Rossi wins home GP at Mugello

Italian Valentino Rossi has wowed the crowds by storming to victory at his home Grand Prix.

Thousands of fans flocked on to the 3.250mile track to congratulate their hero as he secured just his second victory of the season so far.

The Yamaha rider got off to a dreadful start and found himself back in eighth place in the opening laps before slicing through the field to battle for the lead.

Even after he secured the lead on lap nine, the Doctor stuck to his guns and pulled away from the rest of the field.

Dani Pedrosa took the lead on lap six, keeping up the strong pace he has shown all weekend.

The Repsol Honda rider was the only one able to keep up with Rossi from second position as they broke away.

Casey Stoner got off to a brilliant start taking the lead immediately from his pole position slot. But the Australian did not have it all his own way as he struggled around the Mugello circuit.

He was holding on to third position until Brazilian veteran, Alex Barros, had other ideas four laps from the end to claim the final podium slot.

Wet weather specialist Chris Vermeulen may have been the only one not glad to see the sun shining at the Italian circuit as the forecasted rain held off.

The Australian was vying for the lead against Stoner in the early laps but soon went backwards, eventually finishing in eighth.

Reigning champion Nicky Hayden was not able to repeat the fortunes of his teammate as he finished in 10th place, while Yamaha’s second man, Colin Edwards, only had a 12th to show for his efforts some 28 seconds behind his teammate.

 

MotoGP race results:

1 Valentino ROSSI ITA YAMAHA 42’42.385
2 Dani PEDROSA SPA HONDA 42’45.459
3 Alex BARROS BRA DUCATI 42’48.341
4 Casey STONER AUS DUCATI 42’48.397
5 John HOPKINS USA SUZUKI 42’55.629
6 Toni ELIAS SPA HONDA 43’01.640
7 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA DUCATI 43’02.031
8 Chris VERMEULEN AUS SUZUKI 43’05.195
9 Marco MELANDRI ITA HONDA 43’05.222
10 Nicky HAYDEN USA HONDA 43’06.798
11 Alex HOFMANN GER DUCATI 43’07.166
12 Colin EDWARDS USA YAMAHA 43’10.386
13 Shinya NAKANO JPN HONDA 43’19.118
14 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA YAMAHA 43’27.483
15 Makoto TAMADA JPN YAMAHA 43’27.530
16 Olivier JACQUE FRA KAWASAKI 43’27.602
17 Kenny ROBERTS JR USA KR212V 44’09.607