Di Giannantonio wins crash-marred Catalan GP after double red flag drama

BARCELONA, May 17 : VR46 Racing's Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed victory at the Catalan Grand Prix on Sunday in extraordinary circumstances, taking the chequered flag after a race that was red-flagged twice due to multiple crashes.

The Italian secured only his second MotoGP victory and VR46 Racing's first since the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, but the triumph was overshadowed by serious incidents that sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.

Honda's Joan Mir finished second ahead of Gresini Racing's Fermin Aldeguer while pole sitter Acosta crashed on the final lap after contact from Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura, who was handed a three-second penalty.

However, six riders were being investigated for their tyre pressures, leaving the final standings uncertain.

"Today has not been an easy day for everybody. I really hope that Alex is fine," Di Giannantonio said.

"We've been really lucky. We know that our sport is amazing. We try to give an amazing show, but also we are humans and we are in danger. So I really hope that everybody is safe."

ALEX MARQUEZ CRASHES INTO ACOSTA

The drama began on lap 12 when race leader Pedro Acosta's KTM suddenly lost power on the straight near turn 10 and Gresini Racing's Marquez, running second, had no time to react as he crashed into the back of the stricken machine.

Marquez and his Ducati careered towards the wall before both cartwheeled through the air as he lost control on the gravel.

The wheel from Marquez's bike also struck Di Giannantonio, who went down but managed to nurse his machine back to the pits.

The second red flag came after an even more chaotic restart, when LCR Honda's Zarco braked late on turn one of the first lap and took out Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia and Honda's Luca Marini in a