MotoGP Bharat 2023: Marco Bezzecchi wins inaugural Indian GP as Pecco Bagnaia crashes

MotoGP Bharat 2023: Marco Bezzecchi wins inaugural Indian GP as Pecco Bagnaia crashes

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The inaugural MotoGP Grand Prix of India ended on a high with VR46 team rider Marco Bezzecchi taking an uncontested win on his Ducati. The Italian rider led the race from the pole position and was unchallenged for most of the 21-lap race as defending world champion Francesco (Pecco) Bagnaia crashed out. The first-ever Indian GP has thrown open a three-way title fight as the top three riders are separated by 44 points in the world rider championship standings.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 24 Sep 2023, 19:10 PM

VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi took an uncontested win in the inaugural Indian GP main race. Also finishing on the podium were Jorge Martin and Fabio Quartararo (Grand Prix of India/MotoGP)

Marco Bezzecchi started on the pole but a better start for Jorge Martin catapulted him to P1. Pecco also moved up to P2 with the VR46 rider moving down to P3 in the opening corners. But Bezzecchi clearly had better pace on his GP22 Ducati as he reeled back in the lead at Turn 4. There were no crashes on the opening lap since all riders were being extra cautious of Turn 1 braking, unlike the sprint race. Bezzecchi began building his lead with defending champion Pecco Bagnaia right on his tail at the end of the opening lap. Just what the rider needed after a disappointing crash with teammate Luca Marini wiped him in Lap 1, Turn 1 of the sprint race.

Also Read : MotoGP Bharat 2023: Marco Bezzechi wins Indian GP. Check key highlights

Behind Bezzecchi and Bagnaia was Jorge Martin, followed by Honda riders Joan Marc Marquez and Joan Mir. Bagnaia defended his position for the first half of the race as Martin began closing in, battling for P2. The Ducati factory rider had to cut his podium run short though with a crash on Lap 13, Turn 5, removed from contention. The incident promoted Martin to P2, while Fabio Quartararo moved up to P3, as an early crash put Marc Marquez at the back of the order from running fourth in the early stages.

At the front, Bezzecchi built a lead of well over two seconds by Lap 6, extending it further to 5 seconds by Lap 13. The rider remained untouched with a sizeable difference in pace over the rest of the grid. The 24-year-old managed to claim the victory in the first-ever Indian GP with a lead of 8.649 seconds.

Meanwhile, with Pecco out of contention, Fabio turned out to be the unexpected fighter in the Yamaha as he moved in sync with the Pramac Ducati to battle it out for P2. Quartararo managed to pass Martin briefly but the Pramac rider was not the one to give it away that easy and passed the Yamaha again, ensuring to keep the order that way till the end of the race.

Fabio Quartararo finished third in an impressive turnaround for Yamaha this weekend
Fabio Quartararo finished third in an impressive turnaround for Yamaha this weekend (HT Auto/Sameer Contractor)

Coming in fourth was Brad Binder on the KTM, in what was salvaging a disappointing weekend overall, while Joan Mir finished fifth after battling it out with Binder for P4. Johann Zarco finished sixth, while Franco Morbidelli finished seventh in a dramatic improvement of pace for Yamaha through the weekend. Maverick Vinales finished at P8, while Marc Marquez crossed the chequered flag in ninth place, an impressive finish considering his crash earlier in the race.

Also Read : MotoGP Bharat 2023: Jorge Martin wins maiden sprint race amidst five retirements

Rounding off the top 10 was Raul Fernandez on the RNF Aprilia, followed by Takaaki Nakagami of LCR Honda at 11th place. Miguel Oliveira of RNF Aprilia finished 12th ahead of Pol Espargaro of Tech3. Jack Miller concluded the weekend in 14th place while Stefan Bradl of LCR Honda concluded the list of points scorers in the race. Also finishing the race was Michele Pirro on the Ducati.

First Published Date: 24 Sep 2023, 19:10 PM IST


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MotoGP Bharat 2023: Honda’s Marc Marquez unveils new helmet specially designed for Indian GP

MotoGP Bharat 2023: Honda’s Marc Marquez unveils new helmet specially designed for Indian GP

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Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Marquez unveiled his new helmet ahead of the maiden Indian GP scheduled this weekend. The former MotoGP world champion arrived in India earlier today amidst visa woes that delayed his arrival. Speaking at the first press conference at the Indian GP, the Spaniard spoke about looking forward to riding at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) tomorrow.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 21 Sep 2023, 20:45 PM

Marc Marquez’s new helmet celebrates the vibrant Indian culture with its colours and also gets the tri-colour, making it even more special

Marc Marquez’s new Shoei helmet gets a vibrant colour scheme, representing the vibrant Indian culture. It also features the Indian tri-colour further giving it a unique touch compared to the helmet designed used by the rider in other races. The specially designed helmet certainly celebrates the maiden Indian GP, which kicks off with the practice session on Friday, September 22.

Also Read : MotoGP Bharat 2023: Riders welcomed to India with a flash mob, dance to Nattu Nattu

The MotoGP riders also said concerns about track safety have been resolved after arriving in India
The MotoGP riders also said concerns about track safety have been resolved after arriving in India

Marquez comes to India after the testing session at Misano. Elaborating on the same during the press conference, the rider said that the Honda race bike remained the same in terms of specifications but the new track would make for an interesting playing field for the riders. The BIC has been repurposed for MotoGP duties (originally designed as an F1 circuit) and this will be the very first time MotoGP riders will have their hand on the circuit. This should level the playing field for the riders, making for an even more interesting race weekend.

