Francesco Bagnaia enters the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix with a 27-point lead over Jorge Martin and confidence gained by heading to a observe that has closely contributed to his two championships.

At this stage of the season in 2022, Bagnaia was absolutely engaged in a come-from-behind cost on Fabio Quartararo and his sixth podium in seven rounds at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand put his destiny in his palms. Entering that spherical 18 factors out of first, Bagnaia closed to within two of the leader as Quartararo struggled via a number of rounds. Bagnaia made up the deficit the next week in Australia with one other podium and by no means relinquished it.

In 2018, Bagnaia gained the Moto2 race in Thailand on his option to profitable that championship.

“I’m very happy to move onto a circuit where I’m very fast,” Bagnaia said at MotoGP.com following final week’s second-place end in Australia. “It’s positive for us, like Malaysia. The next grands prix are good for me because last year I was struggling here, I was struggling in Japan and in Mandalika, so going to a track where last year I was competitive is great and I’m very looking forward to riding there.”

The defending champion has each proper to specific confidence. But issues regarded completely different simply six rounds in the past.

A violent Lap 1 crash within the Catalan Grand Prix despatched him to the hospital after Brad Bender ran over Bagnaia’s legs when that rider had no place to go. Bagnaia walked out of the hospital on a pair of crutches just a few hours later. An off week between the Catalan and San Remini Grands Prix gave him an opportunity to recuperate. Bagnaia completed third at San Remini, however retired from the next spherical in India.

Martin noticed a possibility and was capitalizing. He podiumed within the Catalan GP with a third-place end, gained at San Remini and was second in India. He even managed to achieve 5 factors on Bagnaia at Japan, profitable that race with Bagnaia second.

Martin gave up all of his floor the next week with a retirement within the Indonesian GP. Last week, he completed three positions behind Bagnaia in fifth.

Four rounds stay with this week’s Thai GP adopted by Malaysia, Qatar and Valencia. Bagnaia gained the 2022 Malaysian GP and wanted solely a secure run at Valencia to safe his first MotoGP title.

Martin nonetheless has hope. Last 12 months, Qatar was held initially of the season with Bagnaia popping out of the gates slowly. He failed to complete the 2022 Qatar GP.

Marco Bezzecchi at present sits third within the standings, 73 factors in arrears, to offer Ducati the highest three spots within the title hunt.

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