Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) put on a masterclass performance in the Tissot Sprint at Silverstone, storming to victory by over three seconds after outpacing Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team). Behind the Marquez brothers, a fierce battle for the final podium spot ensued, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team) emerging victorious from the five-rider scrap.
From pole position, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took the holeshot, while the Ducati trio behind jostled for second. Despite a bold move from Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez managed to secure second place. By the end of the first lap, Marc Marquez had taken the lead from Quartararo.
However, Alex Marquez refused to let his brother pull away, closing the gap and capitalizing on a wide moment from Marc at Turn 3 to take over the lead. The Marquez brothers then began to build a gap, leaving Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and Di Giannantonio to fight for third.
As Di Giannantonio closed in on Bagnaia, Quartararo seemed to find a second wind, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) also joining the fray. Bezzecchi, who had dropped outside the top ten at the start, put on a stunning charge, passing Zarco and Quartararo before setting his sights on Bagnaia.
At the front, Alex Marquez maintained his composure, steadily increasing his lead over Marc and ultimately breaking his brother’s streak of six consecutive Sprint wins. Marc Marquez had to settle for second, while Di Giannantonio secured his first rostrum finish since the Austin GP.
Bezzecchi’s impressive comeback saw him claim fourth, with Zarco taking fifth and Bagnaia narrowly holding off Quartararo for sixth. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) made a late charge to eighth, demoting rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) out of the points, while Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team) completed the top nine.
Reflecting on his victory, Alex Marquez said, “We’re happy: both Marc and Pecco placed me as the favourite, but until you take to the track, you never know where you’re really at. Tomorrow it’ll be a whole different story but for once I must say that on paper we can battle for the win with Marc. For now, we’ll enjoy this first sprint win.”
With Bezzecchi’s stunning Sprint pace, Di Giannantonio’s return to form, Bagnaia’s knack for finding something extra on Sundays, and Marc Marquez determined to bounce back after being beaten outright, the stage is set for an incredible show in the main event. The action resumes at 13:00 (UTC+1) on Sunday.
