Marc Marquez takes out French MotoGP for Honda landmark and completes a rare family double

Spain’s defending world champion Marc Marquez has won the French Moto GP at Le Mans to kick off a rare double celebration for his family.

Spain’s defending world champion Marc Marquez won the French MotoGP at Le Mans on Sunday ahead of Italian pair Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci of Ducati.

It was Marquez’s 47th top level GP win and his third of the season, but for Honda this was a 300th top level MotoGP victory.

HONDA TRIUMPH: MARQUEZ WINS SPANISH GP FOR POINTS LEAD

Jim Redman won their first one back in 1966, and no other manufacturer has achieved top step of the podium on so many occasions.

Starting from pole Marquez won by almost 2sec from Dovizioso and the victory set up a double celebration for the family as his younger brother Alex Marquez won the Moto2GP earlier in the day.

MotoGP rider Marc Marquez celebrates by the side of the track after winning the French Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Marquez now leads the championship with 95 points, eight more than Dovizioso in second and 20 ahead Alex Rins of Suzuki, who could only manage 10th Sunday, while Italian veteran Valentino Rossi of Yamaha is fourth on 72 points.

“It’s always difficult at Le Mans,” Marquez said of the winding Bugatti circuit.

One rider who might agree with him is Spain’s Maverick Vinales, who ended up sliding out after a tangle with Francesco Bagnaia.

Repsol Honda Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides with his team flag after his victory.

Originally published as Marc Marquez takes out French MotoGP for Honda landmark and completes a rare family double