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Spaniard wins home MotoGP

May 5, 2013

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa has taken out the Spanish MotoGP, securing his first win of the season. It was an all-around Honda affair at the Jerez Circuit with Marc Marquez placing second.

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Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo (C) of Spain poses for pictures with Honda's Dani Pedrosa (R) of Spain and Honda's Marc Marquez of Spain after taking the pole position during the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain May 4, 2013. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT)
Dani Pedrosa rechts Honda Moto Grand Prix SpanienImage: Reuters

The 27-year-old Honda rider completed the 27 laps of the 4.42 kilometer (2.74 mile) Jerez Circuit in just over 45 minutes in dry, sunny conditions.

Pedrosa, who is yet to add a MotoGP title crown to his 125cc and 250cc world titles, was delighted to break his season drought.

"It was a good race and I am delighted to have got a win under my belt," said Pedrosa, who has finished the season as runner-up on three occasions.

"Jorge was very strong but once I got past him I let myself establish a decent lead and then eased off as I didn't want to destroy my tyres."

Marquez - Lorenzo contact

Pedrosa's Honda team-mate, Marc Marquez managed to steal second position from defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo at the final turn for a nail biting finish.

"It was a perfect race for my bike and the team," Lorenzo said after the race. He added that he was "sore about what happened," referring to Marquez making contact with him as he passed. "I prefer not to comment on that I would rather talk about my race," he added.

Marquez accepted he was in the wrong and issued an immediate apology. "I wanted to say sorry to Jorge but it wasn't possible," Marquez said. "Sure if I had been him I would be angry but I entered the last lap and I knew that I could pass him and so I went for it," he added.

Twenty-year-old Marquez, went top of the standings on 61 points after three races, three ahead of Pedrosa and four ahead of world champion Lorenzo.

Other stories

Honda rider Stefan Bradl was the highest profile casualty of the race when he rode too wide on a bend and came to a standstill in the gravel. The highly-rated German is left with just one finish from three races this season.

Italy's Valentino Rossi placed fourth, ahead of Britain's Cal Crutchlow and another Spaniard, Alvaro Bautista.

The next race is the French MotoGP at Le Mans in two weeks.

jlw/jm (AFP, AP)