Marc Marquez tightens title gap with San Marino sprint win

Marc Marquez has strengthened his challenge for the MotoGP world championship by winning the San Marino Grand Prix sprint. The Ducati rider converted a strong race into another step towards Jorge Martin, who remains at the top of the standings.

Marquez completed the 13-lap sprint in 18 minutes 48.519 seconds, finishing 1.068 seconds ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and 3.538 seconds in front of Martin. The result leaves Martin on 263 points and Marquez on 249, with Bezzecchi third on 241. It was Marquez’s sixth sprint victory of the season.

Marquez seized the lead from Bezzecchi at the opening corner and controlled the race despite using a medium rear tyre. Bezzecchi closed to within half a second late in the contest, but Marquez responded with the fastest lap of the race before pulling clear again. Martin moved into third after passing Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Alex Marquez finished fifth.

The sprint brought contrasting results for the French riders. Johann Zarco took 10th place and the final championship point, while Fabio Quartararo ended the race last after a third-lap fall while battling Diogo Moreira. Quartararo remains 15th in the championship with 55 points, and Zarco is 17th on 36.