Bezzecchi wins Qatar GP but sees title hopes as slim

Marco Bezzecchi won the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, his sixth victory of the season, cutting his deficit to Marc Marquez in the championship to 74 points. With two rounds remaining, he remains mathematically in contention, but would need to win both races in Portugal and Valencia and hope Marquez scores nothing.

Asked about his chances, Bezzecchi said he needed a miracle, adding that he had not had any this season. He said it was still good to be fighting at the front with Marquez and Jorge Martin, and that he wanted to learn from the campaign for the future.

Bezzecchi had crashed out of the sprint after a collision with Marquez at the first corner. He said the sprint result gave him extra motivation to bounce back in the grand prix, which he described as a wonderful race in which he felt confident on the bike throughout.