Fabio di Giannantonio wins crash-marred Catalan GP after double red flag drama

BARCELONA – VR46 Racing’s Fabio di Giannantonio claimed victory at the Catalan Grand Prix on May 17 in extraordinary circumstances, taking the chequered flag in a race that was red-flagged twice due to multiple crashes.

The Italian secured only his second MotoGP victory and VR46 Racing’s first since the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, but the triumph was overshadowed by serious incidents that sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.

Honda’s Joan Mir finished second ahead of Gresini Racing’s Fermin Aldeguer, while pole-sitter Pedro Acosta crashed on the final lap after contact from Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura, who was handed a three-second penalty.

However, Mir was one of many riders who were investigated for low tyre pressures and he was handed a 16-second penalty, promoting Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia to third place for his first podium of the season.

“Today has not been an easy day for everybody. I really hope that Alex is fine,” di Giannantonio said.

“We’ve been really lucky. We know that our sport is amazing. We try to give an amazing show, but also we are humans and we are in danger. So I really hope that everybody is safe.”

ALEX MARQUEZ CRASHES INTO ACOSTA

The drama began on lap 12 when race leader Acosta’s KTM suddenly lost power on the straight near turn 10 and Gresini’s Marquez, running second, had no time to react as he crashed into the back of the stricken machine.

Marquez and his Ducati careered towards the wall before both cartwheeled through the air as he lost control on the gravel.

Gresini later said Marquez fractured a vertebra near his neck as well as his right collar bone, with the Spaniard set to undergo surgery later in the day.

The wheel from Marquez’s bike also struck di Giannantonio, who went down but managed to nurse his machine back to the pits.

The second red flag came after an even more chaotic restart, when LCR Honda’s Zarco braked late on turn 1 of the first lap and took out two-time world champion Bagnaia and Honda’s Luca Marini in a three-rider pile-up.

Both Marquez and Zarco were taken to hospital for further examination, though the medical team confirmed they were conscious.

MARTIN CRASHES IN SECOND RESTART

The second restart effectively transformed what was originally a 24-lap race into a 12-lap sprint.

The chaos continued when 2024 world champion Jorge Martin, who started on the front row and looked set to battle for the championship lead, crashed after a collision on lap 1 when Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez made contact on a turn.

Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola looked furious as he walked over to the Trackhouse garage to have a word with the Italian manufacturer’s satellite team.

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi was promoted to fourth after other riders were penalised, giving the Italian a 15-point lead over Martin in the championship.

But up front, di Giannantonio found a way past Mir with four laps to go before hunting down Acosta, taking the lead with two laps remaining to crush the 21-year-old’s dreams of a first MotoGP victory.

Acosta’s nightmare was then complete when he crashed on the final lap.

“It wasn’t an easy one. They should give more points for this,” 2020 world champion Mir said.

“But Johann and Alex, wishing them the best and hopefully we see them in Mugello (for the Italian Grand Prix).” REUTERS