Alex Marquez claimed a dominant victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix of MotoGP on Sunday, with Francesco Bagnaia facing disappointment with a late-race issue while in third place. Despite securing the runner-up position in the championship on Saturday, Marquez swiftly overtook Bagnaia and asserted his lead, showcasing his top contender status from the start. Pedro Acosta secured second place on the podium as Bagnaia’s mechanical problem hindered his podium chance.
Starting from pole position, Bagnaia initially led the race, with Acosta utilizing KTM’s launch control to pass Marquez. However, Marquez quickly reclaimed his position and prevented Bagnaia from pulling ahead. Later in the race, Acosta managed to pass Bagnaia, who was struggling with tire issues, but Marquez held a significant lead.
Marquez secured his third victory of the season, winning by a 2.6-second margin, while Bagnaia’s unexpected problem ended his podium aspirations, allowing Joan Mir to claim the final podium spot. Quartararo and Morbidelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, with rookie Bastianini impressively recovering to seventh place. Hundreds of racing fans witnessed both thrilling battles and disappointing retirements during the intense Malaysian Grand Prix.
