Alex Marquez emerged victorious in a thrilling British MotoGP sprint race at Silverstone, holding off a late charge from Marco Bezzecchi to claim the top spot. The race, marked by atrocious weather conditions, provided an exhilarating spectacle for fans as Marquez displayed exceptional skill and determination.
Marquez's well-deserved triumph was no easy feat, as he faced stiff competition from Bezzecchi, who had battled through the rain-drenched qualifying session in the morning to claim pole position. Riding for Valentino Rossi's VR46 Ducati-satellite team, Bezzecchi showcased his talent and determination, ultimately securing the runner-up spot in the race.
Completing the podium was Maverick Vinales, who put on an impressive performance throughout the race. However, it was a rare off-day for world champion Francesco Bagnaia, who couldn't maintain his usual dominance on his factory Ducati, finishing further down the field.
Bezzecchi's strong finish in the sprint race moved him up to second place in the riders' standings, just 27 points behind Bagnaia, setting the stage for an intense battle in the main event scheduled for Sunday.
The race saw Bezzecchi momentarily overtaken by Jack Miller's KTM at turn two on the opening lap, while Bagnaia dropped down to the middle of the field from his initial fourth-place position.
Alex Marquez quickly took control of the front on lap two of the 10-lap race, maintaining a steady lead of approximately half a second ahead of Bezzecchi. As the race progressed, Marquez continued to build his advantage, riding Ducati's Gresini team satellite bike with precision and determination.
With the race approaching its midway point, Bezzecchi started to close the gap, setting the stage for a thrilling final lap. However, Marquez showed nerves of steel, holding off the fierce challenge from Bezzecchi to secure his first sprint race win.
(With inputs from AFP)
