Pedrosa claims U.S. MotoGP as Stoner battles to fourth despite ankle injury

(CNN) -- Honda's Dani Pedrosa scored a dominant victory in the United States MotoGP at Indianapolis Sunday to reinforce his world title challenge.

The Spaniard relegated championship leader Jorge Lorenzo on his Yamaha to second place on a circuit famous for hosting the Indy 500.

Andrea Dovizioso of Italy completed the podium positions for Yamaha.

He overtook reigning champion Casey Stoner in the closing stages of the 28 laps race. Australian Stoner was racing despite fracturing his right ankle and damaging ligaments in a qualifying crash Saturday.

Stoner, who is to retire at the end of the season, was thrown over the handlebars of his Honda, but bravely took to the grid as he attempted to repeat his victory of last year in the United States round.

He was wearing a specially constructed boot and had taken painkilling tablets according to the official MotoGP webiste.

But there was no stopping pole sitter Pedrosa, who has cut the gap at the top of the overall standings to 18 points behind his Spanish rival Lorenzo.

It was his second victory of the season as he crossed the line over 10 seconds clear, but early in the race was relegated to second by fast starting home rider Ben Spies.

Pedrosa regained the lead to go clear, while Spies had to retire on lap 22.

Seven-time champion Valentino Rossi, who is switching back to Yamaha for the 2013 season, finished seventh on his Ducati.