MotoGP Full Sprint Results | Marquez makes light work of Bezzecchi

The nine-time champion jumped from second place to first at Turn 1, passing pole sitter Marco Bezzecchi with ease before building an impressive one-second gap for victory.

Behind him was his brother Alex, with Bezzecchi finishing third as he continues to struggle with knee pain from his Germany injuries.

Luckily for him, he didn’t fall back any further as Aprilia teammate and championship leader Jorge Martin was involved in an almighty tussle for fourth just behind with Pedro Acosta.

He lost out, and will continue a damage limitation weekend at the top of the standings.

Fabio Di Giannantonio also saw his faint title hopes take another blow, crashing out unprovoked on lap three.

Meanwhile, injury returnees Fermin Aldeguer and Johann Zarco impressed in sixth and ninth respectively.

Ai Ogura is missing the race weekend through injury, and the sprint result means that Marquez leapfrogs him in the riders' standings up to third.

Marquez went on to explain how he won the race, with tyres crucial in his first corner overtake.

He said in the media pen: "I knew Marco was on the soft tires, so the chance to win the race came at the first corner, and tomorrow will be a bit like that too, so we'll see.

"But hey, a good start helps a lot. And then I was riding with a good pace, but I knew the group was also going quite fast, especially to Alex. So let's hope we improve a little bit each morning and try to stay as consistent as we were today."

Bezzecchi added: "It's been a fantastic day, to be honest. I didn't expect such a good result in qualifying or the Sprint race; because yesterday I felt good, but my pace wasn't the best.

"So I'm very happy. I knew Marc and Alex had something extra. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of my braking point at the first corner. But anyway, I'm very happy and satisfied. Many thanks to the team and now I'm thinking about tomorrow."