Bagnaia has set the record straight: while he had posted a better result in 2022 than 5th place (in Argentina and the Americas), the Ducati rider left only crumbs to his opponents in this sixth Grand Prix of the season.

"It was one of the best starts of my entire career, after the pressure was strong, in my head with Fabio (Quartararo, editor's note) who remained within a few tenths throughout the race, and in my tires, which were heating up and slipped a lot. But in the end everything was perfect today," said the 25-year-old Italian after his fifth victory in the premier class.

Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), winner of the Spanish Motorcycle GP, on May 1, 2022 in Jerez de la Frontera JORGE GUERRERO AFP

"Pecco" Bagnaia, in difficulty with his machine since the start of the season, had struck a blow in qualifying on Saturday by exploding by 6/10 the record for the best pole position of Quartararo (2021) and by 4/10 the record of the track held by Maverick Vinales (2020).

Quartararo, consistent and serious during the 25 laps, stayed in the wheel of his rival of the day without ever being able to attack him, but second place remains a good deal for the reigning world champion.

"Black people"

"There is certainly a bit of disappointment not to score five more points for the championship, but I really couldn't pass +Pecco+ today. He was braking late and hard, and every time I approached the front wheel was heating up enormously. I managed to stay calm and pocket 20 good points for the championship", reacted the Yamaha rider after the race.

Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) leads in front of French world champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), during the MotoGP GP of Spain, May 1, 2022 in Jerez de la Frontera JAVIER SORIANO AFP

Two weeks before "his" Grand Prix at Le Mans, which will be played "50/50 with the Ducati" according to him, the Frenchman, winner the previous weekend in Portugal, is now alone in the lead in the general classification with 89 points, ahead of the Spaniard Aleix Espargaro, 3rd Sunday (82 pts).

The Spaniard has long observed the fight between the Australian Jack Miller (Ducati, 5th) and the Spaniard Marc Marquez (Honda, 4th), before taking the opportunity to no longer let go of the podium, a first here at home.

"I have been racing here since I was a child, but I had never been on the podium. I saw very early this morning that the hill (a mound occupied by fans on the sides of the circuit, editor's note) was black with world, it feels good", concluded Espargaro, referring to the long period without spectators due to the Covid.

Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), 3rd in the Spanish MotoGP GP, congratulated on the podium by Italian Francesco Bagnaia, winner, on May 1, 2022 in Jerez de la Frontera JAVIER SORIANO AFP

Straight for Rins

Behind, some mistakes are expensive: the Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) fell, but it is especially the Spaniard Alex Rins (Suzuki) who loses big.

Shooting straight on the eighth lap, he lost all hope of a result to finish 19th and demoted to 4th place overall, 20 points behind "El Diablo".

Spanish driver Alex Rins (Suzuki) concentrates in the pits on April 30, 2022 in Jerez de la Frontera, on the eve of the Spanish MotoGP GP JORGE GUERRERO AFP

In Moto2 the Japanese Ai Ogura (Honda) pocketed the first victory of his career and is 19 points behind the leader of the general classification, Celestino Vietti (ITA / VR46), sixth on Sunday.

In Moto3, it was the Spaniard Izan Guevara (Gasgas) who, starting on pole but quickly relegated, waited for the penultimate corner to regain first place.

The good operation in the championship is carried out by Sergio Garcia (ESP / Gasgas), second in the grand prix who takes a 20-point lead over the former co-leader Dennis Foggia (Leopard), in great difficulty (18th).

The first two MotoE races of the season, run on Saturday and Sunday, ended with victories for Brazilian Eric Granado (LCR E-Team).

© 2022 AFP