MotoGP | Malaysian GP Race: Bastianini returns to victory, Bagnaia precedes Martin

MotoGP GP Malaysia Sepang Race – Enea Bastianini literally dominated the Malaysian Grand Prix in the MotoGP class, the 18th round of the 2023 MotoGP championship held at the Sepang International Circuit.

The #23 of Ducati, after a season below expectations due to two injuries, returns to victory, winning his fifth race in the Top Class, tenth in his career, something that hasn't happened to him since Aragon 2022.

The “Beast” preceded the winner of the Sprint Race Alex Marquez, who at the start of the race tried to keep up with Bastianini, but was unable to do so.

On the third step of the podium went Pecco Bagnaia, who was confronted in the early stages of the race with an "off" Jorge Martin, who tried a couple of times to overtake the world championship leader without however succeeding, finishing fourth, very far from the top. The Piedmontese is now 14 points ahead of the Spaniard from Pramac Racing.

Fabio Quartararo's race was excellent, bringing the Yamaha to fifth position ahead of the Ducati of Marco Bezzecchi's Mooney VR46 Racing Team and team-mate Franco Morbidelli. A positive performance for the Iwata manufacturer's bike, which appeared more competitive on the Malaysian track.

Also in the Top Ten are Jack Miller with the KTM, Fabio Di Giannantonio with the Ducati Gresini and Luca Marini, with the latter who, although the official announcement is still missing, will move to Honda in place of Marc Marquez.

Aprilia was disappointing, Maverick Vinales finished 11th, while Aleix Espargarò, after 4 crashes in practice, also crashed today in the race. Also scoring points were Johann Zarco 12th, Marc Marquez 13th, Augusto Fernandez 14th and Pol Espargarò 15th.

The two riders of the production derivatives, Iker Lecuona (replacing Alex Rins aboard the Honda LCR) and Alvaro Bautista (twice Superbike world champion and on the track as a Ducati Aruba.it Racing wild card, ed.), finished third to last and penultimate position, ahead of only Takaaki Nakagami, with the Japanese crashing with 8 laps to go and then getting back on the bike.