MotoGP: Marc Marquez wins in Australia as Valentino Rossi battles for second

Marc Marquez moved to within touching distance of a fourth MotoGP world title with victory at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, his sixth win of the season giving him a 33-point lead over nearest rival Andrea Dovizioso with two races remaining.

The 24-year-old Spanish Honda rider hit the front six laps from the end and took the chequered flag to move to 269 points, while Ducati’s Dovizioso finished 13th to edge up his tally to 236 with only 50 up for grabs in Malaysia and Valencia.

MotoGP great Valentino Rossi finished second with his fellow Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales pipping French rookie Johann Zarco on the line to round out the podium in third place.

Earlier, a violent rainstorm forced an early end to the Moto3 race. Joan Mir was leading when the red flags came out after 15 laps, a ninth win in 16 outings this season enough to secure a maiden world title for the 20-year-old Spaniard.

After the race Rossi was enthusiastic as ever after clinching second, and he explained how he managed to outwit his rivals.

“This track is unbelievable and it was a great, great race,” Rossi said.

“All the riders in front were very aggressive so you need to be more stupid than them, more aggressive.

“It was a great battle with Marco, Marquez and Vinales.

“I wanted to try for the podium and the maximum but in the end I am very happy with the second place.”