Honda’s Dani Pedrosa streaked away to win the Spanish MotoGP yesterday but it was rookie Marc Marquez’s aggressive manoeuvre to deny Jorge Lorenzo second place on the last bend which was the main talking point of therace.
In dry, sunny conditions, Honda rider Pedrosa cut inside pole holder Lorenzo with 22 laps to go and steadily pulled clear to win his first race of the season.
The 20-year-old Marquez fought an enthralling battle with Lorenzo for second place, finally braking inside the champion on the newly-named ‘Lorenzo corner’ and barging him out of the way to sneak through.
Italy’s Valentino Rossi was fourth, ahead of Britain’s Cal Crutchlow and another Spaniard, Alvaro Bautista.
Spaniard Marquez pulled clear at the top of the world championship with 61 points from three races, ahead of compatriots Ped-rosa and Lorenzo who are three and four points behind him respectively.
“I’m very tired. It’s been a race right to the limits chasing Jorge and Dani,” Honda’s Marquez told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco, after becoming the youngest debutant to achieve three consecutive podium finishes.
“I tried to give 100 per cent and in the last lap I gave it all.”
Marquez tried to speak to Lorenzo in the paddock after the race but the champion brushed him away. Later, on the podium, the Yamaha rider congratulated Pedrosa, patting him on the back, but ignored the youngster.
“I went to apologise to Jorge, but, well, I think it has been one of things that happens in a race,” Marquez added. “The positive thing is neither of us fell.
“It has been a great end to the race for the fans.”
Lorenzo was still fuming when he was asked about the incident.
“I prefer not to talk about what happened on the last curve because I am still very angry,” Lorenzo said. “What I would say would be very negative.
“Our race has been very consistent with a lot of focus. With the bike and the tyres we had, it was a very good race. We have points and a podium finish.”
In Moto 2, Esteve Rabat rode to a career-first victory from pole position, moving one point ahead of second-placed finisher Scott Redding in the standings. Another Spaniard Pol Espargaro was third.
Vinales won a red-flag interrupted Moto3 race to move ahead of compatriot Luis Salom, who came in second.
Leading standings
1. Marquez 61; 2. Pedrosa 58; 3. Lorenzo 57; 4. Rossi 43; 5. Crutchlow 35; 6. Bautista 28; 7. Dovizioso 26; 8. Hayden 24; 9. Espargaro 17; 10. Iannone 13.