Doha, November 08, 2026 : Spanish rider Marc Marquez won Saturday’s Tissot Sprint at the 2026 MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix, strengthening his position at the top of the championship standings ahead of Sunday's main race at Lusail International Circuit.
Racing under the floodlights, Marquez completed the 10-lap, 53.8-kilometre sprint in 18 minutes and 46.450 seconds, finishing 0.862 seconds ahead of Italy’s Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, who crossed the line in 18:47.312.
Spain’s Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing secured third place with a time of 18:47.969, despite competing with a wrist fracture. Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Racing finished fourth in 18:49.150, while Honda rider Johann Zarco took fifth in 18:50.170.
The victory marked Marquez’s second consecutive sprint win at Lusail. It also earned him 12 points, taking his championship total to 411 and extending his advantage over Martin, who remains second with 362 points.
The sprint also featured a collision between Marquez and Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing as they contested the lead. Bezzecchi crashed and retired from the race, ending his mathematical chances of winning the championship.
Marquez now has an opportunity to secure his eighth world title in Sunday's Grand Prix. He would clinch the championship one round before the season ends if he wins the race and Martin finishes without scoring points.
Source: QNA
