Marquez wins San Marino Grand Prix in the rain after Martin’s gamble fails

Marc Marquez San Marino won Grand Prix ahead of Francesco Bagnaia on Sunday after championship leader Jorge Martin’s gamble to change bikes when it briefly rained at the Misano circuit failed when the weather improved.

Marquez‘s masterclass in wet conditions gave him his second win in two races after winning last weekend’s Aragon Grand Prix, denying the Italian factory Ducati team a home win, with Enea Bastianini finishing third.

Martin eventually finished 15th after changing bikes twice and saw his championship lead over Bagnaia reduced to seven points, while Marquez is now 53 points behind the Pramac Racing rider.

“For me the most important thing was the speed after that rain, it gave me the chance to lead the race. Then when I was leading I said: ‘Now I will try to find the same pace as in practice’,” said Marquez.

“Emotions were very high when we crossed the line, I was super happy,” he added, dedicating the victory to the late founder of the Gresini Racing team, Fausto Gresini.

With rain threatening, Martin made another good start (just as he did to win Saturday’s sprint), but this time Bagnaia was able to stay ahead and retain the lead.

The pair nearly collided on lap two before Martin braked hard to avoid contact while team-mate Franco Morbidelli damaged Pedro Acosta’s wing when he passed the GasGas Tech3, with the rookie managing to keep his balance.

But without a wing on one side, Acosta found it difficult to move his bike around the circuit and eventually went off at Turn 14 a couple of laps later before rejoining the race, dropping from fourth to last.

However, it soon started to rain with 21 laps to go and Morbidelli was the first to crash out when he went off the wet surface at the first corner.

Martin rolls the dice

Martin rolled the dice and brought a group of riders into the pits to change bikes, but the rain seemed to suddenly ease off and Marquez and Bagnaia opted to stay on track.

Shortly afterwards, Márquez sprang into action and made his way through the pack to snatch the lead from Bagnaia, who was making cautious progress through the wet parts of the circuit.

But the rain quickly stopped and Martin was forced to switch bikes back to slick tyres, with the dejected Spaniard shaking his head as he rejoined the race behind Marquez and Bagnaia, but a lap down.

With Bagnaia’s immediate rival out of the picture, the Italian decided not to take any risks and cautiously followed Marquez as Bastianini moved up to third place on his familiar home circuit.

At the front, Márquez gradually increased the gap over Bagnaia and the Spaniard crossed the finish line to spark celebrations in the Gresini Racing garage.

“Today it was impossible to be better than second. Marc was too fit to try to win. Maybe next time he will be in top form and can have a chance,” said Bagnaia, who is still suffering the effects of a crash at the Aragon Grand Prix.

“But Marc is certainly very strong in these conditions, so we will try again next time.”

(This story has been selected from a media outlet and remains unedited by Times Now)