MM93 wins first MotoGP race for Ducati
Marc Márquez and the Ducati Lenovo Team have achieved the maximum result in the opening race of the season in Thailand at the Chang International Circuit. Francesco Bagnaia made it to the chequered flag in third place at the end of the 26-lap encounter.
“It was truly the perfect weekend. Results aside, the important thing is the incredible feeling I have with the bike and the team. The strategy for the race was to push hard in the early stages to create a gap and then try to manage it. As the laps went by, however, I noticed I was at the limit with regards to the front-end tyre pressure and I had no choice but to give up one position. It was really hard to be in Alex’s slipstream with this heat as I struggled breathing properly. I waited for the right moment to retake the lead and create the right margin, and things went as I had hoped. I’m happy,” says Marc Marquez.
Following a perfect start from pole, Marc gave up the lead to Alex on lap seven. Márquez still stayed on his brother’s tail and eventually overtook him at turn 12 with four laps left, before making his way to the race win. Pecco had a good start but could not defend the second position he took at turn two. In the closing stages he tried to bridge the gap, eventually crossing the line 0.6s shy of second place.
Márquez leads the championship standings after season opener with maximum points, 37. Bagnaia is third, 14 points in arrears. Ducati leads the manufacturers’ standings (37 points), with the Ducati Lenovo Team on top of the team standings (60 points).
The second Grand Prix of the season will take place at Termas de Río Hondo in Argentina on March 14-16.
