HOHENSTEIN-ERNSTTHAL, (Germany): Reigning world MotoGP champion Marc Marquez stormed to his eighth consecutive German Grand Prix win on Sunday to snatch the overall championship lead.

The Spaniard held off a spirited challenge from home favourite Jonas Folger to claim his second win of the season after starting from pole position.

German rookie Folger produced a stunning ride for Yamaha’s satellite team to claim his maiden podium finish, as Marquez’s Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa came home in third.

Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso went into the race at the top of the standings, but finished down in eighth place to slip to third overall.

Marquez, who was fourth going into the day, now leads the championship by five points from Maverick Vinales, with Dovizioso a point further back in third.

“I knew before the weekend that this was an important moment in the championship and that the Sachsenring was an important circuit for us,” Marquez said.

“It was the place to take a risk if necessary and to try to win.—AFP