MotoGP: Martin prevails in Thailand

Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin clinched a dramatic fifth victory of the season in the Thailand Grand Prix on Sunday.

It’s turning out to be an absolute dog fight in the 2023 MotoGP™ Championship story as the gap in the standings is reduced back down to just 13 points with three rounds remaining.

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) came out on of what was a nail-biting battle for victory with the top three all in contention right up until the checkered flag. It was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) that pushed the #89 to the limit right until the bitter end with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) latched onto the back of them.

The South African crossed the line in P2 but exceeded track limits on the final lap meaning he was to drop one position to Bagnaia who was promoted to P2 in the fourth closest podium finish of all time. 

Binder waited until the final seven laps to show his hand to Martin as the he lunged his way through on the Spaniard. The South African couldn’t make it stick however as Martin got the cutback which saw them proceed to exchange paintwork over the course of the next lap. Meanwhile, Bagnaia was licking his lips as he watched on in 3rd.

Eventually Binder did get the better of Martin as he replicated his Turn 8 move with five laps to go, this time leaving no room for Martin to bite back.

Conscious of Bagnaia breathing down his deck, Martin retook the lead on the brakes down into Turn 2 on the penultimate lap. The Spaniard then led the way on the final lap and with neither Binder or Bagnaia having any answer for Pramac rider he made a statement of intent taking Ducati’s first victory at the only circuit they’ve never won at.

Binder crossed the line in 2nd place as he tried all he could to find a way past the Ducati at the final corner. The KTM frontman put it all on the line but was denied P2 after he exceeded track limits on the final lap and had to drop one position to the Championship leader Bagnaia. Despite missing out on P2, Binder’s 3rd place finish has made him the most successful South African rider in the history of the premier class as he took his 9th career podium.

Thai GP Results

Rider Standings