Enea Bastianini says he was “too late” to fight with Marc Marquez for the final podium spot at the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix. The factory Ducati rider had a scrappy opening lap at Motegi on Sunday in the 24-lap grand prix and dropped to seventh having started fourth on the grid.

Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP World Championship Tissot Sprint Race Saturday at Motegi, in Japan.

Francesco Bagnaia profited from a mistake by rookie Pedro Acosta to win the Japan MotoGP sprint on Saturday and close the gap on overall championship leader Jorge Martin. Pramac rider Martin is looking to win his first MotoGP championship after finishing second behind Ducati's Bagnaia last year.

Bastianini found himself locked in a heated battle with Gresini Ducati’s Marquez in the last laps over second after Acosta crashed out of the lead, with the pair swapping positions at Turns 9, 10 and 11 on the penultimate tour.