MotoGP German GP: Live commentary and updates from Sachsenring

And so MotoGP heads off on holiday - we are halfway through the 2026 season! It's been a pleasure relaying the action to you in Germany this afternoon. This is Richard Asher signing off - and looking forward to the title fight REALLY getting started when racing resumes at Silverstone next month!

Behind Martin, things are getting really interesting. Bezzecchi tumbles from second to fourth, which likely would have been fifth if Di Giannantonio hadn't fallen. It is none other than Ai Ogura who has taken over in second - with Marc Marquez looking ominous, just four further points adrift. 

So where does this leave the title race? That is the big question going into the summer break! After another unremarkable weekend, Martin has somehow extended his lead from seven points to 14. Another zero-score weekend for Bezzecchi is largely responsible for that. 

10 wins at the same circuit in the top class? Only Giacomo Agostini can boast the same achievement: the legendary Italian had something of a love affair with Imatra in Finland. 

Quartararo, Marini, Enea Bastianini and Binder complete the top 10, with Bastianini having moved passed the South African late in the race.

And no, Bagnaia couldn't get by Martin over the last tour of the track, so settles for sixth behind the world championship leader.

It's a solid fourth place for Pedro Acosta, whom we barely mentioned because he was riding around by himself all afternoon.

Trackhouse Aprilia can celebrate yet another double podium as Ogura leads Fernandez across the line.

Can Martin hold off Bagnaia for one last lap? 

Marc Marquez has a 2.5 second lead to manage over the last two laps. The only battle at the sharp end now is between Martin and Bagnaia.

Vinales has retired with what looks like another addition to KTM's collection of 2026 mechanical breakdowns. 

Fernandez will not be responding to Ogura, having alread dropped over a second behind his team-mate.

The Ogura move into second place should also mean he goes second in the points race if things stay unchanged until the flag.  Marquez would be third. Martin would still lead - even if Bagnaia passes him for fifth in the race. Which is looking distinctly possible. After all, Ogura has just shown the overtaking is not to be completely ruled out.

Ai pulls alongside at Turn 1 and, this time, completes a move! it's clean as you like, boss-pleasing even. Meanwhile Bagnaia is getting really serious about Martin. 

Ogura almost nearly has a look at Fernandez at Turn 1! He backs out - and will be aware that he was one of those who fell at that corner last season.

Wondering what Maverick Vinales is up to as his MotoGP career collapses amid a volley of media sniping? He is running dead last. 

How far ahead is Marc Marquez? 2.4s is the margin!

It is getting interesting for fifth place as well, with Bagnaia embarking on a second attack on Martin. 

At two-thirds distance, Marc's only threat appears to be his own concentration. There's a vague threat that Ogura might work his way past Fernandez - he's nipping tenths away from his team-mate and the gap is under half a second. 

Marc looks imperious , just as everybody expected. He is 1.7s clear of Fernandez now, and no doubt managing the situation as only a nine-time Sachsenring winner can.

Into the second half of the race, then, and it's worth noting that Ogura is well-placed for one of his late charges. However, even his team boss Davide Brivio said we shouldn't expect anything so spectacular today. Not only is overtaking ultra-hard here, but being on the edge of the tyre all the time means Ogura's rubber management abilities have  a limited effect.

As we embark on the half-distance lap, Marc has a 1.5s lead over Fernandez, Ogura and Acosta. There's a gap to Martin, then another to Bagnaia and another to Quartararo, who leads Miller, Marini and Binder. 

Bagnaia is no longer pressuring Martin as things are stringing out at the front. Quartararo in 7th is holding up a train of riders, however. 

Alex sliding out has left a significant gap behind Marc. The factory Ducati is 1.5s ahead of Fernandez and Ogura. Meanwhile, Brad Binder moves into the top 10 after the Alex crash. 

The top seven are covered by 3 seconds, with no immediate prospect of any passes. The first real gap is behind Bagnaia, who has opened up 2.5 seconds on Quartararo. 

Half a second covers the top three of Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez and Raul Fernandez - but I refer you to my previous update...

Bagnaia is pressuring Martin hard for sixth spot. If yesterday is anything to go by, however, don't bet on overtaking moves coming easy.

That fall from DiGia has promoted Luca Marini into the top 10

Acosta passes Martin for sixth place at Turn 1 - watch out, that's the corner that caused mayhem last year!

TV suggests that Jorge Martin is running the soft rear tyre, but our official sheet says he is on the medium like everyone else. 

Behind Martin in sixth, it's Pedro Acosta, Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo and Jack Miller completing the top 10.

Marc leads Alex, while Raul Fernandez has passed Ogura. Di Giannantonio completed an early leading quintet, with Martin next up. 

They're on the warm-up lap now. The flares are flaring around the track.