Fabio Di Giannantonio wins the shortened Catalan MotoGP after the crash of Marquez | Sports News

The race was marred by two red flags and numerous accidents, including a major incident involving Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta.

VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio has won the Catalan Grand Prix in dramatic fashion, taking the flag after a race that was red-flagged twice due to a series of crashes.

The Italian secured his second MotoGP victory and VR46 Racing’s first since the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, but Sunday’s win was overshadowed by major incidents that sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.

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Honda’s Joan Mir finished second ahead of Gresini Racing’s Fermin Aldeguer while polesitter Acosta crashed in the final lap after contact with Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura, who was handed a three-second penalty.

However, six riders were checked for tire pressure, which left the final pace uncertain.

“Today was not easy for everyone. I hope Alex is fine,” said Di Giannantonio.

“We’ve been lucky. We know our game is amazing. We try to give an amazing show, but we’re human and we’re vulnerable. So I hope everyone is safe.”

Alex Marquez fell to Acosta

The drama began on lap 12 when championship leader Pedro Acosta of KTM suddenly lost power in straight near turn 10 and Marquez of Gresini Racing, who ran second, lost time to react when he fell behind the beaten machine.

Marquez and his Ducati worked towards the wall before both went airborne when they lost control of the stones.

Marquez’s wheel also hit Di Giannantonio, who went down but was able to nurse his machine in the pit.

The second red flag came after a chaotic restart when LCR Honda’s Zarco made a late dive in turn one and took out Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia and Honda’s Luca Marini in a three-way pile-up.

Both Marquez and Zarco were taken to the hospital for further tests although the doctors confirmed that they were conscious.

Martin crashes on the second restart

The second restart turned what was originally a 24-lap race into a 12-lap sprint.

The mayhem continued when Jorge Martin, who started at the front and looked set to take the lead, crashed out after a nosedive as Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez made contact.

Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola looked angry when he went to the Trackhouse garage to speak with the Italian manufacturer Satan team.

With Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi finishing sixth, the Italian extended his lead over Martin in the race to 13.

But at the front, Di Giannantonio found a way past Mir after almost chasing down Acosta, taking the lead with two laps to go to crush the 21-year-old’s dream of a first MotoGP victory.

Acosta’s fear was enough when he fell on the last lap.

“It was not easy. They have to give a lot of points for this,” said Mir.

“But Johann and Alex, we wish them the best and we hope to see them in Mugello” at the Italian Grand Prix.