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First MotoGP win of season for Dani Pedrosa

Dani Pedrosa claims first race victory of 2016
Image: Dani Pedrosa claimed his first race victory of 2016 on Sunday

Dani Pedrosa claimed his first MotoGP victory of the season after surging through the field to take the chequered flag in San Marino.

The Spaniard, whose most recent podium finish had come in early June, started Sunday's 28-lap race eighth on the grid.

However, he overtook current championship leader Marc Marquez on lap 14 and Jorge Lorenzo three circuits later.

This moved the Repsol Honda rider into second spot, and he finally reeled in fans' favourite Valentino Rossi with seven laps remaining and went on to cross the line 2.837 seconds clear of his closest challenger.

Much of Pedrosa's success was due to his decision to employ a soft front tyre, while Rossi finished in second spot ahead of pole-setter Lorenzi who had led for barely a lap.

Valentino Rossi (46) leads Dani Pedrosa (26) in San Marino before the Spaniard took charge six laps from the end
Image: Valentino Rossi (46) leads Pedrosa (26) before the Spaniard took charge six laps from the end

The winner said: "I'm very happy personally. Today, I focused on my rhythm and tried to do my race. This victory is for my fans, friends, family and team."

Briton Cal Crutchlow, who is enjoying a breakthrough year in the blue riband category of world motor-cycling, could only finish ninth at Misano - 27.202 seconds of the pace.

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Crutchlow, who has posted one victory and two other podium finishes during 2016, spent most of the race in seventh spot but dropped a couple of positions over the final six laps.

Marquez, who finished fourth, remains top of the standings but has seen his advantage cut to 43 points with five of 18 races still to come.

Briton Cal Crutchlow (35) leads Michele Pirro at Misano on Sunday
Image: Briton Cal Crutchlow (35) leads Michele Pirro at Misano on Sunday but could only finish ninth in the end

Second-in-the-table Rossi has now gone six races without a victory, while Pedrosa is 78 points adrift in fourth.

A disappointed Rossi said: "I felt like I had the speed to stay ahead but then Dani approached and he was just too fast.

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"It's too bad, because I really wanted this victory."

Lorenzo Baldassari took his first Moto2 win on home soil, while Brad Binder of South Africa won the Moto3 race from pole.

San Marino MotoGP:

1 Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 43:43.524

2 Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 43:46.361

3 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 43:47.883

4 Marc Marquez (Spain) Honda 43:53.093

5 Maverick Vinales (Spain) Suzuki 43:58.991

6 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Ducati 44:03.200

7 Michele Pirro (Italy) Ducati 44:06.460

8 Pol Espargaro (Spain) Yamaha 44:10.679

9 Cal Crutchlow (Britain) Honda 44:10.726

10 Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Aprilia 44:17.492

Standings (after 13 of 18 races):

1 Marc Marquez (Spain) Honda 223 pts

2 Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 180

3 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 162

4 Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 145

5 Maverick Vinales (Spain) Suzuki 136

6 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Ducati 99 

7 Andrea Iannone (Italy) Ducati 96 

8 Cal Crutchlow (Britain) Honda 93 

9 Pol Espargaro (Spain) Yamaha 89 

10 Hector Barbera (Spain) Ducati 81 

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