Valentino Rossi Wins In Argentina MotoGP Grand Prix After Marquez Crashes Out

http://goo.gl/laqZVL
Rossi makes up 5 secs in 13 laps to beat Marquez!
Valentino Rossi & Marc Marquez bash fairings in the battle for the win, resulting in Marquez' retirement from the race.

Valentino Rossi took a stunning victory at Termas de Rio Hondo after an inspired tyre choice helped the seven-time MotoGP champion chase down race leader Marc Marquez, who dramatically crashed his factory Honda trying to re-pass Rossi for the win.

The legendary Valentino Rossi won a dramatic race to score his second victory of 2015 and stretch his championship advantage, as Marc Marquez crashed out during battle for the lead.While Marquez bolted to a four-second lead using the softer of his rear tyres, Rossi had fought his way through the field from eighth on the opening lap.

Crucially, the Italian had chosen the extra-hard tyre, rejected on the grid by Marquez. “When Marc decided on the hard tyre I think we have a small chance to win, because in the second half of the race I have a good pace," Rossi said.

The tide finally turned in the Italian's favour with 12 laps to go when Rossi, now into second, reduced Marquez's lead for the first time.

The Doctor then ate mercilessly into the Repsol Honda rider's advantage, attacking at the start of the penultimate lap, when he was instantly re-passed by Marquez.

Rossi made his next move under braking for Turn 5 at the end of the back straight, the pair making contact when Marquez instantly tried to cut back under Rossi at the apex. But the real drama was on the exit, when their lines again crossed and Marquez was thrown down the track after clipping the rear of Rossi's Yamaha.Race Direction have confirmed no action to be taken over Rossi/Marquez clash. #MotoGP

The moment Marquez clipped Rossi's rear wheel on the exit of Turn 5. #MotoGP

Marquez is down! He was battling Rossi for the lead and they tangled on the exit of Turn 5! #MotoGP

“It is a shame that he crashed, but for me I think he did a mistake,” Rossi declared. “Marc is a rider that always bets all-or-nothing.

“I knew from practice that I had the pace and the extra motivation is when you see the guy in front is in difficulty and you have the extra-hard tyre. So lap-by-lap he is more in difficulty.

“Also our bike was better when the rear start to slide and Marc kept getting bigger and bigger in front of me.

“I arrived to Marc and had six or seven tenths of advantage in the pace, but just two laps to go. So I tried to overtake him, but I think 'for sure now Marc will try something to stay in front'.

"But as soon I thought about that, already he touched me in the centre of the corner. He put the bike into me and I say, 'F**k! Straight away. I think you are aggressive but I don't expect so much!'

“Then when I opened the throttle to accelerate, because I want to take a small advantage before the next braking, I hear another touch. But sincerely I don't know if it was on the right or left. So I think 'maybe this [battle] will be very strong!'

“But after when I passed to the line I saw on the pit board I had an advantage over Dovi, so I think something happened and the next lap I saw his bike.

"Marc knew if I overtook him I was a little bit faster so he tried everything, but maybe a little bit too much I think."

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy celebrates with members of his team after crossing the finish line and winning Argentina's MotoGP Grand Prix at the Termas de Rio Hondo International circuit in Termas de Rio Hondo, April 19, 2015. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Championship leader Rossi won with more than a five-second lead over second-placed compatriot Andrea Dovizioso with Britain's Cal Crutchlow finishing third.

Rossi (Yamaha) leads the overall standings with 66 points ahead of Dovizioso (Ducati) on 60 and fellow Italian Andrea Iannone (Ducati) with 40.

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) is fourth on 37 with Marquez (Honda) trailing on 36 ahead of Crutchlow with 34.