Bezzecchi dominates Qatar Grand Prix as Marquez made to wait for MotoGP crown

LUSAIL, Qatar, Nov 8 : Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi led from start to finish to win the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, denying Marc Marquez a chance to seal the MotoGP title under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit after the Ducati rider finished second.

Marquez needed to win the race while Jorge Martin had to finish outside the points to seal an eighth premier-class title but his Aprilia rival finished seventh, taking the championship fight to the penultimate round of the season in Portugal.

Marquez has a 60-point lead over Martin ahead of the next Grand Prix in Portimao while Bezzecchi, who crashed out of Saturday's sprint in a duel with Marquez before making amends in the race, is 74 points behind.

"It feels amazing. I'm very happy. It was the performance we deserve," said Bezzecchi, who became the first rider to win 12 races at 12 different circuits.

"It's been a fantastic weekend for us. I've been super quick and super comfortable on the bike. A shame about yesterday but it's part of the game. To bounce back like this makes everything even better."

Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez finished third while his team mate Ai Ogura was fourth. KTM's Pedro Acosta was in contention for a podium early in the race but tyre pressure problems forced him to drop back and he finished sixth.

BEZZECCHI SHUTS DOOR ON MARQUEZ

Aprilia's polesitter Bezzecchi had the perfect start off the line and the Italian shut the door when Marquez attempted to overtake on the inside of turn one, where they had collided in Saturday's sprint.

Marquez then found himself fighting Aprilia bikes all around him as Trackhouse rider Fernandez moved past him to drop the reigning champion down to third.

Bezzecchi and Fernandez were soon more than a second clear of