Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 Racing won the Catalan Grand Prix in extraordinary circumstances, as the race was twice interrupted by red flags due to multiple crashes.
The Italian took his second career MotoGP victory and VR46 Racing's first since the 2023 Indian Grand Prix. However, the achievement was overshadowed by serious incidents that sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.
Joan Mir of Honda finished second, ahead of Fermin Aldeguer of Gresini Racing. Meanwhile, pole-sitter Pedro Acosta crashed on the final lap after contact with Trackhouse's Ai Ogura, who was penalized three seconds.
Six other riders were under investigation for tyre pressure, leaving the final results uncertain.
“Today was not an easy day for anyone. I really hope Alex is okay,” Di Giannantonio said. “We were very lucky. We know our sport is amazing, but we are also human and we are in danger. So I hope everyone is safe.”
Alex Marquez hits Acosta
The drama began on lap 12 when race leader Pedro Acosta suddenly lost speed on the straight near turn 10, and Marquez – running second – could not react, crashing into the back of Acosta's bike.
Marquez and his Ducati hurtled towards the wall before both tumbled through the air as he lost control on the gravel. A wheel from Marquez's bike also struck Di Giannantonio, causing him to fall but he managed to ride back to the pits.
The second red flag came after a more chaotic restart, when LCR Honda's Zarco braked late at turn one on the first lap and swept up Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia and Honda's Luca Marini in a three-bike crash.
Both Marquez and Zarco were taken to hospital for further checks, although medical staff confirmed they were conscious.
Martin crashes on second restart
The second restart turned the original 24-lap race into a 12-lap sprint. Chaos continued as Jorge Martin – starting from pole and seemingly ready to fight for the championship – fell after a first-lap contact when Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez hit a corner.
Aprilia team principal Massimo Rivola was furious as he stepped into the Trackhouse garage to speak with the Italian manufacturer's satellite team. With Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia finishing sixth, the Italian extended his gap over Martin in the championship standings to 13 points.
Up front, Di Giannantonio overtook Mir with four laps remaining, then chased down Acosta and took the lead two laps before the finish, shattering the 21-year-old's dream of a first MotoGP win. Acosta's nightmare was complete when he crashed on the final lap.
“This is not an easy thing. They should give extra points for this,” Mir said. “But for Johann and Alex, all the best and I hope we see them at Mugello” – the venue for the Italian Grand Prix.
