Moto2: Marquez wins frantic scrap as Morbidelli extends championship lead

Alex Marquez has taken victory in a scrappy Moto2 race at the Japanese Grand Prix, by coming out on top of a five-rider fight for the win in the closing stages of today’s race. In the lead pack from early on, the Spaniard was able to put the hammer down in the final laps to break away for victory.

Marquez, Mattia Pasini, Xavier Vierge and local hero Takaaki Nakagami were the early contenders until a late charge from rain specialist Hafizh Syahrin reawakened the fight from the lead, leading Marquez to make a break for it when he could to win by over a second in the end.

He was joined on the podium by Vierge (the first time a Tech 3 machine has been on the box since Bradley Smith in 2011) and Syahrin, a welcome boost for the Malaysian just ahead of his home race in two weeks’ time.

Further back, Franco Morbidelli had a safe ride to finish eighth, extending his championship lead to 24 points over only remaining rival Thomas Luthi with only 75 left to play for.

And it was a good day for the class’s only British racer too, with Tarran Mackenzie coming home in the points for the first time in his Grand Prix career in 15^th, carving his way through the field despite starting 31^st.