Marc Marquez cruises to Japanese MotoGP victory

Marc Marquez sealed his MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix win by managing his pace after overtaking Jorge Martin at mid-race distance, completing a weekend double. Starting from the middle of the front row, Marquez took the lead and then controlled, while Martin had the best start from pole and stayed ahead into the first corner. Marco Bezzecchi moved past Pedro Acosta for third early, and Alex Marquez also passed Acosta quickly before the double long lap penalty he’d triggered in the sprint collision took effect. Acosta struggled on the hard rear tyre, dropping to eighth by lap three. At the front, Marquez and Martin traded fastest laps before Marquez edged ahead with a lunge at Turn 11. Marquez won by 1.363s, with Martin second and Bezzecchi third.