MotoGP star suffers dramatic crash moments after winning race

MotoGP rider Jorge Martin suffered a bizarre straight-line crash at the United States Grand Prix - after he had won the sprint race.

The Spaniard, who won the 2024 World Championship, took the championship lead in Austin after winning the sprint race.

Martin qualified seventh but took advantage of a first-lap crash between Marc Marquez and pole-sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio to move up the field.

He then overtook Joan Mir and Pedro Acosta in quick succession to move into second place, before losing a place to team-mate Marco Bezzecchi.

Bezzecchi, however, slid off his bike in dramatic fashion with three laps to go.

Martin then overtook race leader Francesco Baignaia with a late-braking manoeuvre on the final lap - nearly taking out the Ducati rider in the process.

He held on to cross the finish line in first position, sparking wild celebrations at the Circuit of the Americas.

But what Martin wouldn't have counted on was inexplicably crashing out on the main straight as he returned to the pits for the podium ceremony.

The Spaniard was performing a wheelie as he embarked down the straight, before pulling his bike back down into a neutral position.

However, Martin then managed to lose control of the bike at speed, before sliding down the pit straight.

No doubt slightly embarrassed, the Spaniard was uninjured and had to quickly get back up, re-position himself on his bike and ride the remainder of the distance back to the pit lane in Austin.

Martin saw the funny side of the accident in his post-match interview, however, describing it as 'a bit of a mess'.

"A lot of riders can win, but not a lot of riders can crash doing a wheelie going back to the pits," he said.

"It was Martinator style as always. A bit of a mess. Luckily, I am okay, and the bike is not really damaged."