Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1547519
"There's not much to add to what's already in the images," Bezzecchi said. "I tried to take my line. I was on the inside, and a second later I was on the ground. There's no point getting angry right now; I'd only be wasting en- ergy. It's something outside my control, something I have no say over. So [we have to] keep our focus on the Sunday's race." Of the pair's contact, Mar- quez said, "I must say that I was surprised to find Marco [Bezzec- chi] on the inside as I was on the same line I usually take, but it's true that he has something extra in terms of speed at this track. After almost crashing out, I had to wait four or five corners before starting to push again as the air- bag had deployed, and after that I found myself with Martin right behind. That was the moment I re- alized I had to push a little harder." Martin then challenged Marquez for the lead but couldn't make the pass stick. Di Giannantonio even- tually moved ahead of the injured Spaniard at turn two on the final lap to secure second. Fernandez finished fourth ahead of Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR), with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) sixth. Marquez's win meant if he won on Sunday and Martin failed to score, the title would be his. MotoGP Race Bezzecchi took the holeshot from pole in Sunday's race, but Fernandez quickly passed Marquez to move into second. The Aprilias initially opened a gap, with Acosta briefly passing the championship leader before VOLUME 63 ISSUE 45 NOVEMBER 10, 2026 P79 dropping back behind him. Marquez gradually increased his pace and began closing on Fernandez during the second half of the 22-lap race. A fastest lap of 1:52.558 on lap 14 brought him within striking distance, while Acosta began struggling to maintain contact with the leading group. With four laps remaining, Mar- quez made his move on Fernan- dez exiting the final corner to take second, Marquez later admitting his heart rate for the last two laps was a soaring 190 bpm. Bez- zecchi, meanwhile, maintained it's more about that than the pain. For sure the pain is there, but with all the adrenaline I almost don't feel it." FERNANDEZ RETURNS Raul Fernandez was another returnee from injury, cleared by the medical team on Thursday to ride in Qatar. Like his fellow Aprilia rider, Fernandez withdrew from the Malaysian Grand Prix because of an index finger injury to his right hand in Indonesia. "It's the first day since the crash that I can start to use the finger. But I still feel pain. The bone is ready, but the ligament is not perfect. But I can start to use my style. Really happy for that. "We made a good job today. We make very fast laps consecutive. It's not like Australia, where I started to feel super uncomfortable with my arm after two or three laps. I can start to use my arm and finger. I'm not 100 percent ready but we're coming better." Briefly...