Canet Fantic Racing – 156
Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up – 156
Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team – 153

Moto3

Another race, another win for the spectacular David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). A ninth Sunday success story came the way of the Colombian as he timed his attack to perfection in Indonesia to take another giant leap towards the Moto3™ World Championship title, as Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) claimed a debut Grand Prix podium ahead of third placed David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports).

From the outside of the front row, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) earned the holeshot to shuffle Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) down to P2, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) an early third. The Dutch rider soon led on the exit of Turn 10 after Fernandez went for the lead up the inside, as Ortola then took the first of his two Long Lap penalties on Lap 2 to see the polesitter drop outside the top 10. A front-running group of 10 formed as Ortola dived into the Long Lap penalty loop for a second time, with the Spaniard now P17. The gap to the leader? Just over five seconds with 15 laps to go.

On Lap 8 of 20, Veijer was still holding the P1 baton from Fernandez, with Alonso, Furusato and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) inside the constantly changing top five. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was fighting through the pain to be in amongst the top 10, and also jostling for positions in the lead group were Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Muñoz, his BOE Motorsports teammate Joel Kelso and Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing).

Meanwhile, Ortola’s attempted charge up to the leaders took a heavy dent. The title hopeful was handed another Long Lap penalty, this time for a shortcut at Turn 9. Now the gap was up to eight seconds. More drama then unfolded – this time at the front. Veijer, the race leader, crashed out of contention at the fast Turn 8. The #95’s front end washed out from underneath him and Veijer, having looked mighty all weekend, was out of the race. Now, Fernandez was at the group’s summit, with Holgado picking his way through the pack to P2 with seven laps to go.

With five to go, Fernandez led from Muñoz and Holgado, with Furusato and Lunetta inside the top five. Alonso was beginning to get busy though. The Colombian went from P6 to P4 in half a lap as a grandstand finished loomed for the last four laps. Holgado led for the first time on Lap 17 of 20 as Fernandez went from P1 to P4 in a flash. Alonso then went to P1 as Piqueras began knocking on the podium door, as Furusato then crashed out at Turn 1 with three laps left – rider OK.

Two to go! It was Fernandez leading from Muñoz and Alonso, with the top trio having a small gap back to Lunetta and the rest in P4. Last lap time. Alonso grabbed P2 from Muñoz at Turn 1 and then the #80 set his sights on Fernandez. Turn 10 saw Alonso grab the lead, as Muñoz followed him through, but Fernandez bit back to retake P2. Could anyone stop Alonso as the final sector approached? The answer was no. Alonso defended well to beat Fernandez and Muñoz to the chequered flag, and after crashing at the start of the weekend, Alonso heads to Japan with the Championship firmly in his sights.

Piqueras fought off fellow rookie Lunetta at the final corner to finish P4, with Lunetta settling for a P5 in Indonesia. Holgado’s P6 keeps him second in the overall standings.

Moto3 Race Results