Pecco Bagnaia takes the lead in the MotoGP classification: in Malaysia the Ducati rider could already confirm himself as world champion.
The overtaking feat succeeded in Pecco Bagnaia. From July to today he has recovered 105 points on the former leader of the classification Fabio Quartararo and after the Phillip Island race, closed on the lowest step of the podium, he places himself in the lead when there are two races left, with 14 points ahead of the Frenchman. The Yamaha rider suffered a resounding fall 17 laps from the finish and now recovering seems really difficult.
The Australian track was perhaps the one that best suited the characteristics of the M1 and Quartararo’s driving style. But in Malaysia it will also be necessary to deal with the unpredictable effects of possible monsoon rains and high asphalt temperatures. The fact is that now Pecco is in the lead and has an advantage of 14 points that he can manage, in view of Valencia, a track that he certainly plays in favor of the Ducati Desmosedici GP.
Bagnaia one step away from the world goal
Seven podiums in the last eight races, including four victories: Pecco Bagnaia is proving that he deserves this world title, in spite of the voices that have indiscriminately criticized him on non-existent team orders. No one like the Piedmontese can be said to be fast and constant on this bike. Too bad the victory was missed on the last lap of the Phillip Island GP, but it was useless to take risks to respond to Marc Marquez and Alex Rins. There are 16 points that can be worth the World Cup …
Happy to be the new MotoGP leader, even if today he regrets having missed the victory and 9 points more for the championship standings. “I am very happy for my leadership, but if I had finished first now I would have 23 points ahead of Quartararo instead of 14. Victory always has an extra flavor“. The crash of the French rival changed his perspective on his race, causing him not to take too many risks after hearing about the accident at Turn 4. “When I saw on the scoreboard that Fabio had crashed my race changed and I accepted the podium as a good result … I thought that this year I have already made too many mistakes and it was not the time to make another one“.
In the final he did not have enough front tire to attempt a response from Marquez and Rins. Now in Malaysia he could already confirm himself as champion, without dragging the wait until Valencia. He would need a victory with Quartararo no more than 4th place, or a second place with the reigning champion no better than 7th place. “I think Sepang is a track that suits our bike well, there are a lot of slow corners and braking. I think we will be able to use all our power“, Concluded Bagnaia. “I honestly don’t know what situation he’s in (Quartararo, ed), but it is true that he is going through a difficult time“.
