Key points

  • BBC Sport reported that Marc Marquez finished second behind Marco Bezzecchi in the Qatar Grand Prix.
  • The 33-year-old Spaniard won Saturday's sprint race and missed out on clinching his eighth MotoGP title in Qatar.
  • Ducati rider Marquez holds a 60-point lead over Aprilia rival Jorge Martin heading into the penultimate race weekend in Portimao, Portugal.

According to BBC Sport, Marc Marquez will have to wait to seal a record-equalling eighth MotoGP championship after finishing behind Marco Bezzecchi in the Qatar Grand Prix.

Key Details

BBC Sport reported that the 33-year-old Spanish rider secured victory in Saturday's sprint race. He would have clinched a second successive title, drawing level with Valentino Rossi's record tally, had main rival Jorge Martin finished outside the points in Sunday's grand prix. However, 2024 champion Martin returned from injury after withdrawing from the previous race with a fractured wrist to finish seventh.

Ducati rider Marquez has a 60-point lead over Aprilia's Martin, according to BBC Sport. Meanwhile, pole-sitter Bezzecchi, Martin's Aprilia team-mate, claimed his sixth grand prix win of the season, while Spain's Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez was third. BBC Sport noted that Italian Bezzecchi can mathematically catch Marquez in the title race as he is 74 points behind him - the same number of points that remain available.

Context and Impact

Marquez will have another chance to clinch the title in the season's penultimate race weekend in Portimao, Portugal, in two weeks' time, as reported by BBC Sport.

Summary and What Next

Marquez retains a 60-point lead at the top of the standings. The championship fight will resume in Portugal, where the Ducati rider will look to secure the title.