MotoGP leader Bezzecchi wins Italian Grand Prix

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi fought through to beat Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin and win the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Bezzecchi won the opening three rounds of the year and returned to the top step in race seven to open up a 17-point lead over Martin in the standings.

The 27-year-old celebrated at the finish with fellow Italian and Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Manufacturer Aprilia had never won their home race in the premier class but took an emotional one-two finish as Italian bikes dominated.

Spanish rider Martin, the 2024 championship winner, set a MotoGP speed record on Friday when his Aprilia clocked 229mph.

Ducati were third on Sunday with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Bagnaia was able to pass Bezzecchi and make a run for victory midway through the race, but Bezzecchi fought back to regain the lead.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez returned after surgery on his arm and foot and came home seventh for his first finish since March.

The Spanish MotoGP legend is 102 points behind Bezzecchi in the standings.

His brother, Alex Marquez, and Johann Zarco both missed the Mugello race after heavy crashes at the Catalan GP two weeks ago.

British rider Cal Crutchlow stood in for the injured Zarco in his first race since 2023, but the 40-year-old veteran had to retire midway through for LCR Honda.