Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Marc Marquez won the Sprint of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix, and managed to cut his gap to Jorge Martin in the riders' standings. The Aprilia rider finished in third place.
The MotoGP Sprint began with drama as Pedro Acosta, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Alex Marquez all crashed out at Turn 3 on the opening lap. The Gresini rider was at fault, as he began the domino effect by hitting Acosta's KTM. The incident will be investigated by the stewards after the Sprint.
Marc Marquez also took the lead from Martin into Turn 2 on the opening lap, after the Ducati rider had made a better start from the second grid slot, and began to pull away.
Martin could not fight back and, on the final lap, lost a further position to Diogo Moreira after he marginally went off track, along with Enea Bastianini. As a result, Marquez's gap to the Aprilia rider is now only seven points in the riders' standings.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was a day to forget for Marco Bezzecchi. After the crash during the opening lap, the Italian found himself in third place, but lost multiple positions to Bastianini, Moreira, and Ai Ogura as well. The Aprilia rider crossed the finish line only in sixth place.
After a hard-fought battle, Johann Zarco finished in second place ahead of Raul Fernandez. Fabio Quartararo managed to score a single point for Yamaha as well after finishing ninth.
Full Results - MotoGP Sprint Race of the Japan Grand Prix
Position
Riders
Teams
Points
P1
Marc Marquez
Ducati
12
P2
Diogo Moreira
LCR
9
P3
Jorge Martin
Aprilia
7
P4
Enea Bastianini
Tech3
6
P5
Ai Ogura
Trackhouse
5
P6
Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia
4
P7
Johann Zarco
LCR
3
P8
Raul Fernandez
Trackhouse
2
P9
Fabio Quartararo
Yamaha
1
P10
Fermin Aldeguer
Gresini
P11
Luca Marini
Honda
P12
Franco Morbidelli
VR46
P13
Alex Rins
Yamaha
P14
Somkiat Chantra
Honda
P15
Maverick Viñales
Tech3
P16
Jack Miller
Pramac
P17
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Pramac
P18
Brad Binder
KTM
P19
Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati
DNF
Pedro Acosta
KTM
DNF
Fabio Di Giannantonio
VR46
DNF
Alex Marquez
Gresini
What happened in Moto2 and Moto3 qualifying earlier today?
ADVERTISEMENT
Izan Guevara stormed to pole position in Moto2. The future MotoGP rider with Pramac Racing defeated Filip Salac and championship rival Manuel Gonzalez to secure the best slot on the grid for Sunday.
In Moto3, David Almansa set the best lap time, finishing ahead of KTM's Brian Uriarte and Alvaro Carpe. Maximo Quiles, who can be crowned champion on Sunday, will start from P4.