Marquez Magic Under the Lights in Doha

Ducati Star Claims Back-to-Back Wins as Viñales Loses Podium to Tyre Drama

Marc Marquez pulled off a stunning double in Doha, clinching his second MotoGP victory in as many weekends with a commanding performance under the lights at Lusail. The Ducati Lenovo rider took control of a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix after a ferocious battle featuring big names, bold moves and a post-race twist that shuffled the finishing order.

Marquez got the jump off the line and diced with brother Alex through the opening turns, losing a piece of bodywork in the melee. Franco Morbidelli seized an early lead but couldn’t fend off the chasing pack for long. Contact between Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio derailed both their podium hopes, landing Alex a long lap penalty that dropped him from the top six to 12th.

Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia was already fighting through after a tough qualifying, carving past riders like Marc Marquez and moving into podium contention. Viñales, riding with renewed purpose on the Red Bull KTM Tech3, hit the front with 13 laps to go, putting on a show to shake up a sea of red Ducatis. But it didn’t last.

With just seven laps to go, Marquez pounced on a wide moment from Viñales and never looked back. The eight-time world champion dropped his fastest laps late in the race and pulled clear, stretching a 1.5-second lead by the final lap. Bagnaia ran a measured race to clinch third at the flag, a solid recovery after Saturday struggles.

Then came the curveball. Viñales was hit with a post-race tyre pressure penalty that dropped him from second all the way to 14th, promoting a delighted Morbidelli to the final podium spot, Bagnaia to second, and bumping several others up the order.

Zarco’s P4 marked Honda’s strongest finish in some time, holding off MotoGP newcomer Fermin Aldeguer in fifth – his best yet. Alex Marquez scrambled back to P6 after his penalty, just ahead of Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta. Rounding out the top ten were Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini.

Enea Bastianini came home 11th ahead of Alex Rins and Brad Binder, while the penalised Viñales claimed the final points-paying spot in 14th between Binder and Ai Ogura.

There was bad news for reigning world champ Jorge Martin, who crashed out and was later diagnosed with a rib contusion and pneumothorax. Aprilia confirmed the Spaniard is conscious and mobile, with further checks pending.

As the paddock turns toward Jerez, Marquez now leads the title chase with seven wins from the opening eight races. With home-crowd energy on tap in Spain, the big question is who – if anyone – can stop the red-hot #93.

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