125: Marquez bolts to Sepang victory, title lead

Marc Marquez shook off his title rivals and bolted for victory in the closing stages of Sunday's 125cc Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

The Red Bull Ajo Derbi rider's eighth victory of the season also means he has retaken the world championship lead, with three rounds to go.

Starting on pole, Marquez dropped to fourth by the end of a poor first lap, but soon joined championship rivals Nico Terol and Pol Espargaro in fighting for the lead.

Marquez took the advantage from points leader Terol on lap five of 18, sparking a series of lead changes between the trio, which enabled their team-mates Bradley Smith, Efren Vasquez and Sandro Cortese to catch them.

But they didn't interfere with the title fighters and Marquez went on to deliver his killer blow by bolting away from the pack with five laps to go.

The 17-year-old won by 2.314sec from the Tuenti Derbi of Espargaro, with Terol a further 1.3sec back in third for Aspar Aprilia.

That means Marquez, who lost the title lead when he was taken out at turn one in Aragon, is now leading the championship by just three points from Terol. Espargaro is 12 points from the top.

Danny Webb had to be carried away on a stretcher after a rough accident sent him tumbling through the gravel.

Race results - Sepang:

1. Marquez (Derbi) 18 laps
2. Espargaro (Derbi) +2.341s
3. Terol (Aprilia) +3.656s
4. Vazquez (Derbi) +6.780s
5. Smith (Aprilia) +7.133s
6. Cortese (Derbi) +7.297s
7. Rabat (Aprilia) +26.648s
8. Koyama (Aprilia) +29.339s
9. Salom (Aprilia) +29.341s
10. Krummenacher (Aprilia) +29.365s

Kent (Lambretta) DNF
Webb (Aprilia) DNF