Marc Marquez edges out Valentino Rossi in MotoGP thriller

MarcMarquez

The 21-year-old, who last year became the youngest winner of motorcycling's most-coveted prize in his rookie campaign, looked in danger of missing the season-opening Qatar GP after fracturing the fibula in his right leg six weeks ago.

But, despite being unable to partake in two of his team's three pre-season testing sessions, Marquez stormed to pole position on Saturday and the Spaniard finished the job under the floodlights at Qatar's Losail International Circuit, edging out Rossi by 0.259 seconds to top the podium. 

Marquez's Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa rounded off the podium.

In a thrilling contest that served as the perfect beginning to a new campaign, nine-time world champion Rossi rolled back the years to threaten another success in his storied career.

When LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl crashed out from the front, Rossi – who had beat long odds to storm from his qualifying position of 10th to second – found himself in charge.

A fine duel between himself and young superstar Marquez ensued as the pair jostled for position.

The precocious Repsol Honda rider, who at times showed signs of struggle with his injury, eventually got his man with nine laps to go.

The drama was not finished there, however, as the pair swapped places repeatedly in the penultimate lap.

Yet Marquez found an extra gear at the end, finishing with his quickest lap of the race to complete a remarkable win.

Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Dovizioso finished fourth and fifth respectively, with Cal Crutchlow sixth. 

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