Motorsport: Marc Marquez rules roost at Sachsenring

Marc Marquez moved to the top of the championship standings as he took full advantage of the absences of title rivals Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo by winning in Germany.

Marc Marquez gets a wheel up on his Repsol Honda after winning the German MotoGP and taking over the riders’ championship.

Marc Marquez earned his second win of the season with victory at the German MotoGP at Sachsenring on Sunday, moving to the top of the championship standings as he took full advantage of the absences of title rivals Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo.

The Spaniard, 20, hit the front early and built up his lead to claim victory with Britain's Cal Crutchlow second and six-time world MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi in third.

Marquez's winning time was 41 minutes, 14.653 seconds over the 30 laps, to beat Crutchlow by 1.55 seconds. Rossi was another nine seconds back.

With Pedrosa and Lorenzo missing the race because of injuries, pole sitter Marquez lost ground at the start to find himself in fourth by the first bend.

But he hit back, taking the lead from Stefan Bradl along the main straight on the third lap.

Marquez, in his first MotoGP campaign, was following up his Grand Prix of the Americas victory in Texas in April.

He has now finished on the podium in all seven races he has finished in 2013.

The victory allowed Marquez to overtake compatriot and Honda teammate Pedrosa, who was forced out after fracturing his collarbone in Saturday's practice, atop the standings with 138 points, two clear of Pedrosa.

Reigning world champion Lorenzo on Friday re-injured the same left collarbone he broke two weeks ago.

He underwent surgery on Saturday in Barcelona.

"I'm happy, it's great to win, but you shouldn't forget that both Pedrosa and Lorenzo weren't here," Marquez said. "I hadn't expected to control the race like that."

Both Yahama Tech 3's Crutchlow and Rossi on the Yahama factory bike complained about losing grip on their rear tyres, but the British rider produced a brave performance after twice crashing in Friday's practice session.

"I was trying to catch [Marquez]," said Crutchlow, who raced with an injured hand. "I had a good start, even though it might not have looked like it. I struggled a bit with the rear tyre.

"I am pleased with the finish position we had here, having come off the floor twice on Friday. It's not been a great weekend and I admit I don't feel great."

TOP FINISHERS

Finish driver, bike, time

1 Marquez, Honda 41m14.653secs

2 Crutchlow, Yamaha 41.16.212

3 Rossi, Yamaha 41.24.273

4 Bradl, Honda 41.28.645

5 Bautista, Honda 41.36.428

6 Smith, Yamaha 41.39.733

7 Dovizioso, Ducati 41.44.680

8 Espargaro, Aprilia 41.44.977

9 Hayden, Ducati 42.00.008

10 Pirro, Ducati 42.01.795

11 Barbera, Kawasaki 42.02.477

12 De Puniet, Aprilia 42.03.176

13 Edwards, Kawasaki 42.09.081

14 Petrucci, BMW 42.14.976

Riders’ championship leaders

Marc Marquez, Spain 138 pts

Dani Pedrosa, Spain 136

Jorge Lorenzo, Spain 127

Cal Crutchlow, Britain 107

Valentino Rossi, Italy 101

Andrea Dovizioso, Italy 74

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