Marquez wins Japanese GP sprint to close in on Martin

Marc Marquez won the Japanese Grand Prix sprint on Saturday, cutting Jorge Martin’s MotoGP title lead by five points ahead of Sunday’s full race. Marquez launched strongly at Motegi, used the inside line at turn one, and passed Martin, who had set a lap record earlier Saturday to take pole. The reigning champion stayed in control to win and moved to 306 championship points, seven behind Martin on 313. Martin finished second but was demoted to third after track-limit penalties, with LCR Honda’s Diogo Moreira promoted to second for his first sprint podium. KTM’s Pedro Acosta crashed early in a three-rider incident.