The Gresini Ducati rider had th𓄧reatened to put h🦹is name into the category of new MotoGP race winner earlier this season after claiming pole in Argentina, while also showing very strong pace at COTA.

However, a win failed to come his way as the likes🐲 of Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin all showed more consistency aboard their Ducati machꦉines.

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But a🥂fter holding off Bezzecchi during the 10-lap sprint, Marquez has now become the fou﷽rth different Ducati rider to win in 2023.

"I was expect💧ing more rain but it was dryer and I had some doubts," said Marquez. "But I felt really good from the sighting lap and the warm-up lap also. 

"I started the race sleeping a bit too much because many riders overtook me, but after two laps I saw that I had a lot of traction, a good feeling with the bike and I said ‘okay, I have to go, I have 🃏to make the gap now’. 

"I did it and it was perfect. The sprint race has this. It has les🌠s points [available] and you have less to lose. You can take more risk."

Marquez🦹 managed to control the race for long periods until a mistake on the final lap appeared to open the door for Bezzecchi.

The Mooney VR46 rider started t♓o close in on Marquez during the first two sectors, however, the Spaniard responded just in time as he avoided being passed by the finish line. 

Marquez added: "I made a big mistake in turn nine as I missed the downshift. Instead of being in third I did the corner in second and in that point I🥀 lost 0.5s. 

"At that moment I thought he was close but in sector three aꦓnd four I was quite fast. 

"I knew it would be difficult for him to overtake me so I just did my pace, did my lines and tried to close the 🍎door a little bit more."