Lorenzo edges Marquez in thriller

Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday ahead of Spanish compatriots Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa.

Honda’s Marquez, who hurt his shoulder in the morning warm-up and had to be taken by ambulance to the circuit’s medical centre, maintained his lead at the top of the overall standings.

Marquez, 20, had won the previous four Grand Prix and leads Honda teammate Pedrosa by 28 points, with Yamaha’s Lorenzo a further nine points adrift with six races left in the 18-race season.

Fourth-placed Italian Valentino Rossi, a seven-time world champion, is a distant 77 points off the leader having also finished fourth on Sunday.

Penalised

Marquez was penalised two points for a dangerous move during the warm-up but still increased his overall lead in the standings.

“Given the circumstances, it’s gone well for me where the standings are concerned,” said Marquez.

The lead at Silverstone changed hands regularly between pole-sitter Marquez and Lorenzo, who only made the final decisive move a few turns from the finish.

Pedrosa was largely a spectator in the leaders’ battle, following closely in third, but not closely enough to make a pass.

“I really deserved this victory,” said Lorenzo.

“I fought like I’d rarely done before in order to get it.

“This success has relaunched me for the season run-in. Even though Marc is in the best position, many things can still happen.”

Lorenzo had not won a Grand Prix since the middle of June at Catalonia