British MotoGP 2013: Assessing Post-Race Title Hopes

Spain's Jorge Lorenzo won an exciting British MotoGP at Silverstone on Sunday by beating compatriot Marc Marquez in the final few corners of the race.

The result ends Marquez's run of four consecutive race wins and springs Lorenzo back into world title contention in third place, just behind another Spaniard in Dani Pedrosa.

With six races to go, all three riders will feel there is an opportunity to seize the end-of-season crown, although Marquez very much remains favourite having extended his lead over Pedrosa to 30 points.

Let's take a look at how the contenders' title hopes changed this weekend.

Marc Marquez (Reysol Honda)

Twenty-year-old Marquez will be delighted with his showing at Silverstone on Sunday, having pushed the experienced Lorenzo all the way until the final few seconds of the race.

Marquez has been a revelation in his debut MotoGP season. Despite having won the second-tier series in 2012, he was not expected to really challenge his two experienced rivals.

He has done more than that, though, and came remarkably close to winning a fifth consecutive race in Britain. His title chances, though, have improved with Pedrosa's third-place finish.

Success won't be easy for him, but he is comfortably in pole position given his 30-point lead in the title standings.

Dani Pedrosa (Reysol Honda)

Forever the bridesmaid in recent years, after four runner-up finishes in the world championship, Pedrosa lost ground to his rivals on Sunday after placing third.

At this stage last season, Pedrosa would go on to win four more races—only for two retirements to cost him a shot at the title. He needs a similar performance this time around if he is to stand any chance of success.

It has now been eight rounds since Pedrosa completed back-to-back wins at Jerez and Le Mans, which the rider himself would accept is not good enough for someone of his ability.

The title is not out of his reach, but he will require a significant improvement in form.

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha)

The win at Silverstone has done two-time world champion Lorenzo's season the power of good and he has now closed to within 39 points of the title leader.

Lorenzo has won four races this campaign, but saw a mid-season drop off in results allow the two leaders to pull clear in the overall classification.

However, three successive podium finishes, including this success would suggest that the Yamaha rider is now coming back to some sort of form at the right stage of the season.

Lorenzo will need an excellent final six races if he is to close the gap at the top of the standings, but he is more than capable of doing so. As the pressure on Marquez rises, can the experienced Lorenzo capitalise?