In a thrilling showdown at the 2024 Thailand MotoGP, Francesco Bagnaia showcased his exceptional skills and composure to secure victory under challenging wet conditions at the Buriram International Circuit.
This win not only marked Bagnaia’s ninth victory of the season but also significantly narrowed the championship gap between him and title leader Jorge Martin, reducing his lead from 22 points to just 17 with only two races remaining in the season.
As the race day dawned, the weather posed a formidable challenge for all competitors. After a dry Friday and Saturday rain began to fall early Sunday morning, soaking the track and creating a slippery surface that would test even the most seasoned riders.
The morning warm-up session was crucial for teams to fine-tune their wet setups, with Marc Marquez setting the fastest time, indicating his readiness for the conditions ahead.
When the lights went out for the 26-lap Thailand MotoGP race, Francesco Bagnaia, starting from pole position, faced immediate pressure as Jorge Martin made a lightning start from third on the grid.
The Pramac Ducati star executed a perfect launch, overtaking his stablemate into Turn 1 and initially taking control of the race. However, his lead was short-lived after running wide at Turn 3 on lap five, allowing both Bagnaia and Marquez to slip past him as the critical mistake shifted the momentum of the race firmly in favor of the reigning world champion.
With Francesco Bagnaia now in front, he quickly began to establish a lead over Martin and Marquez. The reigning champion displayed remarkable confidence as he navigated through the treacherous conditions, maintaining his focus while others struggled.
Marc Marquez, known for his aggressive riding style, pushed hard in an attempt to close the gap but ultimately succumbed to the slippery track conditions. On lap 15, he crashed out while trying to overtake Bagnaia, leaving him frustrated and forcing him to rejoin at the back of the field.
As Marquez exited the race, it became a two-horse contest between Bagnaia and Martin. Despite the latter’s earlier error, he managed to keep pace with the factory Ducati for several laps but found it increasingly difficult to match his rival’s speed as the race progressed.
By lap 20, Bagnaia had built a comfortable lead of nearly three seconds over Martin. He ultimately crossed the finish line 2.905s ahead of Martin, securing his ninth victory of the season and further solidifying his status as a formidable championship contender.
Meanwhile, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 rookie Pedro Acosta delivered an impressive performance by finishing third. Acosta’s race was marked by strategic overtakes and consistent lap times that allowed him to capitalize on others’ mistakes. He managed to pass Jack Miller in the closing laps to secure a podium finish during his first wet MotoGP race—a remarkable achievement for the young Spaniard.
Other notable performances included Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Ducati, who finished fourth after a steady ride throughout the race. He demonstrated resilience and skill under pressure as he held off challenges from KTM’s Jack Miller who finished fifth ahead of his teammate Brad Binder.
Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales finished seventh after battling hard but was unable to find his rhythm in the rain-soaked conditions. Johann Zarco followed in eighth place but struggled with consistency throughout.
Aleix Espargaro was ninth as Alex Marquez rounded out the top 10 after a strong recovery ride ahead of brother Marc Marquez. Luca Marini finished narrowly behind the Marquez brothers in 12th, while Takaaki Nakagami crossed the line in 13th.
Enea Bastianini had a particularly disappointing outing after winning Saturday’s sprint race. Starting from second on the grid, he faced early setbacks due to a first-turn clash that saw him drop several places before ultimately crashing out of contention and finishing in 14th place.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo rounded out the finishers in 16th after rejoining the race following his clash with Morbidelli.
2024 Thailand MotoGP Race Results
READ MORE: 2024 MotoGP World Championship standings after Thailand GP
