MotoGP leader Bezzecchi wins the Italian Grand Prix

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi fought back to beat Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin and win the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Bezzecchi won the first three rounds of the year and opened up a 17-point lead over Martin in the standings after returning to the top step in race seven.

The 27-year-old celebrated with fellow Italian and Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli at the finish.

Manufacturer Aprilia never won their home race in the premier class but took an emotional one-two finish as the Italian bike dominated.

Spanish rider Martin, winner of the 2024 championship, set a MotoGP speed record on Friday when his Aprilia hit 229mph.

Ducati was third on Sunday with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Bagnaia was able to pass Bezeci and make a run for the win midway through the race, but Bezeci fought back to regain the lead.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez returned from surgery on his arm and leg and finished seventh in his first since March.

The Spanish MotoGP legend is 102 points behind Bezeci.

His brothers Alex Marquez and Johan Zarco both missed the Mugello race Heavy crash at the Catalan GP two weeks ago.

British rider Cal Crutchlow stood in for the injured Zarco in his first race since 2023, but the 40-year-old veteran had to retire midway through for LCR Honda.