The Albany Gazette - 'Smooth' Marc Marquez wins Aragon MotoGP sprint, Bezzecchi on pole

Seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez of Ducati will start Sunday's Grand Prix second on the grid, but will seek to repeat his flying start to the sprint when he blitzed past Bezzecchi's Aprilia on the inside at the first turn.

The 33-year-old held off the challenge of his brother Alex Marquez to come in 1.140sec ahead, with Bezzecchi rounding out the podium.

It was his third sprint win at the circuit in northeast Spain.

"Today, I was riding smooth," Marc Marquez told TNT Sports. "It's something that normally happens in a circuit where you feel well, you are faster with less stress.

"Here, I'm riding in a very smooth way and I feel the bike... I feel good so let's see tomorrow that is the most important but the first job is done."

Bezzecchi and the elder Marquez are attempting to close the gap on championship leader Jorge Martin. The Spaniard, riding for Aprilia, could only place fifth in both qualifying and the sprint race.

Martin's lead is down to 29 points over second-placed Bezzecchi, with Marc Marquez a further four adrift.

Marc Marquez has won three of the past five races to haul himself back into title contention.

Earlier Saturday, Bezzecchi clocked a blistering lap in qualifying after already lowering the circuit record on Friday, finishing 0.089sec clear of second-placed Marc Marquez.

Alex Marquez, on his Gresini Ducati, was 0.299sec back and will start in third.

The pole was the 12th of Bezzecchi's MotoGP career. It came at a circuit that has long been a happy hunting ground for defending world champion Marc Marquez, who has also won seven of the 11 premier-class races held at Aragon.

"We start in a good place, but Marc and Alex are both super fast in terms of pace. It's going to be a tough fight," said Bezzecchi.

"Now the real job starts."

(P.Clark--TAG)