Yesterday's MotoGP race between Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia and Honda's Marc Marquez was EPIC

When Ducati signed Francesco Bagnaia back in 2019 under the Pramac flag, a lot of us knew that seeing him on top of the podium spot wouldn't take long. Things were certainly difficult for the young Italian in 2019 and 2020, but 2021 was the turning point of it all when he joined the factory squad. Yesterday, he won his first-ever MotoGP race.

And he did so with amazing fashion as well, against one of the best riders MotoGP has ever seen, Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez. Aragon, Spain is considered by many as the track that Marquez has conquered multiple times in the past, and it showed throughout the race with Bagnaia.

A long time coming and secured in style! 💪@PeccoBagnaia is your #AragonGP winner!!! 🏆#GoFree | #AragonGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/aukFGJNHZ9

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 12, 2021

The final two laps were when things got a lot more interesting as Marquez tried multiple times to gain the lead from Bagnaia, but his smooth riding on the powerful Ducati Desmosedici GP21 retaliated each time Marquez made a move - seven times to be exact. Marquez took the lead seven times, and Bagnaia answered back seven times. Defending world champion, Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) settled for P3.

This also means that Bagnaia is the eighth different winner of the 2021 MotoGP world championship season, and his consistency has placed him 53 points behind the current leader for the rider's title chase, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman had some major grip issues yesterday where he crossed the chequered flag in P8.

According to Bagnaia, "Today's victory was really incredible. We knew we were strong, but also that Marc Márquez is particularly fast on this track. When I took the lead, I tried to push right away because I knew he was behind. The last four laps were tough, and I couldn't wait for the race to finish because he kept passing me. In the end, we did it, and it is an indescribable emotion."

"Today's win was not taken for granted: I came here with lots of questions, as I had never managed to be fast and finish the race in the points since 2019 until now at the MotorLand. Instead, this year, since FP1, everything has been perfect. I'm thrilled," added the young Italian.

The celebration will be kept short but spirits maintained high as the entire MotoGP paddock heads to Misano for Ducati's second home GP this coming weekend (17-19 September 2021).