In the India MotoGP, Marco Bezzecchi takes the lead over champion Francesco Bagnaia

On a steamy and muggy Saturday afternoon at the Buddh International Circuit, Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi won the first MotoGP race in India.

In the second qualifying, the Ducati-VR46 rider set the fastest time of 1 minute, 43.947 seconds. Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion, finished second and third, respectively, to complete the front row.

Alex Marquez, though, was all but eliminated from Sunday’s race after the ninth-placed Spaniard wrecked his Ducati-Gresini in qualifying and shattered several ribs.

Bezzecchi burnt the track in the sweltering heat, forcing the organizers to reduce the race’s length by three laps to 21 on Sunday.

Was difficult, but I felt better on the bike this morning, Bezzecchi remarked. “Very thrilled to be in first place. It’s crucial to take the lead at the start of tomorrow’s race.

Despite being 65 points behind Bagnaia in the standings, Bezzecchi is still in the running for the 2023 championship.

Martin, who finished first in the most recent race at Misano and is now second in the standings, 36 points behind Bagnaia, was 0.043 seconds slower than Bezzecchi on his Pramac-Ducati.

Back-to-back first rows, pleased to be doing it, he said. I’m glad to be here.

Rider complaints about the heat forced organizers to shorten the sprint race on Saturday from the customary 12 circuits to only 11. The temperature is expected to rise on Sunday.

On a factory Ducati, Bagnaia tried to accelerate in the closing laps but settled for a front-row spot as he looks to increase his championship lead.

Luca Marini, who won Friday’s second practice, was fourth in qualifying.

Joan Mir, a Honda rider, and fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez round up the second row in positions fifth and sixth, respectively.