Alex Marquez scored his first across the line victory in the MotoGP World Championship as he mastered tricky conditions at Silverstone to win the British MotoGP Sprint Race.

A renowned wet weather specialist, though the damp conditions were a marked improvement on those of qualifying, it would take Marquez's tactile feel of the slippery surface to quickly work his way to the front before holding firm to the flag.

Marco Bezzecchi got close late on to apply pressure but would settle for second, in so doing reclaiming second in the overall standings and closing the gap down on Pecco Bagnaia, who endured a curiously off-form day down in 13th.

With varying degrees of grip across the large circuit and only ten laps in which to get up to speed, those with more confidence in the opening stages would ultimately prevail come the end.

Initially it was Jack Miller who'd lead the way from the front row from Bezzecchi, but both were powerless to stop Marquez from slicing through on them.

Dismissing Bezzecchi with a neat pass into Maggots on lap two, Marquez swiftly followed it up by out-braking Miller for the lead into Stowe moments later.

From here Marquez wasn't headed again, the Spaniard using the clear track to put a comfortable margin between himself and Bezzecchi once the Italian had also gotten the better of Miller into Vale.

One of only two riders on the grid to have won world titles in both beginner and intermediate Grand Prix classes - together with his brother Marc Marquez - the younger of the siblings wouldn't succumb to the pressure of the occasion as his first MotoGP win loomed.

Though nerves appeared to be settling in towards the closing stages as Bezzecchi quickly made gains over the final two laps, Marquez wouldn't be denied, coming across the line of a MotoGP race ahead for the first time in his career, as Gresini Racing celebrated a return to the top too.

Bezzecchi in second signalled a welcome swing of momentum back in his direction, the Italian making solid in-roads into Bagnaia's series lead on a chastening day for the reigning World Champion.

Indeed, Bagnaia started fourth but after a poor start dropped him to ninth, he'd steadily continue slipping down the order, eventually finishing 13th and out of the points.

Joining Marquez and Bezzecchi on the podium was Maverick Vinales, the Spaniard enjoying a return to form on a good day for both factory Aprilia riders with Aleix Espargaro complementing his team-mate in fifth, the pair split by Johann Zarco in fourth.

Jorge Martin battled for the lead initially before fading to sixth, much the same as Miller in seventh place, who was on course for a top five finish before being caught by Zarco running wide into his path as he passed at Stowe with four laps to go.

Rookie Augusto Fernandez made the most of his top five starting position to run as high as second early on before slipping back, the GasGas Tech3 rider eventually settling in eighth, with Brad Binder picking up the final point for ninth.