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MotoGP is the world's most demanding two-wheeled race, a true showcase of power, technology, and determination from the world's best riders. The maiden MotoGP Grand Prix of India took place at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida, a track which has turned out to be quite challenging for the riders, especially with hot and humid conditions.
The premier-class championship saw top riders Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and Marco Bezzecchi battle it out for the top honours, with Bezzecchi bringing it in for the VR46 at the first-ever Indian GP. The main race started at 3.30 pm (IST).
Check all key highlights from the premier two-wheeled race here.
That's all from us from the inaugural Indian GP. The action-packed weekend was full of crashes and some stellar performances by riders. The action will return next year with the Indian GP back on the provisional MotoGP calendar for 2024 in October.
We hope to see you here next year.
Marco Bezzechi is placed third in the rider championship standings, 44 points behind leader Pecco Bagnaia and 31 points behind Jorge Martin. Can we see a three-way title fight in the upcoming races? We certainly hope.
That was one exciting inaugural Indian GP. Bezzecchi converted his sprint disappointment into an unchallenged victory in the main race with a lead of 8.649 seconds. It was a positive finish for Yamaha as Fabio Quartararo took the podium in a splendid finish post Pecco's crash. Brad Binder and Joan Mir held on to P4 and P5 rather well, while putting up a fantastic battle for P4.
Marco Bezzechi brings it in for VR46 at the first-ever Indian GP. Jorge Martin finishes second, followed by Fabio Quartararo placed third.
Three laps to go at the ongoing MotoGP Bharat main race and Pecco has a lead of 6.6 seconds over Jorge Martin. Fabio holds on to P3. Brad Binder (KTM) and Joan Mir (Honda) are placed at P4 & P5.
Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha has moved up to P3 behind Jorge Martin and is only 2 seconds off. A very real chance for Yamaha to score a podium and end the weekend on a high.
Pecco Bagnaia has crashed C5 while closing in on Jorge Martin. The yellow flags are out. The defending champion has retired out of the Indian GP
Marco Bezzechi is flying solo at the front with a sizeable lead of Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia. The VR46 rider is eyeing a victory
First big crash with Marc Marquez down, Marco Bezzechi retains his lead over Pecco Bagnaia.
The wait is finally over as the main race of the 2023 MotoGP Bharat has begun. It's a clean start for the Indian GP main race with no crashes on the opening lap. Stay tuned for updates and race results.
Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan arrives right in time for the MotoGP Indian GP main race. Just a few minutes to go
VR46 rider Marco Bezzechi starts on pole for the Indian GP main race. The first row will also have Sprint race winner Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) starting in second place and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) in third.
The second row comprises the Honda riders Joan Mir and Marc Marquez, along with Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati)
Fabio Quartarato (Yamaha), Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) start in the third row.
Cricketer Yuvraj Singh is here at the Indian GP. The former Indian cricket team all-rounder waved the chequered flag for the Moto2 race.
Pedro Acosta wins the Moto2 race at the Indian GP. The KTM Ajo team rider fought it out in an epic battle for the top spot. A red flag followed by a restart meant rider Tony Arbolino lost out on competing with Pedro for the lead and had to settle for second.
Aprilia has publicly showcased the new RS 457 at their fan stall at MotoGP.
Ola Electric has showcased its new electric motorcycles. The first one is expected to launch by the end of 2024.
Ducati's fan zone has several of their new motorcycles. There is the new Scrambler, Diavel V4, DesertX, among others.
Jaume Masia of Leopard Racing won the Moto3 race of Indian GP. The rider best Kaito Toba and Ayumu Sasaki to the top spot.
John Abraham is in attendance at MotoGP Indian GP. The actor is an avid biker himself and a big fan of former world champion Valentino Rossi. He is also the brand ambassador for Indian Oil, title sponsors of the Grand Prix of India.
Honda has showcased the new Repsol Editions of the Dio 125 and Hornet 2.0 at the Fan Zone of MotoGP. Both the models are inspired from MotoGP and reflect Honda's racing DNA. They feature a dual-tone colour combination of Ross White and Vibrant Orange colour scheme.
Ola Electric is the official partner of MotoGP Bharat. It has provided 150 electric scooters for mobility duties across the BIC tracks.
The Moto3 boys in action for the main race today. Moto3 is the stepping stone to MotoGP with the riders learning their skills on the 125 cc race machines. The Moto3 riders are lapping the BIC with an average time of two minutes. In comparison, the MotoGP riders are about 20 seconds faster with the litre class engines.
Yamaha's fan zone has a gaming zone where people can race against other riders. They have also showcased the R7 and MT-07.
Yamaha has taken the ongoing MotoGP Bharat as an opportunity to showcase its new R3 and MT-03 motorcycles ahead of their scheduled launch in December 2023. The Japanese two-wheeler brand showcased both the sub-400cc offerings in the brand's signature Racing Blue colour at the motorsports event.
KTM has showcased several motorcycles such as RC 390, new-gen 390 Duke and Duke 250. The one that stands out though is the R16 MotoGP
The Indian GP main race is scheduled to start at 3.30 pm (IST). Stay tuned for all the latest updates from the event venue.
The distance for the main race today has been reduced to 21 laps from 24, to ease stress on the riders and maintain tyre life.