MotoGP World Championship: Spaniard Raul Fernandez achieves his first victory in the Australian Grand Prix, while Alex Marquez is close to second place in the overall standings

Spaniard Raul Fernandez achieved his first victory in the MotoGP World Championship by winning the Australian Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Trackhouse rider finished top of the podium after crossing the checkered flag 1.418 seconds ahead of VR46 Ducati Team rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Fernandez’s Aprilia stablemate Marco Pizzici, who won the 13-lap race on Saturday, finished third.

Fernandez had retired on lap 10 and continued to lead as the race progressed with an expected counterattack from Pizzicchi, who had to take two long penalties, but failed to do so.

World champion Marc Marquez, who won his seventh MotoGP World Championship title in Japan last month, missed the race due to injury.

Marquez was involved in a collision with Betsicchi in Indonesia and underwent shoulder surgery, which is likely to keep him out of action for up to 16 weeks.

While Fernandez, in his 76th race, stole the glory, Marquez’s brother Alex finished fourth to secure second place in the overall standings.

The Spanish Gresini rider now has a 97-point lead over Bezzecchi with a maximum of 111 points at stake in the final three races.