Marc Marquez made his contribution early on. Up to second and closing the gap on lap two, the Repsol Honda rider crashed out for a fifth time this year, a death blow to any remaining title hopes.

Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa rode maybe the race of his life, repeatedly getting back ahead of never-give-up Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) to retain second.

Rossi still leads Lorenzo, by just 14 points with four races left.

Injured Andrea Iannone hung on to fourth, miles ahead of Ducati team-mate Andrea Dovizioso. Jack Miller (CWM Honda) finally lost touch with a massive gang for 19th.

Wily defending champion Tito Rabat (Kalex) held off Alex Rins (both Kalex) in a shortened and restarted Moto2 race. Points leader Johann Zarco (Kalex) was an off-form sixth, and must wait another race before he is sure of the title.

The championship situation stayed the same in Moto3, when the two leaders Danny Kent and Enea Bastianini (both Honda) crashed out of the leading group on the last lap. By then, Miguel Oliveira (KTM) was already sure of a third win of the season.