Lorenzo catches break in title pursuit

Jorge Lorenzo won his first MotoGP race in six attempts at the expense of championship leader Marc Márquez at Silverstone on Sunday to retain his chances of clinging on to his world title. Márquez, who had won the previous four Grands Prix to carve out a healthy lead in the rider’s classification, was involved in a crash in practice three hours before the race for which he received two penalty points after failing to heed yellow warning flags, signaling to the racers that Cal Crutchlow had skidded off the track at Vale corner. Márquez’s Honda careered off seconds afterward and collided with Crutchlow’s stricken machine, sending the Briton and several stewards scurrying for cover.

The 20-year-old Spaniard dislocated his shoulder in the incident but was passed fit to race. However, if he incurs another two penalty points he will be forced to start the following race from the back of the grid.

As it transpired, Márquez’s shoulder did not appear to be a great disadvantage and although Lorenzo managed to give his rival the slip on the first curve the Honda Repsol rider was hard on the Yamaha’s back tire throughout. The lead changed hands several times in the closing stages but Lorenzo was able to sneak through on the final lap to take the flag with Dani Pedrosa in third.

Márquez leads the title race on 233 points with Pedrosa 30 adrift and Lorenzo in third on 194 points with six races to run.