San Marino Grand Prix

Lorenzo wins as Dani Pedrosa crashes

Jorge Lorenzo took a huge step toward regaining the MotoGP title as he won the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano and rival Dani Pedrosa crashed out.

Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa endured a torrid start and was then taken out by Hector Barbera halfway through lap one.

That left the way clear for Lorenzo to cruise to victory and extend his championship lead from 13 to 38 points.

Italy’s Valentino Rossi was second in his home race for Ducati while Briton Cal Crutchlow also crashed out.

On a weekend when MotoGP remembered the late Marco Simoncelli at the circuit now named after him, it was fitting that his close friend Rossi produced his best ever ride on the Ducati and Alvaro Bautista took third place on the Gresini Honda which was set to be ridden by Simoncelli this year.

The result was a dream scenario for some, but a nightmare for Pedrosa who saw his title hopes suffer a massive blow in a chaotic few minutes.

The Spaniard had qualified in pole position but the original start was aborted when Karel Abraham stalled his Ducati on the grid.

That led to a delay of five minutes or so, during which Pedrosa had a problem with the front wheel of his bike.

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