MotoGP, Dutch Grand Prix: Ducati's Marc Marquez Tops Assen Sprint Race
Marquez's younger brother, Alex Marquez, racing on his Ducati-Gresini, came in second, followed by Aprilia's Italian rider, Marco Bezzecchi, in third.
Championship leader Marc Marquez clinched the sprint race in the Dutch Moto GP in Assen on Saturday as he turned the tables following two crashes in the practice sessions earlier.
The win marked Marquez's ninth win in ten sprint races this season. Marquez's younger brother, Alex Marquez, racing on his Ducati-Gresini, came in second, followed by Aprilia's Italian rider, Marco Bezzecchi, in third.
'I was not expecting to win starting from the second row but I had an excellent start and I focussed on being error-free throughout the race," said Marquez after the win.
'I am relieved because I think my body would not have taken another fall," he added.
Marquez's Ducati teammate, Italy's two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia, lost more ground in the title race, finishing fourth.
Fabio Quartararo will start from pole position on Sunday after recording the fastest time in qualifying. The 26-year-old French Yamaha rider hopes for a better outcome than he had in the sprint.
The 2021 world champion, who has failed to turn his previous three pole positions into victories this MotoGP season, crashed four laps from the finish while in fourth place.
Bagnaia, aiming for a fourth consecutive victory at the track reverentially known as the 'Cathedral of Speed', along with other riders, will hope to prevent Marquez from winning Sunday's race.
The Spaniard's Ducati lacked rear grip, and he appeared uncomfortable in sector three of the circuit.
Marquez moved to 282 points, extending his lead in the standings to 43 points over Alex, with Bagnaia 117 points behind.
(With Inputs Form AFP)
Location :
Netherlands
First Published:
June 28, 2025, 21:39 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Paul Pogba Signs For Monaco, Hoping To Revive Career
Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday. The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim. Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year. The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career. "I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it's just a matter of time," the 32-year-old told French television last weekend. Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009. He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012. Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million). He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries. In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022. Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago. His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Paul Pogba returns to professional football as new AS Monaco signing
Paul Pogba is making a return to professional football after serving his doping ban and joining AS Monaco, the French club announced on Saturday. Pogba has joined on a two-year contract with the Principality club as he aims to revive his career after the doping ban. The World Cup winner was handed a four-year ban in February 2024 after testing positive for DHEA, which boosts testosterone levels. The ban was then reduced to 18 months after Pogba after a successful appeal at the the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Pogba's contract with Juventus was terminated in November last year as both parties agreed to part ways. advertisementLigue 1: Full coverage "AS Monaco are delighted to announce the arrival of Paul Pogba. The French World Champion has signed a two-season deal, having signed with the Principality until 30 June 2027," read the statement from AS Monaco. We are delighted to announce the arrival of Paul Pogba The midfielder has signed a 2-season deal and is now tied to the Club until 30th June 2027 AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) June 28, 2025Pogba appeared onto the scene with Manchester United before making a name for himself with Juventus. The midfielder won the Serie A four times with the Turin-based club before returning to United in 2016 for a then-world record fee of 89 million pounds. However, his return to the Premier League giants saw him win just two trophies and leave the club on a free again before returning to Juventus in 2022. However, his second stint at the Turin club was underwhelming and cut down by injuries before he left the side. Pogba last played for France in 2022 and missed the Qatar World Cup due to injury. Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season behind PSG and Marseille. - Ends
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Dart 'affected' by backlash to Boisson odour jibe
Jun 28, 2025 11:52 PM IST Britain's Harriet Dart admits she has been affected by the backlash to her jibe about French opponent Lois Boisson's personal hygiene. HT Image Dart asked the umpire to tell Boisson to put on deodorant, saying "she smells really bad" during their match in a tournament in Rouen in April. The 28-year-old, who lost the first round tie in straight sets, was forced to apologise after her taunt sparked a torrent of criticism on social media. Dart and Boisson have experienced contrasting form since that ugly incident. Boisson went on an unexpected run to the semi-finals of her home Grand Slam at the French Open in June. But Dart has won just once in her last seven matches and the world number 71 said the abuse had played a role in her slump. "I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me a little bit," she told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday. "I'm human but also we all make mistakes and I just tried to look forward. I've gone through some difficulties these weeks. "I don't always share what I go through but I'm just looking forward and preparing the best I can. "I've also played some really good players so it's been tough, I've had a change of coaching as well, so there's been a lot going on." Dart, given a Wimbledon wild card entry, is back in the spotlight as she prepares to face Hungary's Dalma Galfi in the first round at the All England Club on Monday. Boisson lost in the first round of Wimbledon qualifying after being denied a wild card despite her French Open heroics. Dart is keen to consign her comment about Boisson to the past and she grew frustrated when the topic was raised on Saturday. "I don't know why we're still talking about this, it's been months now," she said. "I feel like I answered a lot of the questions that were asked of me and that's it. I really just want to put it behind me." smg/nf This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
