SEPANG: The MotoGP World Championship title is now Jorge Martin's to lose after winning the sprint race at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia today.
The championship leader enjoyed the best possible outcome at Sepang today as besides winning the sprint race, his only rival in the title race, Francesco Bagnaia, crashed out in the second lap.
Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo), who started from pole position, lowsided at turn nine whilst he was in second position behind Martin and was unable to continue.
Martin (Prima Pramac), who qualified second this morning, held on to his lead until the end, taking the chequered flag in 19 minutes and 49.230 seconds.
Gresini Racing's Marc Marquez claimed second (+0.913s) while Ducati Lenovo's Enea Bastianini (+2.010s) completed the podium.
Gresini's Alex Marquez crossed the line fourth while former teammates Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac) were fifth (+7.017s) and sixth (+8.957s).
Light rain fell briefly before the start of the race.
Martin, who held a 17 point advantage going into the sprint race, now only needs to finish tomorrow's main race with nine points more than Bagnaia to secure the World Championship title.
The Spaniard, who kept his celebrations muted in respect of flood victims in Valencia, made it clear he remains focused ahead of tomorrow's main race.
"It has been an amazing weekend so far though today was actually a difficult race as the pace was very strong," said Martin.
"As soon as I saw Pecco (Bagnaia) crash I tried my best to control myself. I knew I had to be precise and very focused.
"It was really easy to make a mistake and tomorrow will be similar so I have to keep my head down as tomorrow is going to be an important day.
"Today, my prayers are for everyone at home in Valencia, there is nothing to celebrate today."
The disappointment was clear to see as Bagnaia made the long ride back to the paddock with the shutter to his pit being closed soon after he arrived.
The Italian, who won back-to-back titles in 2022-2023, has very little margin for error in tomorrow's main race which offers the winner 25 points.