Bezzecchi wins Italian MotoGP, extends championship lead

MUGELLO, Italy — Marco Bezzecchi won the Italian MotoGP on Sunday to strengthen his bid for a first world title, as Marc Marquez finished seventh on his comeback from injury.

Starting from pole, the Aprilia rider won his battle with fellow Italian Francesco Bagnaia who ended up third behind Bezzecchi’s teammate and closest title challenger Jorge Martin.

Bezzecchi leads Martin by 17 points in the championship standings after winning his fourth grand prix from the seven raced so far this season.

The 27-year-old crossed the line over three seconds ahead of Martin.

“It’s incredible. Winning at Mugello is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a child, so to achieve it is truly amazing,” said Bezzecchi.

Bezzecchi was overtaken by Bagnaia, who started sixth on the grid, at the start of the third lap, but stayed on his countryman’s tail and took charge on lap 14 with a daring move to the front.

Bezzecchi sped off into the distance while Bagnaia tried and failed to hold off Martin and just about fended off attacks from Japan’s Ai Ogura.

Bezzecchi’s win was a perfect end to the weekend for Aprilia after Martin broke the Mugello speed record during Saturday’s sprint with an astonishing 368.6 kilometres per hour (229 miles per hour).

Marc Marquez had threatened the podium on his return from a shoulder surgery and a broken foot suffered in a spectacular crash at the French MotoGP earlier this month.

The injury kept him out of the main race at Le Mans as well as the last race weekend in Barcelona, and he flagged towards the end on Sunday, losing his battle with Pedro Acosta and slipping down the placings.