Francesco Bagnaia returned to the top step of the podium in Thailand to keep his title hopes alive.
After a difficult Australian Grand Prix last week Francesco Bagnaia returned to the top step of the podium in Thailand. The reigning MotoGP World Champion could see his crown slipping away, but he bounced back on Sunday to keep the title fight alive.
Bagnaia finished third in the Sprint Race on Saturday, but the wet conditions on Sunday aided his fight. The Italian was unbeatable in the treacherous conditions and closed the gap in the Championship to 17 points.
"I'm happy, very happy," Bagnaia told MotoGP.com after the race. "It was a day to make a difference and luckily we did it. I want to dedicate this win to my team because yesterday morning we just sat down and spoke on how to improve the situation. Because I have been struggling a lot with braking we did it again. I am so, so happy, it wasn't an easy race as it was very long and stressful.
"As soon as I started I saw that my feeling was very good, and I saw Jorge (Martin) pushing a lot. I decided to wait two laps until the rear tyre was ready, and when it was I tried to catch up to him. Then I opened up the gap but Marc (Marquez) was pushing hard, I had tried everything.
"On the lap when he crashed we were two-tenths faster in sector three so it was an incredible lap and the pace was super strong. I knew it was important to finish first to make up points in the Championship."
'I knew if he passed he would force too much and go a little wide.'
In the middle of the race, Bagnaia came under heavy pressure from Marc Marquez. However, the Italian had his defensive plan mapped out before Marquez even made an attack. Bagnaia knew Marquez would attack at Turn 12 as the Italian was slow out of Turn 11 and sure enough, Marquez did.
The two-time MotoGP Champion knew he was braking at the limit for the final corner. In Bagnaia's mind if Marquez tried to pass him he would run wide and allow Bagnaia to regain the lead. Which is exactly what happened on two separate occasions.
"Every lap I was expecting him to overtake," Bagnaia explained. "I was quite careful at corner 11 because, on the first laps, I was losing it there. Every lap I could hear him arriving there so I knew he was going to try there. And it was, but I was braking very hard so I knew if he passed he would force too much and go a little wide. Every time it gave me the possibility to get back and cross the line, it was fun."
'It was a good day for us and a 17 point gap is a good number for me.'
Bagnaia believes that his victory in Thailand was crucial for the Championship battle. However, not in terms of positions but in terms of the mentality and mindset of the two riders. Bagnaia now leaves Thailand full of confidence, but Martin leaves in a tense position as he has a 17-point lead with two rounds left.
"In terms of the Championship not too much, but in terms of feeling and the mental side it was very important. Not just for me but also for him (Martin), it was a good day for us and a 17-point gap is a good number for me."
