Two long laps for Álex Márquez after the Sprint pileup

Friday’s fastest rider saw his Saturday unravel on the opening lap. At Turn 3, Álex Márquez caused a crash involving Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio, ending all three riders’ Sprints. The stewards handed him a double long-lap penalty to serve during the Grand Prix.

The Gresini rider acknowledges his mistake and apologizes to the other two riders. He accepts the penalty and says he has compromised not only their Sprints but also his own Sunday race. His goal remains to salvage a result despite the handicap.

His fifth place on the grid does not change: this is a penalty to serve during the race, not a grid drop. That distinction matters when assessing his Sunday prospects. He keeps a strong starting position, but the two trips through the penalty loop will make it much harder to fight the riders starting around him.