Francesco Bagnaia wins Japan MotoGP sprint race, SA's Binder fails to finish

Francesco Bagnaia profited from a mistake by rookie Pedro Acosta to win the Japan MotoGP sprint on Saturday and close the gap on overall championship leader Jorge Martin.

READ | Acosta takes Japan MotoGP pole, Martin crashes out and SA's Binder takes 5th

Spaniard Acosta crashed with four laps to go while leading the field at Motegi, allowing defending world champion Bagnaia to take first ahead of Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez.

Spain's Martin finished fourth and saw his overall lead over Italian Bagnaia in the championship standings cut to 15 points. South Africa's Brad Binder, who went fastest in Friday's practice, also didn't finish the sprint after seemingly picking up a technical problem.

?? @PeccoBagnaia keeps his cool to claim some Saturday success in Japan after @37_pedroacosta's blunder!@Bestia23 and @marcmarquez93 complete the #TissotSprint podium ????#JapaneseGP ???? pic.twitter.com/B1xaU74gCd

Gutting ??

It looks like @BradBinder_33 has a technical problem ??

He reverts to the pits! #JapaneseGP ???? pic.twitter.com/Buk6IgNfmw

"I am very happy because with these conditions, it's not very easy to win and gain points," Bagnaia said after a sprint race that took place under heavy clouds with intermittent spots of rain.

"It's the maximum so thanks to my team again and let's keep working like this."

Four race weekends remain after Sunday's Grand Prix in Japan.

Pramac rider Martin is looking to win his first MotoGP championship after finishing second behind Ducati's Bagnaia last year.

Acosta was looking for his maiden sprint win after taking pole for the first time in the morning qualifying.

The 20-year-old lost the lead to Bagnaia at the first corner but regained it soon after and was pushing hard for the victory.

Instead, he