Rossi claims Argentina MotoGP

Valentino Rossi survived a late battle with defending world champion Marc Marquez to win a dramatic MotoGP of Argentina on Sunday. 

Marquez led the race from the start and opened up a lead of over four seconds before tyre problems allowed the veteran Rossi to reel him in and finally take the lead on the penultimate lap. 

Spanish rider Marquez, who won a record 13 races last season, then clipped Rossi's back wheel and crashed out to allow Rossi a clear track to race to victory from eighth on the grid.

Marquez and his Honda team's decision to go with hard tyres from pole backfired badly as 'the Doctor' gradually reeled him in on his Yamaha. 

Rossi closed ground over the final stages and finally made his move on the second last lap before Marquez immediately tried to regain the lead which led to his accident. 

The Spaniard was on track to move level with Rossi in the world championship standings but lost ground in the title race after crashing out of the third race of the season. 

Seven-time world champion Rossi also won in Qatar while Marquez won the second race of the campaign in Texas when the Italian came third. 

"I'm sorry for the accident and sorry for him but I hope he's ok," said Rossi. "I had a great race and the bike was fantastic but I could see that he (Marquez) was having problems with his tyres."

"The bike was great, that's two victories already and I think we can fight to the end of the season."

Result: 

1 V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 41 minutes 35.644 seconds

2 A Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati +5.685 

3 C Crutchlow (Gbr) Honda +8.298

4 A Iannone (Ita) Ducati +8.352

5 J Lorenzo (Esp) Yamaha +10.192

6 B Smith (Gbr) Yamaha +19.876

7 A Espargaro (Esp) Suzuki +24.333

8 P Espargaro (Esp) Yamaha +27.670

9 S Redding (Gbr) Honda +34.397

10 M Vinales (Esp) Suzuki +34.808

Overall standings: 

1 V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 66 pts

2 A Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 60

3 A Iannone (Ita) Ducati 40

4 J Lorenzo (Esp) Yamaha 37

5 M Marquez (Esp) Honda 36

6 C Crutchlow (Gbr) Honda 34

7 B Smith (Gbr) Yamaha 28

8 A Espargaro (Esp) Suzuki 22

9 P Espargaro (Esp) Yamaha 15

10 M Vinales (Esp) Suzuki 15

...SkySports