Marc Marquez takes MotoGP championship lead with San Marino double

Marc Marquez moved to the top of the MotoGP championship after winning Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix, completing a weekend double at Misano. BBC Sport reported that the defending champion finished 0.657 seconds ahead of his brother Alex, with Pedro Acosta completing the podium.

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Jorge Martin finished fifth, leaving him and Marquez tied on 274 points after 14 rounds. Marquez leads because he has five grand prix victories to Martin's one. Pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed out early, ending his chance of a home victory and leaving the championship's leading pair beyond his reach on the day.

The groundwork for Marquez's successful weekend had been laid on Saturday. According to MotoGP's official sprint report, he took the lead into the first corner and stayed ahead throughout to secure his sixth sprint win of the season. Bezzecchi finished second and Martin third, giving Aprilia both remaining podium places as Marquez reduced the gap in the championship.

That sprint required Marquez to withstand renewed pressure rather than simply protect an early advantage. Bezzecchi cut a lead of more than a second to about half a second in the closing stages. Marquez responded with the fastest lap and a race lap record with two laps remaining. Behind the podium, Di Giannantonio finished fourth, Alex Marquez fifth and Acosta sixth, according to the official account.

Bezzecchi's Saturday runner-up finish was his first top-two sprint result of the season, MotoGP reported. Martin crossed the line 2.4 seconds behind his Aprilia teammate. Further down the order, Francesco Bagnaia finished 13th without scoring, while Fabio Quartararo also missed out on points after crashing on lap three while trying to pass Diogo Moreira.

Sunday then delivered a second victory and brought Marquez's weekend return to 37 points. BBC Sport reported that eight rounds remain, with Austria next on September 18-20. Marquez stressed afterwards that there was still a long way to go, keeping his focus on the next race despite reaching the top of the standings.