Marc Le Mans of moment

MARC MARQUEZ kept up his MotoGP domination by clinching his third win of the year at Le Mans.

The Repsol Honda rider extended his championship lead to 36 points over Maverick Vinales – who finished seventh – as he crossed the line two seconds ahead of Danilo Petrucci yesterday.

“The race was tough because the pace of everybody was very, very close,” said the Spaniard.

“I’m happy because it is at a circuit where normally we struggle.”

Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo got the best start and took the lead ahead of home hero Johann Zarco.

Charge

Lorenzo’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso passed Zarco’s Monster Yamaha Tech Three machine before overtaking Lorenzo.

But disaster struck Dovizioso as he crashed out, handing Lorenzo the lead once again.

Marquez, though, was on a charge after dropping back to fifth at the start and he passed Zarco for second before taking the lead on lap 10.

Then Zarco slid out and suddenly Valentino Rossi could see a podium finish.

After passing Lorenzo for third on the 13th lap, Rossi then went after Petrucci, but could not catch him and claimed third place.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow bravely raced despite ending up in hospital following a nasty crash in qualifying on Saturday.

He battled from 13th on the grid to finish eighth.

Bradley Smith finished 14th, but Scott Redding crashed out on lap 11.