Jerez MotoGP: Pol Espargaro wins red-flagged race

Pol Espargaro has taken his maiden Moto2 victory at Jerez after the race was red-flagged due to rain at the beginning of lap 19.

Marc Marquez was in the lead when the race was red-flagged, but the result was taken from lap 17 which handed victory to Pol Espargaro.

Thomas Luthi led the race early on, with Scott Redding and Marc Marquez keeping in close range.

Redding then took the lead as Luthi made a mistake, with Redding leading the race for several laps until Marc Marquez forced his way passed at mid-race distance.

Redding though was determined to beat the Spaniard and retook first spot only a couple of corners later. His lead would only last another lap, as he ran wide into the final turn, allowing Marquez through.

Redding’s tyre then looked to go off rather quickly, with Luthi and Espargaro both easing passed the Marc VDS rider. Redding eventually crossed the line in fifth, but due to the red flag finished fourth.

While the leaders were trading places, Espargaro calmly sat behind, patiently waiting for an opportunity to move up the places.

Brit Bradley Smith finished 11th, with Moto2 rookie Gino Rea finishing 15th on the Moriwaki.