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.

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.

Francesco Bagnaia emerged on top in a thrilling duel with Jorge Martin to take victory in the sprint for MotoGP’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Ducati’s Bagnaia made a slow launch after qualifying on pole,