Marquez wins in Argentina for World Championship lead, Pedrosa places on podium

Repsol Honda Team rider wins tough race which includes a bike change. Dani Pedrosa gets a fortunate third place.

Marc Marquez took a thrilling victory at the Argentinian Grand Prix, and was accompanied on the podium by third-placed Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa. Marquez fought back from fourth position at the end of Lap 1 –after being hit by Andrea Iannone– to first in just three laps. He would then withstand a push from Valentino Rossi until the moment in which a mandatory bike change was required –after which Marquez extended his lead with every lap to cross the finish line alone.

Dani Pedrosa was also caught up in the first corner incident with Iannone, dropping down to sixteenth. He steadily made his way back through the field, aided by crashes for several riders ahead of him. The Spaniard eventually claimed third in the Argentinian GP, for a spot on the rostrum.

After these results, Marquez and Pedrosa occupy first and third place, respectively, in the overall standings.

Marc Marquez:

 "I’m really happy with this win because we’ve worked very, very hard during the pre-season, in Qatar and here. Honda is working very well and I feel the support; we’re going in the same direction, and that’s the most important thing. It’s a special win, not only because it’s the first one of the year but also because with the team, we managed the situation very well, and after what happened in Australia on a similar occasion [in 2013], it was important for us to do well. I knew that the first part of the race would be tough because it was still damp in some places, and with the first bike I hadn’t felt as good as with the other one even during practice. I knew that the second part of the race was the key. I pushed 100% in the first five laps after the bike change, I opened a gap and after that I just kept the distance."

Dani Pedrosa:

 "I had a good start but someone came straight through the first turn, and I had to pick up my bike and go wide in order to avoid him. If I had kept my line, for sure I would’ve crashed, so I went way out and then found myself in the middle of the group. It was very difficult because the lines they were doing were quite crazy, and of course I lost a lot of ground there. Anyway, my pace wasn’t good, and that’s disappointing, but I tried to keep my line for the entire race. Finally, this was maybe the luckiest day of my career because many riders crashed in front of me and I was able to take third. Last year I wasn’t even here, so it’s positive to be on the podium this time. Anyway, we have to look ahead and keep working hard to improve the bike to be faster."