2021 Italian MotoGP, Mugello Circuit - Race Results

Quartararo halts Ducati's home Mugello win streak with a dominant victory in the Italian MotoGP.

Bagnaia had grabbed the advantage from Quartararo at the start, but disaster struck for the Factory Ducati star when he fell from the front on lap 2.

That left a brief French duel between Quartararo and Zarco. The Pramac Ducati rider was initially able to slipstream ahead on the straight, but Quartararo persistently repassed in the corners and was soon able to ease away to his third win in six races, increasing his title lead.

Zarco switched his efforts to defending second from the KTM of Oliveira, with both later caught by the battling Suzukis of Mir and Rins.

Oliveira moved ahead of Zarco with 8 laps to go, with Mir pushing Zarco off the podium soon after.

Mir's charge continued as he fought Oliveira for second place, while team-mate Rins demoted a struggling Zarco to fifth and was closing on the rostrum just ahead, only to crash - for the fourth race in a row - after a mistake into the final corner.

Oliveira beat Mir to the line for second, but was demoted to third for exceeding track limits on the final lap.

Marc Marquez fell at Turn 3 on lap 2 after making contact with Binder. The KTM rider continued without issue but Morbidelli was forced through the gravel as he took avoiding action, ruining his race.

Bastianini fell before the race even began when he was caught out by Zarco warming his brakes as they arrived on the grid, the rookie being thrown over the handlebars as he tried to avoid running into the back of the other Ducati. The incident will be investigated afterwards.

Aleix Espargaro was riding for the first time since arm pump surgery. Injured rookie Jorge Martin was being replaced by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro and hopes to return next weekend in Catalunya. Marc Marquez, sidelined for nine months after complications to a broken right arm at Jerez last July, was taking part in his fourth event since returning to MotoGP action - and struggling with his right shoulder.

The official MotoGP top speed record of 362.4km/h (225.2mph) set by Zarco in Qatar earlier this year was equalled by the KTM of Binder in FP3 at Mugello.

With Mugello missing from last year's calendar, the current rookies (Marini, Bastianini and Savadori) plus the 2020 rookies (Binder, Alex Marquez and Lecuona) were all competing at the track for the first time in the premier-class.

The Yamaha riders joined the rest of the field in using a front holeshot device for the first time in today's race.

Before the race, a minute's silence was held in memory of Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier, who tragically lost his life after yesterday's qualifying accident, with the MotoGP riders then embracing members of the PrustelGP team.

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TIMES TO FOLLOW

* Rookie.

Pole position time:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 45.187s

Official Mugello MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 45.187s (2021)
Fastest race lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 47.639s (2013)