MotoGP | Australian GP Race: incredible final, Martin gives up, Zarco wins over Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio

MotoGP GP Australia Phillip Island Race – Incredible MotoGP final at Phillip Island, scene of the Australian Grand Prix, 16th round of the 2023 MotoGP world championship.

With a few laps to go, Jorge Martin's victory seemed to be a foregone conclusion, as after pole he was the only rider to choose the soft tire together with Marc Marquez. The Pramac Racing rider was leading by a wide margin, but with a lap and a half to go his soft rear Michelin suddenly ended, handing the victory (the first in MotoGP, ed.) to his team-mate Johann Zarco.

The Frenchman crossed the finish line ahead of Pecco Bagnaia, with the Ducati #1 who, after running a wait-and-see race, took advantage of the sudden drop in Martin's tyre, finishing ahead of an extraordinary Fabio di Giannantonio, on the podium with the Ducati Desmosedici of Team Gresini, which next year will hand over to Marc Marquez, who finished 15th. The Roman driver deserves to remain in Top Class, let's hope we don't lose his talent.

At the foot of the podium was Brad Binder (KTM Factory), who had been second for a long time and who, right at the last corner, took advantage of the traction of the rear tire and passed Jorge Martin, fifth, one second behind the winner.

It was a gamble taken by Martin who didn't pay, as Gigi Dall'Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, underlined at the end of the race. The #89 finished ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, sixth on the Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati, in turn ahead of Jack Miller's KTM Factory.

Also in the Top Ten are Aleix Espargarò with the Aprilia Factory, Alex Marquez with the second Ducati of Team Gresini and Enea Bastianini, Ducati Factory.

Difficult race for Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Factory) and Luca Marini (Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team) who finished in 11th and 12th position.

Fabio Quartararo finished 14th with the Factory Yamaha, ahead of Marc Marquez (Honda Factory) while Franco Morbidelli finished 17th.

In the Championship Bagnaia now has 366 points, 27 more than Martin, who until a few kilometers from the end was even -6 behind Bagnaia. Marco Bezzecchi is third, with 73 points.