Alex Marquez makes "unacceptable" gear-shifting mistake twice in wretched Japanese GP

Alex Marquez admitted he crashed out of the Japanese Grand Prix after repeating an “unacceptable” gear-shifting mistake on his Ducati, leaving him with a weekend to forget at Motegi. The Gresini rider failed to score any points and described it as his worst result since the Thailand season opener. His problems began on Saturday’s sprint when he misjudged braking at Turn 3, taking out Pedro Acosta and Fabio di Giannantonio and earning two long-lap penalties. He then finished Sunday in a crash on lap 19. Afterward, Marquez said he shifted the wrong way, ending up two gears higher than needed for Turn 11, twice.