Ducati's Marc Marquez launched a spirited defence of his younger brother Alex on Sunday, condemning critics who have questioned whether his sibling is deliberately avoiding challenging him for victories in sprints and races this season.

Marc Marquez withstood race-long pressure from the Aprilia of Marco Bezzecchi to win MotoGP’s Dutch Grand Prix at Assen on Sunday.

Marc Marquez extended his lead in the MotoGP world championship standings with victory in the Dutch MotoGP despite starting on the second row in Assen.The Spaniard, 32, who also won Saturday's sprint race after recovering from two crashes in practice,