MotoGP: Marquez masterclass to snatch championship lead

Marc Marquez has delivered a masterclass win at Motorland Aragon to extend his lead in the 2017 MotoGP season to 16 points, pulling ahead of Andrea Dovizioso with a ride that at times looked on the very limit – but which he managed to pull off with typical Marquez style in the closing stages of the race.

And his championship battle was aided even more by a late charge from Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, who came through the field to snatch second from Jorge Lorenzo, who finished the race happy with his longest time in the lead so far on the Ducati.

Maverick Viñales was fourth, just taking the place off teammate Valentino Rossi in the closing stages of the race, with the Italian putting together an impressive race only 24 days after breaking his leg.

Aleix Espargaró matched Aprilia’s best result to date in sixth, ahead of Dovizioso, with Alvaro Bautista top of the satellite machines in eighth. Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaró on the Red Bull KTM rounded out the top ten.

Scott Redding was top Brit in 14^th after Cal Crutchlow crashed out of top ten contention, with Bradley Smith 19^th and Sam Lowes last in 22^nd.