Source: CCTV.com

05-04-2009 10:44

Italy's Valentino Rossi won his first victory of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on Sunday. The win takes him to the top of the Moto GP championship standings.

MotoGP Valentino Rossi of Italy steers his Yamaha during the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix, at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Sunday, May 3, 2009.( AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti ) 
MotoGP Valentino Rossi of Italy steers his Yamaha during the 
Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix, at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez 
de la Frontera, Spain, Sunday, May 3, 2009.( AP Photo/Miguel 
Angel Morenatti )
 

But it was Dani Pedrosa who built up a small lead in the early stages. Casey Stoner and Rossi battled for second place behind him, but by the middle of the race Rossi got ahead of the 2007 world champion and concentrated on reeling in the leader.

The reigning world champion world champion then overtook Pedrosa with ten laps remaining, clinching the title.

Valentino Rossi, of Fiat Yamaha, said, "I have one part of the race where I don't gain a lot, but lap by lap I was able to prove my pace, to stay very constant, and especially my bike today worked very well. The setting is OK, I'm so fast with the sliding tyre, and I was able to arrive to Dani (Pedrosa), overtake and have another I think nine, ten lap to the end, so I try to stay concentrate."

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