Two-time and defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia had a solid weekend going but looked like he would leave the Sachsenring further behind title rival Jorge Martin in the Championship points chase. Instead, when Martin crashed out of the lead, Bagnaia took the win and the points lead going into the summer break. After nine rounds, Bagnaia has 222 points, Martin 212 and Marc Marquez 166.
Gresini Racing suffered a brutal Friday and Saturday, with Marc Marquez suffering two crashes, one a massive highside, and Alex Marquez plowing into the inflatable barriers on Saturday. The team’s smiles couldn’t have been much bigger on Sunday, with the Marquez brothers on the podium, Marc ahead of Alex.
American Joe Roberts fought through the pain of a broken collarbone and finished eighth in the Moto2 race. But it could have been worse from a Championship point of view. The only two riders in front of him, Sergio Garcia and Ai Ogura, finished seventh and third, respectively. Garcia now leads 147-140 over Ogura, with Roberts third with 123.
David Alonso’s win in the Moto3 race was his sixth in nine races.
