Motorcycling-Marquez wins Japanese GP sprint to close in on Martin

Ducati's Marc ​Marquez won ​the Japanese ‌Grand Prix ​sprint on Saturday to inch closer ‌to MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin of Aprilia in the standings. Marquez made a ‌scorching start and held the ‌inside line on the first turn of the opening lap to surge past ⁠Martin, ​who ⁠had set a lap record at the ⁠Motegi circuit to grab pole position ​during qualifying earlier on Saturday.

Reigning champion ⁠Marquez maintained the lead and coasted to ⁠victory, ​moving him to 306 points - seven behind Martin, who ⁠was demoted to third place behind LCR ⁠Honda's ⁠Diogo Moreira for exceeding track limits.