Marc Márquez secured his third win of the season during a thrilling Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that saw Fabio Quartararo crowned the 2021 MotoGP world champion.
Starting from seventh place, Márquez made a blistering start as he joined a leading pack that included title hopeful Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati rider Jack Miller. The Spanish rider continued to charge and soon found himself in second. Then, with just four laps to go, Bagnaia made a crucial mistake as he crashed out of the race, not only handing the victory to Márquez but ending his world title challenge.
For Márquez it was the third victory of a season that has seen him showing glimpses of his best form, having initially struggled to get back on the pace after returning from his 2020 injury. Márquez was joined on the podium by fellow Honda rider Pol Espargaró, with the Spaniard finishing in second thanks to an error-free ride, while rookie Enea Bastianini produced another impressive showing as he finished in third.
French rider Johann Zarco claimed fifth position, while Brad Binder did well to claim 11th after being forced to start at the back after crashing on his sighting lap. Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami was 15th.
There was also frustration for Ducati’s Miller, the Australian starting from second on the grid but crashing out on lap four. Honda’s Álex Márquez, Pramac’s Jorge Martin, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Miguel Oliveira and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 duo Iker Lecuona and Danilo Petrucci also failed to finish the race.
Emilia Romagna GP result
1. Marc Márquez SPA Repsol Honda 41m 53.830s
2. Pol Espargaró SPA Repsol Honda +4.859s
3. Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati +12.013
4. Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha +12.775
5. Johann Zarco FRA Pramac +16.458s
2021 MotoGP standings
1. Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha 267 points
2. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Team 202
3. Joan Mir SPA Suzuki Ecstar 175
4. Johann Zarco FRA Pramac 152
5. Jack Miller AUS Ducati 149