ALEX MARQUEZ SAYS ATTACKING BROTHER MARC IN PHILLIP ISLAND SPRINT WAS TOO RISKY

Alex Marquez said he chose not to pass his older brother Marc during Saturday’s Australian Grand Prix sprint at Phillip Island because the move felt “too risky.” The brothers finished first and second, their third one-two sprint result of the season, after championship contender Jorge Martin crashed from second place. Alex inherited the runner-up position and said he had been closing in on the leaders before Martin’s fall, by which point he was already “a bit on the limit.”

The Gresini rider acknowledged he had the speed to challenge Marc, but decided against attacking the factory Ducati rider. “After all, he’s fighting for the title. I have to be aware of that too – I’m fully aware of it,” Alex told DAZN. He said an earlier attempt might have been possible without taking a risk, but ultimately he chose to hold his pace and see the race through rather than try to pass his brother.

The decision came amid discussion about whether Alex would help Marc in the championship fight. Alex pointed to their relationship as brothers and teammates, as well as the danger involved in making a move, but did not say he would always avoid challenging Marc. Martin’s crash could affect the title battle, while Marco Bezzecchi remains third in the standings, 50 points behind Marc with five rounds left.