Valentino Rossi produced a faultless performance to clinch victory in the China MotoGP ahead of Dani Pedrosa.
The pair were dominant over the field and fought a fascinating battle throughout, but Rossi outpaced the Spaniard over the last few laps.
The win was the Italian Yamaha rider's 63rd of his career but first in nine races and announces his return to form.
World champion Casey Stoner Ferraris leave Hamilton trailing ...
Over 2,500 European Police to Assist Euro 2008 Hosts ...
Mission launched for Betancourt ...
MotoGP: Victory for Pedrosa ...
F1: Ferraris set early pace ... was third, while Jorge Lorenzo, hampered by injury, came a stunning fourth.
Rossi's team-mate Lorenzo dug deep and rode bravely following his huge crash in practice on Friday which left him with a chipped left ankle bone.
Pedrosa's second place gave him the outright lead in the championship on 81 points, seven ahead of compatriot Lorenzo.
Pole-sitter Colin Edwards finished seventh after initially fighting for the lead with Rossi and Pedrosa but running wide and then losing pace as the race wore on.
His Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate, and Britain's sole MotoGP representative, James Toseland could only manage 12th.
China MotoGP results:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 44 mins 08.061 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 44:11.951
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 44:23.989
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 44:30.555
5. Marco Melandri (Italy) Ducati 44:35.018
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 44:36.430
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 44:37.841
8. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati 44:38.286
9. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 44:39.501
10. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Honda 44:44.030
MotoGP championship standings:
1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 81
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 74
3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 72
4. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 56
5. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 33
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha 33
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 31
8. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 29
9. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 26
10. John Hopkins (U.S.) Kawasaki 26
(BBC)
<< Back