MISANO, Sept 13 : Ducati’s Marc Marquez seized the MotoGP championship lead for the primary time this season after successful a chaotic San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday, the place Aprilia’s dwelling favorite Marco Bezzecchi crashed out on the opening lap.
Marquez claimed his fifth victory of the marketing campaign to maneuver stage with Jorge Martin on 274 factors however the seven-times champion tops the standings having gained extra races than the Aprilia rider, whose sole win this season got here in France.
Marquez completed forward of his brother Alex of Gresini Racing whereas KTM’s Pedro Acosta accomplished the rostrum. Fermin Aldeguer was fourth, pushing Martin right down to fifth as 5 Spaniards completed within the prime 5.
Main the championship appeared a distant prospect earlier this season, with Marquez trailing Bezzecchi by 102 factors after the Italian Grand Prix in Could.
“It feels unreal however I by no means hand over. I’ll push till the top. This isn’t performed, we’re there within the championship combating in opposition to superb riders, particularly Martin and Bez,” Marquez mentioned.
“However as we see at the moment, we’re driving on the restrict and a small mistake can price lots of factors.”
Marquez had overtaken Bezzecchi at flip one to win Saturday’s dash however the Italian went on the defensive within the race, taking the lead because the Aprilia – sporting a particular white livery at their dwelling monitor – surged forward.
BEZZECCHI CRASHES ON LAP ONE
However Bezzecchi’s try and construct an early lead backfired dramatically when he misplaced management at flip 12, sending his bike cartwheeling throughout the gravel to the utter shock of the Italian followers.
Marquez moved into the lead whereas his crew mate Francesco Bagnaia additionally crashed at his dwelling monitor to retire for the fourth time in 5 races, with Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali unable to cover his disappointment as he doubled over in disbelief.
Martin, beginning fifth, had briefly seized management by overtaking Marquez on lap seven with a daring overtake on the within at flip 4.
However the Aprilia rider’s desires of victory evaporated when Marc struck again on lap 12 with a dive into flip six, earlier than Alex additionally swept previous.
“After Bezzecchi’s mistake, I used to be a bit too assured after which Martin attacked me,” Marquez mentioned.
“However then I regained the arrogance once more. I saved the tempo and I am blissful as a result of 37 factors right here means lots.”
Aprilia’s dwelling race then was a nightmare as Acosta additionally overtook Martin, knocking him off the rostrum positions, earlier than Aldeguer additionally acquired previous.
As soon as Marc reclaimed the lead, there was no stopping him, regardless of Alex’s relentless pursuit.
“With Marc, it is true that it was actually troublesome to assault him as a result of the final sector from him was unbelievable,” Alex mentioned.
Because the Ducati rider took the chequered flag forward of his brother, a stone-faced Bezzecchi watched on from the Aprilia storage as he fell 33 factors behind the main pair having led the championship earlier this season.
Raul Fernandez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Fabio Quartararo accomplished the highest 10.