Ducati's Marquez wins Czech GP sprint after penalty scare
Marquez and factory Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia were both forced to slow down during the race and surrender first and second place due to low tyre pressure, or risk incurring an eight-second penalty.
Six-time champion Marquez relinquished his lead but was able to overtake KTM's Pedro Acosta with two laps remaining and cross the finish line first, with MotoGP later confirming that no further action would be taken against Marquez.
Acosta's teammate Enea Bastiani ended in third.
Asked if he had done enough to avoid a penalty, Marquez said: "Yeah, we did it. For that reason, I'm smiling. So it's true that it was super towards the limit. And yeah, we're riding comfortable.
"Then I saw that the pressure was not enough. I tried to push some laps on the brakes, but I saw that was too much risk to get on that correct pressure. And then I decided to wait.
"I just stayed super close to Acosta to increase the temperature. And then when I saw the temperature was already inside the rules, pressure was inside the rules, then I pushed in the last few laps."
Marquez leads the riders' championship table with 356 points, with his second-placed younger brother Alex, who finished 17th after a disastrous start, 95 points behind on 261.
Pole-sitter Bagnaia finished seventh after he was overtaken by Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez in the final lap.
Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin finished 11th on his return to competition after suffering a collapsed lung and bruised ribs in a crash in Qatar in April. - REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Motor racing-Alonso to miss first Hungarian GP practice due to back injury
Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 27, 2025 Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso before the race REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Aston Martin's Brazilian reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will replace Spaniard Fernando Alonso in first Friday practice at the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix due to the Spaniard suffering a back injury. The team said Alonso, who turned 44 last Tuesday, had been managing the muscular issue since the weekend's Belgian Grand Prix and had chosen to sit out the session while continuing treatment. "Felipe Drugovich will drive in FP1 alongside Lance Stroll," Aston Martin said. "A decision will then be made on Fernando's participation in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend in due course." Double world champion Alonso won the first race of his Formula One career at the Hungaroring with Renault in 2003. Drugovich, 25, was Formula Two champion in 2022 and has taken part in several F1 test sessions but has yet to start a race. Aston Martin are eighth in the 10-team championship, just one point ahead of Haas. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by...)
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Begiristain leaves role as Manchester City Director of Football
LONODN: Manchester City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain has left the Premier League outfit after 13 years and will be succeeded by former Sporting director Hugo Viana, the club announced on Thursday. The 60-year-old Spaniard has been a major part of a trophy-laden period for City during which they won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup. Begiristain departs in the wake of a trophy-less 2024–25 season and with City still under the shadow of over a 100 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. Begiristain and City manager Pep Guardiola were teammates in Barcelona and have worked closely together at City. "Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Txiki for everything that he has achieved during his time at the Club, and we look forward to paying tribute to his outstanding contribution in September," City said in a statement. Begiristain previously served as Barcelona's Director of Football for seven years until 2010. He not only helped to bring Guardiola to City in 2016 but also oversaw his appointment at Barcelona in 2008. "I told (Man City CEO) Ferran (Soriano), 'I'll handle Pep's transition for you.' And then you renewed for two more years. When you renewed the last time ( in November last year ), I said, 'Ferran, I can't do this anymore'," Begiristain told City Studios. Begiristain's exit from the Etihad has raised questions about Guardiola's future at the club. The 54-year-old coach's current contract ends in 2027 and the Spaniard's plans remain uncertain. --REUTERS
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Man City's Txiki Begiristain exits after 13 years, Hugo Viana takes over
MANCHESTER CITY Director of Football Txiki Begiristain has left the Premier League club after 13 years, with former Sporting director Hugo Viana set to take his place, the club confirmed on Thursday. The 60-year-old Spaniard played a pivotal role in City's golden era, securing seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Champions League, and a Club World Cup. Begiristain's departure follows a rare trophyless season for City, who also face over 100 charges for alleged financial breaches under Premier League regulations. His close working relationship with manager Pep Guardiola, dating back to their time as Barcelona teammates, has been central to the club's success. 'Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Txiki for everything that he has achieved during his time at the Club, and we look forward to paying tribute to his outstanding contribution in September,' City said in a statement. Begiristain, who previously spent seven years as Barcelona's Director of Football, was instrumental in bringing Guardiola to City in 2016 and had earlier facilitated his appointment at Barcelona in 2008. Reflecting on his decision to leave, Begiristain told City Studios, 'I told (Man City CEO) Ferran (Soriano), 'I'll handle Pep's transition for you.' And then you renewed for two more years. When you renewed the last time (in November last year), I said, 'Ferran, I can't do this anymore'.' His exit has sparked speculation over Guardiola's future, with the 54-year-old manager's contract set to expire in 2027. The Spaniard's long-term plans remain unclear, adding uncertainty to City's next phase. - Reuters
