winner of the sprint in Valencia, Jorge Martin can still be crowned against Francesco Bagnaia during the last race of the season

“Pecco” will have to wait. Francesco Bagnaia had the opportunity to win a new world champion title in the sprint race of the Valencia Grand Prix, Saturday November 25 at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, but his rival Jorge Martin decided otherwise. Nervous and behind during qualifying (6th on the starting grid), “Martinator” once again took advantage of a great start to settle into the first positions of the race (3rd).

Francesco Bagnaia experienced more difficulties during the race despite his second place on the grid. Leader for a few seconds after the first corner, the Italian then gradually fell back to fifth place. He therefore saw from afar Jorge Martin continue his festival and take the lead to keep it until the checkered flag. The Spaniard won ahead of Brad Binder (KTM) and Marc Marquez (Honda).

“Pecco” will console himself by telling himself that he remains 14 points ahead in the general classification, while he could have lost much more. With 9 laps to go, Fabio Quartararo tried to overtake him and was close to sending him to the mat. The Frenchman, 15th on the grid after disappointing qualifying, quickly moved up to sixth before making a mistake. His compatriot Johann Zarco started in front (3rd in qualifying), but quickly fell back (7th at the end of the first lap) to finally finish in a disappointing 9th place.