Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez took maximum points at the Japanese Grand Prix, winning Saturday’s sprint and Sunday’s race, to cut fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin’s championship lead to just two points.

Martin, 28, who won the title in 2024, finished second after starting Sunday’s race at Motegi Circuit in pole position, while his Aprilla team-mate Marco Bezzecchi was third.

Ducati rider Marquez, 33, had to bide his time after Martin held his advantage off the line, but the seven-time champion took his chance on the 11th lap to edge past his rival on the inside.

“The race was tough, especially when I was behind Jorge, but I knew that if I was able to lead the race, my pace was good,” said Marquez, who moved to 331 points with six rounds remaining.

“Jorge tried to attack, but then I just increased a bit more the pace and it was enough to do the last two laps more relaxed.”

Italian Bezzecchi, 27, moved to 284 points to keep his slim title hopes alive after fending off a late charge by Tech3’s Enea Bastianini to claim his place on the podium.

Gresini’s Alex Marquez had a race to forget, crashing out after serving a double long lap penalty for his role in a three-rider collision during Saturday’s sprint.

The word “process” has been used so many times by the Scotland head coach and his players in recent days it’s probably the new team motto.

But there is truth in it.

Pocognoli is trying to implement a radically different system to his predecessor. Not only that, it’s a different mindset. All while trying to embed a clutch of new players.

It’s early days for the Belgian, his group, and, of course, Bowie. But the man on loan at Sassuolo believes things are clicking, and it’s an opportunity for him to make his mark.

“It’s a lot longer international break,” he explained. “We spend a lot more time together so it’s good for him to get his message across and his ideas. Also, we play more games so we have to train a little bit less of course.

“I think for me it’s a fresh start with a new coach and different ideas.

“He said to me ‘you don’t need to prove yourself, just go and do what I know you can do’ and I feel like I’m just doing that.”

Bowie, who made his Rovers debut at 16, added: “I think people, obviously Scottish fans, have the same idea of how I was when I was at Hibs and that’s all they can remember.

“But I feel like since I moved to Serie A, it’s a different league, different challenge and I’m getting more experience at a higher level.

“So, yeah, I feel like I’ve definitely kicked into another gear and I feel like I’m showing that.”

Daryz seeks to retain his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown in the 2026 renewal of Europe’s richest race – live on Sky Sports Racing at 3.05pm.

3.05 ParisLongchamp – Daryz bids for historic Arc double

Daryz will look for an historic back-to-back double in Europe’s biggest race, bidding to be the first colt since Alleged in 1978 to achieve this feat.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s colt looked as good as ever when he returned in the Prix Ganay, which was then followed up with an equally sparkling performance in the Prix Aga Khan IV. A trip to Royal Ascot in June for the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes didn’t go to plan as he was third, although it transpired blood issues were found following the race.

After a break, Graffard’s star made light work of Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller – who he reopposes today – in the Prix Foy, with the trainer saying he was only 75 per cent fit. Having been drawn in stall five, this short priced favourite will take all the beating with connections very confident.

Kalpana was seventh in this contest last year and connections are keen for redemption as she returns to ParisLongchamp looking to emulate Juddmonte filly Bluestocking, who two-years ago took this famous prize. The King George winner looks good as ever this year and has racked up two Group 1s. Drawn in stall six, conditions look well-suited and with Colin Keane having had another year of riding her, she could go very close.

Maltese Cross looks to give William Haggas his first Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as this progressive three-year-old looks to continue progressing in notching up his second Group 1. After finishing second in the Derby, this son of Sea The Stars went on to win the Grand Prix de Paris and backed that up with a win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. His chances have been dealt a blow though, having being drawn in stall 11.

Aidan O’Brien runs three Classic winners in Europe’s premier race, with Ryan Moore opting to ride Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini over Diamond Necklace, who has been allocated the dreaded stall 16. Last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk completes the trio and will be partnered by William Buick in a bid to go one better.

3.50 ParisLongchamp – Star mare Aventure headlines field of nine

Aventure looks to add to her impressive record against her own sex when she headlines this field of nine in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera Longines.

Christophe Ferland’s star mare has contested the Arc in the last two years, finishing second and eleventh respectively. This year she returns to racing against fillies and mares, against whom her record reads eight victories from 12 starts – including two Group 1s.

She bounced back from defeat at the hands of Daryz in the Prix Ganay when downing Sunly in the Prix Corrida. Calandagan proved too good for her in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud but her big day came when she subsequently took out the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville in the summer, defeating the unbeaten Diamond Necklace.

Three-year-old Pink Panthera appears to be the best of the rest. She has hit the crossbar twice at Group 1 level this season – firstly in the Prix de Diane and then last time out in the Prix Vermeille. Three-year-olds have a fabulous record in this contest, having won eight out of the last 10 renewals.

Irish 1000 and Coronation Stakes winner Precise has been highly tried this year and takes the set up in trip for the first time, with Ryan Moore taking the ride.

4.25 ParisLongchamp – Samangan and Thesecretadversary clash again in the Foret

Samangan and Thesecretadversary meet again, this time in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs.

Thesecretadversary got the better of the Francis-Henri Graffard trained Samangan in the Prix Jean Prat, which followed victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of St Mark’s Basilica then went up in trip to the Prix Jacques le Marois, which saw him beaten three lengths by Rayif – another Aga Khan colt trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.

Samangan was in fourth that day with (the also re-opposing) True Love in second. He then went down in trip to the Prix Maurice de Gheest and brought up his first Group 1, seeing off the fast-finishing Divison to score.

True Love hasn’t won since she became a classic winner in Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas in May. She has since ran creditably in defeat, placing three times in Group 1 company. Nighttime looks to bounce back to form for Christopher Head, whilst Marvelman flies the flag for Andrew Balding.

Also at ParisLongchamp…

12.31 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix Marcel Boussac – Green Express heads an open looking contest

1.09 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – National Stakes hero Folsom Blues returns

1.47 ParisLongchamp – G1 Prix de l’Abbaye – Naana’s Shadow takes on 14 in wide open contest

2.25 ParisLongchamp – G1 Arabian World Cup – Rb Kingmaker & HM Alchahine feature

Stateside…

10.10 Keeneland – G3 Summer Stakes – Rebecca Menzies sends Adonius to take on Queen Mary third Ruiva

10.45 Keeneland – G1 Spinster Stakes – Fully Subscribed looks to use this as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff