Marquez Wins Japanese Sprint
Marc Marquez wins the Japanese Grand Prix sprint to close in on Jorge Martin.
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Marc Marquez claimed victory in the Japanese Grand Prix sprint at Motegi on Saturday, cutting Jorge Martin's championship lead to just seven points. The Ducati rider executed a strong first-corner pass on pole-sitter Martin and controlled the 12-lap race, finishing 2.754 seconds clear Northland News Radio. A post-race penalty for exceeding track limits demoted Martin to third place, promoting Honda rookie Diogo Moreira to the podium in second.
Marquez Takes Decisive Early Lead at Turn 1
Marquez made his move immediately, passing Martin through turns one and two from second on the grid. He then opened up a steady one-second gap over the next 11 laps, setting the race's fastest lap on lap six WDSM 710. The Ducati rider's smooth, controlled pace meant Martin never got close enough to challenge for the lead.
Track Limits Penalty Reshapes Final Podium
Martin and Enea Bastianini both received one-position penalties for exceeding track limits at turn ten during the final lap WIFC. This dropped Martin from second to third and promoted rookie Moreira, riding for Pro Honda LCR, to his first MotoGP sprint podium in just his second race on the team. Marquez crossed the line 2.754 seconds ahead, with no penalties affecting his result.
Early Crash Ends Races for Acosta and Di Giannantonio
Alex Marquez lost control braking into turn three on lap one, triggering a three-rider collision WKZO. Pedro Acosta on KTM and Fabio Di Giannantonio on Ducati both crashed out in the incident. Alex Marquez is expected to receive a long lap penalty for Sunday's main race as a result of causing the multi-rider wreck.
Championship Gap Narrows to Seven Points Before Sunday
With the sprint victory, Marquez moved to 306 points total, closing within seven points of Martin WTBX. The pair will square off again Sunday in the full grand prix at Motegi, where Marquez will be hunting more points to take over the championship lead. Sunday's race marks the final decisive moment before the title fight intensifies down the season's stretch.
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