MotoGP leader Bezzecchi wins the Italian Grand Prix

MotoGP leader Marco Pizzicchi battled to beat Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin and win the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Bezzecchi won the first three rounds of the year and returned to the top flight in the seventh race to open a 17-point lead on Martin in the standings.

The 27-year-old celebrated at the finish with fellow Italian and Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Manufacturer Aprilia has never won a home race in the premier class but has taken one and two places with Italian bikes dominating.

Spanish racer Martin, winner of the 2024 championship, set a speed record in the MotoGP World Championship on Friday when his Aprilia reached a speed of 229 miles per hour.

Ducati finished third on Sunday with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Bagnaia was able to pass Bezzecchi and run for the victory midway through the race, but Bezzecchi fought back to regain the lead.

Defending champion Marc Márquez returned after surgery on his arm and foot and came home in seventh place for his first pole position since March.

The Spanish motorcycle legend is 102 points behind Bezzecchi in the standings.

His brother Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco missed the Mugello race after suffering severe crashes at the Catalunya Grand Prix two weeks ago.

British rider Cal Crutchlow replaced the injured Zarco for his first race since 2023, but the 40-year-old veteran was forced to retire midway for LCR Honda.