Marc Marquez wrestled back control of the MotoGP title race with an almighty Phillip Island Sprint Race win as Jorge Martin crashed out.

The nine-time champion took maximum points, putting daylight between himself and Martin with a gap of 10 points after weeks of being inseparable.

Marquez had stunned earlier in the day by taking pole position by 1.4 seconds despite crashing out at the start of the session.

Martin could only manage fourth on the grid, but with the track drying up for the race, it didn’t take long for him to get back into contention in the Sprint.

The 2024 MotoGP champion moved up to second on lap 1, and by lap 2 he was ahead of Marquez.

Martin suffers frightening crash during battle with Marquez

The next four laps brought a thrilling battle between the pair of Spaniards, but it all ended in tears on lap 6 when Martin crashed at high speed at Turn 8.

The Aprilia rider was sent barrel-rolling through the gravel, and even more concerningly, he was carried away by marshals on a stretcher.

Marquez then had only his brother Alex as competition, with Fabio Di Giannantonio behind them to complete the podium in third.

In fourth was Marco Bezzecchi, a decent recovery ride given he dropped to 12th from eighth in the first lap.

Speaking after going from two points behind Martin to 10 ahead, Marquez said: "It was a title battle, I gave everything.

"I was aggressive but he was faster than me. In the end we were riding at the limit and both deserved the victory but luck was on my side."

Given his injury history, attention will now turn to whether Martin can recover for Sunday's race, while Bezzecchi will hope to show his Friday practice and make a challenge to Marquez.

Full Results - MotoGP Sprint Race of the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island