Marquez seizes championship lead with San Marino win after Bezzecchi crash

MISANO, September 13 - In a dramatic MotoGP race, Spanish rider Marc Marquez claimed his first championship lead of the season, despite a crash by home favorite Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap. Marquez won his fifth race this season, moving into a tie with Jorge Martin on 274 points, but surpassing Bezzecchi in race wins. Bezzecchi's compatriot, Pedro Acosta, secured the podium for KTM.

Fermin Aldeguer finished fourth, pushing Martin to fifth as five Spaniards topped the podium. The championship seemed far away earlier in the season, with Marquez trailing Bezzecchi by 102 points after the Italian Grand Prix. Marquez acknowledged the pressure, stating that a small mistake could cost him dearly. Bezzecchi crashed out, falling 33 points behind the leading duo.