Earlier in the day, Marc Marquez went around the circuit with former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, interestingly on a Royal Enfield Classic 350 with a sidecar.

The Grand Prix of India will begin with the practice session on Friday with the riders getting the first taste of the circuit, followed by the qualifying and sprint race on Saturday. The main race is scheduled at 3.30 pm (IST) on Sunday, September 24.

First Published Date: 21 Sep 2023, 20:45 PM IST


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No power banks, backpacks, or professional cameras at MotoGP Bharat. See complete list

No power banks, backpacks, or professional cameras at MotoGP Bharat. See complete list

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The organisers of the maiden MotoGP Grand Prix of India have released a list of essentials that spectators can and can’t carry to the race track this week. The first-ever round of MotoGP Bharat is scheduled to take place between September 22-24, 2023, and spectators have been prohibited from carrying items like power banks, laptops, binoculars, professional cameras and more to the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 19 Sep 2023, 19:31 PM

The prohibited list of items includes alcohol, sharp objects, power banks, laptops, backpacks, binoculars, chewing gums and more

The list of prohibited items also includes backpacks, radios, chairs, stools, large handbags, umbrellas, balloons, coins, bottles, fireworks, lighter or matchboxes, glass containers, perfume, deodorants, drones, alcohol, cans, chewing tobacco, and chewing gums. Spectators won’t be allowed to bring pets either as well as a laser light, pen/pencil, skateboards, roller blades, and drones. Some of the more obvious items include firearms, crackers, sharp-edged materials, syringes, as well as sprays.

Also Read : MotoGP Bharat: The ‘What’, ‘Where’, ‘How Much’ and everything you need to know

On the other hand, the organisers have shared an essential list of items that can be brought. It includes caps/hats, ear plugs, sunscreen, mat/picnic cloth, sunglasses, baby food, and a medical inhaler. There’s no provision to take food items or even water inside the circuit premises and spectators will be dependent on the food and beverage options available at the race track to choose from.

While the prohibited items may seem arbitrary, most of these items are also prohibited at cricket stadiums across the country. While prohibiting laptops and professional cameras is understandable, the ban on power banks is out of the ordinary. It’s unclear as to what will be the alternatives available at the circuit.

Also Read : MotoGP Bharat: First batch of race bikes land in India; arrive at BIC

The MotoGP Bharat safety car and bike arrive for the big showdown this weekend
The MotoGP Bharat safety car and bike arrive for the big showdown this weekend

MotoGP Bharat will see the top motorcycle riders from across the world in attendance. 41 teams and 82 riders will be competing over three days across Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP championships. The BIC was originally built as a Formula 1 circuit but has undergone a host of changes to make it suitable for racing motorcycles.

The first practice session will be held at 4.00 pm on September 22, Friday, followed by the second practice session at 10.40 am onwards on September 23, Saturday. Qualifying will take place on the same day in the morning from 11.20 am onwards with the sprint race scheduled at 3.30 pm. The feature race on September 24, Sunday, is scheduled at 4.00 pm (IST).

First Published Date: 19 Sep 2023, 19:31 PM IST


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MotoGP Bharat: First batch of race bikes land in India; arrive at BIC

MotoGP Bharat: First batch of race bikes land in India; arrive at BIC

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The first batch of race motorcycles have landed in India and reached the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the maiden Indian MotoGP race. MotoGP Bharat is scheduled to take place between September 22-24 and will see the premier-class motorsport championship arriving in India amidst much fanfare.

By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor
| Updated on: 14 Sep 2023, 22:11 PM

The first batch of superbikes, engines, tyres, and safety barriers landed in Delhi via air freight and were transported to BIC

The countdown has begun for the first-ever MotoGP race in India, and the first batch of superbikes, engines, tyres, and safety barriers landed in Delhi via air freight and were transported to the circuit. MotoGP Bharat will see nearly 40 teams participating with 80 riders across Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP categories. The race track has seen extensive upgrades for the imminent arrival of the two-wheeled championship.

Also Read : First MotoGP Bharat ticket presented to UP CM Yogi Adityanath; sales begin

MotoGP Bharat is scheduled between September 22-24, 2023, at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC)
MotoGP Bharat is scheduled between September 22-24, 2023, at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC)

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Sandill, Racing Director – FairStreet Sports, the Indian promoters of MotoGP, said, “The arrival of equipment has added to the excitement of the race. Most of the bikes for the event landed in New Delhi and were transported to the Buddh International Circuit under heavy police security. The remaining bikes and equipment will arrive in the next lot.”

Top manufacturers including Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia, Honda, and KTM are engine suppliers in MotoGP with a total of 10 teams and 22 riders on the grid. MotoGP Bharat will see the world’s top racers right from defending champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati, Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha, Brad Binder of KTM to Marc Marquez of Honda on the race track. MotoGP Bharat will also be broadcast live on Sports18 and streamed online on JioCinema in India.

First Published Date: 14 Sep 2023, 22:11 PM IST


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