Leader Marc Marquez claims Spanish MotoGP sprint win
Leader Marc Marquez claims Spanish MotoGP sprint win
Marquez the elder is starting to look unbeatable on his new Ducati. Photo: AFP
Marc Marquez secured his fifth consecutive sprint victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez on Saturday to expand his lead at the top of the MotoGP standings.
The six-time premier class world champion took 12 points on his factory Ducati to reach 135 in total, ahead of his brother Alex Marquez, who came in second and is also second overall, 20 points behind the leader.
Francesco Bagnaia, third overall, also finished third in the sprint to reach 104 points.
French rider Fabio Quartararo started in pole position after setting a Jerez course record on his Yamaha earlier in qualifying, but he fell on turn six of the second lap, allowing Marc Marquez to claim the lead, which he held on to.
"Today it wasn't easy because of these very high temperatures," said Marc Marquez under the sizzling Andalucian sun.
"I struggled a bit at the end, but I was controlling it."
Marc Marquez is undefeated in the sprint races this season after winning just one last season, looking ever more comfortable on his new factory Ducati. (AFP)
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