Acosta wins Malaysian GP sprint, Marc Marquez extends championship lead

SEPANG, Malaysia, Oct 31 : KTM's Pedro Acosta won a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix sprint at the Sepang International Circuit on Saturday, while Ducati's Marc Marquez finished second, capitalising on MotoGP title rival Jorge Martin's withdrawal.

Gresini Racing's pole sitter Alex Marquez crashed out of the lead on lap three, while Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura, who led for most of the 10-lap sprint, conceded positions towards the end to finish fourth, behind Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi.

Rain had threatened to play spoilsport in Sepang but the leading pack crossed the finish line of the 10-lap sprint just before the heavens opened up.

"Normally in mixed conditions I don't do a good job. But anyway, today was the day to try," Acosta said after his second sprint victory of the season.

"I was playing for nothing. Also knowing that Marc was behind fighting for the championship ... It was my opportunity to try to make something different from this."

Martin withdrew after persistent wrist pain hampered his comeback from a fracture, with the Spaniard acknowledging that his title hopes were "already lost".

The sprint podium extended reigning champion Marc's lead over Martin to 19 points, with the Ducati rider set to increase his advantage further in Sunday's race.

'I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAD'

Marc said he was happy to finish second, avoiding any risks in treacherous conditions in some parts of the circuit.

"The guys that are not fighting for the championship can take more risk. I was calm," Marc said.

"I had the pace, but I didn't want to lead the race because the one that arrives first is the one that normally crashes."

Alex had snatched pole position from his brother, and the Gresini Racing rider stormed into the lead at turn one, while Marc fell to