Moto GP Germany

A great win by Marquez, but another impressive ride by Cal Crutchlow, and a podium for Valentino Rossi.

After taking the lead on lap five the Spanish sensation managed to build a gap to the battling Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow, who always looked quicker than the Italian on the factory bike.

Despite a late surge from Crutchlow Marquez rode untroubled to secure victory which moved him two point clears of Dani Pedrosa in the standings.

After dealing with 'The Doctor' Crutchlow looked to close in on the leader Marquez and very gradually whittled into the Honda's lead. He continued to put pressure on the twenty-year-old right until the end of the race but could not manage to pressure the Spaniard enough, and he had to settle for second.

The winner in Assen, last time out, Valentino Rossi, could not record a second consecutive victory as he was outclassed by the top two but managed to take his place on the podium ahead of Stefan Bradl.

Valentino Rossi shot off the grid, from third, to take the lead into turn one as Stefan Bradl flew from fourth to run second with Marquez and Crutchlow fourth and fifth. At the end of the first lap the young German, Bradl, led ahead of Rossi sending the home crowd into orbit.

Marquez made his move on the Italian at the end of lap five to move into second as he sought to hunt down Bradl. Only a lap later and the young Spaniard moved into the lead diving down the inside into turn one.

The surprise package of the weekend, Aleix Espargaro, ran third before being disposed of by Marquez, Bautista and Crutchlow.

With twenty-two laps remaining Rossi muscled past the German fans' favourite as he set off in pursuit of Marquez. And a mistake into the final corner from Bradl, handed third to Cal Crutchlow as the front row was restored to the front of the race.

Crutchlow, riding with even more injuries, had to wait a few laps to rid himself of Rossi and was constantly running around two seconds behind Marquez. The closest he got was to within 1.6 seconds but could not catch the Spaniard.

Stefan Bradl took fourth ahead of Bautista and Bradley Smith claiming his best MotoGP finish with sixth place.

“We had a very good race,” said race winner Marc Marquez. “This victory is so important. It's my second victory but I was happier with my first because Dani and Jorge were there.

“I got quite a good start,”Crutchlow commented. “The first five laps, me and Valentino had no grip, I don't know how we didn't crash. Even if Dani and Jorge were here, this still would have been the result. I can go away from here happy.”

“I'm very happy for the result.” Rossi said. “But I expected a better race, I tried to stay with Marc but I was not fast enough. It's an important sixteen points for me.”

In two weeks' time, MotoGP returns to the USA at Laguna Seca, which was won last year by, the now retired, Casey Stoner.

Results

1. Marc Marquez
2. Cal Crutchlow
3. Valentino Rossi
4. Stefan Bradl
5. Alvaro Bautista
6. Bradley Smith
7. Andrea Dovizioso
8. Aleix Espargaro
9. Nicky Hayden
10. Michele Pirro