Francesco Bagnaia has declared his intention to aggressively challenge MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin at this weekend’s Indonesian Grand Prix. The reigning champion is aiming to chip away at Martin’s 24-point lead and recapture the top spot.
Bagnaia will be seeking to replicate his triumphant performance at the Mandalika International Circuit last year, where he secured victory and extended his lead over his Pramac rival. However, the tables have turned this season with Martin currently leading after Bagnaia’s unfortunate crash at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix last weekend.
“I think I still need to approach in an aggressive way this part of the season, then after these two races, I will maybe change my strategy. But at the moment I have to push a lot,” Bagnaia stated to reporters. “I will approach like always, pushing, trying to be competitive and trying to win races. I am now 24 points behind so they are not a lot, but they are also not a few,” he added.
Martin, meanwhile, is looking to put the Emilia-Romagna race behind him after narrowly missing out on a victory to Enea Bastianini on the final lap. He is determined to capitalize on Bagnaia’s misfortune and maintain his championship lead. “The more pressure I have, the more difficult things become. I try to be more focused on riding, and on my feelings. If I start thinking too much, then I start making mistakes,” Martin shared.
Bastianini’s second GP win of the season, and seventh of his career, at Misano Adriatico last weekend, propelled him to within 59 points of Martin in third place. His Ducati teammate, Bagnaia, is now 24 points behind the leader.
Gresini rider Marc Marquez, who will join Bagnaia in Ducati’s factory team next season, sits 60 points behind Martin and slipped behind Bastianini to fourth in the overall standings after a disappointing performance last weekend. Despite previously gaining momentum in the title hunt by winning two GPs and the sprint in Aragon, Marquez crashed in qualifying in Italy and missed out on gaining valuable points on Martin.
MotoGP’s return to Indonesia in 2022, after a hiatus since 1997, marked a new chapter for the sport on the resort island of Lombok. The Mandalika International Circuit promises an exciting and challenging race for all riders, making this weekend’s Indonesian Grand Prix an event not to be missed.
