Seven-time world champion Marc Marquez maintained his dominance at the Sachsenring circuit with victory in Sunday’s German MotoGP.
The Ducati rider took Saturday’s sprint race ahead of younger brother Alex and also qualified fastest for Sunday’s race, which he controlled from start to finish.
The Spaniard was 1.996 seconds ahead of the rest of the field with Aprilia-Trackhouse duo Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez taking second and third.
It is the 33-year-old’s 13th victory on the German track, his 10th in Moto GP and it sees him equal two records held by Italian legend Giacomo Agostini for the most wins at a single event and the most victories at the same circuit in the premier class.
“I’m super-happy. It was a special weekend,” he said. “I knew I needed to attack here to have any chance of winning the championship.”
Marquez, who had foot and shoulder surgery in May, started Sunday’s race strongly and his chances of victory were enhanced when Alex slid out from second on the 10th of 30 laps after misjudging a corner.
The double weekend victory means he is now third in the championship, 18 points behind overall leader Jorge Martin, who was fifth on Sunday, while Ogura moves up to second overall.
Marco Bezzecchi, who had started the weekend second in the standings, failed to compete in either race after breaking his collarbone in a heavy fall in Saturday morning’s qualifying session.
The 27-year-old, who escaped injury after a 200 km/h (120 mph) crash in the Netherlands two weeks ago, will return to Italy for surgery and is now fourth in the championship
The next race of the season will be the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday, 9 August.