Dani Pedrosa (Honda) earned his and Honda’s first victory of the 2010 MotoGP season at the Italian MotoGP presented at Mugello. The quickest rider all weekend long, Pedrosa took off from pole position and hid from everyone while establishing lap record after record, closer and closer to his qualifying time. He built up a 7.8s lead before backing off to a 4s victory at the finish.

Second place man Jorge Lorenzo had his hands full with Andrea Dovizioso (Honda), who passed him early on, with the Spaniard pushing his Yamaha back into second place, where he finished.

The diminutive Dani Pedrosa is letting his new-found pace negotiate his 2011 contract with Honda. Photo: Motogp

The action was hot and heavy behind the podium finishers, as Casey Stoner (Ducati) jumped past both Marco Melandri (Honda) and Randy de Puniet (Honda) on the last lap. Melandri, who had started in 14th place on the grid, passed Stoner for fourth on the last lap. The Australian got back in front in the last corners, beating Melandri by 0.032s at the flag.

Nicky Hayden (Ducati) was the race's biggest casualty when he crashed on lap six while embroiled in a battle with Melandri over fifth.

Valentino Rossi broke a leg on Friday morning practice, and was operated that day. He likely will miss four to six weeks, thereby taking him out of the 2010 Championship race, and perhaps cool his enthusiasm for bike for 2011 and on, as rumours involving the Ferrari F1 Team. And just when he had resigned with Yamaha for 2011, and Stoner for Honda, where he will replace Pedrosa or Dovizioso – funny how those two are now running hard after a start to the season that did not measure up to Honda’s expectations…

MotoGP Italy– Round 4 Results
1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 42:28,066
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha +4.014
3. Andrea Dovizioso Honda +6.196
4. Casey Stoner Marlboro +25.703
5. Marco Melandri Honda +25.735
6. Randy de Puniet Honda +25.965
7. Ben Spies Yamaha +28.806

2010 MotoGP Standings – After 4 of 18 rounds
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 90 points
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 65 points
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 61 points
4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 58 points
5. Nicky Hayden Ducati 39 points