Rossi claims San Marino GP

Valentino Rossi led home a Fiat Yamaha one-two as he stretched his lead in the FIM MotoGP World Championship to 30 points over team-mate Jorge Lorenzo with victory at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Rossi and Lorenzo were well clear of the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa at the chequered flag at Misano as the Spaniard's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso came in fourth.

Fifth went to veteran Rizla Suzuki rider Loris Capirossi as the fast-starting Toni Elias, on the San Carlo Gresini Honda, finally faded from second to finish the race in sixth.

Victory stretched Rossi's lead over title rival Lorenzo as Pedrosa's third place moved him up to third in the standings over Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner who is taking a break from the series to recover from illness.

A delighted Rossi said: ‘It was a perfect weekend and thanks to all the fans because it was a very important victory for me.’

Lorenzo admitted he had been second best to his team-mate, as he said: ‘He was the number one this weekend because he is the fastest.’

Pedrosa was quickest off the start line ahead of Elias and Rossi as the drama unfolded behind them.

Lorenzo managed to stay on his bike despite being hit in the second corner by Alex De Angelis whose Gresini Honda wiped both Colin Edwards (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) out of the race.

Rossi moved up from third to take the lead on lap eight of 28 and Lorenzo was up to second by half-distance.

Lorenzo was never able to close the gap enough on Rossi to challenge for the lead as Pedrosa finished a lonely third as his Honda appeared to run out of fuel on the slow-down lap.

Pedrosa, who has agreed to remain with Honda along with Dovizioso next season after being linked with a move to Ducati, was relieved to finish the race.

He said: ‘I am happy because I think I had a lot of luck. My bike was misfiring in some corners. Finally the bike stopped and it seems like I was out of fuel.’

Leading final positions:
1 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 44mins 32.882secs
2 Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 44:35.298
3 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 44:45.282
4 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 44:59.212
5 Loris Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 44:59.421
6 Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 45:01.168
7 Mika Kallio (Fin) Ducati 45:03.066
8 Marco Melandri (Ita) Kawasaki 45:04.639
9 Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 45:04.791
10 James Toseland (Gbr) Yamaha 45:11.229
11 Aleix Espargaro (Spa) Ducati 45:19.555
12 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 45:24.923
13 Niccolo Canepa (Ita) Ducati 45:36.080
14 Gabor Talmacsi (Hun) Honda 45:55.229