BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Marc Marquez won a thrilling four-way duel at Sunday’s Catalonia grand prix to make it seven victories in as many races to start his MotoGP title defense.
Marquez overtook Yamaha pair Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo before surviving a brush with Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa on the last lap to claim a 13th career win in the top class that featured constant jousting among the four riders.
“I said it was all or nothing and I risked 100 percent,” said Marquez. “We gave them a good show.”
The 21-year-old Marquez increased his season points total to 175. Rossi remained second with 117 ahead of Pedrosa with 112.
Rossi crossed second followed by Pedrosa who was fortunate not to crash after his front wheel touched Marquez’s rear tire near the end.
“On the last lap we almost hit each other two or three times, well, we did once and I almost went down,” said Pedrosa. “But I am very happy because I was able to fight with Marc until the finish.”
Spaniards also won in the minor categories to the delight of the home fans at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
In Moto2, Esteve Rabat won from pole position to extend his points total to 149, ahead of Mika Kallio with 115.
Maverick Vinales finished second while Johann Zarco completed the podium in third.
In Moto3, 18-year-old Alex Marquez, the younger brother of Marc, took off from pole to get his second career victory.
Enea Bastianini crossed next followed closely by Efren Vazquez.
Australia’s Jack Miller was fourth and kept his lead in the standings with 117 points to Romano Fenati’s 110.
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