Johann Zarco dramatically ousted Prima Pramac team-mate Jorge Martin on the final lap at the Australian Grand Prix to clinch his first race win of the MotoGP season.
Zarco overtook Martin on the final lap with a perfectly timed move as the Spaniard lost grip in the closing stages of the race.
Before Saturday’s race, which was held a day early due to bad weather forecast for Sunday, Zarco held the record for most podium finishes without a win.
“It’s a good feeling, it’s hard to believe,” said Zarco, who claimed his first victory after seven years of racing.
“After so many races I finally won, I have to take in the moment. I want to cry, but not at the moment.”
As title rival Martin slipped to fifth, it opened the door for championship leader Francesco Bagnaia to climb to second and extend his lead in the riders’ standings to 27 points with four rounds to race.
Fabio Di Giannantonio finished third as Brad Binder, sandwiched between Di Giannantonio and Martin, narrowly missed out on a podium spot.
Martin found himself four-tenths clear on pole having gambled with the soft rear hanging on as the chasing pack closed in on the final laps.
The gap was over three seconds when it was Binder closest to Martin, with Di Giannantonio close and Bagnaia leading the chase for fourth.
Martin continued to stretch his lead with Binder and Di Giannantonio keeping tabs, while Bagnaia and Zarco had their own battle behind the leading pack.
The gaps continued to close as the race edged to its conclusion and Di Giannantonio made his move to pull clear in second.
Binder, Bagnaia and Zarco joined the Italian in chasing down leader Martin and with three laps to go, Martin’s struggles became clear as Zarco snatched second place on the following and penultimate lap.
With just four-tenths left in hand as Martin crossed the line on the final lap, his team-mate Zarco closely bunched up with Bagnaia now in third, a troubling Turn 4 proved pivotal when Zarco slammed up the inside of Martin to take the lead.
Bagnaia joined Zarco ahead of Martin and the title candidate then fell behind Di Giannantonio and Binder, as Zarco crossed the line to secure his maiden race win with Bagnaia clinching a clinical second-place finish.
The sprint race, which is usually held a day prior to the main race, will take place on Sunday, weather permitting.
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Eurosport.co.uk – https://www.eurosport.com/moto/grand-prix-australia/2024/motogp-australia-johann-zarco-pips-jorge-martin-in-thriller-to-claim-maiden-win-francesco-bagnaia-ex_sto9844681/story.shtml