BUENOS AIRES, April 8 -- Cal Crutchlow became the first British rider to lead the MotoGP championship in 39 years after winning a dramatic Argentine Grand Prix on his LRC Honda on Sunday.

The 32-year-old finished in 40 minutes, 36.34 seconds at the Termas de Rio Honda track, 0.25 seconds faster than France's Johann Zarco on a Yamaha. Spanish Suzuki rider Alex Rins was third, 2.50 seconds off the pace.

Spain's four-time world champion Marc Marquez finished 18th after receiving a 30-second penalty for riding the wrong way down the track before the rain-delayed start.

As he made ground on his competitors, Marquez collided with Italy's seven-time champion Valentino Rossi and Spaniard Aleix Espargaro. Rossi fell off his bike before recovering to finish 19th.

Crutchlow, who now leads the overall standings with 38 points from the season's first two races, is the first Briton to lead the championship since Barry Sheene in 1979.

"It was nice to win but it was to be expected," a confident Crutchlow said. "I thought I could leave the weekend being first or second with Marc Marquez.

"I took no risks; I stayed out of the slipstream. My front tyre was melted. We have to be pleased the team has done a fantastic job. I had a great winter in California. It shows you don't have to do press-ups and pull-ups all winter to win races."

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