Martin dominant in New Delhi
For the first time MotoGP went racing in India and it was all about Jorge Martin, while the VR46 riders crashed into each other at turn one.
Martin enjoyed an untroubled run to the chequered flag to take three points out of the ever-consistent Francesco Bagnaia, who scored a strong second.
Repsol Honda greeted a smiling Marc Marquez with applause after he made a timely return to the podium, while Australia’s Jack Miller made a welcome return to the points in seventh after a brilliant first lap.
Marco Bezzecchi took pole but had to settle for fifth after friendly fire at turn one meant he had to produce a special ride from the back.
Due to heavy rain, the Sprint was delayed by almost 90 minutes at the former Formula 1 venue Buddh International Circuit but it did not stop the drama.
Martin got the jump as Bagnaia and Bezzecchi looked set to fight for second into turn one.
However, friendly fire between the two VR46 riders destroyed the hopes of the pole sitter and championship contender.
Marini misjudged the braking area and careered into the back of Bezzecchi, who somehow did not fall and continued albeit going off and falling to 16th.
Marini was not so lucky, sliding into the gravel, while further back Stefan Bradl, Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez were also involved in a separate accident further back.
Bradl did the same thing as Marini, but collected two riders with Espargaro the unlucky one to join him on the sidelines.
Martin led Bagnaia by 0.7s and the two Repsol Hondas with Joan Mir ahead of Marc Marquez, while Miller soared up eight spots up to seventh.
On lap two Marquez stole third from his teammate as Bezzecchi started his fight back and by lap five he was in the top 10.
After dropping out of the top three a mistake at turn one saw Mir drop further down the order, but things took a turn for the worse at the following corner when he had a low-speed fall.
It did not take long for Martin to increase his lead to 2s as Bezzecchi returned to the points with a move on Miguel Oliveira on lap six.
He made up another place when Johann Zarco slipped down the order with a similar mistake to Mir at turn two.
Although Martin was dominant up front, it was Bezzecchi who had the speed, setting a string of fastest laps to continue his charge and easily snatched sixth from Miller on lap eight.
As the two Ducatis of Martin and Bagnaia were safe at the front, Marquez had Brad Binder on his tail for third.
Aleix Espargaro crashed out at the final corner with just three laps to go.
By the final lap Fabio Quartararo had no choice but to concede fifth place to the charging Bezzecchi.
Up front Martin completed his crushing ride ahead of the consistent Bagnaia, while Marquez held off Binder.
Bezzecchi set yet another final lap to finish fifth, just s away from the front as Miller enjoyed some welcome points in seventh.
The Indian Grand Prix will begin at 20.00 AEST but will not feature either Marini or Alex Marquez who are out injured.
Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images
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