(Reuters) – Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia held off a spirited problem from reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha to win the Italian Grand Prix in entrance of his residence followers on the Mugello Circuit on Sunday.

From fifth on the grid, Bagnaia had a foul begin as he dropped to ninth on the opening lap however the Italian fought again to slowly make his method to the highest.

With 15 laps to go, Bagnaia overtook Marco Bezzechi of Mooney VR46 Racing Team in first place with a superb transfer heading into Turn 1.

Bagnaia held on to his lead for the remainder of the race and completed 0.635 seconds forward of Quartararo, securing his second win of the season after the Spanish Grand Prix.

“It feels unbelievable,” mentioned Bagnaia, who grew to become the third Italian to win for Ducati at Mugello.

“I feel the staff and me deserve this win as a result of we labored quite a bit. The begin was not one of the best however I’m blissful to win the race. At residence, in entrance of our followers, it’s actually nice.”

Frenchman Quartararo utilized fixed stress on Bagnaia and did an excellent job to end second after beginning sixth, whereas Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro got here third.

Quartararo prolonged his lead on the prime of the riders’ championship, sitting eight factors forward of second-placed Espargaro and 28 forward of Enea Bastianini in third.

“It was principally one of the best race of my profession, to be trustworthy,” mentioned Quartararo. “I used to be feeling unhealthy all weekend, then I made an incredible begin… earlier than the race I had nothing to lose as a result of my tempo was not so good.

“I used to be using at my finest immediately and I’m so blissful. In France, it is mom’s day, so I would like to want a very good one to my mum.”

Johann Zarco gave Ducati another excuse to have a good time when he completed fourth, whereas rookie Bezzechi had his finest MotoGP end in fifth.

Six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez was tenth on his Repsol Honda in what was possible his remaining race of the season, with the Spaniard set to endure a fourth surgical procedure on his arm subsequent week.

Pole sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio of Gresini Racing had to accept eleventh.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; enhancing by Clare Fallon)