Valentino Rossi continued his dominance of the 2005 MotoGP season when winning the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
The 26-year-old Gauloises Yamaha rider, already crowned world champion for the sixth time, secured his 11th success of the campaign in stunning fashion.
It was a 53rd Grand Prix victory overall for the Italian at one of his favourite venues, winning for the fifth straight time on the Australian coastal circuit and securing his seventh win from 10 visits here.
Rossi started in second place on the grid after being outshone by American Nicky Hayden in qualifying, but the Italian was soon at the head of affairs in the race itself.
Hayden was back in front on lap 16 of 27 but his lead lasted just two circuits before Rossi regained the initiative and was never passed again.
Repsol Honda rider Hayden held on for second while Spain's Carlos Checa (Ducati Marlboro) pipped Marco Melandri (Movistar Honda) of Italy for third.
Rossi is now an incredible 161 points clear in the World Championship table, with Hayden and Melandri tied for second.
Italy's Max Biaggi began the day in second place but was an early casualty Down Under.
