Moto2: First finish, first victory for Marquez!

After crashing out of all three previous races - twice due to his own errors - Moto2 rookie Marc Marquez took his first chequered flag of 2011 in first place at Le Mans on Sunday.

Starting from a perfect fourth pole of the season, world championship leader Stefan Bradl led the first half of the 26 lap race - before being swallowed-up by the four-rider chasing pack.

Interwetten's Thomas Luthi and then reigning 125cc world champion Marquez replaced Bradl up front, with Marquez defying spots of rain to pull 1.5sec clear heading into the final two laps.

The young Spaniard increased his advantage to 1.952sec at the chequered flag for a memorable win, in his 50th grand prix start, and the second victory of the day by a rookie after Maverick Vinales won the 125cc race.

Joining the Repsol Suter rider on the podium was Gresini Moriwaki's Yuki Takahashi, who claimed his second podium in a row after a thrilling final lap battle with Racing Team Germany star Bradl, winner of two races this season.

Aspar's Julian Simon edged out Luthi for fourth place on the final lap.

Bradl began the race with a 13 point advantage over Andrea Iannone, but the Italian crashed out on the opening lap at Le Mans and Bradl has now extended his advantage to 28 over new nearest rival Simon.

Race results - Le Mans:

1. Marquez (Suter) 26 laps
2. Takahashi (Moriwaki) +1.982s
3. Bradl (Kalex) +2.237s
4. Simon (Suter) +2.349s
5. Luthi (Suter) +2.609s
6. A. Espargaro (Pons Kalex) +12.295s
7. Corsi (FTR) +18.739s
8. Aegerter (Suter) +18.918s
9. Smith (Tech 3) +20.408s
10. de Angelis (MotoBI) +20.566s

16. Redding (Suter) +29.587s
27. Coghlan (FTR) +51.471s