MotoGP 2017: Marc Marquez wins Americas GP, Maverick Vinales crashes out

Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez's title hopes received a major boost on Sunday after he clinched his first win of the season at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas (COTA). This is the fifth consecutive win for the 24-yead-old Spaniard at COTA and he remains unbeaten in the track since it was added to the MotoGP calendar in 2013.

Also read: 8 reasons why MotoGP 2017 season will be most exciting to watch

The winner of first two races, Movistar Yamaha's Maverick Vinales, had a bad outing. He crashed his bike on the second lap at turn 18. His teammate Valentino Rossi finished second behind Marquez and leaped to the numero uno position of the driver's championship. Rossi with three podium finishes, but no wins, is now six points clear. Vinales is second with 50 points and Marquez has 38 points.

Marquez's teammate Dani Pedrosa had a great start when he overtook pole-sitter Marquez to lead through turn 1. The Spaniard couldn't retain the lead and finished the race behind Marquez and Rossi.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) quickly ranked up in the position from ninth to finish fourth. Rookie sensation Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the race fifth followed by Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) also got in some late action, making it past Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo and the Italian crossed the line as the seventh rider to secure his first points this season.

Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) also made it past a struggling Lorenzo in his new team for the season to take eighth. Five-time World Champion Lorenzo managed to finish the race as the ninth rider. Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller beat rookie Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha tech 3) to complete the top ten.

Now, the series heads to Europe for the next phase. The next race is the Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana at Circuit de Jerez in Spain on May 7.