Martin wins Indonesia GP to extend lead over Bagnaia

MANDALIKA :Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin led a crash-hit Indonesia Grand Prix in Mandalika from start to finish on Sunday, to win his third race of the season and extend to 21 points his lead over reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Pole-sitter Martin rocketed off the line in hot and humid conditions at the Mandalika International Street Circuit to take the lead going into turn one and stayed there throughout the race, despite having Pedro Acosta breathing down his neck.

The jubilant 26-year-old punched the air after his win, which comes a year after he crashed at the 2023 Indonesia GP to throw away his lead in the championship before ultimately finishing runner-up to Bagnaia.

"I am very happy. This is not just any victory because I think after all that happened last season, after yesterday's crash, to perform this way was quite difficult," said Martin, who also crashed in Saturday's sprint.

"I had a lot of - not doubts - because I trust in myself, but, you know, I thought about crashing every corner. Being able to find that feeling during the race and to win today with this gap was incredible.

"A lot of pressure from Pedro, so really happy. I think we are ready for the next."

The Spaniard leads the championship with 366 points, 21 ahead of Bagnaia (345) in second place.

Bagnaia, looking to win eight races in a season for the first time in his MotoGP career, qualified fourth on the grid and won the sprint on Saturday to cut his gap with Martin to 12 points.

The Italian Ducati rider had a terrible start, staying stuck in fourth after a slow launch, before drifting wide and being overtaken by Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi to drop down into sixth in the second lap.

Bagnaia moved up to fifth after teammate Enea Bastianini