Maiden MotoGP win in Aragon ‘a dream come true’ for Bagnaia

Francesco Bagnaia claimed a first ever MotoGP win after a stunning final three laps which saw he and Marc Marquez exchange the lead 14 times.

Bagnaia led the entirety of the race until that point, but faced a late charge from Marquez who was searching for a sixth premier class win at Aragon. 

But like we saw many times between Marquez and former Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, Bagnaia was able to better the Honda rider thanks to several stunning counter moves on the exit of corners. 

The last of Marquez’s attempts came at turn 12 as he ran wide which allowed Bagnaia to regain the lead. 

The Ducati man remained unchallenged throughout the rest of the lap and claimed a sensational first MotoGP win. 

"I have a lot of emotions today. I’m so happy! We worked a lot to achieve this result," said Bagnaia post race. 

"Every time that we were close (to winning before) something happened. This dream to get my first victory was always far. 

"To win today is a great liberation. I’m so happy. It's difficult to say something now, but to finish first is a dream come true."

The pace throughout the 24 lap race was stunning by both riders as 1m 48s lap times were held until the very final stages. 

It was lap times that surprised Bagnaia given the hotter conditions, while he acknowledged that Marquez had ‘a bit better pace than me’.  

Bagnaia added: "It was not easy. Today it was more hot and I was not thinking that the pace could be like this. 

"But when I start, my feeling was great with the bike and I was knowing that Marc was the only one with a bit better pace than me. 

"But when I started, I tried to push and I opened a gap with the third position, so I continued to push. 

"We did an incredible pace I think. He was only trying to overtake me in the final part of the race because before that it was useless I think. 

"I tried, I saw he was overtaking me in the points where I was strong in the exit and in the last part of the race with the rear tyre that was a bit down on grip to cross, the overtake was more easy. 

"And the last attempt he did in turn 12 I was already braking so hard, so when I see that he was trying to overtake me I was sure that he would go a bit wide."