Jorge Lorenzo boosted his MotoGP world championship hopes after producing a faultless ride to victory at the Czech Republic Grand Prix.

The Yamaha rider was forced to soak up intense pressure from Marc Marquez in the early stages before breaking away from the reigning world champion to clinch a lights-to-flag win at Brno.

Marquez fought hard to stay in touch with polesitter Lorenzo but ultimately he had to settle for second, with Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi coming home third.

Lorenzo’s fifth victory of the season has seen him assume the lead of the world championship from Rossi, virtue of his race win tally.

While Lorenzo and Marquez broke away from the pack at the start, Rossi dropped to fifth in the early laps behind Bradley Smith and Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso.

Rossi fell 2.1 seconds adrift of the lead duo once he clawed his way by Smith and Dovizioso into third at the end of the second lap.

The lost time proved crucial as Lorenzo and Marquez gapped the field before the former managed to open up a lead, which he maintained until the chequered flag.

Ducati’s Andrea Iannone emerged as the best of the rest in fourth, while Honda’s Dani Pedrosa produced an impressive ride to claim fifth.

Pedrosa was forced to ride through pain due to a foot injury incurred in a practice crash.

The Honda rider scythed his way through the field before coming through a thrilling final lap dice with Dovizioso.

Smith was unable to make the most of his lightning start as the Tech 3 Yamaha rider slipped to seventh at the flag, ahead of team-mate Pol Espargaro and Suzuki’s Aleix Espargaro.

Danilo Petrucci rounded out the top 10 while Australia’s Jack Miller brought the open class LCR Honda home in 19th position.

The MotoGP season heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix from August 28-30.

Result: MotoGP Czech Republic Grand Prix, Brno

Championship Standings