Honda-bound Lorenzo edges Marquez

– Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo (right) powered from pole to claim victory in a second straight race at the Grand Prix of Catalunya yesterday ahead of championship leader Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.

The three-time world MotoGP champion won at Mugello last time out in his first win for Ducati, and celebrated his win at Montmelo wildly after a race in which half the competitors failed to finish.

After seven of the season’s 19 races, Lorenzo stands seventh in the overall standings on 66 points, with Marquez atop the pile on 115, followed by Rossi (88) and Maverick Vinales (77).

Lorenzo, who will quit Ducati to join up with Marquez at Honda next season, finished 4.479sec ahead of Marquez, with Rossi at almost 7sec.

Marquez and Suzuki’s Italian rider Andrea Iannone briefly passed Lorenzo before the latter regained the lead and led through to the finish line.

“In claiming a second straight victory it’s incredible to see how things can change so quickly,” said Lorenzo.

Lorenzo’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso crashed after 10 laps, a big blow for last season’s runner-up who has failed to finish three of his last four races.

Marquez was satisfied with his showing. “It was tough to beat the Ducatis here but the most important thing is that we’ve increased our lead,” he said.

Earlier in the day, French youngster Fabio Quartararo won the Moto2 for his first Grand Prix victory. –