Marquez grabs MotoGP championship lead with Indonesia sprint win

Spain's Marc Marquez extended his lead in the MotoGP world championship after securing a thrilling and chaotic sprint race victory in Indonesia on Saturday. The reigning seven-time world champion took the checkered flag in a dramatic 13-lap sprint, putting himself four points ahead of fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin in the standings.

Martin, who had led the race at the halfway point on his Aprilia, finished fourth in scorching hot and dry conditions at the Mandalika International Circuit. Japan's Ai Ogura and Italy's Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top three on the podium. The race began with mayhem as Spain's debutant pole-sitter Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi collided at the first corner, resulting in both crashing out.

Despite starting from the second row, Martin capitalized on the chaos to take the lead, with Marquez finishing second. The reigning champion briefly regained the lead before Marquez seized it for good, potentially due to tire pressure issues. The grand prix is scheduled for Sunday, with just five race weekends remaining, starting in Australia in two weeks' time.