Francesco Bagnaia’s triumphant return to the top of the MotoGP world after the Indonesian GP was met with mixed reactions, especially from five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo. Bagnaia, who had a challenging Saturday, finishing eighth in the Sprint Race and missing out on Q2 in the morning qualifiers, managed to turn things around within 24 hours. His victory on Sunday was accentuated by the unfortunate fall of Jorge Martin.
Bagnaia, after crossing the finish line, made a clear and unequivocal celebratory gesture, which he repeated upon ascending to the top step of the podium. He stated post-race, “People often talk too much; sometimes it’s better to wait for the results before doing so.” This was a direct message to his critics, emphasizing his resilience and ability to bounce back.
However, Jorge Lorenzo, while commenting for DAZN, did not take kindly to Bagnaia’s exuberant celebrations. He remarked, “Such gestures are not good. Don’t anger the beast; it’s not over yet. Keep your enemy calm; don’t infuriate him.” Lorenzo believes that while Bagnaia might have won the race, it was more of Martin’s loss. He opined that Martin could have easily secured a double win for the weekend had he been more cautious.
Lorenzo further analyzed Martin’s fall, saying, “He was overly confident. He didn’t need to push that hard. He should have slowed down a bit and then pushed if he was being caught up, but he shouldn’t have overdone it.” Lorenzo expressed his disappointment, especially since the slip could potentially cost Martin the championship.
The world of MotoGP is no stranger to intense rivalries and passionate celebrations. Bagnaia’s victory and the subsequent reactions only add to the drama and excitement of the championship, setting the stage for more thrilling races ahead.