MotoGP: Marquez gives a masterclass at the Sachsenring; updated riders’ standings after the Sprint

Triumph of the reigning champion in “his” Saxony, a total masterpiece: a Desmosedici trio up front, then the Aprilia squad. The World Championship fight gets very interesting.

Saturday at the 2026 German Grand Prix ends with Marc Marquez winning the MotoGP Sprint at the Sachsenring. Perfect race management by the Ducati Lenovo rider, who launched from pole position and led to the finish. He was never really within reach for his brother Alex Marquez, who did well at the end to hold off a charging Fabio Di Giannantonio. An all-Ducati podium this afternoon.

The best Aprilia at the flag was Ai Ogura’s, ahead of brand-mates Raul Fernandez and Jorge Martin. Points also for Pecco Bagnaia, Pedro Acosta, and Fabio Quartararo.

For the first time, the new grid layout with increased spacing compared to the past was adopted: from 3 to 4 meters per slot and from 9 to 12 meters per row. Starting from pole position, Marc Marquez kept the lead, followed by Alex, Di Giannantonio, Ogura, and Fernandez.

MM93 remained in front after the first four laps, with Alex and Diggia close. The Aprilias of Ogura, Fernandez, and Martin were there too, with Bagnaia a few meters back. From lap six the soft rear tire began to drop, with Raul losing ground to the leading four and towing along Martinator and Bagnaia.

From mid-race Marc began to change pace, trying to make the difference by pulling away from the chasers. But Alex didn’t give up, the only one able to match the pace of the senior Marquez. Di Giannantonio dropped a little, while keeping a margin over Ogura. In the final laps the reigning MotoGP champion pulled a few more meters on his brother again, while Diggia closed in on the Gresini Ducati but couldn’t get past. Triumph for Marc ahead of the two fellow Ducati riders. A rather uneventful Sprint, aside from a few overtakes in the early stages; after that, there weren’t any more. Let’s hope Sunday’s long race brings more excitement.

Note that Marco Bezzecchi did not take part in the race due to the injury suffered in Qualifying. The Aprilia Racing team rider ended his weekend in Saxony early and will return to Italy for surgery. A really tough moment for him.

Martin remains the leader of the overall standings, his advantage over his teammate rising to 11 points. Di Giannantonio moves to -13 from the top. Also fully in the fight for the 2026 MotoGP world title are Ogura (-23) and Marquez (-32).

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