In Qatar, the 2024 MotoGP season kicked off with an electrifying start. Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia surged from fifth to claim victory.
On the podium alongside the factory Ducati rider was Brad Binder, securing his second P2 finish of the weekend. Jorge Martin also joined, clinching victory in the sprint race.
After the race, all three riders delved into the action and discussed what transpired.
Starting the conversation, Martin remarked, “When you [Bagnaia] passed me at the start, I was like ‘arggg’.”
Bagnaia mentioned, “I put everything into achieving it.”
Martin noted, “Taking the lead proved advantageous.”
Martin added, “I conserved the tire at turn three, but others passed me.”
Binder commented, “I initially thought the front start device failed to deploy.”
Binder mentioned, “As I entered turn two, I thought ‘s***, if I lose the front now, I’ll look like an idiot.'”
Martin continued, “Then Bagnaia passed me, and my front tire lifted too much.”
Martin added, “Then you [Binder] pulled away by about five tenths, and you started to be fast again. You were catching him at some points.”
Binder explained, “The issue here is that on the first right, I locked the front wheel and went straight.”
Binder and Martin engaged in numerous laps battling each other, allowing Bagnaia to break away.
They then discussed their race, with Binder starting, “Here’s turn 12…”
Martin remarked, “I closed the gap here at turn one!”
Bagnaia shared, “In one lap, I don’t know if you noticed at turn five, I hit the limit [gesturing that he nearly crashed].”
Martin exclaimed, “Wow, Acosta!”
Martin then asked, “Was he in fourth place?”
Binder mentioned, “I didn’t anticipate the rear tire dropping.”
Martin commented, “I maintained good consistency with the rear. I didn’t experience a significant drop.”
Binder added, “Mine was gradually losing grip.”
Bagnaia noted, “I didn’t sense a major drop, but towards the end of the race, the rear started to lose grip slightly.”
Binder observed, “You can notice mine quite prominently.”
Martin remarked, “You were experiencing a lot of pumping. We struggle more with chatter.”
Binder responded, “Oh, is that so!”
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