It's Czech mate for composed Marquez

BRNO, Czech Republic - Honda's Marc Marquez led a Spanish podium sweep at the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday to extend his MotoGP world championship lead with a second straight win.

Dani Pedrosa was second almost 13 seconds back ahead of Maverick Vinales in third and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi in fourth.

"I could have gone faster but there was no need to do so, I had it won and I'm not taking those risks anymore," said three-time world champion Marquez, who was not so cautious in his celebrations - standing on his bike as he rode past the main stand to an ovation.

"These kind of races (mixed weather) can be very challenging and you have to remain focused," Marquez added after negotiating his tyre change early in a race where wet conditions quickly turned to dry.

The result leaves the title race on a razor's edge, with Marquez leading on 154 points ahead of Vinales on 140. Andrea Dovizioso is third on 133, Rossi fourth on 132 and Pedrosa has 123 in fifth.

In his third win of the season, defending world champion Marquez was in truly imperious form, starting from pole and dominating. He held his nerve during an early change from wet tyres as he temporarily dropped down the field before gradually extending his lead.

After also winning in a similar fashion at the German GP last time out, Marquez has galvanized the defense of his title that was in danger of being a landslide for Yamaha tyro Vinales, who gained a big early lead but is now second after ten of 18 races.

"This weekend was very tough, then luckily on the grid the sun started to come out," said Vinales.

"On the rain tyre I was feeling good, but I was already thinking after two laps maybe I should go in, but there were too many people, so maybe I went in a lap too late.

"Warming up the slicks was difficult but then the bike felt good again. I was feeling great in the last laps and I'm happy to have that back."

Agence France-presse