World Champion Marc Marquez pounced on a late error by Fabio Di Giannantonio and then held off a desperate last-lap counter-attack to win the delayed sprint race as MotoGP continued its chaotic return to Brazil on Saturday. Friday's practices for the first MotoGP in Brazil in 22 years were delayed by mud deposited on the track by the week-long downpour and then disrupted by more rain. 

On Saturday, after Di Giannantonio topped the morning's qualifying session in dry conditions, a hole opened up in the main straight, another consequence of the recent torrential rain in central Brazil. Following rapid road repairs, the flag dropped 80 minutes late for the sprint. Di Giannantonio, on a Ducati satellite VR46, bolted from pole with only Marquez on his factory Ducati able to give chase. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio, who has never won a sprint race, wobbled and Marquez shot past. The Italian was on the Spaniard's rear wheel throughout the last lap but Marquez filled every potential hole. "Super important victory because in Thailand I was suffering," said Marquez.