Assen MotoGP: Vinales wins hard fought Moto3 battle

Spaniard Maverick Vinales has increased his championship lead after taking a hard fought victory in an incredible battle with championship rival Sandro Cortese.

Cortese finished second, with team-mate Danny Kent finishing third, in a photo finish with Luis Salom. Kent crossed the line just 0.001 seconds ahead of Salom.

With ten laps to go the leading group of six riders were all in with a chance at winning the race. Kent was visibly faster than his team-mate on the latter half of the lap, but Cortese ran in to the side of Kent several times to retake second behind Vinales.

Going in to the final lap Kent took the lead as Cortese pushed himself and Vinales wide. Cortese passed Kent on the back straight and Vinales made a very brave move running on the kerbs round the outside of Kent to move up to second.

A corner later Salom went up the inside of Kent forcing him to sit up and it looked as though he would be denied his first GP podium.

Salom then made a mistake on the brakes going in to the final chicane and was unable to drive out on to the final straight. Kent managed to pull alongside Salom to take third by less than a tyre width.