Australian MotoGP rider Jack Miller snaps five-year winless streak with Spanish Grand Prix win
Australian Jack Miller has taken advantage of Fabio Quartararo's mid-race injury to win the Spanish Grand Prix and end a five-year winless streak in MotoGP.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez finished ninth on Sunday in his second race since returning from a long injury layoff.
The 26-year-old Miller took the lead with 10 laps to go after Quartararo sustained an arm injury that kept him from maintaining a quick pace at the front.
Australian rider Jack Miller celebrates victory on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jose Breton) AP
Quartararo, who was going for his third straight victory, said he suddenly lost strength in his arm.
He was in pain and looked desolate after the race.
The French rider from Yamaha finished 13th, losing the championship lead to Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, the second-place finisher on Sunday.
Franco Morbidelli was third.
Miller celebrates victory after the MotoGP Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Jose Breton) AP
Miller, Bagnaia's teammate, hadn't won a MotoGP race since 2016.
He said the team had changed things up a bit, aiming for longer runs to work on race pace in practice.
"It is nice to be back here for sure after what's been a difficult start to the year," he said.
"In general all weekend, we've been trying to do something a little different."
He moved up to sixth in the championship and later described the event as a "bloody unreal day".
"Absolutely speechless!" he posted to Twitter.
"I just wish my family was here to share this win with us!
"Thank you @DucatiMotor @ducaticorse and everyone for the support, LESSSSGOOOOO!"
It was the first Ducati 1-2 in three years.
Márquez finished ninth after starting 14th in his second race since breaking his upper right arm last July.
He had finished seventh in the Portuguese GP.
