'Incredible victory' - Neil Hodgson praises Marc Marquez after beating 'world class' Marco Bezzecchi at Grand Prix San Marino

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Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi impressed during his win at the Grand Prix San Marino Sprint race on Saturday, and followed it up with a second-place finish in the full-length race on Sunday. Speaking after the race, Neil Hodgson praised his "world-class performance," while hailing an "incredible victory" for Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez, who could seal the title at the next round in Japan.

'What a start once more!' - Marc Marquez moves into second as Bezzecchi retains lead at San Marino

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson hailed an "incredible victory" for Marc Marquez at Grand Prix San Marino on Sunday.

The win means that Ducati Lenovo’s Spaniard is able to win the 2025 MotoGP world championship in the next round at the Twin Ring Motegi full-length race in Japan later this month, with both the weekend's races to be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Marquez had looked poised to win the Sprint race on Saturday, but crashed out in pole position, allowing the original polesitter, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, to retake the lead and claim victory.

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At Misano on Sunday, it was another tussle between Marquez and the Italian, but the Spaniard bided his time and pounced on a Bezzecchi mistake to claim the lead.

Bezzecchi then pushed hard to get back in front of his rival, but the world title leader was able to keep his distance and secure his first victory of the weekend. Alex Marquez, the younger brother, secured third place for BK8 Gresini.

Victory at Grand Prix Catalunya in the previous round earned Ducati Lenovo a constructors’ championship, and they are now on course to do the double in the coming weeks, even if results are not sufficient in Japan.

Speaking after the race to TNT Sports, Hodgson observed that Marquez had shown his quality once again, by putting Saturday’s disappointment out of his mind and focusing on the job at hand - and winning.

He was asked whether Marquez was under pressure at Misano, and he answered: "He certainly was, and that's why he's so good, because under the maximum pressure having crashed out of the Sprint race yesterday, he's able to put it to the back of his mind, he's able to focus, and deliver. It's another incredible victory."

Highlights: Bezzecchi triumphs at Grand Prix San Marino Sprint as Marc Marquez crashes out

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bezzecchi celebrated his Sprint victory with a prosthetic leg on Saturday, and he was again enjoying the adoration of his home crowd after second spot the following day.

For Hodgson, it was proof that the Italian had proved his powers after struggling in the previous season.

Riding for VR46 last year, he failed to win a race after claiming three victories during the previous campaign - and finished in a disappointing 12th in 2024 after recording a third place position in the 2023 season.

'There is the mistake!' - Marc Marquez steals the lead at Grand Prix San Marino

Video credit: TNT Sports

This summer, he moved to Aprilia in the hopes of rediscovering his best form, and he now has sixth podium spots to his name as he has performed more consistently. Hodgson is now convinced of his worth on the track after an impressive resurgence following his struggles.

He added: "Absolutely, he had the blip of last year. The whole paddock questioned, ‘How good is he really?’ Well he's proved it this year. Clearly world class, is Bezz."

Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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