Spanish MotoGP: Pecco Bagnaia rode 'best race ever' to oust Marc Marquez in Jerez, says Sylvain Guintoli

MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia produced “the best race he has ever done” to beat Marc Marquez in a mesmerising Spanish GP duel, according to TNT Sports expert Sylvain Guintoli.

Bagnaia roared from the third row to the front of the pack in an electrifying start, profiting on an error from race leader Jorge Martin, who crashed out on Lap 11.

But six-time MotoGP champion Marquez closed the gap to set up a grandstand finish as they duelled for the race lead, even coming close to disaster when they made contact with five laps to go.

It was a heart-stopping fight between two of the biggest names in the sport and Guintoli told TNT Sports afterwards that it required a best-ever display from 2022 and 2023 champion Bagnaia to claim victory in Jerez.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pecco ride that well, and he’s done some good races in the past,” Guintoli said.

“This was in my opinion the best race he has ever done.”

Bagnaia’s victory sent the Ducati Lenovo rider up to second place in the 2024 championship standings on 75 points as he gained ground on leader Martin (Prima Pramac).

Marquez, who switched to Gresini Racing in the off-season after 11 years with Honda, is back competing at the top after two disappointing campaigns and sits sixth in the standings on 60 points.

And the 31-year-old’s form on home turf in Jerez was everything a MotoGP fan could have hoped for, according to Guintoli.

“What a battle. We knew that battle was going to happen at some point this year, but it was absolutely unreal,” he said.

“Marc was stronger in Turn 7 and 8 so was able to line Pecco up there, but Pecco was not having it at all, getting the cut-back in Turn 9 and pushing Marc out of the way in Turn 10, defending his place.

“That was absolutely brilliant racing, especially when you consider the lap times they were doing. They were on record pace every single lap.”

Next up is the fifth Grand Prix of the season at Le Mans in France on May 12, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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