Marc Marquez has been handed a sprint victory on a platter at the Catalan Grand Prix when his brother and polesitter Alex crashed out while holding a commanding lead at their home Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya track.
Ducati’s MotoGP championship leader Marc had looked destined for his first defeat in eight rounds as Gresini Racing’s polesitter Alex cruised towards what would have been a fairy-tale home victory for the Spaniard.
But drama struck at turn 10 when the younger Marquez brother lost his balance and slid off, leaving Marc to inherit the win in bittersweet fashion — his 14th sprint victory in 15 rounds.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo finished second while VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio was third but the day belonged to Marc who has admitted in the past that, despite being on home turf, the circuit is not among his favourites.
“Of course, I’m happy for my victory for the Ducati team, we won the constructors’ championship. But unfortunately Alex crashed,” Marc said.
“I already gave up because he was faster than me. When I gave up, maybe he relaxed a bit too much and he crashed on turn 10.
“But he will have another chance tomorrow in the race because he has the best pace. Anyway, we are happy on a circuit that we are struggling.”
The victory confirmed Ducati as the constructors’ champions after their riders, across two teams, won all the sprints and 12 of 14 races this season.
The victory extended Marc’s lead to 187 points, putting him within touching distance of sealing a seventh title on Ducati’s home turf at next weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix.
Australian Jack Miller finished 12th on his Pramac Yamaha, over 10 seconds adrift.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/moto-gp/oh-brother-marc-marquez-wins-again-as-alex-crashes-out-c-19933761
