In a commanding performance at Sepang, Italy's Enea Bastianini clinched victory in the Malaysian MotoGP, finishing more than 1.5 seconds ahead of second-place Alex Marquez.
Bastianini's Ducati teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, secured third place, further solidifying his world championship lead over rival Jorge Martin. With only two races left, Bagnaia now holds a 14-point advantage over Martin, setting the stage for an intense finale in Qatar.
Starting from pole, Bagnaia faced an initial challenge from Martin, but Bastianini emerged as the frontrunner after Martin's early setback. Despite a sluggish start, Bagnaia showcased resilience, ultimately claiming a crucial third place in the race and widening the gap in the championship standings.
Speaking about the race, Bagnaia acknowledged the challenges but expressed satisfaction with the performance. "I'm happy we managed to open a bit of a gap in the championship," said the reigning world title-holder. Despite the intense competition and scorching heat, Bastianini maintained a clear lead, securing his first victory of the season.
Reflecting on his triumph, Bastianini, nicknamed "The Beast," revealed the personal significance of the win. "After a long time without a podium, today is a victory," said the 25-year-old. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi's championship hopes dwindled as he finished sixth, and the six-time world champion Marc Marquez secured 13th place.
As the MotoGP season heads to Qatar for the penultimate race, the championship battle intensifies, promising a thrilling conclusion in Valencia on November 26. In an earlier race, Moto2-bound Pedro Acosta was crowned the Moto2 world champion, securing the title after finishing second in Sepang behind compatriot Fermin Aldeguer.
