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Marc Marquez Wins Sprint Race at San Marino MotoGP

A motorcycle racer speeds down a track
Photo by nader saremi on Unsplash
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Marc Marquez has won the sprint race at the San Marino Grand Prix. A sprint is a shorter race held the day before the main event in MotoGP, the top class of motorcycle racing.

French rider Johann Zarco finished the sprint in 10th place. His compatriot Fabio Quartararo finished much further back, in 21st position.

Italian rider Bezzecchi, who competed against Marquez in the sprint, spoke about the race afterwards. He admitted that Marquez had been faster than him on the day.

However, Bezzecchi said he hopes to make things harder for Marquez in Sunday's main race. He wants to challenge him for the win.

The result of the sprint often affects the starting grid for the main Grand Prix race. A good sprint finish can give a rider a strong starting position.

Marquez's win puts him in a strong position going into Sunday's race. Fans will be watching to see if he can repeat his success in the longer, main event.

The San Marino Grand Prix is one of many races in the MotoGP season. Riders compete at different tracks around the world to score points and win the championship.

Vocabulary7 words

sprint
a short race before the main race
MotoGP
the top level of motorcycle racing
compatriot
a person from the same country
challenge
to try hard to beat someone
grid
the starting order of racers
championship
a competition to find the best team or person
position
a place in a race or competition

Quiz

1. What is a sprint race in MotoGP?
2. What did Bezzecchi say about Marquez?
3. Fabio Quartararo finished ahead of Johann Zarco in the sprint. True or False?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Marc Marquez has won the sprint race at the San Marino _____. A sprint is a shorter race held the day before the main event in MotoGP.

French rider Johann Zarco finished the sprint in _____ place. His compatriot Fabio Quartararo finished much further back, in 21st position.

Italian rider Bezzecchi, who competed against Marquez in the sprint, spoke about the race _____. He admitted that Marquez had been faster than him on the day.

However, Bezzecchi said he hopes to make things _____ for Marquez in Sunday's main race. He wants to challenge him for the win.

The result of the sprint often affects the starting _____ for the main Grand Prix race. A good sprint finish can give a rider a strong starting position.

Marquez's win puts him in a strong position going into _____ race. Fans will be watching to see if he can repeat his success in the longer, main event.

The San Marino Grand Prix is one of many races in the MotoGP _____. Riders compete at different tracks around the world to score points and win the championship.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think sprint races were added to MotoGP weekends?
  2. Do you think a good sprint result helps a rider in the main race? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think about riders from the same country competing against each other?
  4. Would you enjoy watching a MotoGP race? Why or why not?

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