DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 14 December 2024

Alex Marquez wins Malaysian MotoGP sprint

KUALA LUMPUR - Alex Marquez won the Malaysian MotoGP sprint race on Saturday at Sepang ahead of championship rival duo Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, who saw his lead at the top cut to 11 points.

Spain's Marquez romped home on his Ducati nearly 1.6 seconds ahead of compatriot Martin, who gained two points on Italy's Bagnaia in their championship tussle with three races left.

It was a particularly disappointing afternoon for title-holder Bagnaia, who started on pole on his factory Ducati and led for half of the 10 laps, before slipping into a distant third.

Bagnaia, who smashed the Sepang lap record in qualifying to snatch pole from rival Martin for the sprint and Sunday's race, made a clean start to retain his lead at the first corner.

Martin, also on a Ducati, slipped to fourth early on.

The Prima Pramac rider recovered and then engaged Marquez in a battle for second, as Bagnaia maintained his advantage at the front in mostly serene fashion.

But Marquez saw off Martin and with five laps to go, Marquez seized his moment to snatch the lead from Bagnaia.

Martin then darted past Bagnaia as well, relegating the championship leader to third.

Gresini Racing's Marquez romped away from there, establishing a lead on Martin of about a second for the remainder of the sprint. 

Bagnaia's factory Ducati team-mate Enea Bastianini was fourth.

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