Francesco Bagnaia emerged on top in a thrilling duel with Jorge Martin to take victory in the sprint for MotoGP’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Ducati’s Bagnaia made a slow launch after qualifying on pole,

MISANO ADRIATICO, Italy (Reuters) -Reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati recovered from a poor start to win the sprint at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday after the pole sitter capitalised on a mistake by championship rival Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing.

Francesco Bagnaia won an exciting sprint race at the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP on Saturday to cut championship rival Jorge Martin's lead at the top of the riders' standings. He was 23 points behind Martin after crashing out of the Aragon MotoGP but if he wins Sunday's GP he will take the championship lead.

Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia took a remarkable win over championship rival Jorge Martin to take MotoGP sprint victory in Misano. Bagnaia

Reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati recovered from a poor start to win the sprint at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday after the pole sitter capitalised on a mistake by championship rival Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing.

TNT Sports MotoGP pundits Neil Hodgson and Michael Laverty hailed the incredible qualities of Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

Francesco Bagnaia says he “needed this mistake” from Jorge Martin in the MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint race as overtaking him “was very difficult”. The reigning world champion set a new lap record to claim pole on Saturday at Misano, but once again found himself jumped by Pramac rider Martin off the line in the sprint.

Francesco Bagnaia took pole position at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday, breaking his own lap record at the Misano circuit as Ducati bikes locked out the front row with Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini in the top three.

Jorge Martin was left to rue a costly mistake in the Emilia Romagna Sprint, as championship rival Francesco Bagnaia stole victory late on in Misano.