Fabio Quartararo Wins his third race of the season and extends his championship lead as Espargaro and Bagnaia didn’t feature on the podium

The track temperature was the hottest it had been all weekend, most riders were on hard front and rear tyres, with a few exceptions going for the medium tyre, one being Fabio Quartararo. Pecco Bagnaia started from pole with Quartararo in second and Johann Zarco in third.

The lights went out and Fabio Quartararo took the lead into turn one ahead of Pecco Bagnaia and Aleix Espargaro, the Italian was desperate to get in the lead to not let his front tyre overheat and increase his tyre pressure.

Quartararo crossed the line in first but Bagnaia out-braked the Frenchman into turn one, but Quartararo turned underneath the Ducati and forced Bagnaia out wide to move back into the lead. Johann Zarco took Espargaro for third place at turn 11.

Pecco Bagnaia crashed out of the race at turn one on lap three, losing the front with Joan Mir following suit. This was now Quartararo’s race to lose.

Takaaki Nakagmai went down at turn eight on lap seven with Alex Marquez also retiring from the race, Pol Espargaro was the top Honda in tenth place.

Maverick Vinales was on the back of his team-mate Aleix Espargaro which is something we’ve not seen much of this season and Vinales looked to try and take his maiden podium for Aprilia; Jack Miller was approaching the Aprilias after serving his long lap penalty earlier on in the race.

On lap 18 Vinales made a mistake at turn eight allowing Miller to move into fourth place and could now set his sights on the final podium spot and try to pass Esparagaro. Vinales’s mistake was caused by his ride-height device staying activated during corners. The Spaniard was forced to retire from the race.

Fabio Di Giannantonio was having a great ride in fifth place but was under pressure from Jorge Martin, Luca Marini and Brad Binder. On lap 21 Martin found his way through which upset Di Gi’s rhythm allowing Marini and Binder to pass the rookie, who despite the drop of positions was doing a stunning job.

Marini then on lap 23 passed Martin at turn 12 and was the fastest rider on track and was closing in on Espargaro and Miller with six laps to go.

Miller made an attack on Espargaro at turn one but ran wide due to Esparagro’s strength on the brakes, with this Marini was closing in quicker and quicker.

Aleix made a mistake into turn one, allowing Miller to move into third place and take the final podium spot. Aleix then had Marini to worry about who was closing in, but time was running out for the Italian.

Fabio Quartararo took the win at the Sachsenring in fine style ahead of his fellow Frenchman Johann Zarco and Jack Miller returned to the podium after a couple of disappointing races. Aleix Espargaro finished in fourth with Luca Marini rounding out the top five, taking his joint best finish.

Quartararo leads the championship by 34 points ahead of Espargaro and 61 points ahead of Zarco with Bagnaia down in sixth place tied with Miller on 81 points, a title challenge that is surely over.

Images: MotoGP.com