French GP: Dani Pedrosa wins in Le Mans ahead of Cal Crutchlow

Dani Pedrosa won a wet French Grand Prix as Britain's Cal Crutchlow overcame a broken leg to take second - the best result of his MotoGP career.

Spaniard Pedrosa, who won his home race earlier this month, tussled with Andrea Dovizioso for the opening 13 laps.

But Pedrosa surged ahead with 15 laps remaining for a result which sees him leapfrog Repsol Honda team-mate Marc Marquez in the championship standings.

Compatriot Marquez recovered from a poor start from pole to claim third.

"I am happy. The whole team did a fantastic job," Crutchlow, who sustained a leg fracture in pre-race practice, told BBC Sport.

"It is nice to get that podium and hopefully from now on we can be injury-free and come back strong in Mugello [Italy]."

The win for 27-year-old Pedrosa takes him six points clear of Marquez.

"I am so happy. It was a great race for me," he said.

"I got some good grip on the tyres, my braking was good and when I was in front, although I made a couple of mistakes, I was able to stay on the bike and bring it in and kept working until the end."

Dovizioso eventually came home fourth, finishing ahead of Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden.

Alvaro Bautista was sixth while reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who qualified second, was down in a disappointing seventh.

Lorenzo remains third in the championship but the gap between himself and leader Pedrosa has increased to 17 points.

Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi finished 12th after skidding out on a curve with 11 laps remaining.

Marquez once again showed his ability to adapt to new situations quickly.

The 20-year-old initially struggled in the wet conditions and by the end of lap one he had dropped down to eighth.

He twice avoided crashing out during the opening laps but as the track dried, his pace improved and he soon made his way through the field to secure a fourth podium finish of the season.

"In the warm-up I had a good feeling but at the beginning of the race the feeling was not so good," he said.

"I was struggling a lot and I nearly crashed many times. I didn't expect to finish on the podium but I focused on the race, took it step by step and I am very happy for this."

Earlier, Scott Redding won his maiden Moto2 race, becoming the first British rider to win a grand prix in the category.

The Marc VDS rider qualified second but took advantage of race leader Takaaki Nakagami's crash on lap seven.

The race was red-flagged with two laps remaining because of rain and, on countback, Redding's team-mate Mika Kallio was given second with Xavier Simeon third.

Maverick Vinales led a Spanish one-two-three in the Moto3 race, with the KTM rider finishing ahead of compatriots and teammates Alex Rins and Luis Salom.

Vinales's win, his second of the season, increased his lead at the top of the standings to 13 points.

French MotoGP results:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Repsol Honda 49'17.707

2. Cal Crutchlow (Gbr) Tech 3 Yamaha 49'22.570

3. Marc Marquez (Spa) Repsol Honda 49'24.656

4. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 49'27.794

5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati 49'36.178

6. Alvaro Bautista (Spa) Gresni Honda 49'41.268

7. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 49'45.668

8. Michele Pirro (Ita) Ignite Pramac 49'58.482

9. Bradley Smith (Gbr) Tech 3 Yamaha 49'59.114

10. Stefan Bradl (Ger) LCR Honda 50'18.702