ALEX Marquez dominated the Malaysian MotoGP on Sunday to clinch his third victory of the season.
The Spaniard romped home more than two seconds ahead of fellow countryman Pedro Acosta at the Sepang International Circuit.
Marquez confirmed his runner-up spot in the world championship standings behind his brother Marc this weekend.
He won for the first time this year outside Spain following previous successes at the Spanish and Catalan Grand Prix races.
Honda rider Joan Mir finished third to complete an all-Spanish podium celebration.
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo rounded out the top five positions in the race.
Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez was absent from the event due to a season-ending injury.
“We suffered two crashes on Friday and later on the feeling was not really perfect,” said the younger Marquez.
“Really happy, it’s a really important win for us to celebrate second in the championship,” he added.
Pole-sitter Francesco Bagnaia started well on the hot and humid Sepang circuit to hold a slender lead after the first lap.
Marquez started second on the grid behind the Ducati factory rider.
The Ducati-Gresini star made his move early in the second lap during a sweeping corner.
Marquez surged past Bagnaia and maintained his lead all the way to the finish line.
Ducati’s Bagnaia had a tailgating Acosta behind him as the front three left the chasing pack behind.
As the race reached the halfway stage, Bagnaia focused on fending off intense pressure from Acosta.
This allowed Marquez to steadily increase his advantage at the front.
Acosta’s pressure eventually paid off on the 13th lap when the KTM rider overtook Bagnaia for second place.
Unperturbed by the battle unfolding behind him, Marquez crossed the finish line in 40 minutes 09.249 seconds.
Bagnaia’s afternoon ended disappointingly with a bike issue late in the race that left him unable to finish.
Earlier, the Moto3 race was delayed and shortened after a nasty collision during the sighting lap.
Newly crowned world champion Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler were involved in the incident.
Both riders were airlifted to hospital but remained conscious throughout.
“My prayers and thoughts are with the Moto3 guys,” said Marquez.
“Still in my stomach I have some stressed feeling, so just keep fingers crossed for them.” – AFP
