Sawt Falasteen - Alex Marquez edges out Acosta in Catalan MotoGP sprint

Spanish Ducati-Gresini rider Marquez, who triumphed at the Spanish Grand Prix in April, finished just 0.041sec ahead of Pedro Acosta, who started on pole, and third-place Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Bezzecchi struggled and ended up ninth but extended his overall lead to two points on his closest competitor, Jorge Martin, who crashed out in the third lap of the 12-lap sprint.

Marquez, who won the Catalan Grand Prix last year, passed KTM rider Acosta on the fourth lap. The Spanish rider stayed on his tail but was unable to find a way back in front.

Acosta pushed his compatriot all the way to the finish, for the closest ever victory on a MotoGP sprint.

Martin started strongly but suffered his fourth crash of the weekend to the relief of Bezzecchi who faded and only just claimed ninth.

Last year's champion Marc Marquez was missing through injury and his younger brother Alex climbed above him in the overall standings to seventh.

There was a clash on turn one at the start, with Di Giannantonio and Brad Binder making contact, with the latter taking out Joan Mir.

However the Italian was not found culpable and was able to claim a podium spot.

E.Aziz--SF-PST