Ducati rider Marc Marquez took the lead in the MotoGP championship standings for the first time this season following his victory at the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday at Misano. The race was marked by early drama as Aprilia’s home favourite Marco Bezzecchi crashed out on the opening lap.

Marquez secured his fifth win of the season, finishing ahead of his brother Alex Marquez, who races for Gresini Racing, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta completed the podium in third place. Fermin Aldeguer finished fourth, pushing Jorge Martin down to fifth, resulting in a top-five dominated by Spanish riders.

With this result, Marquez and Martin are tied on 274 points in the championship, but Marquez leads due to having more race wins—five compared to Martin’s total. Bezzecchi, who has only one victory this season at the French Grand Prix, lost valuable ground after his early exit in Misano.

Earlier in the season, Marquez appeared far from championship contention, trailing Bezzecchi by 102 points following the Italian Grand Prix in May. However, his recent strong performances have shifted the title race. Marquez described his current position in the championship as “unreal” but stressed his determination to keep pushing until the season’s end. He acknowledged the highly competitive nature of the battle, noting that “we are there in the championship fighting against very good riders, especially Martin and Bez.”

The San Marino Grand Prix was notable for its unpredictable conditions and intense competition, with riders pushing their limits. Marquez highlighted the fine margins in play, stating that “a small mistake can cost a lot of points,” reflecting the high stakes and challenges as the championship approaches its concluding rounds.