The Gresini Ducati rider had threatened to put his name into the category of new MotoGP r🌱ace winner earlier this season after claiming pole in Argentina,ಞ while also showing very strong pace at COTA.

However, a win failed to come his way as the likes of Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin all showed more consistency aboard their Duc🐼ati machines.

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But after holding𒉰 off Bezzecchi during the 10-lap sprint, Marquez has now become the fourth differen♐t Ducati rider to win in 2023.

"I was expecting more rain b🉐ut it was dryer and I had some doubts," said Marquez.𓂃 "But I felt really good from the sighting lap and the warm-up lap also. 

"I started the race sleeping a bit too much because many riders overtook me, but after two laps I saw that I had a lot of traction, a good feeling with the bi⛦ke and I said ‘okay, I have to go, I have to make the gap now’. 

"I did it and it was perfect. The sprin🍌t race has this. It has less points [available] and you have less 🐽to lose. You can take more risk."

Marquez managed to 𝔉control the race for long periods until a mistake on the finaꦆl lap appeared to open the door for Bezzecchi.

The Mooney VR46 rider started to close in on Marquez du♏ring the first two sectors, however, the Spaniard responded just in time as he avoided being passed by the finish line. 

Marquez add♛💦ed: "I made a big mistake in turn nine as I missed the downshift. Instead of being in third I did the corner in second and in that point I lost 0.5s. 

"🅺At that moment I thought he was close but in s🙈ector three and four I was quite fast. 

"I knew it would be difficult for him to overtake me so I just did my pace,𓆏 did my lines and tried to close the door a little bit more."