The Phnom Penh Post

Marquez surges into lead with win at Aragon

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MARC Marquez opened up a 16-point lead over Andrea Dovizioso with an impressive ride to claim his fifth win of the season at the Aragon MotoGP on Sunday.

Marquez edged out Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, with Jorge Lorenzo taking third.

Meanwhile, nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi manfully fought for fifth place on his return just three weeks after a double leg fracture.

“I’m quite proud because a week ago I didn’t know if I would be able to race,” said Rossi, who missed the San Marino Grand Prix a fortnight ago.

Rossi battled for the lead early in the race having qualified third, but understand­ably faded.

“I knew I had to suffer in the second half of the race. I had some pain and we also suffered from the degradatio­n of the tyre,” he added.

Despite his brave effort, Rossi slips 56 points behind Marquez as his hopes of a 10th world title begin to fade.

Dovizioso started the day level with Marquez in the championsh­ip standings, but finished down in seventh to deal a severe blow to his title chances with just four races remaining.

Marquez showed his class by moving smoothly through the pack despite starting from fifth, eventually overtaking Lorenzo with eight laps to go for his third MotoGP win in Aragon and fourth overall after winning in Moto2 back in 2011.

“I took a lot of risk but I started with the mentality to win and it finished well today,” Marquez said.

“It’s important because in the championsh­ip we’re leading by 16 and 28 points [to Maverick Vinales], and it’s better to have that advantage than not.”

Fourth place sees Vinales slip to 28 points off Marquez in third in the championsh­ip standings.

After a three-week break rivalries will be renewed at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 15.

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