The 2023 MotoGP™ season is keeping fans on the edge of their seats, as the championship leader keeps changing. At the Grand Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, the action was intense and unpredictable, with the winner only determined in the final laps. Francesco Bagnaia, the World Champion for Ducati Lenovo Team, made an impressive comeback and held off Tissot Sprint winner Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Ajo. Despite his 22-point lead, Bagnaia is now closely followed by Binder, who put himself in 3rd place with 25 points away from Bagnaia. Meanwhile, the previous championship leader, Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46 Racing Team, crashed out and dropped to 2nd place. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller completed the podium.
The race began with KTM factory bikes taking the lead, with Miller leading Binder and Martin. Fabio Quarararo of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ had a disappointing start, crashing out at turn 2 taking out Miguel Oliveira. The incident brought out the red flag and Oliveira was taken to the medical centre where he was treated for a dislocated shoulder. He’s been declared unfit for the SHARK Grand Prix de France on the 12th – 14th of May but will have the opportunity to undergo another medical check at the French Grand Prix to determine whether or not he will be fit to ride. That event led to a red flag and a restart.
It was the flying KTM’s once again that took to the front with Binder rolling around the outside of Miller to take the lead, and Martin slotting into 3rd before an incredible round-the-outside move at Pedrosa corner came from the World Champion Bagnaia which stunned fans as he made the impossible possible.
Binder, Miller, Bagnaia, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was the order the first time across the line. It wasn’t long before the KTMs switched places as Miller took the lead in hopes of making himself the first rider in MotoGP™ history to take three victories with three different manufacturers.
With 21 laps to go the KTMs began to pull away from the Ducatis of Bagnaia and Martin, stretching the gap out to just over half a second. Binder then took the lead back from his teammate, whilst Bagnaia had put the afterburners on to set the fastest lap of the race so far and bridge the gap to the leading duo.
The championship race remains unpredictable, with Binder only 25 points behind Bagnaia. The Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru proved to be an entertaining race, with the podium occupied by two KTM bikes and a Ducati.
