Francesco Bagnaia was defeated in both the Sprint Race and the Grand Prix at the Sachsenring by Jorge Martin. However, the reigning Champion and the Pramac Ducati rider fought on Sunday until the last corner.

Francesco Bagnaia put his factory Ducati on pole at the Sachsenring after a hectic qualifying session and looked like he would do the double just like he did in Mugello. But Jorge Martin had a point to prove in Germany and faced the Championship leader head on.

Bagnaia had to settle for two second places in Germany as his now Championship rival, Martin, picked up all of the points available and closed Bagnaia's Championship lead down to 16 points.

>>> 2023 MotoGP World Championship standings <<<

“That was fun!" Bagnaia said after the race on Sunday, "We found something more since yesterday, the pace today was incredible and I wasn’t expecting it.

"I think to beat Jorge we needed something more today but we were very close, we touched twice! I’m happy with the result and happy for him, he deserved the win so let’s now move on to Assen with a great feeling.

"He was able to be closer compared to me in the exit of the corners, I was just trying to maximize the feeling and it was OK, in the last lap I tried to get back to him but for sure we have to improve on circuits where the bike turns more. Now we move on to Assen next week, one of my favourite tracks!”

Bagnaia's comeback in 2022 started at Assen as he ran away and claimed the victory while his rivals struggled. The Italian will head to Assen this weekend with hopes of a similar weekend in mind for himself to stretch his opponents once again.