But the good news for the gardenia continues. He is now just two points behind World Championship leader Fabio. quartaro Monster Energy has three races to go after the Yamaha MotoGP rider finished 17th and scored ‘zero’. Alex Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) also took the field, although he still has 20 points in Quartaro’s dues after serving a long lap penalty and finishing 11th.
Marco Bezzecchi (Moonie VR46 Racing Team) was almost a second up at the end of lap 2, but was issued a position drop penalty for the way he went and rejoined the pace at the starting corner. This put him in an awkward position, given how close the factory Ducatis were behind him, especially when Miller overtook Bagnia on lap 3, but he managed to serve a penalty – and didn’t – One lap later on Turn 3. Meanwhile, Luca Marini (Moonie VR46 Racing Team) crashed on Turn 9, not reaching fifth for a long time, while Oliveira made his way to fourth.
In the final round, two serious battles unfolded. Miller had cut Oliveira’s advantage back to a tenth of a second and was ready to capitalize on any errors, but the Portuguese rider remained strong to seal victory number five in MotoGP. A second earlier, Bagnia had shaken off Zarco, who found Marc Marquez back behind him, but would remain in fourth place. Finished a full 10 seconds off top five Enya Bastianini (Gracini Racing MotoGP), Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and seventh from Martin with Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing).
After taking his penalty, Alex Espargaro engaged in a fight with none other than Brad Binder in the latter part of the race, and it was the South African who defeated him in 10th place in the end. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took home 12th ahead of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Xstar), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing). From pole position, Bezzecchi slipped all the way to 16th and it was also an afternoon of disappointment for Quartaro, who missed the point for the second time in three Grands Prix. Remarkably, with Marini remounting, only one rider failed to finish, Remy Gardner (Tec3 KTM Factory Racing) crashing on lap 12.
MotoGP Race Top 10:
1. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
2. jack miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) +0.730
3. Francesco Bagnia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 1.968
4. Johann Zarko (Prima Primack Racing) +2.490
5. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) +2.958
6. Ennia Bastianini (Gracini Racing MotoGP) + 13.257
7. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) + 14.566
8. Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) + 14.861
9. George Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) + 15.365
10. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 18.097