MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix: Aleix Espargaro ousts world champion Francesco Bagnaia for dominant Sprint race win

Aprilia Racing Team’s Aleix Espargaro beat world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) by just under two seconds to win the Sprint race at the MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix.

Having dropped from second to fourth on the opening lap, Espargaro had to work hard to weave his way back through the field, and he sped in front to take the lead on lap seven.

As Bagnaia - who started in pole position - fought to close the gap on Espargaro, the Spaniard eased away to take the chequered flag and secure his second win of the 2023 MotoGP season.

Bagnaia managed to see off Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing Team) over the remaining laps to take second spot by just 0.051s, and has extended his championship lead to 66 points.

South African Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished fourth with Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) completing the top five.

Espargaro dedicated his win to former Aprilia boss Roberto Colaninno who died two weeks ago, aged 80.

"This is my first Sprint victory and to do it at my home track is special," he said."It's a good day to say thank to our president who we lost a few weeks ago.

“This is for him.”

Bagnaia reflected on the race with optimism as he stretched his championship lead over Martin.

"It's obviously better to win but in any case I'm happy with the result,” he said. "The Aprilias are very competitive here, so it's a positive gaining points for the title.

"We will fight again tomorrow."

Espargaro’s win comes a year on from an embarrassing mistake where he miscounted the laps and prematurely celebrated the win, which inevitably cost him as he finished fifth at his home Montmelo circuit.

But he was never doubted by his local support this season, after lighting up Friday's practice session ahead of Saturday’s Sprint race.

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