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.

Francesco Bagnaia beat MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin by 0.214s to claim pole position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Factory Ducati rider Bagnaia trailed Pramac rival Martin by over three tenths of a second after the first runs as the Spaniard broke the circuit lap record with a 1m30.

Michelin will not introduce its new MotoGP front tyre until 2026, a year behind its original intention, the French company confirmed on Friday. There is a widespread acknowledgement that the current front profile needs to be revised in order to deal with the greater forces being placed on it in MotoGP’s new aerodynamic age.

Francesco Bagnaia converted pole to victory in the MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint after fending off Jorge Martin to bring the championship lead down to four points. Having been beaten by Martin in the sprint at Misano two weeks ago, Bagnaia capitalised on a late mistake by the Pramac rider to take the lead on lap eight of 13.

Francesco Bagnaia of Team Ducati set a stunning time to claim pole position for the Gran Premio Pramac dell'Emi

Francesco Bagnaia claimed pole position at the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP on Saturday, giving himself a chance to further chop Jorge Martin’s slim lead in the riders’ championship.

Reigning champion Bagnaia is four points behind Pramac rider Martin ahead of Sunday’s main event Grand Prix, after winning his fourth sprint of the season.

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.