Latest news with #GrandPrixofNetherlands


The Star
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Motorcycling-Angry Marc Marquez slams critics questioning brother Alex's racing hunger
MotoGP - Grand Prix of Netherlands -TT Circuit Assen, Assen, Netherlands - June 29, 2025 Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez celebrates after winning the Grand Prix of Netherlands REUTERS/Yves Herman ASSEN, Netherlands (Reuters) -Ducati's Marc Marquez launched a spirited defence of his younger brother Alex on Sunday, condemning critics who have questioned whether his sibling is deliberately avoiding challenging him for victories in sprints and races this season. Marc, who has dominated the season with 15 victories across sprints and Sunday races, bristled when discussing social media comments and journalists' questions suggesting his brother might be holding back during their frequent one-two finishes. Alex has finished second 14 times and he came in for criticism for not being aggressive enough to overtake his older brother, with the Gresini Racing rider sitting 68 points behind Marc. "I was a bit angry because people must respect the other riders. Yesterday, many people I saw on social media and even some journalists asked me and told me that 'No, your brother is not attacking you as the others'," Marquez told TNT Sports. "People started to say that and I was angry at that time because Alex is defending his colours, he has the ambition, for that reason he's second in the championship, because he's riding in a very good way. "He's trying to manage his situation. But as we see today, another rider with another brand, with another nationality wanted to win, but he can't attack me, because if the front rider defends well, nobody can attack you." Alex did not score points at the Dutch Grand Prix race on Sunday following a crash where he broke his hand, which requires surgery. To drive the point home, Marc described how Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi finished second behind him at Sunday's race at Assen despite the Italian trying his very best to overtake him, eventually finishing less than a second behind the Ducati rider. "And today Marco Bezzechi, why didn't he attack me? I was defending and I know that my weak point was at turn 11-12, that is the fastest area, it's a very narrow circuit and if you defend there, nobody can attack me," Marc added. "So I was defending there, just trying to attack on the brake points. "But I just want to say that people must respect the other riders and just enjoy the show. Everybody is defending his colours and everybody wants to win." Victory in the sprint and race meant more to Marc after a bruising practice session on Friday when he crashed twice. "Adrenaline is the best painkiller that exists, this is always my medicine," he said. "But now I will rest for two or three days to recover, especially the ribs, the finger, the arm -- the whole body. Big crashes are not the same (at) 20 years old as (when you are) 32!" (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)

Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Marc Marquez wins Dutch Grand Prix but brother Alex crashes out
MotoGP - Grand Prix of Netherlands -TT Circuit Assen, Assen, Netherlands - June 29, 2025 Ducati Lenovo Team's Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez in action during the race REUTERS/Yves Herman ASSEN, Netherlands - Ducati's Marc Marquez won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday despite starting on the second row as the MotoGP championship leader claimed his sixth victory of the season while his nearest contender and brother Alex fractured his hand in a crash. As Assen celebrated 100 years of racing at the Cathedral of Speed, it was Marc who took the lead on lap two and never looked back, with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi finishing second while Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia came third. Bagnaia had won the last three races in Assen but despite taking the lead early on, he was pushed down to fourth place before he recovered to finish on the podium ahead of KTM's Pedro Acosta. The result moves Marc 68 points clear of his brother Alex in the championship while Bagnaia is 126 points behind in third after 10 rounds. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


The Star
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Motorcycling-Marc Marquez wins Dutch Grand Prix but brother Alex crashes out
MotoGP - Grand Prix of Netherlands -TT Circuit Assen, Assen, Netherlands - June 29, 2025 Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez in action during the race REUTERS/Yves Herman ASSEN, Netherlands (Reuters) -Ducati's Marc Marquez won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday despite starting on the second row as the MotoGP championship leader claimed his sixth victory of the season while his nearest contender and brother Alex fractured his hand in a crash. As Assen celebrated 100 years of racing at the Cathedral of Speed, it was Marc who took the lead on lap two and never looked back, with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi finishing second while Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia came third. Bagnaia had won the last three races in Assen but despite taking the lead early on, he was pushed down to fourth place before he recovered to finish on the podium ahead of KTM's Pedro Acosta. The result moves Marc 68 points clear of his brother Alex in the championship while Bagnaia is 126 points behind in third after 10 rounds. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)