MotoGP leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech Grand Prix

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi has been banned from competing in the Czech Grand Prix after an altercation with a track marshal following a crash during Saturday's sprint race. The decision, which the Aprilia team has indicated it will appeal, sidelines the series leader and reduces the grid for Sunday's main event to 20 riders.

The incident occurred after Bezzecchi crashed out of the sprint race at the Brno circuit. Onboard footage shows the Italian rider initially walking away from his fallen Aprilia before rushing back when a marshal, attempting to lift the machine, accidentally grabbed the throttle, causing the engine to rev. Bezzecchi first shoved the marshal aside to hit the bike's kill switch, then appeared to strike him. Audio from the onboard camera captured the marshal explaining he was only trying to pick up the bike. A subsequent image from another angle showed Bezzecchi placing his hand on the marshal's face during the initial push, followed by what appeared to be a slap.

Race stewards handed down the race ban, a severe penalty with major championship implications. Bezzecchi entered the weekend with a 20-point lead over his teammate, Jorge Martin, who is...