Japan MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia Takes Sprint Crown, Marc Marquez Within Touching Distance Of Championship

Six-time World Champion Marc Marquez inched closer to securing his seventh MotoGP title in Japan following a second place finish in the sprint race on Saturday, as the Spaniard came in behind Francesco

Bagnaia.

Ducati’s Marquez has the opportunity to clinch the crown if he can manage to finish second in Sunday’s grand prix at Motegi, regardless of chasing Alex Marquez’s result.

“The pace was good, the feeling is improving each time, so tomorrow will be a long race,” said Marquez.

“But we must remember our primary goal this weekend is the title,” he added.

“It was quite difficult because I think I had the two most challenging riders to pass at the braking point,” he continued.

“They brake very late, and each time I tried, I went wide. I was losing time, then I saw Pecco pulling away and decided to focus on my race,” the 32-year-old added.

Starting third on the grid, the Spaniard did not dominate the sprint but extended his championship lead by collecting nine points while his brother scored none. Alex Marquez finished 10th after starting eighth.

Italian two-time world champion Bagnaia has struggled this season but has shown vintage form at Motegi. He secured pole position with a track-record lap in qualifying and claimed his first sprint win of the season.

“I want to thank the team for their incredible job, as always,” said Bagnaia, Marc Marquez’s Ducati teammate. “I was able to push, control, and these emotions are super sweet.”

Bagnaia, who won both the sprint and grand prix in Japan last year, pulled away from Joan Mir at the start and remained uncatchable over the 12 laps. Marc Marquez was overtaken by KTM’s Pedro Acosta on the first lap, placing the championship leader in fourth. Marquez gradually regained his position, overtaking Mir and Acosta to finish second, with Acosta in third.

Defending world champion Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi both crashed heavily at the first corner. Pramac’s Jack Miller also crashed late in the race.