Moto GP: Marc Márquez wins San Marino Grand Prix In A Thriller

Marc Marquez won the San Marino Grand Prix beating pole-sitter Francesco Bagnaia. Starting the race from the ninth grid, Marquez literally came from behind to steal the win.  This was his second win in as many races after he won the Aragon Grand Prix last weekend. 

A Thrilling Ride…

The rain added to the drama at the Misano circuit as the riders took to the grid for the 27-lap grand prix. 

Championship leader Jorge Martin’s decision to swap bikes backfired as he eventually finished 15th. Marquez is now only 53 points behind the Pramac Racing rider.

As the rain stayed away after a while, Martin was forced to box for a second time on lap nine and would rejoin a lapped 15th.

On lap seven Martin was right on the tail of Bagnaia as Marquez capitalised on the situation to get into podium contention.

Bagnaia continued to lead, while Martin elected to pit at the end of that tour for his wet bike along with Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales, Acosta – who crashed on lap four having sustained aero damage to his bike in a touch with Morbidelli – and Alex Rins.

The tricky conditions allowed Marquez to rise from ninth on the grid to take the lead on lap eighth, before the Gresini rider streaked 3.1s clear of Bagnaia to the chequered flag.

After going winless in the last three years in a Grand Prix, this was Marquez’s second back-to-back victory. 

“For me, the most important was the speed after that rain, it gave me the possibility to lead the race. Then when I was leading I say, ‘Now I will try to find the same pace as the practice’,” Marquez said.

Marquez had been facing challenges since the 2020 season at Jerez. He suffered a fracture in his right arm, ruling him out for the rest of that year and then the first two races of 2021.

Also Read: MotoGP 2024: Marc Marquez Wins Aragon GP Sprint

He underwent four surgeries, multiple crashes, and a diagnosis of diplopia, or double vision took a toll on Marquez both physically and mentally.

Marquez had even considered hanging up his boots by the end of last season if things didn’t improve for him. However, a consecutive Grand Prix win for the Spaniard would boost his confidence for his future endevours.