Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) on the mass crash: “A day to forget!”

The MotoGP sprint race at Twin Ring Motegi got off to a flying start on Saturday. Gresini-Ducati rider Alex Márquez, like Enea Bastianini, tried to squeeze into a gap ahead of Pedro Acosta before Turn 3, but there was no room left. AM73 made contact with the rear of Acosta’s bike. The collision also sent VR46-Ducati ace Fabio Di Giannantonio flying off the track.

Di Giannantonio subsequently had to be examined at the medical centre due to pain, whilst Red Bull Ring winner Pedro Acosta got off with a fright. “It was definitely a day to forget,” Alex Márquez admitted sheepishly. “Unfortunately, I made a mistake before Turn 3, which unfortunately also ruined the race for two other riders. I’m really very sorry!”

Double long-lap penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix

The race control team, led by former GP star Simon Crafar, Andres Somolinos and Tamara Matko, didn’t hesitate for long. Immediately after the sprint race and once the deadlines had passed, a double long-lap penalty was imposed on Alex Márquez – this will apply to Sunday’s Grand Prix.

There wasn’t much more for the younger of the Marquez brothers to say: “I accept the penalty! We’ll still try to put in a decent race tomorrow.”

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04.10.2026 - 01:35