07:24
Martin takes the Sprint at Motegi.
Martin wins thꦇe Japanese MotoG🎃P sprint ahead of Binder and Bagnaia.
Brad Binder, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, 29 September
2023 Japanese MotoGP: Saturday Qualifying & Sprint - LIVE UPDATES
Reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia leads the standings by just 13 points over Jorge Martin heading into the M𒊎otegi Sprint race after a costly fall in last Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix, where a dominant victory for Marco Bezzecchi moved the VR46 rider to within 44 points of the top.
The inaugural Buddh event also took its toll on the full-time riders, with two more - Alex Marquez (ribs) and Luca Marini (colla🥂rbone) - suffering fractures that will see them jo꧙in Enea Bastianini in missing this weekend’s Japanese round.
Alex Rinsཧ, sidelined since Mugello in May due to leg fractures, attempted a return in Friday practice before being declared unfit due to the pain in his righꦅt leg.
HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will take over from Rins on Saturday, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro continuing in place of Ba𓂃stianini at Duc📖ati.
Also on track is Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow, making his first official wild-card appearance since retiring at the end of 2020. The 37-year-old Englishman made ten starts as a replacement rider for Yamaha during 2021 and 🎀2022, with a best race finish of 12th at Sepang last year.
Joan Mir will have one 2024 Honda prototype this weekend, as debuted at the Misano test, while factory KTM riders Brad Binder - fastest on Friday🔥 - and Jack Miller have the factory's new carbon fibre chassis available.
30 Sep 2023
07:23
Last lap
Martin has half a lap to go as he looks ♋to make it three consecutive sprint wins.
07:20
Mistake from Miller at turn 11 on lap 11 and 𒁏Bagnaia is finally through on the Ausꦐtralian.
07:19
Lap 10
Stunning defenceꦓ from Miller as he holds off Bagnaia♛ at turn 11.
07:17
They've both ran wide and Zarco has taken advantage to ꦫm💛ove up to fifth.
07:16
Lap 8
Marc Marquez is really struggling now as Marco Bezzecchi swooღps through at turn 11.
07:16
Long Lap penalty for Cal Crutchlow.
07:12
Lap 6
The closest battle in the top five iꦦs concerning third as Bagnaia continues to catch Miller.
07:09
Lap 4
Binder is managing to stay with Martin but he can't get close enough💎 to make a move.
07:05
Lap 1
Binder pounces on Miller for second and is chargiꦉng after M💮artin.
07:03
Brilliant start from Martin as he leads from Miller. Bagna🌳ia𓆉 is down to fourth as being overtaken by Brad Binder.
07:01
The formation lap is underway at Motegi.
06:57
Jo꧙rge Martin will start from po൩le ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller.
06:54
Good morning and welcome to Sprint race day at Motegi. Up next is the sprint in five minutes time.&nbs✱p;
03:33
J🌸orge Martin is untouchable for pole position and will be joined on the front row by Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller.
03:29
Binder delivers to rise from 10th to 5th.
03:29
1min to go, front two rows: Martin, Bagn𒁃aia, Miller, Bezzecchi, di Giannantonio, Marquez.
03:28
But not for long. Bagnaia c𓄧limbs to second and Bezzecchi to fourth.
03:28
Martin isn't able to improve but Ma🍌rquez is towed from 6th to 4th.
03:27
Meanwhile Marc Marquez has picked new lap record holder Martin to f💞ollow on his final run.
03:26
Bagnaia improves froꦡm 8th to 3r🐠d with Bezzecchi slotting into 7th on his first complete flying lap.
