ALEX MARQUEZ HANDED DOUBLE LONG-LAP PENALTY AFTER MOTEGI SPRINT CRASH

Alex Marquez will start Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix with a double long-lap penalty after causing a three-rider crash on the opening lap of the Motegi Sprint.

The Gresini rider tried to dive into a gap at Turn 3, but there was no room. He braked too late and hit the rear of Pedro Acosta’s KTM. Both went down, with Fabio Di Giannantonio caught in the collision and also crashing. The VR46 rider, who had qualified sixth after finding a good feeling with his Ducati, was taken to the medical centre for checks after struggling to breathe in the gravel. He said he had taken a heavy blow to his right ribs and hip. “They examined me. It seems everything is OK, and that’s the most important thing,” he said, adding that he had initially stayed on the ground because breathing was difficult.

Di Giannantonio said he had spotted a rider approaching quickly and tried to leave room, believing he had avoided the danger before being struck. “I saw a rider coming at me really fast, so I tried to give him a bit of space. I thought I’d managed it, but then he hit me full-on. The collision was unexpected, but I’m OK, and that’s the most important thing.” Asked how he saw the incident unfold, he replied: “Ask Alex!”

Marquez apologised to both riders after the crash, calling it “definitely a day to forget”. “Unfortunately, I made a mistake before Turn 3 and ruined the race of two other riders. I’m really sorry,” he said. The stewards quickly found him responsible and imposed the double long-lap penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Di Giannantonio said he accepted the stewards’ decision, adding that he trusted race direction to work for riders’ safety. “If that’s what they decided, that’s fine with me.” Marquez also accepted the sanction: “I accept the penalty! We’ll still try to put in a decent race tomorrow.”

The collision ended the race for all three, leaving Acosta unable to finish a Sprint for the second consecutive weekend. The KTM rider had started on the front row after taking his first grand prix victory in Austria last month, and criticised Marquez over the incident, which cut short another promising day.

Di Giannantonio said the retirement was especially disappointing after the team had worked to manage tyre wear. He had made a good start and taken Turn 1 well, and felt he had been in position to run consistently before the crash ended his race. “We won’t give up and we’ll fight back tomorrow! We have good potential and can do a good race,” he said, while noting he expected to feel his ribs on Sunday.

Looking ahead to the Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio said he believed he could have a strong race, but identified Marc Marquez and the two factory Aprilia riders as having the pace advantage. “At the moment, Marc [Marquez] and both factory Aprilias seem in better shape.”