Bagnaia out-p💛erformed his title rival for the second consecutive grand prix, and now has a commanding 23-point lead in the MotoGP standings.

With just 37 points left on the table, Bagnaia is the𒉰 clear favourite to repeat as world champion with Martin needing𒅌 to ideally win both races.

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Martin, who blamed his P10 in Qatar on a bad tyre, struggled from the outset and Bagnaia admitte🔯d he was surprised tꩵo see him so low down.

“I never🐻 saw him,” said Bagnaia. “I thought he was fourth, but I didn’t see he was behind like this and my team didn’t say anything to me.”

Martin is fighting for the world title for the first time in his MotoGP career, while Bagnaia’s experience from 2022 has been invaluable overꦓ the last few rounds.

Bagnaia was under a lot of pressure to secure Ducati’s first title since 20🎶07 but says the feeling this year is very differe𝔉nt.

Bagnaia added: “Last year I remember my feeling (going i🥂nto the final round). Even if it was a 23-point gap, I was very🔥 much under pressure but this year is different. 

“I think w❀e can manage the situation better and 🅺Jorge will have to totally attack. We are in the best position.”

During the Qatar MotoGP, a race where Bagnaia led the majority before a mistake took him out of the running with three laps to go, Fabio Di Giannantonio received a mappin❀g 8 message which is a sign of team orders.

The factory team were just as surprised as Bagnaia to hear about Di Giannantonio getting that message, however, theꦉ meaning was different this time around which is why the Italian continued to attack. 

Bagnaia said: “I didn’t know! He got mapping eight!? Fantastic if it was the same as the last time! In any case, he was fa🐓ster, I did the maximum with my pace and I did my best lap time the one before going wide.”