Marquez keeps Aprilia at bay to win Qatar sprint and inch closer to title

Marc Marquez won the red-flagged Qatar Grand Prix sprint, moving closer to a record-equalling eighth MotoGP premier-class title. His main rival, Jorge Martin, recovered from a recent wrist fracture to finish third, while Marco Bezzecchi crashed out of the sprint and his title hopes.

The race was stopped after Francesco Bagnaia crashed on the opening lap and fractured his foot. On the restart, Marquez took the lead, survived a collision with Bezzecchi and held off Martin; Fabio Di Giannantonio finished second. Marquez now leads by 49 points and can clinch the title on Sunday if he wins and Martin scores no points.