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Repsol Honda's Marquez, who was third on the grid, made an
impressive start as he charged through the first turn to grab
the lead ahead of pole sitter Francesco Bagnaia and Quartararo,
eventually opening a gap of more than four seconds with five
laps to go.
"The plan was exactly how the race went. Start fast, a bit slow
in the first laps and then increase the gap when the level
around me drops," said Marquez after his second win of the
season.
"I was comfortable but it was difficult to concentrate in the
end. But I also knew that Fabio was far and locked down because
of the championship race. So everybody is happy today."
Quartararo said that second place tasted even sweeter than
victory.
"Physically, it was difficult. But good to see the result and
also the American fans. I have gained an advantage in the
championship, so I'm happy," said the Frenchman.
Quartararo leads Italian Bagnaia by 52 points with three rounds
to go and can clinch the title at Misano in three weeks' time.
Ducati's Bagnaia struggled after his poor opening and slipped
down to sixth before going past a fading Jorge Martin of Pramac
Ducati with three laps remaining to salvage third place. Alex
Rins of Suzuki Ecstar came fourth.
Bagnaia said: "The track is very demanding. In this moment, I'm
finished. I was really struggling in the first sector and just
trying to manage the rear tyre... I tried to push but third was
the best result possible today."
(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru; editing by Clare
Fallon)
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