Marquez wins French MotoGP to extend world championship lead

Moto GP rider Marc Marquez of Spain celebrates after winning the French Motorcycle Grand Prix race in Le Mans, France, Sunday, May 20, 2018. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

LE MANS, France -- Defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez won a crash-marred French MotoGP on Sunday, extending his overall lead in the championship as he chases a fifth world title.

The dominant Spanish rider powered his Honda to victory for only the second time on the Le Mans circuit where he retired last year and finished a lowly 13th in 2016. He raised his front wheel in a "wheelie" celebration and banged his fist on his chest after crossing the line. The 25-year-old Marquez then jumped off his bike and ran over to celebrate with fans. His other win here was in 2014.

"The grip of the track was a little bit less than yesterday," Marquez said. "I'm happy, because this victory is important on this track."

Danilo Petrucci took second place on his Ducati ahead of Italian countryman Valentino Rossi, the seven-time world champion.

"I knew the race would be very, very difficult. We struggled a lot with the front tire," Petrucci said. "But I managed the rear very well. Then I just followed Marc."

The 39-year-old Rossi profited from the spills to climb up from ninth on the starting grid.

"I had a good rhythm all the race," Rossi said after his second podium of the season.

Home favourite Johann Zarco and Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso were among several riders to come off their bikes in the first four laps.

Zarco had taken the fourth pole position of his career on Saturday -- the first Frenchman on pole at Le Mans since Christian Sarron in 1988.

Marquez started from second, but both made poor starts and Jorge Lorenzo took the race lead as he chased a sixth career win at Le Mans. Dovizioso moved into second spot, while Zarco fought back to third with Marquez fourth.

But Dovizioso suddenly crashed on the fourth lap, taking his Ducati too wide on entry into turn 8 and sliding off the track. He was unharmed and wrung his hands in frustration.

Minutes later, Zarco made a similar braking error and flew off his Yamaha.

Lorenzo almost crashed too, when Marquez made a stunning but borderline dangerous move on his inside to lead with 18 laps to go.

Petrucci overtook Lorenzo soon after to move up to third, while Rossi moved ahead of Lorenzo into third with 14 laps to go.

The Yamaha rider then set a lap record and had Marquez, his bitter rival, in his sights. Last month, Rossi called Marquez a "dirty" rider at the Argentina GP in their latest bust-up.

But with 10 laps left, the 25-yearold Marquez set a lap record of his own and was untroubled thereafter.

He is well clear in the standings, with 95 points. Spanish rider Maverick Vinales is next with 59, one ahead of Zarco and three clear of Rossi.