Marc Marquez beat Marco Bezzecchi at Misano after the pole sitter crashed, moving into the 2026 MotoGP points lead for the first time.
Marc Marquez won the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano on Sunday and took the 2026 MotoGP championship lead for the first time after pole sitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed.
The defending champion swept both MotoGP races across the weekend, having already beaten Bezzecchi in Saturday's sprint. Misano hosted round 14 of the 22-round season.
Bezzecchi starts from pole
Bezzecchi started the grand prix from pole after setting a new Misano lap record in qualifying. He was the first rider of the weekend to complete a lap in under 90 seconds.
Marquez lined up behind his title rival after a closely fought start to the event. He led Friday morning practice by 0.060 seconds before Bezzecchi went ahead later that day, then the Aprilia rider claimed the top grid position on Saturday.
The race turns with Bezzecchi's crash
Bezzecchi's pursuit of a home victory ended when he crashed out of the grand prix while leading.
Marquez took advantage of the pole sitter's retirement and rode his Ducati to victory. The supplied results did not include the winning margin or the full classification, though they confirmed Marquez as the winner and Bezzecchi as a retirement.
Marquez completes Misano sweep
Sunday's result came after Marquez won the 13-lap sprint, beating Bezzecchi despite starting behind the Aprilia rider.
Just 22 points covered the championship's top three riders after the sprint. Marquez then won the grand prix as Bezzecchi failed to score, wrapping up a weekend in which the pair held the top two positions through practice, qualifying and Saturday's race.
Championship lead changes hands
The San Marino victory put Marquez at the top of the points standings for the first time in 2026.
MotoGP reached Misano with nine grands prix remaining and three riders fighting for the title. Bezzecchi's retirement produced Sunday's decisive swing, while Marquez turned the opening into a grand prix win after already claiming the sprint.
The available standings did not list Marquez's exact points total or his advantage after Misano. The championship leaves round 14 with eight grands prix remaining on the 22-round calendar.
