Bagnaia achieves first victory in a race without Álex Márquez

BarcelonaFirst victory of the season for Pecco Bagnaia after a complicated start to the championship. The Italian Ducati rider has gone from less to more in this World Championship and has won the sprint race of the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. Ai Ogura, who started in first position, finished second and Marc Márquez completed the podium.

The Brno circuit hosted the ninth race of the year with Marco Bezzecchi —world championship leader— who once again failed to score any points on Saturday. After crashing a fortnight ago in Hungary in the long race, the Aprilia rider fell with two laps to go to the chequered flag. Jorge Martín —fifth— took advantage of this to cut five points in the general classification. The Madrid native is second, fifteen points behind.

Bagnaia led the ten laps in a race in which there were up to six crashes: Marco Bezzechi, Pedro Acosta, Maverick Viñales, Diogo Moreira, Luca Marini and Cal Crutchlow. This Sunday the long race of 21 laps will be held at 2:00 PM.

Àlex Márquez withdraws before starting

This race could not count on Àlex Márquez. We will still have to wait at least a week before seeing the rider from Cervera back in action. The Catalan rider –who was tested in the first qualifying sessions– decided to withdraw from the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic after discussing it with his team and Dr. Ángel Charte.

Àlex is recovering after the serious fall he suffered a month ago at the Catalan Grand Prix. The rider from Cervera had to undergo surgery after fracturing his right collarbone, and will be tested again next week in the Netherlands.