Controlled Bezzecchi wins chaotic Le Mans MotoGP, SA's Binder 6th

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi comfortably held off sprint winner Jorge Martin to take victory in the 1,000th MotoGP event at Le Mans on Sunday.

A number of race favourites such as world champion Francesco Bagnaia, who started on pole, and six-time champion Marc Marquez crashed out in a chaotic race, allowing Johann Zarco to complete the podium on his home track.

Bezzecchi, on a Ducati, had to overcome an early penalty after a hard overtake of Marquez forced both riders off the track.

But after serving the one-place drop, he quickly reestablished himself and showed total control once he hit the front to claim his second MotoGP win, following his victory in Argentina last month.

"(It) was an unbelievable day for me," he told Motorsport.com.

"Honestly, this morning I didn't expect to have this kind of race. But yesterday I felt good on the bike and I knew that with a good start I could make something more... obviously I didn't expect a win, but anyway a good race.

"Then today, when I started I saw that I was faster than the guys in front of me.

"I was able to overtake them. Once I got in the lead I was able to put on a good pace and I was feeling very well with my bike and I was able to escape."

The 24-year-old, who only stepped up from Moto2 at the start of 2022, is now just one point behind championship leader Bagnaia, who came under investigation for his part in the crash that took him out of the race as well as Aprilia's Maverick Vinales.

Marquez, on his return from injury sustained in a first-lap crash in the season opener in Portugal, was running a strong second until he slid off the track on the penultimate lap.

The race started in sunny conditions and with another bumper crowd taking the event total to an all-time attendance