Marc Marquez dominates German MotoGP with record-tying 10th Sachsenring win, closing to 18 points of championship lead
Pole-sitter Marc Marquez led every lap on Sunday, finishing 1.996 seconds clear of Ai Ogura to claim his 10th premier-class victory at the Sachsenring. The defending champion is now third overall, 18 points behind leader Jorge Martin after the Spaniard's fifth place.
Imperious from start to finish
Marc Marquez converted pole position into an early lead and was briefly challenged by his younger brother Alex Marquez, who started second on the Gresini Ducati. The pair traded fast laps until Alex misjudged a corner and slid off on the 10th of 30 laps, removing the only rider who had kept pace with the factory Ducati over the weekend. From that moment, Marquez was untouchable, pulling over two seconds clear and managing the gap to the chequered flag.
I'm super, super happy. It was a special weekend. I was super concentrated because if I want to have any chance to win the championship, I need to attack here.
Raul Fernandez held second for much of the race until Ai Ogura hunted him down in the closing laps. Ogura crossed the line 1.996 seconds behind Marquez, with Fernandez another 3.108 seconds back in third. Pedro Acosta took fourth for KTM, while championship leader Jorge Martin had to settle for fifth on the factory Aprilia after starting ninth and never threatening the front group.
Record-equalling performance
The victory was Marquez's 13th across all classes at the German Grand Prix and his 10th in the MotoGP category, both tying records held by Italian legend Giacomo Agostini. The 33-year-old also matched Agostini's mark of nine pole positions at a single circuit, having set a new lap record in qualifying on Saturday before winning the sprint race. Marquez, still managing the after-effects of foot and shoulder surgery in May and a ninth operation on his right arm weeks earlier, celebrated by climbing into the grandstands, donning an inflatable crown handed to him by a fan, and lighting fireworks.
Super happy to achieve 10 victories in MotoGP class here in the Sachsenring.
Championship reshuffle
The double win weekend catapulted Marquez from fifth to third in the riders' standings. Jorge Martin retains the lead with 208 points, but his margin has shrunk to 14 points over Ogura (194) and 18 over Marquez (190). Marco Bezzecchi, who started the weekend second, fractured his left collarbone in a qualifying crash and was ruled out of both races. He underwent successful surgery in Italy but faces an uncertain recovery timeline and slipped to fourth with 186 points. Fabio Di Giannantonio, another title contender, crashed out on lap four and dropped to fifth on 184 points.
- Jorge Martin
- 208
- Ai Ogura
- 194
- Marc Marquez
- 190
- Marco Bezzecchi
- 186
- Fabio Di Giannantonio
- 184
What they said
Ai Ogura, the Assen winner who continues to impress, was measured after claiming second in the race and the standings. Raul Fernandez admitted he struggled physically late on and had not expected to podium at what he called "the circuit of Marc."
It was difficult to overtake Raul, but in the end I managed to pass him and keep a good pace. It has been a good weekend and I am very happy.
What comes next
MotoGP now enters its summer break, although Marquez has already signalled there will be no holiday for him. The season resumes with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 9 August, where the tightened title fight will resume with Martin, Ogura and Marquez separated by just 18 points.
