Five positions recovered in two corners: Bagnaia immediately lights up the Mugello GP with a show start. Behind him Martin – after the crash in the sprint – seems to want to take it calmly. Bastianini third, then Marquez with Acosta behind him. The race starts like this and remains frozen until the 18th lap. Then Marquez attacks and passes Bastianini and with six laps to go he gets one foot on the podium, but shortly after he counter-overtakes and so it goes to the checkered flag. Or almost because Bastianini passes Martin on the last lap and gives the official Ducati team a double.
The match report is all here. It seems like a trivial rush to tell it. But the one hundred and sixty thousand spectators present at Mugello (15% compared to last year) enjoyed it like never before because their idol – Bagnaia, obviously – demonstrated that this is truly his home. After the victory in 2022 and the double in 2023 (races on Saturday and Sunday), here comes the double blow this year too: Sprint and race. A real domination accompanied by the special support of a special audience like only the Italian one, and in particular the Mugello one, can be.
Yes, because until a few years ago the hills of the Mugello racetrack were inevitably colored with the yellow of Valentino Rossi (now present on the circuit to give the latest advice to the boys of the VR46 Riders academy), and now the predominant color is undoubtedly Ducati red. It is not for nothing that the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has doubled the grandstands this year, adding a part of the central one in front of the pits to the historic Correntaio one. Places for happy people.
Among other things, now Bagnaia – with three victories in the last four GPs – is just 18 points behind Martin in the world rankings. Not only that: with 22 triumphs aboard the Ducati, Pecco is also about to beat Stoner’s historic record (23) of victories with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. More than this, for those who have the Red in their hearts, it is impossible to expect.
