Bagnaia recalls his clash with Marquez in Portuguese MotoGP as when he Avoid Penalty

 

In a dramatic turn of events at the Portuguese MotoGP, reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez have avoided penalties following a contentious collision during the race. The incident occurred as both riders were vying for fifth place in the closing stages of the 25-lap Grand Prix.

On lap 23, Marquez, riding the Gresini Racing Ducati, made a bold move to overtake Bagnaia, who was on a factory Ducati machine. Marquez’s maneuver saw him move ahead but also run slightly wide. As he attempted to defend his position, Bagnaia surged up the inside, resulting in a collision between the two riders. The clash caused both to crash out of the race, with Marquez managing to remount and finish in 16th place, while Bagnaia retired to the pits shortly after.

The incident was reviewed by the MotoGP Stewards Panel, which deemed it a racing incident and decided not to impose any penalties. This outcome marks a significant moment for Ducati, which faces its first real

test in managing its rider lineup since Marquez signed with Gresini. Adding to the complexity is the fact that Marquez is not directly contracted to Ducati, further complicating the situation for the team.

As a result of the crash, Bagnaia now finds himself 23 points behind championship leader Jorge Martin, who won the Portuguese GP. This follows a disappointing sprint race for Bagnaia on Saturday, where an error cost him a potential victory. Marquez, who secured his first podium on the Ducati in the sprint race, is now 27 points off the championship lead, although his sprint performance somewhat mitigates the impact of his Portuguese GP setback.

The incident underscores the fierce competition in the MotoGP championship and highlights the challenges faced by Ducati as it navigates its current roster dynamics and championship ambitions.