Catalunya MotoGP – Race Results

Marquez wins his home Catalunya MotoGP while rookie Quartararo celebrates a first premier-class podium, on his return from arm-pump surgery, after an early incident took-out four of the frontrunners.

Marquez snatched the lead from title rival Dovizioso into Turn 10, at the end of the back straight, on lap 2 – just as team-mate Lorenzo, having his best race showing as a Repsol Honda rider, lost the front while passing Vinales for third.

A chain reaction saw Lorenzo’s sliding RCV slam into Dovizioso, then Vinales and Rossi – bringing them all down. Lorenzo later apologised, but it meant all four were out of the race and Marquez was handed a comfortable lead over Petrucci.

Petrucci and Rins battled hard over second – making contact at one stage – with Quartararo, Miller, Mir and Crutchlow also in the podium hunt.

After Rins’ ran wide trying to outbrake Petrucci at Turn 1, Quartararo used his superior corner speed to safely pass the Ducati rider. Crutchlow later joined the long DNF list while trying to pass Miller.

An opening lap tangle between Aprilia wild-card Smith and team-mate Espargaro saw the Englishman down and out and the Spaniard later pull into the pits with a possible leg injury.

An official test will be held back at the Barcelona circuit on Monday.

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