TNT Sports
'Unreal' - Neil Hodgson left with 'no idea' what happened in chaotic Grand Prix of Spain Sprint as Marc Marquez triumphs
By
Published 25/04/2026 at 16:36 GMT+1
React to this story
TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson was left breathless after an action-packed and crash-strewn Sprint at Grand Prix Spain on Saturday ended with Marc Marquez victorious.
Highlights: Marquez pulls off brilliant Grand Prix Spain Sprint victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Ducati Lenovo rider was on pole for the first time since last season's Grand Prix Hungary back in August.
However, he beat Johann Zarco to top spot in qualifying on Saturday, giving him a crucial advantage in both Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s full-length race.
The circumstances of the Sprint were remarkable, with rain seeing countless riders going off. Some, like Marquez, recovered, but Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) and his younger brother Alex Marquez (BK Gresini) went off and could not continue.
The world champion scythed through the pack after changing his tyres and made a late lunge on his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia to regain the lead.
While Marquez started and ended the race in front, that does almost nothing to represent what happened on a topsy-turvy afternoon that was hit by unexpectedly wet conditions.
Speaking after the race on TNT Sports, Hodgson could only marvel at what he had witnessed.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/04/25/image-96e06364-f124-4dce-aab6-05c307661774-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Alex Marquez has gone himself!' - Grand Prix Spain Sprint race leader crashes out amid chaos
Video credit: TNT Sports
He said: ”I've no idea. I need a stiff drink after that. I mean. If someone said, ‘What happened in the Sprint, can you explain it to me?’ You're better off just watching it.
”Think about Bagnaia going into parc ferme - he won't even realise Marc crashed because he was quite far back.
”Unreal. What a race. It was obvious someone was going to crash when it started to rain this heavy.”
Hodgson suggested that Marquez’s win was at risk from race stewards because he was unsure that he had entered the pit to change his bike.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/04/25/image-97598dbb-0509-4fa2-a73f-d5dbd893832b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Look at the launch from Marc Marquez' - World champion gets good start in Spain Sprint
Video credit: TNT Sports
However, in the immediate aftermath of the action, there was no indication from the authorities that he would face censure.
He reflected: ”I’m thinking, ‘As long as he's got his hand on the clutch [he can recover]’. He waits and he waits and he waits, and it's not dangerous.
”Maybe he will get a penalty. He's had one Sprint taken off him already.”
- Marc Marquez on pole at Grand Prix Spain as Bezzecchi settles for fourth
- Hodgson Column: Marquez downplays his chances but he's favourite at Grand Prix Spain
- Alex Marquez quickest at Grand Prix Spain practice, Marc in fourth
Laverty: Alex Marquez 'probably the favourite' for Sunday
Hodgson’s colleague Michael Laverty suggested that the younger Marquez brother could be in with a better chance of success over a longer duration on Sunday.
”Alex Marquez, once again, got the start today and in those conditions got to the head of the race,” he said. ”He's got the pace, so over double the distance he's probably the favourite.
”I think Marc will try to fix those little woes on the right-handers to challenge tomorrow.”
Stream every race of the 2026 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement