Jorge Martin triumphs as Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez collide.
Jorge Martin’s strong start saw him take the lead away from Enea Bastianini into turn one. Francesco Bagnaia was third until losing it to sprint winner Maverick Vinales, while Marc Marquez targeted the incumbent world champion.
Bagnaia made slight contact with the Gresini rider on the exit of turn five, but he was able to hold him off. Franco Morbidelli crashed on lap one, while a second Ducati, Alex Marquez, crashed at turn five on lap two. Martin remained in the lead, but Vinales was closing in, as the three KTMs of Jack Miller, Brad Binder, and Pedro Acosta battled for sixth, seventh, and eighth place.
Miller subsequently lost ground to both riders on lap five after racing wide in turn one and Binder dove to the inside. After Bastianini posted the fastest lap of the race, Vinales followed suit, reducing Martin’s advantage to three tenths. In the duel for sixth place, Acosta overtook Binder and achieved the race’s fastest lap time.
The spectacular youngster caught and passed Marquez on lap eight before reeling in Bagnaia for fourth place. After several laps behind Bagnaia, Acosta eventually lined up a move at turn one, but nearly lost the front, allowing the Ducati rider to pass. A error on lap 16 caused Acosta to lose time to Bagnaia, while Martin posted the fastest lap of the race. With only five laps to go, Acosta eventually made his move on Bagnaia, leaping to the inside at turn three. At turn 13, the former Honda rider nearly collided with the factory Ducati rider, giving Marquez a chance to finish fifth.
Marquez exerted pressure before going for the position at turn five, but after racing slightly wide, he was bumped by Bagnaia, causing both riders to fall. Marquez returned to his machine but finished 16th, while Bagnaia went to pit lane and retired. More drama ensued on the last lap, when Vinales crashed out of third place, appearing to believe the race was over with one lap remaining. Vinales raced wide before highsiding his Aprilia, giving Acosta a podium finish.