MARQUEZ SNAPS DROUGHT

After 1043 days, Marc Marquez is finally a winner in MotoGP again after turning back the clock with a crushing performance at Aragon, while his brother was caught in a championship-changing crash.

Marquez was at his dominant best and crushed the field to take both the Sprint and Grand Prix in the northeastern Spain circuit.

It was the first time the #93 had won since the 2021 San Marino Grand Prix and the first on board a Ducati.

Having taken pole by a huge eight tenths, Marquez led every lap of both races and took the chequered flag by a healthy 4s over Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta on Sunday.

Having missed out on points in the sprint, Australia’s Jack Miller rose from 15th to 10th.

The six-time MotoGP champion paid tribute to his support network after a tough journey over the last three years that included crashes, injuries and the shock switch from longtime home Repsol Honda.

“My first thoughts were all the people who have helped me during these very hard moments because I’m alone there on the racetrack, but behind me is a very nice team,” Marquez said post race.

“Some very nice people, a very nice family, very nice girlfriend, a brother, and all these people that are helping me day by day.

“One year ago, I was just thinking about (whether to) stop my career or continue. Someday I will retire.

“But when I will retire, I will not have any question mark about my possibilities.

“I will try everything to be longer and longer and longer in my career and to be competitive. 

“Also the Gresini team gave me this opportunity and I tried to enjoy it.

“I tried to use this opportunity like a rookie rider, like trying to work more than ever.

“And I’m super happy after that long four years to come back at the top of the podium.”

Whilst the weekend was all about Marc, it was also a major moment in the fight for the championship with the younger Marquez in the spotlight.

A disastrous weekend for Francesco Bagnaia has allowed Jorge Martin to shoot clear by 23 points.

After dropping back to seventh in the early stages, Bagnaia was on a comeback mission and with six laps to go was hunting down Alex Marquez for a hard-earned podium.

Bagnaia sensed an opportunity when the Gresini Ducati rider ran wide at Turn 12 and attempted to swoop around the outside at the following right hander.

Francesco Bagnaia falls after contact with Alex Marquez. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images

But Alex’s front wheel clashed with Bagnaia’s rear at the apex and the collision saw the pair fire off in what became a scary incident.

As they skated through the gravel Bagnaia was trapped and body slammed by Gresini Ducati GP23, while Marquez ended up airborne and landed on his own bike.

Incredibly both riders escaped serious injury as they blamed each other through angry hand signals.

Whilst both were cleared of wrongdoing, Bagnaia was furious with Alex Marquez afterwards.

“It’s not that I have to explain a lot of things,” Bagnaia said. “The dynamic is what it is. It’s worrying that there are riders who do certain things. 

“When I was on the inside I felt a hit of gas, and he didn’t stop accelerating until he threw me off.

“The worst of all, what makes me most angry is the data. The telemetry reveals that, after the contact, (Marquez) went from accelerating 40% to 60%. 

“It’s dangerous to race with someone who does these things.

“Normally, one tries to avoid contact, although the data shows that there are people who do not see it that way.”

However, Alex Marquez felt it was up to Bagnaia to avoid the incident as the Spaniard could not see his Italian rival.

“Nothing is going to change what happened,” Marquez said. “If anyone could avoid contact it was him, who knew I was there. 

“I had no knowledge that (Bagnaia) was on the outside.

“The only thing I told the Race Direction members is that, if he had left a little more space between us and had not traced to the inside, nothing would have happened.”

The incident was a big blow for Bagania after an underwhelming Sprint race.

Whilst Marquez, Martin and Acosta cruised to a podium, the reigning champion struggled with wheel spin off the line and slumped to ninth, scoring just the solitary point.

Aleix Espargaro crashed after touching the rear wheel of Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli had separate incidents.

On Sunday Fabio Quartararo lost control of his Yamaha at Turn 5, while Maverick Vinales retired after five laps experiencing grip issues and Miguel Oliveira was a first lap victim.

Aragon kicks off a busy period of racing with the scene of Marquez’s last win, Misano, up next this weekend.

MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER ROUND 12

1: Jorge Martin 299 points

2: Francesco Bagnaia 276

3: Marc Marquez 229

4: Enea Bastianini 228

5: Pedro Acosta 148

Images: Gold and Goose

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.