MotoGP 2017: Dani Pedroza wins Spanish GP, first podium finish for Lorenzo at Ducati

In the milestone 3,000th MotoGP World Championship race, local boy Dani Pedroza was the first one to pass the chequered flag at Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana on Sunday. The 31-year-old Repsol Honda rider, who has started from pole position since Sepang 2015, kept his teammate and reigning champion Marc Marquez at bay to win the Spanish Grand Prix.

Jorge Lorenzo recorded his maiden podium finish after switching to Ducati from Yamaha this season. Lorenzo passed the finishing line third and that led to three Spanish riders reach the podium in their home race. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie Johann Zarco had an intense battle with championship leader Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) and LCR Honda rider Crutchlow before the Frenchman crossed the line as the fourth rider. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) finished the race in position 5 behind the reigning Moto2 world champion.

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Maverick Vinales, the winner of the first two races of this season, had a disappointing finish. The Movistar Yamaha rider managed to finish at the sixth place ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) after the Spaniard made a mistake.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Jonas Folger and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider Aleix Espargaro finished the race at the eighth and ninth spot, respectively. The current leader of the championship, Valentino Rossi, completed the top 10 line-up. The 'Doctor' found his pace in freefall in the latter laps of the race, struggling with tyre life in the hot temperatures to wrap up the top 10.

After Pedrosa's stunning comeback in his home race, the race for championship is game on in Le Mans, with Rossi now two points clear of Vinales. Marquez is currently in the third spot ahead of Pedrosa, who is only 10 points behind the leader.

2017 Spanish Grand Prix result