'It is unreal but I never give up' - Marc Marquez with MotoGP double delight
Marc Marquez delivered one of the finest performances of his illustrious MotoGP career by completing a brilliant double at Misano to take the World Championship lead for the first time this season.
Sunday’s Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera saw pole-setter Bezzecchi make a lightning start, leading Marquez into Turn 1 and keeping his rival at bay during the opening stages.
However, the home hero’s hopes ended when he folded the front at Turn 13 and crashed out.
Bezzecchi’s departure appeared to make life easier for Marquez, who had won the previous day’s Sprint race – but Martin, who had been running third, had other ideas.
The Aprilia rider made his move for the lead at Turn 4 on lap seven, passing Marquez before opening a gap at the front.
Marquez regrouped and gradually reeled in the race leader before snatching the lead back at Turn 6 on lap 14.
From there, the Ducati rider controlled proceedings to complete a superb Misano double.
Martin’s challenge faded during the second half of the race, with Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) moving through to take second.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM), who was the fastest rider on track, claimed the final podium position, while Fermín Aldeguer brought the second Gresini Ducati home in fourth.
Martin eventually slipped to fifth.
“It is unreal but I never give up and I will push until the end,” said Marquez. “This is not done, but it is not over.
"We are in the championship, fighting against very good riders, especially Martin and ‘Bezz’.
“We had a good race and I'm happy, especially since Misano is the home race for Ducati, though it was a tough one.
"We are running at the limit and a small mistake can cost a lot of points.
“After Bezzecchi’s mistake, I was a bit too confident and Martin attacked me.
"I then regained my confidence and kept the pace...I’m happy because the 57 points in Misano mean a lot.”
Spaniard Manuel Gonzalez took victory in the Moto2 race after overcoming early drama, claiming the win by more than two seconds from Collin Veijer, with Barry Baltus completing the podium in third despite having to serve a long-lap penalty.
In the Moto3 race, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squada Corse) was unable to match the pace he had shown in qualifying, which saw the Irish rider start seventh on the grid.
O’Gorman lost touch with the leading group during the race and eventually had to settle for 10th at the chequered flag after a late mistake cost him several positions.
“I gave it everything I had today, but P10 is all we could manage,” said O’Gorman. “I pushed until the last corner, where a mistake cost me a few positions.”
Max Quiles took victory, beating David Almansa by 0.021 seconds on the run to the line.