Marc Marquez wins Australian MotoGP sprint, retakes title lead as Martin crashes out

Marc Marquez has won a thrilling Australian Grand Prix sprint at Phillip Island on Saturday to retake the MotoGP championship lead, after title rival Jorge Martin crashed out and fractured his wrist.

The Ducati rider converted pole into the holeshot and traded the lead with Martin several times before the Aprilia rider lost the front at Turn 8 on lap eight and tumbled through the gravel. Martin was carried from the crash site on a stretcher, and MotoGP later confirmed he had fractured his right wrist and been declared unfit for Sunday’s race.

The victory — Marquez’s ninth sprint win of the season — moves him to 365 points in the standings, ten clear of Martin on 355, with Martin now sidelined for Sunday’s grand prix.

“It was a title battle. Of course I gave everything. I was aggressive and he was faster than me, but I tried to defend in the best way possible,” Marquez said afterwards, adding that he hoped his rival was okay.

Alex Marquez finished second for Gresini, 0.323 seconds behind his brother, with Fabio Di Giannantonio completing an all-Ducati podium 0.590 seconds back. Jack Miller came home seventh — promoted one place by Ai Ogura’s post-race tyre-pressure penalty — collecting two points, his first sprint points of the year.

Light rain fell around 20 minutes before the start, but the race was declared dry as dark clouds loomed over the circuit.

Sources: Reuters via CNA | Reuters via Straits Times | AutoAction | MCNews