Aleix Espargaro was roared onto a popular Sprint Race victory on home soil at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after successfully reeling in and overtaking Francesco Bagnaia.

The Spaniard has been the hot tip for success this weekend just a few miles from his home town of Granollers and despite just missing out on pole position, his superior race pace was enough to see off Bagnaia’s best efforts.

- 2023 MotoGP World Championship Standings -

He had to work hard for it though, Espargaro getting away tardily initially to slot in behind Bagnaia, who got the hole-shot into the sweeping first turns, but after capitalising on a brief moment involving Maverick Vinales and Jorge Martin on lap three, he got his head down to chase after the factory Ducati Team rider out front.

After reeling him in, Espargaro made short work of the Italian, pouncing on the inside on lap six of 12 to move in front for the first time.

With Bagnaia dismissed, Espargaro sprinted clear, putting almost two seconds between himself and the Italian to collect his second ‘first across the line’ victory of the year, plus both his and Aprilia’s first Sprint success of 2023.

Bagnaia followed him home to extend his lead over Jorge Martin in the overall standings, the Spaniard trailing in fifth after his cross up with Vinales early on, while Vinales consolidated Aprilia’s successful day with a return to the top three in third.

KTM’s Brad Binder capitalised on a good getaway to get himself into fourth position on the KTM RC16, trailed by Martin in fifth and Miguel Oliveira in sixth, the RNF Aprilia rider unable to make the most of his front row start but still securing one of his best results of the year.

Ducati riders completed the last remaining points’ paying positions in the order of Johann Zarco, Marco Bezzecchi - ran as high as fifth initially following a bright start before being bumped down to eighth place - while Enea Bastianini collected the final point in ninth, fending off Silverstone Sprint winner Alex Marquez, who dropped back at the start when he forced Jack Miller wide.

As Aleix won, there was disappointment for Pol Espargaro after sliding off at Turn 5 while battling just outside the points.