MUGELLO, Italy — Spanish defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo eased to victory in the Italian MotoGP for his third successive win in the race Sunday. The 26-year-old — also world champion in 2010 - brought home his Yamaha well clear of world championship leader Dani Pedrosa on a Honda while British rider Cal Crutchlow recorded his second successive podium place, finishing third on a Yamaha Tech3. There was huge disappointment for the Italian fans as hero Valentino Rossi crashed out on the first lap on his Yamaha after Alvaro Bautista collided with him. Pedrosa still leads the world title race with 103 points, with Lorenzo in second 12 points adrift. Lorenzo, who halted Honda's dominance of the past year, which had seen it win 13 of the last 16 MotoGP's, feted his victory. “This is a special win for us as we have been working very hard as a team,” said Lorenzo, who won the season opening Qatar MotoGP. “I really tried hard to establish a gap over Dani but he kept at me until finally I succeeded at around halfway and then it was race over.” Pedrosa, who has yet to win the world title having finished runner-up three times, said it was a good result given they had not had high hopes. “It was not my day today,” said the 27-year-old, who saw Lorenzo edge ahead of him in MotoGP wins with 25. “We had loads of problems with our grip on the tires and it was difficult keeping on the track, especially on the corners.” Crutchlow, who finished second in France a fortnight ago despite a broken leg, was more than satisfied with his performance and said he would have probably caught Pedrosa but eased up when he saw the other Honda rider Marc Marquez crash out when in second three laps from the end. Rossi's fanatical fans saw their hopes of victory for their hero dashed as the 34-year-old crashed out after Bautista came in on him and both went flying. Rossi, who has made a stuttering start to his return to Yamaha, got back on his feet to allay fears of a repeat of the broken leg he suffered at Mugello two years ago in qualifying. Bautista said he hadn't been aware of Rossi being on the inside. “I didn't see anything as I went into the corner,” said the 28-year-old Honda Gresini rider. “Then suddenly I felt Valentino's bike and we both fell off.” Rossi's teammate Lorenzo had had a terrific start taking the lead ahead of pole sitter Pedrosa. Marquez made a stunning start moving from sixth to third on the first lap and sitting on his compatriot's shoulder. Lorenzo repulsed Pedrosa's attempts to overtake him and finally established a significant lead with 11 laps remaining as he opened up a one second, with Pedrosa struggling for grip. As the Yamaha rider disappeared into the distance Marquez looked the better option of the two Hondas to try and claw back his lead. Marquez, who won the Texas MotoGP earlier in the season, nipped up the inside of Pedrosa and took second with five laps to go. But both Pedrosa and the hard charging Crutchlow found themselves assured of podium finishes when Marquez came to grief three laps from the checkered flag, his front tire giving way and leaving the 20-year-old looking to the heavens and cursing his luck. Redding extends lead British rider Scott Redding extended his lead in the world championship standings as riding a Kalex he won the Moto2 Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old beat Spaniard Nicolas Terol and France's Johann Zarco, both on Suter bikes. Salom wins Moto3 Spaniard Luis Salom won the Moto3 Italian Grand Prix Sunday for his second win of the season. The 21-year-old KTM rider led home a Spanish 1-2-3 as Alex Rins and Maverick Vinales filled second and third respectively also on KTM bikes. Vinales retained the overall lead in the title race, but by just four points over Salom. — Agencies
