Qatar runner-up Marquez must wait for eighth title

Spaniard Marc Marquez misses the chance to clinch a record-equalling eighth MotoGP title after finishing second in Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix.

Marc Marquez (left), alongside Marco Bezzecchi (centre) and Raul Fernandez (right) won his first MotoGP title in 2013

Marc Marquez will have to wait to seal a record-equalling eighth MotoGP title after finishing second behind Marco Bezzecchi in the Qatar Grand Prix.

The 33-year-old Spaniard won Saturday's sprint race and would have clinched a second successive title, drawing level with Valentino Rossi's record tally, had main rival Jorge Martin finished outside the points in Sunday's grand prix.

However, Martin - the 2024 champion - returned from injury after withdrawing from the previous race with a fractured wrist to finish seventh.

Ducatti rider Marquez has a 60-point lead over Aprilia's Martin and will have another chance to clinch the title in the season's penultimate race weekend in Portimao, Portugal, in two weeks' time.

Source: BBC Sport