Pedrosa dominant at Jerez

Dani Pedrosa has clinched his first victory in the 2013 MotoGP title, winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on May 5. It was another one-two finish for Repsol Honda after Marc Marquez dived past Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo for second place at the final corner.

Jerez welcomed a huge crowd as the first European race of the season took place. Lorenzo had been the rider to beat for much of the weekend, comfortably sealing his second pole position of the season on Saturday. He would share the front row with the Honda duo, with Pedrosa knowing that a quick start would be vital.

Confirming Lorenzo’s worst fears, Pedrosa overtook as the 27-lap race began. The lead was immediately snatched back, but Pedrosa made the move stick as he passed on lap six. As the Yamaha rider dropped into the clutches of Marquez, Pedrosa maintained a steady pace en route to his first win since Valencia last year.

"It was a beautiful race," Pedrosa smiled, having last won in Jerez in 2008. "I was able to ride the bike well, even though it was difficult because the tyres were really on the limit. I couldn't push too hard because of that, so I had to ride carefully.

"I was able to maintain a good advantage throughout the race and collect this win at home as a result. It was fantastic, especially seeing all the fans in the stands; this year we've had a lot of people come to watch this grand prix. I also want to say, ‘Happy Mothers' Day!’ to my mum and thanks to all my team -- it's been a great day!"

Marquez’s race was a dramatic one, having entered as the joint championship leader with Lorenzo. Having quickly demoted Valentino Rossi to fourth place after the Yamaha rider overtook at the end of lap one, the 20-year-old charged up to the back of Lorenzo and attempted several different lines in a bid to distract the current title holder. The eventual move ironically came at the newly named Jorge Lorenzo corner at the end of the very last lap, with Lorenzo left fuming after contact was made.

Once dispatched by Marquez, Rossi had a lonely ride to fourth place on the second Yamaha Factory bike, with Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow overcoming GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista for a top five spot at the end of a difficult weekend which featured two sizeable accidents on Saturday. Ducati Team duo Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso made the top eight while test rider Michele Pirro enjoyed a strong first ride of the campaign to 11th on the squad’s GP13 Lab chassis.

Hector Barbera and Avintia Blusens’ impressed by qualifying 10th on the lead CRT machine, but on race day the Spaniard fell to 12th as Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro took CRT honours for the third time in as many races, finishing ninth from Tech 3’s Bradley Smith.

Australia’s Bryan Staring (GO&FUN Honda Gresini) was 16th, just on the tail of American Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing).

In the world championship, Marquez becomes the sole leader just three races into his premier class career. He now leads teammate Pedrosa by 3pts (61 to 58), with Lorenzo just a further one in arrears. Rossi and Crutchlow complete the top five while Espargaro has extended his CRT advantage to 10pts over Barbera.

As for the other Australians, Anthony West (QMMF Racing Team) was 12th in Moto2, and in Moto3 Jack Miler (Caretta Technology Honda) was taken out while battling near the front and Arthur Sissis (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was 12th.

The season continues with round four in two weeks’ time at Le Mans in France.