Marc Marquez wins Australian MotoGP sprint

Marc Marquez won the 13-lap sprint at Phillip Island, the Australian round of MotoGP, and moved ahead of Jorge Martin by 10 points in the championship after Martin crashed out. The victory, Marquez’s 24th sprint win, gave the defending champion a new cushion in the title race.

Marquez started from pole and Martin from fourth, quickly moving into second. They traded the lead nine times in the first eight laps, with Marquez holding the edge after Martin ran wide at Turn 2 following a daring move at Turn 1 on lap 6. The duel ended when Martin crashed through Turn 8, went into the gravel, and was stretchered off.

Marco Bezzecchi recovered to fourth, Pedro Acosta to fifth, Ai Ogura sixth, Brad Binder seventh, Jack Miller eighth and Diogo Moreira ninth. Johann Zarco, Raul Fernandez, Maverick Vinales and Pecco Bagnaia retired for various reasons.

Ai Ogura is under investigation for a possible tyre-pressure infringement, which could allow Gresini Ducati stand-in Iker Lecuona to gain a point. Ducati riders filled the podium, with Marquez, Alex Marquez and Di Giannantonio finishing first to third.