MotoGP Grand Prix Hungary LIVE: Marc Marquez takes dominant Sprint Race victory from Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi

Marc Marquez produced a dominant display to lead from flag to flag in the Sprint Race at the MotoGP Grand Prix Hungary.

The Ducati Lenovo rider had surgery in October, and then again in May, to resolve a shoulder problem, with the latest operation removing a broken screw in the troublesome joint.

The defending world champion qualified quickest in Hungary, and then had a clear lead into the first corner from pole.

Marquez used his Ducati’s acceleration out of the slow corners to steadily grow his gap over chaser Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Meanwhile, overall title chaser Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) used his skill to move up from sixth on the grid into third in the opening corner.

Bezzecchi had to fend off challenges from Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) to clinch the final podium spot.

The third-place finish for Bezzecchi increased his championship lead to 20 points over Aprilia Racing team-mate Jorge Martin, who could only manage sixth in the Sprint Race.

Marquez starts from pole for tomorrow’s Grand Prix, when his fitness will be tested over the full 26-lap race distance.

Sprint Race winner Marc Marquez said: "On Friday, I was just trying to save some energy.

"Today, in the morning, I gave everything, because as we show on the race, if you're starting on the front row, it's a big help.

"The strategy was to push in the beginning, that was when I was feeling fresh. I survived in the end.

"The strategy worked in a better way. Tomorrow will be a longer race, let's see how we can manage it."

Following his second-place finish Pedro Acosta said: "It was amazing the pace that he [Marquez] had from the beginning. I took some laps to be ready for push.

"We have to be happy that we are back in the podium. We just have to try to improve for tomorrow."

After finishing third, overall leader Marco Bezzecchi said: "It was a very tough sprint, very difficult, because the track was pretty strange.

"The grip at the beginning, especially, was very low. It was difficult for me to find the rhythm.

"Fortunately, my start was good. Then I heard a touch in my back. I don't know what happened, but after that I started to have trouble with the rear.

"I’m very happy with this result, and it came with a lot of tough moments."

Marc Marquez was formidable in the Sprint Race at the Grand Prix Hungary. Here is the top seven result:

The Ducati rider looks back to his best, and took a dominant win in the Sprint Race. He led from flag to flag ahead of Acosta in second and Bezzecchi third.

Marquez takes his third Sprint win of the season.

The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider got too excited as he closed the gap on fourth placed Fernandez. However, he went too quickly into a corner and had to sharply grab the brakes and lost some vital time.

The Ducati Lenovo Team will have renewed hope with this commanding performance from Marquez.

While the defending champion is softening down talk of a Grand Prix win his team will believe it’s possible tomorrow.

Bezzecchi is coming under increasing pressure for his podium position. Fernandez is just five tenths of a second behind the Aprilia rider and Aldeguer is also close behind in fifth.

The race of the two Aprilia Racing riders is being won by Bezzecchi. Martin has struggled to make his way through to podium contention and remains down in sixth position.

If they finish in these positions then Bez would have a 20-point championship lead over Martin

The world champion might be recovering from surgery, but has been in commanding form in Hungary.

The Ducati rider now has a two-second lead over Acosta, who is another second in front of Bezzecchi.

The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider clipped the kerb as he became frustrated behind Bezzecchi. That mistake allowed Raul Fernandez to move into fourth.

Marquez has left the station and has a clear lead of over a second. Meanwhile, Acosta is clear in second as Bezzecchi continues to fend off Aldeguer in a close battle for third.

The Ducati of Marquez has the extra zip out of the corner compared to Acosta’s KTM.

After his good start Bezzecchi is also under pressure from Aldeguer. Martin is trying to move forward, but over-shot a corner and lost time in seventh.

The pole setter got the perfect start and a clear lead into the first corner. Marco Bezzecchi also had the perfect starting straight moving from sixth on the grid to third.

We are underway at Balaton Park for the Sprint Race of the Hungarian Grand Prix. The short 13-lap race is never short of action and the slow corners in Hungary are bound to bring some drama.

The short straight down to the first corner is one to watch.

The slow chicanes of the Grand Prix Hungary course means that one small error could be critical.

Youngster Acosta is ready to throw everything at the victory. Aldeguer could also challenge the front two away from the grid, that could spark mayhem into the first and second turn.

The riders are on the grid on a sunny day in Hungary. Track conditions are good and riders are set to be on the soft tyre. Marquez has been lapping quickly on the medium so might make that switch.

The Ducati bosses still fear about Marquez’s fitness and believe that he is one month away from being at full strength.

We are 10 minutes away from lights out at 14:00 BST

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The tight corners and short straights at the Balaton Park circuit means that track position and a good start is important for the Sprint Race.

With 13 laps of racing ahead of us Jorge Martin is going to struggle to challenge from the middle of the third row.

Today’s race is billed as a straight shoot-out between Marquez and Acosta. The Ducati of the world champion might just have the edge.