Marquez grabs MotoGP championship lead with Indonesia sprint win
Ducati's reigning seven-time world champion took the chequered flag in a dramatic lap 3 sprint to go four points clear of his fellow Spaniard in the standings.
Marc Marquez has taken the lead in the MotoGP world championship after winning a thrilling and chaotic sprint race in Indonesia on Saturday. The Spanish rider now holds a four-point advantage over his fellow Spaniard, Jorge Martin, in the standings. Martin had been leading the race on his Aprilia at the halfway point, but Marquez took the chequered flag in lap 3, putting him ahead by one second.
The race saw some mayhem at the start, with Spain's debutant pole-sitter Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi crashing out on the first corner. Despite this, Martin took full advantage to seize the lead, finishing fourth in blistering hot and dry conditions at the Mandalika International Circuit. Marquez, who had started from the second row, was second at the halfway stage, but ultimately surrendered the lead due to possible tyre pressure issues.
The grand prix is set for Sunday, with just five race weekends remaining, starting in Australia in a fortnight.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
