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Marc Marquez wins Qatar sprint and gains a title chance

Marc Marquez won the Qatar MotoGP sprint, moving 49 points ahead of Jorge Martin and gaining an opportunity to clinch the title in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Fabio Di Giannantonio finished second, with Martin third. Marco Bezzecchi crashed after contact with Marquez during a race that had already been stopped and restarted.

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Side profile of Marc Marquez riding his red racing motorcycle on the Qatar MotoGP circuit during the sprint race.

Sprint win changes the title standings

Marc Marquez won Saturday’s sprint at the Qatar MotoGP round after contact with Marco Bezzecchi during the race. Bezzecchi fell and retired as the Ducati rider continued toward victory, strengthening his championship lead ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.[1], [2]

Victory earned Marquez 12 points. Fabio Di Giannantonio took second and Jorge Martin third, leaving Martin 49 points behind the leader. Bezzecchi’s deficit reached 79 points. Marquez recorded his 25th sprint win, with the main Grand Prix still to come.[1]

A crash halts the first start

The initial race was stopped after Fermin Aldeguer collided with Francesco Bagnaia at the final corner of the opening lap. Bagnaia was conscious and speaking before transfer to the medical centre. Aldeguer received a double Long Lap penalty, requiring two trips through the longer penalty route, for the restarted race.[1]

A final-lap pass decides second place

Marquez led away when the sprint restarted over 10 laps. Stewards took no further action over the later Bezzecchi contact. Di Giannantonio passed Martin at the second corner of the final lap. Marquez can secure the championship in Qatar if he wins Sunday’s Grand Prix and Martin scores no points.[1]

References

  1. News sourceMotoGPMarc Marquez wins Qatar sprint to open 49-point lead↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceThe RaceMarc Marquez wins the Qatar sprint↩

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