Patience the key as MotoGP leader plays long game in sprint

Spain’s Pedro Acosta (middle) from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team celebrate after won first place for the Tissot Sprint and Spain’s Marc Marquez (left) from Ducati Lenovo Team won second place and for the third place winner is Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi from Aprillia Racing Team at the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit in Sepang. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

SEPANG: Seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez stayed patient and played the long game during the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix sprint race as unpredictable weather once again surprised and caught riders off guard yesterday.

Marquez extended his championship lead after finishing the sprint race in second place after navigating an eventful 10 laps at the Sepang International Circuit.

Starting the race in second, Marquez said he kept his composure despite dropping several spots down the pack at the race start as he stuck to his race plan.

“My strategy was clear. It was to never lead the race but instead just try to be behind the first guy and stay with the front,” said the Ducati rider.

“The track (condition) was not bad as well, but here in Malaysia, we can never know how it will be from one lap to the next because a storm can arrive anytime and it will be big.

“For example, sector three was completely dry, but sector two was raining heavier.”

Fellow Spaniard Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM clinched the sprint win after Marquez’s younger brother, Alex Marquez, crashed out on the third lap after starting the race on pole.

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi came in third to complete the podium.

Marquez is now 19 points ahead of closest competitor Jorge Martin of Aprilia, who withdrew from the race weekend after the morning practice session as he is still recovering from a broken wrist he suffered in Australia last week.

During the sprint race, the white flag was waved not long after the lights went out, signifying raindrops on the track.

After Alex’s crash, Japan’s Ai Ogura moved into the lead before Acosta came charging from behind to take the front position.

With four laps left in the 10-lap sprint race, drizzle hit the track, with several riders already making the bike switch to be on wet tyres.

Jack Miller had come in earlier but was left frustrated after finding out his spare bike in the pits was not ready.

Fellow riders Joan Mir, Iker Lecuona, Maverick Vinales, and Franco Morbidelli also came in to swap their bikes for wet tyres, but the downpour only arrived after the chequered flag was waved.