P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Francesco Bagnaia said he “had to sacrifice a bit of performance” on his Ducati despite taking the MotoGP Sprint victory at Motegi.
Francesco Bagnaia started the race well from second on the grid and was trailing leader Pedro Acosta before the GasGas KTM rider crashed out of the lead of the race. Bagnaia’s victory cut Jorge Martin’s lead in the riders’ standings down to 15 points, earning a crucial six points. Bagnaia emphasized the importance of taking as many points as possible in the race. Despite challenging wet conditions, Bagnaia successfully controlled the maps during the race to secure the win. Following Acosta’s crash, Bagnaia managed to maintain the lead on a nervy final lap, holding off his competitors. The Sprint victory has significantly boosted Bagnaia’s confidence after recent struggles in the championship. Looking ahead to the main race, Bagnaia anticipates using the medium rear tire for potentially strong performance.
