The Japan Times - Bezzecchi wins San Marino MotoGP sprint as Marc Marquez crashes out

Aprilia rider Bezzecchi completed a perfect day on his home Marco Simoncelli circuit in Misano Adriatico by winning from pole position and bringing joy to the Italian crowd.

But the 26-year-old claimed maximum 12 points for the win thanks to Marc Marquez sliding off the track on lap six, only moments after the six-time MotoGP champion had taken the race lead.

The Spaniard had already charged past Fabio Quartararo and his brother Alex Marquez from fourth on the grid in the opening moments of the race, and once he was ahead it looked like a matter or time before he claimed his 15th win from 16 of this season's sprint races.

However, regardless of what happens in Sunday's GP Marc Marquez will have a chance to win the title at the Japan MotoGP in a fortnight and move level on seven championship triumphs with his great rival Valentino Rossi.

His crash, which brought cheers from a chunk of the crowd even though he rides for Ducati, most benefitted Alex Marquez who finished second and cut his sibling's lead at the top of the standings to 174 points.

He also moved 77 ahead of Marc Marquez's struggling teammate Francesco Bagnaia who finished over 16 seconds off the pace in 13th and is looking over his shoulder in third place in the championship as Bezzecchi now trails him by 28 points.

Y.Watanabe--JT