Reverend
May 5th, 2008, 17:54 PM
Valentino Rossi produced a faultless performance to clinch victory in the China MotoGP ahead of Dani Pedrosa.
The pair were dominant on a damp track and fought a fascinating battle throughout, but Rossi outpaced the Spaniard over the last few laps.
The win was the Italian Yamaha rider's first in eight races and announces his, and his team's, return to form.
World champion Casey Stoner 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 - seven points ahead of compatriot Lorenzo.
China MotoGP result:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
2. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Marco Melandri (Italy) Ducati
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha
8. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 81 pts
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
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7382670.stm)
The pair were dominant on a damp track and fought a fascinating battle throughout, but Rossi outpaced the Spaniard over the last few laps.
The win was the Italian Yamaha rider's first in eight races and announces his, and his team's, return to form.
World champion Casey Stoner 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 - seven points ahead of compatriot Lorenzo.
China MotoGP result:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
2. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Marco Melandri (Italy) Ducati
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha
8. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 81 pts
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
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7382670.stm)