Dovizioso pips Marquez in stunning Austrian GP

Andrea Dovizioso held off the hard-charging Marc Marquez to win a thrilling Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix for Ducati on Sunday. World championship leader Marquez had started on pole but Italian Dovizioso got the better of an incredible battle where the lead changed hands several times, including twice on the final corner. Three-time world champion Marquez's Honda team-mate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa came third.

A fantastic last bend battle ? Brilliant racing from Dovizioso and Marquez. We'll be talking about this one for a long time! #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/TrKQBKc2Yi

— BT Sport MotoGP (@btsportmotogp) August 13, 2017

Dovizioso's third win of the season moved him up to second behind Marquez in the standings, 16 points back, as Spaniard Maverick Vinales dropped to third after finishing only sixth. That was one place above his Yamaha team-mate and seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy.

We have a battle on our hands! It's a three way fight for first between Dovi, Lorenzo & Marquez! Rossi and Zarco right behind! #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/KKcyY4IYA8— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) August 13, 2017

Dovizioso had started second on the grid but dropped to third as his Ducati team-mate and three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo jumped from third to first at the start. Dovizioso, who was second in Austria to his then team-mate Andrea Iannone last year, took advantage of the battle between Marquez and Lorenzo to snatch the lead. Marquez also passed Lorenzo to launch a thrilling battle with Dovizioso.

Great battle, big fun today with @andreadovizioso ! Great job @marcmarquez93 & @26_danipedrosa , 6th double podium this season!??#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/rgrZ1ezWuW

— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) August 13, 2017

The Spaniard seemed to have an edge in speed but every time he passed the Italian, usually after a daring and almost reckless lunge into a turn, his ice-cool rival quickly took back the lead. Their battle allowed Pedrosa to close right in around six laps from the end but he couldn't challenge for the victory and Dovizioso prevailed.

Pole Position!!? QP - P.1#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/UiTwzITcrD— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) August 12, 2017