The Albany Gazette - Resurgent Marquez powers to San Marino win to take MotoGP lead

Seven-time MotoGP champion Marquez, riding a Ducati, moved level on 274 points with Aprilia's Jorge Martin, who finished fifth.

Marquez has the edge over Martin with more wins this season despite missing the races in Le Mans and Catalonia to undergo surgery on his foot and shoulder.

"It's a present, I was out, I was over, but now we are leading, how? I don't know," said Marquez, who has won five of the last seven races.

"Let's see, there are a lot of races to go, now we are leading but the most important is that here we take the points and are leading."

Marquez completed the double having also won Saturday's sprint race as he targets his eighth top-class championship and his 10th overall.

The 33-year-old finished 0.657sec ahead of his younger brother riding for the Ducati-Gresini team, with Spaniard Pedro Acosta of KTM crossing in third.

Pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed out of his home race in a blow to his title hopes, as he now sits 33 points behind Marquez and Martin.

The Italian Aprilia rider, who is chasing his first MotoGP world title this year after finishing third last season, crashed into the gravel on the first of 27 laps.

Despite his own form, Marquez conceded Bezzecchi's mishap could be his in the next race in Austria.

"Riding at the limit, Bezzecchi had a little mistake but the next race we can be that rider. I'm human," said the Spaniard.

"I'm a rider who tries to work a lot, especially this season on the mental side, to be super precise in everything I do especially after the surgery.

"The most important is that I feel super calm and relaxed and will try to do my maximum."

(L.Thomas--TAG)