Pedrosa wins Le Mans MotoGP 2013

Dani Pedrosa took charge from the get go and dominated an eventful French Grand Prix to place himself on the top spot in the MotoGP championship points standings.

Pedrosa was well clear of Cal Crutchlow, second aboard the Tech 3 Yamaha despite riding with a shin fracture from his practice crash.

The win allowed Pedrosa to open a six points gap over Repsol Honda team-mate Marc Marquez, who recovered to third on the second Honda after a poor start, and 17 ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, whose Yamaha was only seventh.

Andrea Dovizioso's Ducati seized the early initiative on a tentative first lap during which Marquez dropped to the rear of the top 10.

Lorenzo and Pedrosa filtered into second and third while Valentino Rossi moved into fourth on the second lap and on the following tour Pedrosa moved into second, passing Lorenzo and quickly reeling in the Ducati out front.