Bezzecchi wins Qatar Grand Prix as Marquez takes 60-point title lead

Marco Bezzecchi won Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix as Marc Marquez finished second and moved closer to another MotoGP championship without securing the title. BBC Sport reported that the Ducati rider left the race 60 points ahead of Jorge Martin, who finished seventh. Raul Fernandez completed the podium on his Trackhouse Aprilia, behind Bezzecchi's factory Aprilia and Marquez.

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Marquez had won Saturday's sprint and could have clinched a second consecutive championship on Sunday if Martin had finished outside the points, according to BBC Sport. Instead, the 2024 champion kept his challenge alive on his return from a fractured wrist. Bezzecchi's sixth grand prix victory of the season also preserved his mathematical chance: he trails Marquez by 74 points, exactly the number still available.

MotoGP's official race report said Bezzecchi led from start to finish at Lusail, recovering from a crash in the sprint. Fernandez passed Marquez early, while Pedro Acosta subsequently moved ahead of the championship leader on lap three. Marquez was back in third on lap six, but at that stage Fernandez was three seconds further up the road.

The Ducati rider increased his pace in the second half of the race and reduced the deficit to Fernandez. He eventually took second on the exit of the final corner, adding four points to the return he would have received for third. Bezzecchi remained beyond reach, collecting 25 points for victory against Marquez's 20, according to the official report.

Behind the podium finishers, Ai Ogura was fourth, Enea Bastianini fifth and Acosta sixth. Martin finished ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio, with Johann Zarco and Iker Lecuona completing the top 10. MotoGP reported that Fernandez achieved his podium while still recovering from two broken fingers.

The championship now moves to Portimao in Portugal for the penultimate race weekend in two weeks, BBC Sport reported. Marquez remains in pursuit of an eighth MotoGP title, but both factory Aprilia riders are still mathematically involved. MotoGP's official report confirmed that victory in the Portuguese sprint would be enough for Marquez to secure the championship.