Explained: Why Marc and Alex Marquez could rejoin race after crashing out at Grand Prix Great Britain - 'I'd feel cheated'

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There was confusion at Grand Prix Great Britain at Silverstone on Sunday afternoon, when both Alex and Marquez were permitted to join the restart of the race once it was red-flagged, despite having crashed out. TNT Sports commentator Gavin Emmett was initially left nonplussed, before revealing why the rules were being properly adhered to by the authorities.

'Marc Marquez has crashed out!' - Championship leader spins out before restart

Video credit: TNT Sports

Marc and Alex Marquez were given the chance to rejoin Grand Prix Great Britain despite both crashing out of the race.
In cold conditions, Alex spun out at the first corner after initially racing into the lead ahead of polesitter Fabio Quartararo. 
It appeared the Spaniard had ceded a huge advantage to his brother, Marc, who held a 19-point lead in the world championship after Alex won on Saturday.
Marc, however, then suffered his own crash, and it appeared that the siblings would both miss out on the points.
There was further drama, though, as the race was red-flagged due to an oil spill on the track, and there was some confusion as to why Alex was being shown as eligible for the restart, as well as his brother.
That confusion was resolved by Gavin Emmett after several minutes of discussion, with the TNT commentator explaining that as the race start was nullified within three laps, all riders were allowed to restart the race.
Emmett said, "I’d feel a bit cheated if I were Fabio Quartararo," with Neil Hodgson alongside him agreeing.
Hodgson said, "That’s strange," of Alex’s situation, "because he crashed out straight away."
Emmett then told viewers that "all riders may start in the event of less than three laps completed".
All riders were then able to join the restart.
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