Valentino Rossi claimed victory in Catalunya to catapult himself back into the MotoGP World Championship battle.
The Italian took advantage on his Movistar Yamaha after reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of the race.
Rossi, looking for a 10th world title, held off Spanish rival Marc Marquez to claim victory in a thrilling duel over the final six laps.
"The important thing is that we had a great battle with Valentino and I think the people enjoyed it" - Marc Marquez
The duo exchanged the lead with Repsol Honda's Marquez getting his nose in front in his home race three laps out.
But Rossi was able to retake the lead with two laps remaining and did not look back as he claimed a stunning win.
Lorenzo's race came to an end with eight laps remaining, the Spaniard furious after he was clipped by Andrea Iannone as they contested fifth spot.
Spaniard Dani Pedroza finished third, six seconds behind Rossi, who remains third in the standings but is now just 12 points behind Lorenzo.
Marquez leapfrogged his countryman into top spot in the standing and leads by 10 points.
Antrim man Eugene Laverty, riding for Team Aspar, finished 13th today and lies in 11th place overall in the standings on 39 points.
"It's a great victory, one of the best of my career," declared 37-year-old Rossi, who started fifth and fell to seventh before fighting back.
It was his second victory of the season, 88th in MotoGP and 114th of his grand prix career.
"I was struggling a lot with the front (tyre)," said Marquez, who ended last season as Rossi's arch-enemy after the pair clashed on track and the Italian accused him of helping compatriot Lorenzo win the title to keep it in Spanish hands.
"I had a few moments, in the end I was on the limit. I tried but when I saw also Lorenzo out the mentality changed a little bit.
"The important thing is that we had a great battle with Valentino and I think the people enjoyed it."
